I worked at the Saab factory, in the bodyshop. I remember when we started to build the CS bodies at night, it was very secret. One day we were invited to "the shed", a prototype department. We were presented 9000 CS / CSE as a ready production car. I felt very proud and privileged. Now I have found a low-mileage ( 55000km) 9000 from 1984, I feel a strong need to buy it. Thank you for your accurate and good content!
I have one of the few 9000s from 1998 with only 170,000 Km on the clock. Sadly, though, I have had to put it up for sale because it's too expensive in Danish tariff, 2 x 4.000,- DKK per year, and since I don't drive more than max. 10,000 Km per year, it's not worth it, even though it drives like a dream. So I have gone renegade and got myself an Audi A3 1.4 TFSI. The tariff is 1/10 of the Saab tariff and the fuel economy is almost twice as good, so it's really a no-brainer. The Audi is a nice and quick car, but it doesn't have the soul that the 9000 has. Not even close.
Here in Munich there is a Saab 9000 with a sticker "Born by airplanes, killed by a**holes". Nailed it! A friend of mine, developing engineer of Mercedes-Benz loves his Saab 9000, I had the honour and pleasure to drive it, and he loves that car because he is an expert in car technology. He said he would never buy a Mercedes because he knows them too well. But the developers of his Saab 9000 still have his full admiration and respect.
Saab was killed by Saab. That's why they had to sell themselves away in the first place. Saab themselves failed in the marketplace. I bet your friend has no clue about cars or what the 9000 is like engineering-wise or he wouldn't say such completely unfounded nonsense.
Wow, my comment where I pointed out that what you wrote (or what your friend said) is unsubstantiated, incorrect nonsense was deleted for some reason by someone who can't handle the truth and factual discourse. Putting down Mercedes (with zero argumentation) and putting Saab on a pedestal (with zero argumentation) is ridiculous.
Mmmm.... I'm not going that far. That era Benz are fantastic cars mate. They had it over BMW in terms of integrity even though I am a BMW/SAAB guy to this day, with one of each.
Minus 71? You old! Kidding, '70 here. We learned to drive in real cars, right? No power steering, let alone ABS, TCS or any of that. 135-13s and a handbrake got us through the snowy parts alright. And sometimes a bystander to help push.
Saab talked about 50-70 because that is when you come to the highway. Quick acceleration makes it smoother to join the traffic. It is also safer to overtake long trucks when your car has power to do it quicker. You don’t want to stay on the wrong lane for too long.
@@paulallen6915 Thanks 🙏 for that piece of information 👍 SAAB was tuned to excel in that range. They were proud of that. Ditching Lamborghini about that gives the people idea that this really is fast. From 0 to 100 doesn’t matter from 50 to 70 yes. That is where the danger lies.
The Saab 9000 covers ground like no other car I've ever been in. I drove one from Oxford to Edinburgh in one hit, and got out the other end feeling fresh as a daisy. It's so unbelievably comfortable, and those seats are absolutely the best in the world. Fabulous car.
I covered the 650 Km distance from Stockholm to Helsingborg non-stop in my old, battered 9000i back in 2001. I hated when I had to scrap it due to too much rust a few years later.
I drove non-stop 1000km many times in 9000 from central to south Thailand, leave at noon, reach destination at midnight. Seat ergonomic is just perfect, my favorite seat, no body fatigue, but a bit of pain in the right leg as mine doesn't have cruise control. lol
@@worawatli8952 Mine didn't have cruise control either when I bought it, but I got it retrofitted and use it almost every time I'm driving the car. It wasn't that cheap because there were some workshop hours attached to the job at Danish tariffs, but since the salaries are that much lower at your place, it shouldn't be that bad. Finding the parts from a scrapped 9000 can be a bit of a puzzle, though, but in my opinion it's worth the effort.
@@BigCar2 I remember a cat named Norm on SAABnet I believe it was got a new 9-5 back in the day and the argument was that it was more SAAB than 9KT because the key was in the right place. Nice try but not sure I'm buying it LOL.
