A family member of mine worked for Saab North America. I got to drive all kinds of new Saabs in the 80s, including 900 Turbos and 9000s. The first time I encountered automatic seat belts was in a prototype 900S 4-door. I'm glad they went with the airbags.
I was a Saab master tech when these were new. They were great job security. Oil leaks, head gaskets, timing chains, water pumps, and of course a lot of belt replacements. Clutch work is easy as is the drive belts. APC stood for automatic performance control. Forgot to mention pinion bearings. I used to have 2-3 transaxles apart and on the bench at any given time. They were great cars though and I really grew to like them. Yes the coupe is the one to own. Versatility of a station wagon. You could even sleep in the back when camping. Found a commemorative edition 900 coupe for a friend. He still has it. Like 28K on the clock. I’m glad these are gaining traction.
Saabs are problably the worst cars ever made in the world, I rather drive a yugo, actually that is a insult to how much better a Yugo was compared to a Saab.
I ran the hell out of a 1982 Turbo for a bit over 285K, and all it needed was starters, one alternator, exhaust components, two turbos, clutches, a few O2 sensors, and lots of tires, spark plugs and wires. I did my own work so the cost was relatively low. It also delivered about 26 MPG at 80 MPH on the Interstate. Great car.
@@dzgaming1 weird monologue you've got there. Anyway, funny that you mention saab mechanics, all saab mechanics ive encountered all own and drive saabs... youre probably one of those people who got a lemon and never let go. Ive owned many mazdas and nissans over the years and honestly i would never advise anybody to buy them unless you really like poorly built and bland cars. The worst things were rust and dodgy electronics.
I was just diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, with a year or less to live, my uncle dad and grandpa were car guys like you are, I miss them and watching you brings me great comfort, iI have no one comparable to talk cars with, Than you, I have always enjoyed your sense of humor.
Bill, your commentary about the cars exhibited is perfection, even when very tired I always watch until the end. You should have at least 1/2 million subscribers, well done. UK 🇬🇧
As we all can deduce, the more Bill denies the wonderful weather of Florida, the ornithological variation of Florida and his ideas about cats, we know that he secretly studied ornithology at the Uni. of Florida (Gainesville), has a tabby cat at home that lovingly winks and curls up on his lap at night and is a true Floridian at heart. Have watched Bill for several years, always enjoy them, and as a Canadian of about the same vintage as Bill, can entirely related to his comments and thoughts of the past and the present. l enjoy his thoughts on his reconciliation of our fathers, how uncool we thought they were, yet in the end, one has total and deep admiration for the practical, sensible things of old. Enjoyed the Saab story, myself a dedicated Volvo driver for 45 years (as was my father, a Volvo mechanic), but a secret admirer of Saab as well.
Since I have a tall Scandinavian wife, I can say that the back seat will accommodate two chipper tall Scandinavians 😉 Scandinavian cars seem to be the best at accommodating tall adults.
Here in the UK, I've seen a decent Saab 9000 Aero lightly and sympathetically restored for a very good price - there are only 100 of them left here, so getting very rare. If I had the money, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. I have owned 2 9-5 saloons, albeit the 2.0 LPT petrol versions. Absolutely solid and safe cars - I was involved with an accident with a small car and a 7.5 ton lorry/truck while I was towing a 0.75 ton trailer. I won't go into details, but the police, fire service and the ambulance crews who attended the accident all commented on how safe the Saab was. Myself, my wife and my son walked away from that accident without a bruise, and the car was repaired and back on the road about 6 weeks later. Icing on the cake - my insurance provided for a courtesy car and they arrived at my door 24 hours later with a 6 month old Mercedes 220 CDI Avantgarde!
It's always a great Friday when Bill posts a video!!! I live for the Naples shitty weather report along with the animal & Canadian updates!!! Now we also know that Bill is a Saab geek!!! Now I hear that Dalton is working for Curious Cars?? I wonder what we'll learn next!!! Happy Holidays!!! 🎄⛄🤶
Back in 1990 I got overtook by one of these when I was driving an Escort XR3I and I could not stay with it! So next time my company car renewal came around I got a Turbo 16 Valve S in a fast back - the best handling of all of them, I then went for a hatch version with a whale tail that was more practical but didn't handle as well being less rigid! When the turbo kicked in you got a real hard on - never felt like that driving before or since! Marvellous cars so well designed very ergonomic!!!! Love them!
I've owned 6 of them, 2 convertibles and an SPG all but one was a turbo. They were fantastic cars. Thanks for making me feel old, as my first SAAB was a red 1984 S 3 door 5 speed, I purchased new. My `86 SPG was my favorite and I kept it 11 years.
By golly! The return of the Prodigal Curmudgeon, I'm reminded of a/the complete response to the British adage - to turn up like a bad penny. Response: Welcome as a gold coin. I'm glad you're back, hope you can stay a while. 🖖🙏🇨🇦
I knew a man that had one of those three cylinder leaf blowers and I believe it had a four speed on the column gear shifter. It sounded like it would rev to the moon and back. He said it had roller bearing main bearings, and he would just hold it to the floor for what seemed like a minute or so and it never missed a beat. I was truly impressed by the ugly little thing. I never figured out the shifter though. Has anyone else ever heard of a four speed on the column? I also asked a man about the lack of cup holders and he told me "Son, this is an automobile, not a pick-nick table."
I have heard of them, and even a five speed column as well, but I am from europe. (Five speed was in a Mitsubishi van if youre curious). Surely those arent the only cars to feature it, but just as surely its got to be very uncommon in the US indeed. Cup holders were seen as a terrible thing for safety, why would you need a cup holder if you are standing still? Doing anything but driving was frowned upon in places were they take driving seriously, i.e. europe. Of course, times change and the US market is an important one, hence why all modern cars got them.
