RE: SOTW: Saab 9000 Aero
Discussion
Loved all 3 of my 9000s, but my run-out model, badged as a 2.3 Turbo but with Aero HOT engine and LSD, tuned to 300ish bhp was my fave:
Not much difference between those two on the straights, but he would catch me up on the corners!
I did 70,000 miles in 2 years in that one, an effortless, comfortable car with which to attack the British Road network
Not much difference between those two on the straights, but he would catch me up on the corners!
I did 70,000 miles in 2 years in that one, an effortless, comfortable car with which to attack the British Road network
carinaman said:
I sold it and bought a TVR Tamora, but still miss the Saab sometimes.That blog link is now defunct, replaced by www.sevenman.co.uk.
But the link to the easiest to access info on my 9000 Aero is at http://gavinandnaomi.com/?page_id=65.
Great sleeper, and depending on tune, silly mid-range torque. Engine internals good for big bhp, but over 300bhp it gets expensive to get enough fuel/air in. Up to 290 can be achieved easily with minor mods.
Some good tyres and a sensible application of power out of bends meant it could all be put down from 2nd gear in the dry. It surprised a few cars on track days despite running near stock suspension and brakes.
Gearboxes and clutches can last if the mid-range torque is controlled in the engine map, there is always the temptation to use the smallish turbo to get lots of grunt, but it runs out of capacity as the rev rise and the torque drops away at higher revs.
The Aero interior is great. If it is in good condition, it is worth it for those seats alone.
The stock handling feels a bit indirect, but is predictable at the limit. I sold it when I realised I needed to spend £5k+ on it to get what I wanted, and bought the TVR instead. But as a £1k barge, it is a great car.
Great things.
My dad has had 2, the second for 10 years and nothing has gone wrong at all. I bought a 97 2.3 turbo last year and it just works.
Climate, heated leather armchairs, huge boot, and 200bhp for 750.
They are really well built and feel very solid. They day after buying mine I drove it the length of the country with no drama. 32 mpg on a run.
ETA pic:
My dad has had 2, the second for 10 years and nothing has gone wrong at all. I bought a 97 2.3 turbo last year and it just works.
Climate, heated leather armchairs, huge boot, and 200bhp for 750.
They are really well built and feel very solid. They day after buying mine I drove it the length of the country with no drama. 32 mpg on a run.
ETA pic:
Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Friday 20th April 13:52
Am I missing something? (I assume I am and that someone will be able to explain exactly what)
For over £1k you can buy a P reg Saab with 190k miles, short mot, no tax, abs/srs lights on (mot fail), decat exhaust/sub & amp (these are bad things in small hatchbacks but not in big saabs?) and a problem with the ignition barrel.
I like the idea of 270hp and I even have a soft spot for saabs but I paid about the same last month for my Mercedes E320 with 88k miles! So I cant see this as a bargain.
For over £1k you can buy a P reg Saab with 190k miles, short mot, no tax, abs/srs lights on (mot fail), decat exhaust/sub & amp (these are bad things in small hatchbacks but not in big saabs?) and a problem with the ignition barrel.
I like the idea of 270hp and I even have a soft spot for saabs but I paid about the same last month for my Mercedes E320 with 88k miles! So I cant see this as a bargain.
j_s14a said:
In regard to the Volvo, why is it seriously uncool?
A huge, well built barge estate with an I6 engine seems pretty cool to me
My old man had one of these..... came out of a 535i and into a 3.0 960 CD (sandstone metallic, fully loaded with cream leather). Remains his favourite car to this day. Compared to the beemer it had the stearing ability of a Cunard Liner, but he still goes misty eyed about the "comfiest seats he has ever sat in"... the stereo system was pretty impressive if I recall as well. A huge, well built barge estate with an I6 engine seems pretty cool to me
Ref the Saab. I had a 'friend' who had a 99' 9-5 Aero..... I seem to remember him leaving a sporty 3 series for dead on the M69 - he told me that the speedo was indicating 150mph, but not being present I have no way to verify it....(coughs)
'Some good tyres and a sensible application of power out of bends meant it could all be put down from 2nd gear in the dry'
I put some 'doublestar' (aka 'ditch-finder pro's' on mine for a laugh. Think they lasted about 3k miles...
I grew up with these, dad had a 900T16, 9000 Carlsson x 2, 9000 Aero and even when he got into TVR's he bought a s/h 2.3 turbo CS. The early Carlsson I recall had lower gearing than the Aero (particularly in 5th) so I remember it's 50-70mph time was quite spectacular. Actually, this is sad..I remember it was 5.6s and was actually the quickest 5th gear 50-70mph time Autocar had ever tested at the time (faster than a ferrari testarossa no less...)