I bought a 9000CD with 2.3 NA 3 years ago because I found one in really good condition for cheap, no one wanted the non-turbo one, despite having exact engine as 2.3 turbo. I wasn't convinced that it is going to be good or reliable at first, it turned out the opposite, it's great, it's reliable, the more I understand it, the more I just feel sad that this incredible car failed to make money and bankrupted Saab. It was the most satisfying driving experience I had in a 90s car, in a way that it's just effortless, nothing has this quite balanced blend of comfort, sportiness and practicality. Great for long drive, but economical enough for city driving, not the best car ever, but in my opinion is just most practical 90s luxury sport sedan. Maintenance is also easy in my area, there are a few Saab specialists still open as so many people are still using it, 9000 is easy to work on, reliable, parts might be a bit steep, but they always last if you keep everything on time and not neglect it. My skepticism for Saab was cleared up by the 9000.
@@Low760 Yea, it's linear from 0 to 100, but 100kmh+ is not fast, it doesn't have that boost like 2.3 turbo. I'm happy with it though, as I rarely go faster.
I daily drive a '96 9000 Aero in BC Canada, No TCS, Factory B234"R" so the high pressure Mitsubishi TD04 turbo, It's truly a magnificent car even in today's standards, speed wise it has absolutely no problem beating "sports cars" of today, 150MPH without a limiter, 176mph capable ratiod transmission & easily tunable is a reason for that. My example isn't perfect but man is it ever fun. If anyone ever gets the chance to experience one you NEED to. They're quick off the line, quick in the corners & ridiculous at third gear on the highway. It can rust out on me before I even think of selling it.
I love Saab and had two in my life. One before GM and one after. Always loved the Saab interiors. They always kept their own style and comfort and quality leather.
the 4wd being cancelled because of Opel is just more unsurprising GM nonsense, what difference would it even make if Saab were first instead of them? "The car's basically production ready, quick, cancel it" happened far too many times. It wasn’t just delayed so that Opel could go first, but completely cancelled. No Saab to rival an Audi Quattro.
I have owned a dozen different Saabs, 4 of them 9000's. My favourite 9000 was a one owner 1993 NA 2.3 CSE. The owner had bought a 9-3, listing the 9000 on eBay, stating that it overheated. I won it for £250. It was utterly immaculate with beige leather, working climate and FSH. I drove it 160 miles home with no engine temperature issues and we took it on a 500 mile round trip 4 days later with no issues. Why the owner thought it overheated was baffling. On another note, I was offered a Fiat Croma 2.0ie some years ago. I thought it might be a good comparison to the 9000's I'd owned. It had 39k on the clock and was in great condition. But it was a huge let down. Appalling build quality inside made it feel like a fat Uno and the thing was underpowered. Another 9000 was bought to replace it very quickly.
SAAB is a case study of missed opportunities by not understanding the market, often poor marketing, and not focusing on its market development on the (small) portion of the market niche that appreciated SAAB's quirkiness and was willing to pay money for it. GM took away SAABs soul and made the cars me-too. SAAB's pre-GM cars were great!
I bought a Saab 9000 Anniversary new in 1997 and picked it up directly from the factory in Trollhättan (was British Forces Germany so got it tax free). Dark blue with beige leather. A very special car and loved it to bits. Great video as always and as usual, I pop across to Classic Cars straight after to browse the ads 😂😂
Thanx a mill for another fantastic video,my younger brother passed away exactly four years ago,it was him who got me into watching your fantastic offerings because they are just that,your knowledge is superb&everytime i look at your videos it reminds me of him,I drive a 2005 Saab 95 Aero&have had it nearly 10years,he used to love driving it..
as a 9000 owner i have to watch this and before i forget that there was plans for a 9000 v8 at the valmet factory but then gm came in and said no heres a v6
@@pistonburner6448Well, Saab had nothing to do with it. It was Valmet who independently made a V8 engine from two Saab i4 engines in hopes they could sell the idea to Saab.
I owned a 1993 SAAB 9000 automatic hatchback from 2009 to 2012 in Australia. It had the 2.3 litre naturally aspirated four cylinder engine and the automatic transmission was a four speed one. I only paid $3000 AUD for it, so yes, it had some problems. I had the driver's side power window motor replaced. It had an annoying habit of having the headlights go off, due to a minor crack in the connection. It was quite thirsty, using about 13 litres per hundred kilometres. It was, however, supremely comfortable, and the hatchback allowed it to carry very large loads. When I taught my son how to drive, most of his lessons were in the SAAB 9000. He loved driving it. It was a dark green colour, something like British Racing Green. It was my daily driver for three years, until I traded it in on a brand new Honda Jazz 1.5 litre five door hatchback with a four speed automatic transmission in 2012.