Kind of a technicality on the heated seats: Saab was the first company to make them STANDARD in 1972, but Cadillac was the first company to offer heated seats as an option in 1966.
Saab was the first to commercially offer the cooled, ventilated seats tho. Not the suck the hot air out from around your ass, but the blow cooled air recycled from the cabin ac straight up your own cabin 😏 saab was great at standardizing luxury features for the consumer class
My uncle owned 3 of these. Tweed jacket wearing New England college professor. He had a minor meltdown when they stopped making new Saabs and sadly had to convert over to BMW. It was always fun riding in his Saab as a little kid just because of how unusual these things are versus your regular Ford/Chrysler/Chevy domestic market cars.
Bill's breadth of knowledge of cars is amazing. I grew up in a college town, and his profile of a typical Saab owner is spot on. There was a time I wanted one after the GM acquisition, but there was simply none available during the global financial crisis.
I remember seeing the cool 2004 9-3 SAAB convertibles at Santa Ana SAAB as my dealership would drop off trades for repair there. Now I have a 2007 9-3 convertible and a 2006 9-5 sedan. Both are perfect vehicles!
@@garthhancock3373 -In fact, they are the very DEFINITION of *GARBAGE!* If they hadn't made garbage, they wouldn't have gone out of business you simpleton.
@@243wayne1 They went out of business due to GM watering down the brand after GM aquired ownership of Saab. Plus add into to the fact that GM in their infinite wisdom and pisspoor financial decisions which led to their bankruptcy in 2008, Saab, along with Pontiac and Hummer were all killed off. Don't resort to the ad hominem attacks. It makes you look like the simpleton.
I love all the car reviews but I really only watch these for Bills weather commentary which absolutely cracks me up every single time. Legit hilarious!
Great review, Bill, as usual! The 900 turbo convertible is the best! I have a later 9-3 convertible. Despite what people say, it's all SAAB, in look and feel. SAAB may have used some minor GM mechanical elements by then, but the design, body panels, interior appointments, ride, features, switches, seats (best in the world) are still all SAAB. Be it 9-3 or 900, a fantastic drop-top 2+2 for non-city daily use, weekend excursions, very long vacation trips. I made a 3,000 KM and still make regular 1,000 KM trips with a boat in tow and have no problems and no back discomfort whatsover. They do everything well (except drag race). They tow boats, haul groceries, children, dogs -- all in style and surpassing comfort! They are exquisite for drives in the open countryside. Unique with SAAB, the interior appointments are soft on the eye -- no jagged lines or chrome or fake wood. The dashboard is real walnut. Sitting inside is like having a brandy and a cigar at an old-world men's club. Odd and elegant, they are TREMENDOUS fun to drive (rather than drag race)! People drive like they make love -- so many are just too fast, have no rhythm, trying to prove something while fooling no one -- in other words, can't dance, so to speak! Where German cars drive like either high-speed trains or tractors on rails (it's OK, I have an old SL too), and French cars...well..., SAABs dance! The engine purrs and so do the passengers! Fantastic!
Minus 8 degrees centigrade here in North Staffordshire, England this morning, Bill. That's our version of shitty weather. Great video. Nothing else looked like a Saab. Much missed.
@@waggitnshaggit6592 It sure does, i spent the week before doing a ride along with a distribution truck, it got cold, a lot over 5 days, so to no surprise on Thursday/Friday i felt like a skunk, starting to feel better now which is good since school starts on Monday.
Also the engine oil lubricated the gear box!!!! You should also see the window wiper arrangement - it has a cable operation that blows your mind - mine went and I thought all I had to do was reconnect the arm as in every other car but no - the cable had snapped and needed re threading!
I certainly recall 80s America and the Middle class being enchanted by Audi and Saab ... before boring Lexus appeared. Rode in a 900 one time. It was quiet and the seat was extremely hard - yet comfortable. Preferred the 5 cylinder Audi and it's noise. That said preferred the 5.0 Mustang to anything Euro at the time.
I love that American Car Lover Bill can be charmed by this oddball Swedish car. My favourite mechanic for most of the eighties and nineties was a Jamaican guy who swore by Saabs for a few years.
"Killed a bunch of orthodontists wives" now I'm dead. I have a 2003 SAAB 9/5 wagon that sometimes actually runs, has the best ride and most comfortable seats I have ever experienced.
@@dzgaming1 I have two viggens. The one I spent an eternity fixing and working on still refuses to run right. The other one that I daily drove for 4 years (without problems) and then abandoned outdoors for 4 years started right up and runs perfectly after the other one pissed me off sufficiently enough that decided to park it and pull the abandoned one from hibernation.
Had exact same car and loved its ride, interior and thoughtful design. Reliable for the most part but finding parts got harder towards the end of our ownership in 2014. Have a Tesla now but have fond memories.
My uncle Bob had a few of these in the 80's and 90's on the Isle of Man (where he lived). I loved going for a ride in the latest one when I visited. There was black Saab 99 coupe, a red 900S coupe and dark green 900SE 4-door and a couple more I can't remember. The other thing that made me a Saab guy was reading Icebreaker by John Gardner as a kid, which was a James Bond story continuation novel. The 900 was a James Bond car in three of those those continuation novels. He wrote 14 JB continuation novels according to Google, but I only remember reading Icebreaker. @33:10 You've got my Uncle Bob nailed.