The fondest memory had to be the central locking (bear with me). When I got together with my missus and I found she drove a Kia Picanto I, naturally, slated it. She was parked up outside saying what a lovely little car it was. I then gave her a demonstration of the difference between Korean engineering and Swedish engineering. Pathetic little whirr from the Kia lock versus the almighty mother-of-god 'kerchunk' from the 9000. Those who've had one will know what I'm talking about...I reckon that system would flatten the battery in a Picanto...
regards
Ben
I put some 'doublestar' (aka 'ditch-finder pro's' on mine for a laugh. Think they lasted about 3k miles...
I grew up with these, dad had a 900T16, 9000 Carlsson x 2, 9000 Aero and even when he got into TVR's he bought a s/h 2.3 turbo CS. The early Carlsson I recall had lower gearing than the Aero (particularly in 5th) so I remember it's 50-70mph time was quite spectacular. Actually, this is sad..I remember it was 5.6s and was actually the quickest 5th gear 50-70mph time Autocar had ever tested at the time (faster than a ferrari testarossa no less...)
The fondest memory had to be the central locking (bear with me). When I got together with my missus and I found she drove a Kia Picanto I, naturally, slated it. She was parked up outside saying what a lovely little car it was. I then gave her a demonstration of the difference between Korean engineering and Swedish engineering. Pathetic little whirr from the Kia lock versus the almighty mother-of-god 'kerchunk' from the 9000. Those who've had one will know what I'm talking about...I reckon that system would flatten the battery in a Picanto...
regards
Ben
Loved my '96 9000 CS LPT (c150bhp): smooth, quick, roomy. Sold it for spares when the speedo drive in the gearbox failed (a £7 part) which would have necessitated a gearbox rebuild that I couldn't afford.
Beware traction control (if this one had it): that tends to see them scrapped when it fails, too.
Beware traction control (if this one had it): that tends to see them scrapped when it fails, too.
Big fan of this. Love old cars with great big laggy turbos on them - obviously not as quick as a modern one without lag, but so much more fun. I've got an MG Maestro Turbo and it's nice to give others hope while the turbo takes forever to spool up then leave them for dead when it hits 15psi.
9/10
9/10
Although I tend to agree with the reply from TheKobra, re the mot fail points (and it will fail unless they are rectified) a bit of investigation with the right diagnostic tool and some appropriate haggling could make it a cracking ride.
I like the £1400 9000 that someone else posted about better though.
Used to knock about (hem hem) with a gal who's dad had his own business. He started with the very first 99 Turbi sold in Notts ( keys etc handed over at a presentation by Eric Morecombe) and continued with Saab turbos to this very day. Although having retired 3times (!!!) he still loved his 9-5 turbo estate, running his last one to over 200k miles with absolutely no problems.
He always told me to get one and I did so un the 1990's, a 3dr Turbi 16v; it had more engineering in its door and bonnet hinges than a Ford Mondeo had in its whole body.
Great sheds.
I like the £1400 9000 that someone else posted about better though.
Used to knock about (hem hem) with a gal who's dad had his own business. He started with the very first 99 Turbi sold in Notts ( keys etc handed over at a presentation by Eric Morecombe) and continued with Saab turbos to this very day. Although having retired 3times (!!!) he still loved his 9-5 turbo estate, running his last one to over 200k miles with absolutely no problems.
He always told me to get one and I did so un the 1990's, a 3dr Turbi 16v; it had more engineering in its door and bonnet hinges than a Ford Mondeo had in its whole body.
Great sheds.
I ran a '97 9000 aniversary model for 3 years and stuck 100K on it.
Lovely motor and the only thing it ate was tyres and brakes and fuel when you horsed it.
Oh, and an cracked aluminium sump wasn't cheap either... And the airco failed which wasn't cheap either. Other than that is was really reliable.
Green isn't a great colour though. Black or silver is better.
It's a great shed though and has that quirkiness that set's it apart from other barges.
Lovely motor and the only thing it ate was tyres and brakes and fuel when you horsed it.
Oh, and an cracked aluminium sump wasn't cheap either... And the airco failed which wasn't cheap either. Other than that is was really reliable.
Green isn't a great colour though. Black or silver is better.
It's a great shed though and has that quirkiness that set's it apart from other barges.
Fat Albert said:
Loved all 3 of my 9000s, but my run-out model, badged as a 2.3 Turbo but with Aero HOT engine and LSD, tuned to 300ish bhp was my fave:
Not much difference between those two on the straights, but he would catch me up on the corners!
I did 70,000 miles in 2 years in that one, an effortless, comfortable car with which to attack the British Road network
Never mind the Saab...look at the lovely Lancia! Not much difference between those two on the straights, but he would catch me up on the corners!
I did 70,000 miles in 2 years in that one, an effortless, comfortable car with which to attack the British Road network
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