My dad ran a Volvo and Saab dealership through the 80’s - he always had a 9000 as his demo including a beautiful black carlsson - Erik Carlsson drove my dad and all the other Saab dealers at a launch event in south of France - scared him to death !!
We love Saab for the very things that put it out of business. I don't think it would have been the same company if it didn't ridiculously over engineer things or style their cars differently.
@@jd_the_catthey'd likely have died a little later or completely lost their character and lived to today otherwise, they're sadly not a company that would do well through economic crisises
9000's are great, i still run 3 of them. My 1997 9000 Aero 2.3T was noted to be "The best in the UK", back in early 2023 at the NEC classic show. I do over 35,000 miles in my Aero averaging 40.5 mpg, and with 317 BHP on tap. (i Remap Saabs). Ive also just finished a Track Car which we will be racing full time next year. Paul @ The SAAB Clinic UK.
👍I loved mine . Hillclimbed and track days and driven hard all week for work. Mpg was excellent too. It liked to consume DI cassettes but I kept a collection of those.
If SAAB included the AT4 anti tank missile with the SAAB 9000, it would be selling like hot cakes, plus, they can market it as a solution for road rage and traffic jam.
As a teen in the 1980, when I saw my uncle's Saab, I thought it was the poshest thing I had ever seen... well very posh in any case. Another great video, thanks.
When Chinese company Geely Holdings bought Volvo from Ford, they basically wisely told the Volvo executive, we have no experience running a car company, but you do, so we will let you do what you do. Volvo is doing pretty well. Another Chinese company was interested in acquiring Saab from GM but the deal fell through at the last minute and they shut down. Which is a shame. GM wanted Saab to merely badge engineer their cars from their own models, but Saab never really wanted to play ball. Like what Ferdinand Piech was doing over at Audi/VW (as explained by Jason Camisa in a Hagerty video), the better car, for instance Saab, should have been given the lead in development, only then for quality to trickle down to other brands. Unfortunately, GM only ever had a bean counter CEO after another, often not from a car background, unlike Japanese car manufacturers CEOs, who often raised through the ranks after decades within the company. Anyway, I believe if Saab had been given the chance to continue, with funds and the lead in development, they would be a very interesting contender today. Sadly, we shall never know.
Wayyyy back in the day (late-ish 80's) I had a girlfriend who had a 900, the exact version escapes me. All I can remember about it is it was just a joy to drive and it had the flat back, not the doglegged or kinked rear window/trunk. Miss the car much more than I miss her. Always had a sweet spot for the brand but unfortunately living in a heavy road salt area for our winters, most vehicles no matter the brand just don't last for any extended period of time. Too bad because it'd be neat to find a nice condition survivor that someone didn't let rot away. Saab is/was a great brand and the automotive landscape is worse off without them.
I was lucky enough to own x 4 different 9000s over the years ...including x 2 of the beautiful and very rapid CS Aeros ....beautiful cars in every way ....extremely underrated
Best car I ever owned. Eco power auto model. It was smooth and fast. Rock solid. I drove through a storm once, a huge branch landed on the roof. Not a dent or a mark on it. I had done my back in Thailand about 2008.Agony on the flight over and in a London hotel. Then had drive to North Yorkshire. Put the seat heater on, set the seat to near upright.By the time I reached N Yorks,my back was better.
Both of my promotors drove a 9000. Our bi-monthly PhD progress meetings would invariably kick off with them telling each other about the various 9000-parts that had failed in the meantime ("my turbo exploded". "Oh, that's nothing - my anti-theft system locked me out"). Fun times ❤
I can sympathise! Of the 25 or so cars that I have owned, my 9000 was BY FAR the most unreliable - my Morris Marina was superb in comparison! A 1987 2-litre non-turbo model bought in 1991 from a Saab dealer with full Saab service history and just 62,000 miles on the clock. Continual electrical failures - which started the first time I drive it off the dealer's forecourt! - interior build quality issues leading to bits of trim falling off and corrosion along welding seams were just some of the problems. I sold it a year later because the latest batch of faults meant it failed its MOT and the dealer couldn't fix any of them. At just seven years old, it was, in effect, scrap.