Great video, very entertaining and informative! Small correction, @26:24, you're almost right, SAAB did indeed use the British Tiumph-derived engine in the early SAAB 99s, but only up to 1972 ½. Thereafter, SAAB developed their own engine, the "B-Motor" (Somewhat based on the Triumph Engine), which they ultimately slapped a turbo on! The Triumph engine was still hopelessly unreliable which brought the 99's reputation down in early sales due to various issues. The Swedish-built B-Motor was virtually indestructible with good service and maintenance, barring the sensitive water pump. What's in your convertible is one of the final forms of the later H-Motor, also very reliable and durable. Great old cars, SAAB 99/900/90, just too bad they rust up long before the engines give in.
14:11 GM actually beat both Porsch and Sabb with the introduction of turbochargers in the Olds F85, and then the Corvair, but, as usual, they didn't stick with it (at least not in their American offerings). Cadillac also introduced heated seats as an option for 1965, but, although I assume it stayed on their options list from there on, most people didn't know it existed.
That’s a great capsule history of Saab, Bill. Truly enjoyed your account of a car that has interested me ever since my aunt’s boyfriend owned one in the 1960s.
Good video but a few nitpicks, particularly about not giving the USA credit for being first with turbos (1962 Olds Jetfire) and front wheel drive with a longitudinally mounted engines and a chain driven transmission (1966 Olds Toronado.)
Such a cool car. I'm sure that photo of a tree having fallen on the roof of a 900 with a UK number plate was in 1987/88 when we had a notoriously strong hurricane which ripped up masses of big trees. I was a baby at the time and was in a car with my dad (it would've been either a Peugeot 305, Triumph Dolomite, Volvo 264 or Mercedes W123) waiting for my mum to finish a teaching course she was giving. My dad decided to move the car to a better space after which a huge tree fell and landed where we had been parked. My geography teacher at school had a burgundy pre-facelift Saab 900 saloon (sedan) with chrome hubcaps which I thought looked like the Pontiac Le Mans from the French Connection (I was an oddball at school, thinking about crap like that in the late 90s/early 2000s). She replaced it with a gold early Saab 9000 hatchback I believe. I own 4 cars, none of which are particularly exotic: a Volvo 740GL estate (wagon), a Vauxhall Vectra C, a Saab 9-3 sportswagon with Hirsch conversion and half an MX-5 (my brother in law owns the other half and we take it to autotesting). The Vauxhall and Saab are offerings from GM's British and Swedish divisions and, unintentionally by GM, both those companies have griffins as their emblems. As fancy as the 9-3 is, it doesn't have the ergonomics of the Vectra. The Vectra is, I will admit, as dull as dishwater, but it fits like a glove and doesn't piss me off day-to-day. The Saab does have annoying foibles and eccentricities that really get on my tits after a while. In Saab's defence, I think that's a result of them trying to fit their features into a GM platform.
Es and me. Have had over ten of them. Oldest was the ugly duckling station wagon! Cutest little car. Drove it to Killington ski area in blizzard as I delivered 200 doz3n choc chip cookies in that baby. Had to use chains then to get up to the lodge to deliver. And those were the days. Tested out my 1991 Saab turbo convertible in a rain storm, top down. Was told if I go 65 mph I will not get wet. I didn’t!!
Almost all 900 and 9-3 convertibles were actually made in Uusikaupunki Finland at Valmet plant. Later they put together Porsche Boxsters and now they do Mercedes-Benz GLC. Next year they'll start building AMG GT's. Also Sweden or Finland were never communist.
True but heart wrenching story: when I was 8 years old my dad was stationed over in Germany for the Army. His best friend had just bought a Saab 900 Turbo. He had had a son who was a bit younger than me and a wife. He took them out for a ride in their new Saab, and he decided to really open it up and see what it could do. They ended up flipping the car going way too fast around a wet corner, the whole family died. That one stuck with me and I still remember it happening 30 something years later. Drive safely.
Back in the early 70s, a dude I knew bought a new SAAB 96--with a 4cyl (V4) engine, 4 speed-on the column(!) and of course, FWD. That car had such a different look, like a bulbous cough drop, with wheels!..But it handled well, and was very good in the snow, although the front wheel wells would get jammed up with snow and ice pretty quick. People made fun of that car, but I appreciated how well-built, and solid it felt. You rarely see one of these on the road today, but I would drive one now, if parts were still available--which I doubt!
One thing that is not widely known, is that the windshield reinforcement was not just for general structure. That, upright windshield and sloping buttress shape was because they in sweden they had moose with long legs. The windshield/roof needed to protect the occupants from moose impacts. Their long legs meant that their bodies would miss the body and hit the roof. So the roof had to be strong to withstand that impact.
Although I am a big fan of American cars of the 60's and 70's l have a soft spot for Saab. They were so unique and well engineered. Saab really destroyed them but the last models were incredibly beautiful and capable. Unfortunately it was too late.
I had a 99 when I was 17. Twas shit hot. We managed to install big bastard rally spotlights under the reverse opening bonnet, it had slidey heater controls in the centre console which I used to tell people were boost controls, and pull backwards whilst accelerating. Also there was a windscreen wiper setting where the washers would operate full time. If you turned them on you had to shout made up rally instructions at each other in made up Swedish. Also, with the back seats down you could get horizontal in the back, which was charming fun at that age, and finally, my friend had a post office van with double opening back doors, so if you parked back to back with the hatch open, 7 teenagers could get completely stoned in a lay by in total comfort. Not so sure about the " tremendous handling" though. It understeered like a bastard, though that didn't seem to matter when you were stoned and shouting at each other in pretend Swedish. God, I loved that car. Also, handbrake worked on the front wheels, which is just perverse.
Am I the only one who immediately goes to Kramer trying to find the range of the vehicle with the gas gauge on "empty" with the salesman whenever I see a SAAB 900? 🤣 My dad owned a very special SAAB, a 1974 Sonnett III, here in the USA...powered by a Ford Taunus V4! P.S. my dad was a Dentist...
I forgot to mention in my earlier comment that I was reminded of the 1985 Buick Park Avenue which had a nearly identical clamshell type hood arrangement. I was working new car sales at a Buick dealer at the time. I was surprised Bill didn't mention that as well.
This is one of the best reviews I've seen by Naples., Do you know what you've just done running that up in the revs?? You've shown how cool these cars were back then!! Just look at that move! Almost fast! At the very least fun! Just in a different class of its own, Nice car! Nice video!
MY first Saab I bought new. 1984 Saab couple Turbo with a maroon velour interior. Since I have bought new Mercedes Benz, a new Volvo and Toyotas since, but that Saab still has my heart. I found a 90 vert with 26k original miles on it . Black and tan. BTW, the person speaking on this video is very entertaining and articulate. Good job.
I have owned a Saab 9-3 Aero for 8 years, and, in all that time, I have spent next to nothing on repairs. I'm reluctant to change because it still runs like a dream.
Bill I am a Saab nut. My favorite car of all time was my 97 9000 aero. Quarter mile in 14.2 seconds terminal speed of 147 miles an hour. Four doors and a hatchback and only weighed 3200 pounds. That car truly produced a smile for every mile especially in second gear.😂😂😂. Saabs were so safe that whenever a death occurred in one of them(very rare), they would send out the engineers from trollhatten to analyze why the person died, and what they could do to lower deaths in the future.
Very very well done on the video love how you change gears with the opposite hand, it reminds me of how so many disabled drivers do it. Kudos and keep it up.
owning a large body shop in MA 8ok square foot , i'm 65 , those turtle backs were the hardest cars to repair if they were hit semi hard in the back , the construction was stronger then anything else on the road :) :) :)
Bill is more entertaining than any comedian on television.
That says a lot for comedians nowadays
He is awesome. He is only five years older than me. We are both Gen X LOL
For sure!
Chris Rock still will not make fun of Alec Baldwin’s wife
Except for George Carlin
These cars meant something back then. Great car.
I never know these cars can outrun the cops 👮♂️ 😆
A family member of mine worked for Saab North America. I got to drive all kinds of new Saabs in the 80s, including 900 Turbos and 9000s. The first time I encountered automatic seat belts was in a prototype 900S 4-door. I'm glad they went with the airbags.
watch the hagerty video on it. it was advanced for its time
I was a Saab master tech when these were new. They were great job security. Oil leaks, head gaskets, timing chains, water pumps, and of course a lot of belt replacements. Clutch work is easy as is the drive belts. APC stood for automatic performance control. Forgot to mention pinion bearings. I used to have 2-3 transaxles apart and on the bench at any given time. They were great cars though and I really grew to like them. Yes the coupe is the one to own. Versatility of a station wagon. You could even sleep in the back when camping. Found a commemorative edition 900 coupe for a friend. He still has it. Like 28K on the clock. I’m glad these are gaining traction.
Saabs are problably the worst cars ever made in the world, I rather drive a yugo, actually that is a insult to how much better a Yugo was compared to a Saab.
I ran the hell out of a 1982 Turbo for a bit over 285K, and all it needed was starters, one alternator, exhaust components, two turbos, clutches, a few O2 sensors, and lots of tires, spark plugs and wires. I did my own work so the cost was relatively low. It also delivered about 26 MPG at 80 MPH on the Interstate. Great car.
@@dzgaming1 weird monologue you've got there. Anyway, funny that you mention saab mechanics, all saab mechanics ive encountered all own and drive saabs... youre probably one of those people who got a lemon and never let go. Ive owned many mazdas and nissans over the years and honestly i would never advise anybody to buy them unless you really like poorly built and bland cars. The worst things were rust and dodgy electronics.
@@dzgaming1 Turbos were about 400 each, and plug wires were about 12 a set.
@@dzgaming1 How many track days did you have on the car?
These Saabs were so good
I was just diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, with a year or less to live, my uncle dad and grandpa were car guys like you are, I miss them and watching you brings me great comfort, iI have no one comparable to talk cars with, Than you, I have always enjoyed your sense of humor.
Rectum Damn near killed him
Bill, your commentary about the cars exhibited is perfection, even when very tired I always watch until the end. You should have at least 1/2 million subscribers, well done. UK 🇬🇧
These pre-GM Saabs are some of my absolute favorite cars. I love the 9000 as well. We didn't get to see it with the top up!
Everything about SAAB is pre-GM…
Growing up in New England many friends drive these Saab 900’s
This is the best car channel on TH-cam
As we all can deduce, the more Bill denies the wonderful weather of Florida, the ornithological variation of Florida and his ideas about cats, we know that he secretly studied ornithology at the Uni. of Florida (Gainesville), has a tabby cat at home that lovingly winks and curls up on his lap at night and is a true Floridian at heart. Have watched Bill for several years, always enjoy them, and as a Canadian of about the same vintage as Bill, can entirely related to his comments and thoughts of the past and the present. l enjoy his thoughts on his reconciliation of our fathers, how uncool we thought they were, yet in the end, one has total and deep admiration for the practical, sensible things of old. Enjoyed the Saab story, myself a dedicated Volvo driver for 45 years (as was my father, a Volvo mechanic), but a secret admirer of Saab as well.
Bill also has 3 rabbits 🐇
@@RustyZipperBill had 3 rabbits for dinner yesterday.