@@davidkmatthews Your experience reminds me of a foto in auto motor and Sport magazine among readers letters after 6 months! The owner of a new bought Rover SD1 3500 S was so angry about the problem that he removed the letters L and Y from British Leyland at the back of the car and made a foto of it. British Elend could be read there, German for British misery! The picture was published millions of times over the last 4.5 decades. And British Elend became a geflügeltes Wort for the quality of British car products from Leyland, Austin Rover and so on, only exception Cars produced under Japanese standards.
One of my first bosses had a saab . I was fascinated with the key being by the gearstick and that you " locked " the car in reverse. Always had a mystique.
I had a 9000 turbo then went on to the 9000cse 2.3 16v turbo 😱 what a car it was! A stage 1 'tweak' my local nutcase did for me saw 265bhp and eventually cost me the syncromesh between 1st and 2nd gear but still, in 1995 when I had it, there wasn't too much, locally, that could stay with it❤❤ such a shame they stopped making them, if they still made them, I would 100% still be buying them❤
My family had a blue auto 9000 turbo 1986. Got it second hand and kept it over10 Yeats. Absolutely fantastic car. Fast, reliable, comfortable and great handling. Also felt so secure on the road. Hatchback made it a great load carrier too. The perfect car.
Once owned a Saab 99 as a vintage car. Loved it. When the 9000 came out, I wanted to like it, but I just never took to the design. I liked the large sedan of Volvo, but I felt like the Saab failed to capture a large sedan feeling.
My parents had quite a few 9000s in the late 90s/early 2000s (all of them red, for some reason), so I am very familliar with it - even if I like the original 900 (and 90/99) I have to say the 9000 is my favorite. It drove exceptionally well, felt enormous inside but small and nimble to drive (the very opposite to the Volvo 745 my parents had before the first of the 9000s - I hated to drive the 745). I have only good memories of the 9000.
The ACC changing to what ever it thinks is right is incorrect. You set it how you want it. Then press the Upper Right and Bottom Right buttons at the same time. Then the default is set. And it will always start at that setting, Forever........ Paul @ The SAAB Clinic UK
My dad had Saab 9000CSEs from 97-2009. I absolutely love this car and it saved our life when a lorry crashed into the side of. Not the most economically but wonderfully comfy and quiet.
What a concise and well constructed film of the SAAB 9000. There are other so called histories out there, but yours filled in many blanks - thanks. I've always admired SAABs, especially the later re-styled 9000, particularly the 97 AERO. The Recaro inspired leather seats alone are to die for on these late models - and that's before you even sit in them, they are works of art. I'd been searching for many years to find a 9000 AERO here in Australia, but they are few and far between these days, compared to previous 900 and post SAAB 9-3, 9-5 (GM) cars 4 sale. Amazingly last year I found 1997, 5-speed manual in silver with low mileage (great SAAB service history) in almost near new condition, garaged, paint and trim excellent. I'm only the third owner - the last had it for 22 years. For a 27 year old car, it drives amazingly, as all of you have experienced, the car is in stock condition, but with a Quaife LSD fitted by the previous owner.
My father after a 9000 2.0 with 128hp had a 9000 CD 2.3 turbo with 195hp. It run 245km/h and could easily pass a BMW 535i (211hp). The gasoline consumprion was not high. (ca. 10l/100km) The suspension was a little bit soft but comfortable. The quality & safety was much better than FIAT, Lancia & Alfa. He drove later 93's until the end of SAAB. They had some issues with the gearbox (broke down at 180.000km) and with spare parts delivery (> 6 weeks no gearbox ...). The engine was also new as a 2 litre because of the 4 valve cylinder head. There was also a development of a V8 but they had the money to bring it into series. And GM killed SAAB by letting them develope the turbo engines for Opel & Vaushall, but not paying this.
Years ago I drove a 9000 CSE V6-3.0! Absolutely amazing car; spacious; comfortable and everything electric inside! Marvellous airconditioning and it drove like it was on rails!