Since I have a tall Scandinavian wife, I can say that the back seat will accommodate two chipper tall Scandinavians 😉 Scandinavian cars seem to be the best at accommodating tall adults.
The SAAB 94 Sonett: Looked like a scared Corvette on a hunger strike. Bill, there is no more perfect description for that car!
Actually. the new Corvette kinda looks like the old 70s Sonnet!..But tiny!
Here in the UK, I've seen a decent Saab 9000 Aero lightly and sympathetically restored for a very good price - there are only 100 of them left here, so getting very rare. If I had the money, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. I have owned 2 9-5 saloons, albeit the 2.0 LPT petrol versions. Absolutely solid and safe cars - I was involved with an accident with a small car and a 7.5 ton lorry/truck while I was towing a 0.75 ton trailer. I won't go into details, but the police, fire service and the ambulance crews who attended the accident all commented on how safe the Saab was. Myself, my wife and my son walked away from that accident without a bruise, and the car was repaired and back on the road about 6 weeks later. Icing on the cake - my insurance provided for a courtesy car and they arrived at my door 24 hours later with a 6 month old Mercedes 220 CDI Avantgarde!
It's always a great Friday when Bill posts a video!!! I live for the Naples shitty weather report along with the animal & Canadian updates!!! Now we also know that Bill is a Saab geek!!! Now I hear that Dalton is working for Curious Cars?? I wonder what we'll learn next!!! Happy Holidays!!! 🎄⛄🤶
I live in Naples and yes it's humid but I'll take it over snow any day!!!
Thank goodness the Corona Virus is still at surge levels to justify his antidote 🥃
@@RustyZipper I agree 👍
And Bill himself has a cult following!
I live in Lake city and the weather is pretty much the same..... CRAPPY. 🙂
Back in 1990 I got overtook by one of these when I was driving an Escort XR3I and I could not stay with it! So next time my company car renewal came around I got a Turbo 16 Valve S in a fast back - the best handling of all of them, I then went for a hatch version with a whale tail that was more practical but didn't handle as well being less rigid! When the turbo kicked in you got a real hard on - never felt like that driving before or since! Marvellous cars so well designed very ergonomic!!!! Love them!
yes. My joke was that the Saab Turbo had the first car with launch control- so long as the engine was already at 3000 revs, just stomp the gas pedal !
I still want Richard Pryor’s beautiful Saab (before Dana Carvey destroyed it) from the movie Moving!
I've owned 6 of them, 2 convertibles and an SPG all but one was a turbo. They were fantastic cars. Thanks for making me feel old, as my first SAAB was a red 1984 S 3 door 5 speed, I purchased new. My `86 SPG was my favorite and I kept it 11 years.
OMG Thank God For This - Christmas Present For Me. I Own 2 Saabs & Member of the Saab Group of North America!
Buddy of mine his father was on the Saab racing team in the USA, road course racing such as Riverside international raceway back in the days.
By golly! The return of the Prodigal Curmudgeon, I'm reminded of a/the complete response to the British adage - to turn up like a bad penny. Response: Welcome as a gold coin. I'm glad you're back, hope you can stay a while. 🖖🙏🇨🇦
Flashback.... Miss my 1987 SPG...Loved that Car
I knew a man that had one of those three cylinder leaf blowers and I believe it had a four speed on the column gear shifter. It sounded like it would rev to the moon and back. He said it had roller bearing main bearings, and he would just hold it to the floor for what seemed like a minute or so and it never missed a beat. I was truly impressed by the ugly little thing. I never figured out the shifter though. Has anyone else ever heard of a four speed on the column?
I also asked a man about the lack of cup holders and he told me "Son, this is an automobile, not a pick-nick table."
I have heard of them, and even a five speed column as well, but I am from europe. (Five speed was in a Mitsubishi van if youre curious). Surely those arent the only cars to feature it, but just as surely its got to be very uncommon in the US indeed.
Cup holders were seen as a terrible thing for safety, why would you need a cup holder if you are standing still? Doing anything but driving was frowned upon in places were they take driving seriously, i.e. europe. Of course, times change and the US market is an important one, hence why all modern cars got them.
This car was also the costar of the movie Sideways. “Miles….!!!!”.
Kind of a technicality on the heated seats: Saab was the first company to make them STANDARD in 1972, but Cadillac was the first company to offer heated seats as an option in 1966.
Saab was the first to commercially offer the cooled, ventilated seats tho. Not the suck the hot air out from around your ass, but the blow cooled air recycled from the cabin ac straight up your own cabin 😏 saab was great at standardizing luxury features for the consumer class
My uncle owned 3 of these. Tweed jacket wearing New England college professor. He had a minor meltdown when they stopped making new Saabs and sadly had to convert over to BMW. It was always fun riding in his Saab as a little kid just because of how unusual these things are versus your regular Ford/Chrysler/Chevy domestic market cars.
Back in the day salvage yards had to cut up the older Saabs because they wouldn't crush! Very tough little cars.
Bill's breadth of knowledge of cars is amazing. I grew up in a college town, and his profile of a typical Saab owner is spot on. There was a time I wanted one after the GM acquisition, but there was simply none available during the global financial crisis.
I remember seeing the cool 2004 9-3 SAAB convertibles at Santa Ana SAAB as my dealership would drop off trades for repair there. Now I have a 2007 9-3 convertible and a 2006 9-5 sedan. Both are perfect vehicles!
My '99 9-3 CV was bought in '02 from Saab of Sta Monica, and I still happily have it now here in Mass.
I have a 2008 9-3 with 49k miles. I love it. Would love to buy this one. Beautiful car.
I had a 1984 900 turbo. That car will live in my heart forever.
my neighbor was mechanic for saab he told me he heard saab stories all day
SorryAboutAlwaysBreaking
Im from New York..I was introduced to saab in my early teens and i instantly fell in love-_- SAAB SCANIA
I have a Saab 900 very similar to this. Mine is a 900 SPG Coupe and it's a hoot.
You mean it's complete garbage...
@@243wayne1 You obviously are ignorant of the SPG 900s. They are unequivacally "not garbage"
@@garthhancock3373 -In fact, they are the very DEFINITION of *GARBAGE!* If they hadn't made garbage, they wouldn't have gone out of business you simpleton.
@@243wayne1 They went out of business due to GM watering down the brand after GM aquired ownership of Saab. Plus add into to the fact that GM in their infinite wisdom and pisspoor financial decisions which led to their bankruptcy in 2008, Saab, along with Pontiac and Hummer were all killed off. Don't resort to the ad hominem attacks. It makes you look like the simpleton.
@@garthhancock3373Saab never would have survived on its own anyway. GM-Saab actually made some great products like the 9-3 and 9-5
Bill, hearing you say “good morning” just made my day 🍻
Beauty. Had an '86 900S in highschool. A '91 900T convertible in my 30's, and an '04 9-5 ARC now. Man, I do miss that convertible.
I love all the car reviews but I really only watch these for Bills weather commentary which absolutely cracks me up every single time. Legit hilarious!
I actually miss the goats ;-). I remember when they climbed Peter'e Porsche :-)))
If Vermont had a state car, this would be it, state police used SAAB's at one point.
Not today, it’s mandatory that you own a Forester or Outback
Great review, Bill, as usual! The 900 turbo convertible is the best! I have a later 9-3 convertible. Despite what people say, it's all SAAB, in look and feel. SAAB may have used some minor GM mechanical elements by then, but the design, body panels, interior appointments, ride, features, switches, seats (best in the world) are still all SAAB. Be it 9-3 or 900, a fantastic drop-top 2+2 for non-city daily use, weekend excursions, very long vacation trips. I made a 3,000 KM and still make regular 1,000 KM trips with a boat in tow and have no problems and no back discomfort whatsover. They do everything well (except drag race). They tow boats, haul groceries, children, dogs -- all in style and surpassing comfort! They are exquisite for drives in the open countryside. Unique with SAAB, the interior appointments are soft on the eye -- no jagged lines or chrome or fake wood. The dashboard is real walnut. Sitting inside is like having a brandy and a cigar at an old-world men's club. Odd and elegant, they are TREMENDOUS fun to drive (rather than drag race)! People drive like they make love -- so many are just too fast, have no rhythm, trying to prove something while fooling no one -- in other words, can't dance, so to speak! Where German cars drive like either high-speed trains or tractors on rails (it's OK, I have an old SL too), and French cars...well..., SAABs dance! The engine purrs and so do the passengers! Fantastic!
Just starting to worry and then Bill is back. This is good news !
One of the best SAAB narratives I've seen on YT. Well done.
I love Saabs.
Minus 8 degrees centigrade here in North Staffordshire, England this morning, Bill. That's our version of shitty weather. Great video. Nothing else looked like a Saab. Much missed.
Have -15C here in Stockholm Sweden, it stings.
@@BerraLJ ah makes you feel alive,especially if the suns out.
@@waggitnshaggit6592 It sure does, i spent the week before doing a ride along with a distribution truck, it got cold, a lot over 5 days, so to no surprise on Thursday/Friday i felt like a skunk, starting to feel better now which is good since school starts on Monday.
Also the engine oil lubricated the gear box!!!! You should also see the window wiper arrangement - it has a cable operation that blows your mind - mine went and I thought all I had to do was reconnect the arm as in every other car but no - the cable had snapped and needed re threading!
I certainly recall 80s America and the Middle class being enchanted by Audi and Saab ... before boring Lexus appeared. Rode in a 900 one time. It was quiet and the seat was extremely hard - yet comfortable. Preferred the 5 cylinder Audi and it's noise. That said preferred the 5.0 Mustang to anything Euro at the time.
About time you’ve had a quirky Swedish car on here. Great as always Bill.
I love that American Car Lover Bill can be charmed by this oddball Swedish car.
My favourite mechanic for most of the eighties and nineties was a Jamaican guy who swore by Saabs for a few years.
I LOVED MINE! Was my first car! Drove it from 1997-2001 when the air conditioner exploded and shot screws into the engine:(
Good to see you today. Have a shot, and have a good weekend.
The most unique, fun and sexiest car ever built. Owned a 1984 900 turbo, and still in love with its memory. A SAAB is forever.
"Killed a bunch of orthodontists wives" now I'm dead.
I have a 2003 SAAB 9/5 wagon that sometimes actually runs, has the best ride and most comfortable seats I have ever experienced.
@@dzgaming1 I have two viggens. The one I spent an eternity fixing and working on still refuses to run right. The other one that I daily drove for 4 years (without problems) and then abandoned outdoors for 4 years started right up and runs perfectly after the other one pissed me off sufficiently enough that decided to park it and pull the abandoned one from hibernation.
Had exact same car and loved its ride, interior and thoughtful design. Reliable for the most part but finding parts got harder towards the end of our ownership in 2014. Have a Tesla now but have fond memories.
Love these funky old Saab's! And Bills comedy.... second to none.
Had a 1989 and 1991 Saab 900 great cars
Stumbled on this channel by chance from The UK and subscribed love listening to this guy Bill
Check out his entire channel, you will really enjoy it
@@pauli6043 thank you i will
I remember in 1985 the local Saab dealership couldn't keep up with demand. As soon as the new Saabs came in on the truck they were sold out.
My uncle Bob had a few of these in the 80's and 90's on the Isle of Man (where he lived). I loved going for a ride in the latest one when I visited. There was black Saab 99 coupe, a red 900S coupe and dark green 900SE 4-door and a couple more I can't remember. The other thing that made me a Saab guy was reading Icebreaker by John Gardner as a kid, which was a James Bond story continuation novel. The 900 was a James Bond car in three of those those continuation novels. He wrote 14 JB continuation novels according to Google, but I only remember reading Icebreaker.
@33:10 You've got my Uncle Bob nailed.
Great video, very entertaining and informative!
Small correction, @26:24, you're almost right, SAAB did indeed use the British Tiumph-derived engine in the early SAAB 99s, but only up to 1972 ½. Thereafter, SAAB developed their own engine, the "B-Motor" (Somewhat based on the Triumph Engine), which they ultimately slapped a turbo on! The Triumph engine was still hopelessly unreliable which brought the 99's reputation down in early sales due to various issues. The Swedish-built B-Motor was virtually indestructible with good service and maintenance, barring the sensitive water pump.
What's in your convertible is one of the final forms of the later H-Motor, also very reliable and durable. Great old cars, SAAB 99/900/90, just too bad they rust up long before the engines give in.
I’ve owned a 99 and a 900 and this is the best history and review of the 900 ever. 🇬🇧
14:11 GM actually beat both Porsch and Sabb with the introduction of turbochargers in the Olds F85, and then the Corvair, but, as usual, they didn't stick with it (at least not in their American offerings). Cadillac also introduced heated seats as an option for 1965, but, although I assume it stayed on their options list from there on, most people didn't know it existed.
Don't forget about dual airbags, traction control, ABS and fuel injection in the 70s....
That’s a great capsule history of Saab, Bill. Truly enjoyed your account of a car that has interested me ever since my aunt’s boyfriend owned one in the 1960s.
Good video but a few nitpicks, particularly about not giving the USA credit for being first with turbos (1962 Olds Jetfire) and front wheel drive with a longitudinally mounted engines and a chain driven transmission (1966 Olds Toronado.)
good to see you back out
Such a cool car. I'm sure that photo of a tree having fallen on the roof of a 900 with a UK number plate was in 1987/88 when we had a notoriously strong hurricane which ripped up masses of big trees. I was a baby at the time and was in a car with my dad (it would've been either a Peugeot 305, Triumph Dolomite, Volvo 264 or Mercedes W123) waiting for my mum to finish a teaching course she was giving. My dad decided to move the car to a better space after which a huge tree fell and landed where we had been parked.
My geography teacher at school had a burgundy pre-facelift Saab 900 saloon (sedan) with chrome hubcaps which I thought looked like the Pontiac Le Mans from the French Connection (I was an oddball at school, thinking about crap like that in the late 90s/early 2000s). She replaced it with a gold early Saab 9000 hatchback I believe.
I own 4 cars, none of which are particularly exotic: a Volvo 740GL estate (wagon), a Vauxhall Vectra C, a Saab 9-3 sportswagon with Hirsch conversion and half an MX-5 (my brother in law owns the other half and we take it to autotesting). The Vauxhall and Saab are offerings from GM's British and Swedish divisions and, unintentionally by GM, both those companies have griffins as their emblems. As fancy as the 9-3 is, it doesn't have the ergonomics of the Vectra. The Vectra is, I will admit, as dull as dishwater, but it fits like a glove and doesn't piss me off day-to-day. The Saab does have annoying foibles and eccentricities that really get on my tits after a while. In Saab's defence, I think that's a result of them trying to fit their features into a GM platform.
Es and me. Have had over ten of them. Oldest was the ugly duckling station wagon! Cutest little car. Drove it to Killington ski area in blizzard as I delivered 200 doz3n choc chip cookies in that baby. Had to use chains then to get up to the lodge to deliver. And those were the days. Tested out my 1991 Saab turbo convertible in a rain storm, top down. Was told if I go 65 mph I will not get wet. I didn’t!!
They're designed to the max,the front suspension fits together like a Jigsaw puzzle,very few nuts or screws, much like a kinder egg toy.
Almost all 900 and 9-3 convertibles were actually made in Uusikaupunki Finland at Valmet plant. Later they put together Porsche Boxsters and now they do Mercedes-Benz GLC. Next year they'll start building AMG GT's. Also Sweden or Finland were never communist.
Thank you Bill. This is the car I requested when I entered into the flask giveaway!
True but heart wrenching story: when I was 8 years old my dad was stationed over in Germany for the Army. His best friend had just bought a Saab 900 Turbo. He had had a son who was a bit younger than me and a wife. He took them out for a ride in their new Saab, and he decided to really open it up and see what it could do. They ended up flipping the car going way too fast around a wet corner, the whole family died. That one stuck with me and I still remember it happening 30 something years later. Drive safely.
Thank you for the backstory, it's just cool!!!
😎
Great example- glad I saved this one for Saturday
I grew up when the 99s were brandy new!! Well done Bill!
Back in the early 70s, a dude I knew bought a new SAAB 96--with a 4cyl (V4) engine, 4 speed-on the column(!) and of course, FWD. That car had such a different look, like a bulbous cough drop, with wheels!..But it handled well, and was very good in the snow, although the front wheel wells would get jammed up with snow and ice pretty quick. People made fun of that car, but I appreciated how well-built, and solid it felt. You rarely see one of these on the road today, but I would drive one now, if parts were still available--which I doubt!
Very Iconic auto...used to Love seeing them around in their heyday.
One thing that is not widely known, is that the windshield reinforcement was not just for general structure. That, upright windshield and sloping buttress shape was because they in sweden they had moose with long legs. The windshield/roof needed to protect the occupants from moose impacts. Their long legs meant that their bodies would miss the body and hit the roof. So the roof had to be strong to withstand that impact.
Although I am a big fan of American cars of the 60's and 70's l have a soft spot for Saab. They were so unique and well engineered. Saab really destroyed them but the last models were incredibly beautiful and capable. Unfortunately it was too late.
I had a 99 when I was 17. Twas shit hot. We managed to install big bastard rally spotlights under the reverse opening bonnet, it had slidey heater controls in the centre console which I used to tell people were boost controls, and pull backwards whilst accelerating. Also there was a windscreen wiper setting where the washers would operate full time. If you turned them on you had to shout made up rally instructions at each other in made up Swedish. Also, with the back seats down you could get horizontal in the back, which was charming fun at that age, and finally, my friend had a post office van with double opening back doors, so if you parked back to back with the hatch open, 7 teenagers could get completely stoned in a lay by in total comfort.
Not so sure about the " tremendous handling" though. It understeered like a bastard, though that didn't seem to matter when you were stoned and shouting at each other in pretend Swedish.
God, I loved that car.
Also, handbrake worked on the front wheels, which is just perverse.
No those are fantastic memories. Just think your kids will have those memories in a Chevy Aveo ….
Am I the only one who immediately goes to Kramer trying to find the range of the vehicle with the gas gauge on "empty" with the salesman whenever I see a SAAB 900? 🤣 My dad owned a very special SAAB, a 1974 Sonnett III, here in the USA...powered by a Ford Taunus V4! P.S. my dad was a Dentist...
I bought mine from a. Doctor, 💊 dark blue naturally aspirated GLS,then upgraded to an APC turbo,
Still in love!
Safest car ever!
So glad to see a Saab on the channel. Quirky, quick, high and low-quality at the same time, and downright charming.
I once had a 1988 Buick Lesabre with the same style hood. I had never seen anything like it and I had a hell of a time opening it the first time.
I forgot to mention in my earlier comment that I was reminded of the 1985 Buick Park Avenue which had a nearly identical clamshell type hood arrangement. I was working new car sales at a Buick dealer at the time. I was surprised Bill didn't mention that as well.
This is one of the best reviews I've seen by Naples., Do you know what you've just done running that up in the revs?? You've shown how cool these cars were back then!! Just look at that move! Almost fast! At the very least fun! Just in a different class of its own, Nice car! Nice video!
I guess people complain about weather everywhere. Loved my SAAB 900. 86.
Good evening Bill hope you've been well this week
A neighbor had bunch on lawn, we use to call them slobs. Lol
I remember back in 1997 I'd test-driven the Saab 900S it was amazing
Those are adorable cars! Wish they had sold more, so more people would have known it close and surely would have fallen in love.
Thanks Bill!
Bill had 3 whiskey with cigarettes brakes during the shooting of this video 😀
Oh the good old days of vicious uncontrollable torque steer. Long live Saab and Bill’s weather reports!
On a 900 good suspension and steering bushes and correct alignment (on front AND rear) usually solves that.
900's don't suffer from torque steer because they have equal length driveshafts.... wheelspin .. yes
MY first Saab I bought new. 1984 Saab couple Turbo with a maroon velour interior. Since I have bought new Mercedes Benz, a new Volvo and Toyotas since, but that Saab still has my heart. I found a 90 vert with 26k original miles on it . Black and tan. BTW, the person speaking on this video is very entertaining and articulate. Good job.
I was obsessed with that car back in early 90s. Had a black one for a year, drove it 5 times.
I have owned a Saab 9-3 Aero for 8 years, and, in all that time, I have spent next to nothing on repairs. I'm reluctant to change because it still runs like a dream.
I love this car because of the Band SLINT (which this car featured on their album cover). I always wanted one because of that.
A fabulous Fridee feature for us, right in the sweet spot of 45 minutes. Thanks Bill!
That is a better looking car than most SAABS
Fantastic!! Great to see a Saab on the channel.They were a great car.
Bill I am a Saab nut. My favorite car of all time was my 97 9000 aero. Quarter mile in 14.2 seconds terminal speed of 147 miles an hour. Four doors and a hatchback and only weighed 3200 pounds. That car truly produced a smile for every mile especially in second gear.😂😂😂. Saabs were so safe that whenever a death occurred in one of them(very rare), they would send out the engineers from trollhatten to analyze why the person died, and what they could do to lower deaths in the future.
My dad had one..I remember getting in and the leather smelled and looked incredible
THANK YOU... Great video.
Very very well done on the video love how you change gears with the opposite hand, it reminds me of how so many disabled drivers do it.
Kudos and keep it up.
Friend's Dad bought the redesigned 4 door with a trunk in 86. Great looking Car and unique as hell back then
You just know that every time Bill says "Im going to pause it to get my shit together." Really means... I'm going to have a quick cigarette break
Since I was a kid I've dreamed of a drop top turbo 900 on gold bbs meshies
Watch the classic scene in the movie Paid in Full. Put the BBS on the Saab 900 convertible!
@@davidbauer1485 exactly!
owning a large body shop in MA 8ok square foot , i'm 65 , those turtle backs were the hardest cars to repair if they were hit semi hard in the back , the construction was stronger then anything else on the road :) :) :)
The ignition key was between the seats because of ergonomics your hand went there naturally and you were close tot he parking brake
Never thought I’d see Bill in a Saaaaaab😮