I picked up an imported Japanese spec 1993 Saab 9000 CD auto back in the mid 2000's for €500, from a Japanese professor in Ireland. He was sick and tired of boy racers showing interest and wanting test drives. None could afford the insurance. What a car that was. Beautiful condition. All black leather. Low KMs. One of the best cruisers I've ever driven, and I've had BMW E39 and E38. So comfortable and felt effortless when pulling. Also, it had a carnivorous boot (trunk) for a saloon. Very well built car. I'd have another if I see the right one here in Spain.
After all, 9000 became a very good car. Fast for it´s time, specially overtaking performance was really good, more fuel efficient compared to competitor, safe, practical and easy to work on.
Being born in the early 1980s I owned both a 900 II and 95 Estate. I always considered them special, as was Lancia. We still own a 1996 Kappa in the family. I couldn't stand the downfall of those companies though and keeping those cars alive was not my piece of cake. Today you do find great engineering elsewhere. For some time I found a new home at Lexus and Alfa Romeo.
I've owned an early large light CD Saloon, i reluctantly sold it when i was detached to Iraq. When I got back, i missed it so much i searched out a 1996, 1 owner, a former british diplomat to Sweden...it was fully loaded and a wonderful drive. Sadly, I'd injured my spine in Iraq, and she sat on my drive for many years....i sold it after 10 years (6 off the road). I still regret that decision to this day.
I got an old knackered 2.3 turbo 20 years ago as a 2nd car/play thing - it was mental. the boost limit was broken so it had insane boost psi - it would wheel spin at 70mph. In the year I owned it, it broke it's engine retaining bolts twice with the torque. utter madness. fun though 🙂
The original Giugiaro design looked amazing - one of the most handsome SAABs in my opinion, and a clever interpretation of SAABs design quirks. The later cars don’t sit so well to me - although I understand that they are possibly the best driving SAABs.
I sold these in the 1990s (Saturn Saab Isuzu in Canada) and I loved the 9000. The manual was lovely and the handling excellent. I must say the 3.0L V6 was a dog though.
I had a gold Saab 900. It was wonderful. Comfortable, fast, enjoyable. I was a smoker at the time and managed to get so much tobacco stuck in the ignition key hole that I could start the car with a 20p coin. Loved it.
I always found that the original Saab 9000 design was a bit "off", but with the facelift to the Saab 9000 CS they nailed it. It has aged very well and many elements of its design were incorporated in future Saabs like the Saab 9-5NG. And the Saab 9000 Aero seats are stunning! If you ever have the chance to sit in one you'll understand why they are so sought after ;-). Thanks for the cool video, I never knew they made a coupé prototype.
I had 2 Saabs...a 900 turbo, sadly broken gearbox, fault of a garage & a 95 that did me 50k miles with no issue...given to the kids as a runaround, they eventally had to scrap it due to rear suspension issues. Great cars...so comfortable & proper fast.
I have driven a 9000 albeit it was knackered example but still it had left some of that SAAB robustness and comfort of the interior. I really liked it. One day maybe i even own one
Europeans are posh over the silliest things. Hatchbacks and liftbacks are great! They give you more space and they usually cost a little more, so if anything it’s the snazzier option imo.
in high school around 2005 a friends parents had a stacked driveway - they had an Oldsmobile Silhouette minivan, a Saab 9000 and an Audi 5000 wagon. I think they had some kind of GMC truck too - her parents own a successful hotel in our small town. I always admired the selection in their driveway haha
I had two of these, 2.3 Turbos, in the 2000s. They were great - cheap to buy, fast, commodious. Definitely not an all rounder like an E34 or a w124 but where a 9000 was good, it was truly great.
These cars were truly stylish and from an era of car design and innovation (which didn't always go as expected) which we'll never see again. Up to late 2000's was the golden era of motor cars.
Somehow, I liked the initial hatchback shape best and found that all the updates may have technically improved the car but spoiled the harmonious original Giugiaro design.
I think people who wanted V8 in a Saab just never took a test drive. I had 9-5 Aero as a first car - same engine as 9000 with few updates. Pair of engine and transmission is a match made in heaven. You can pick any gear and engine takes it. Choose correctly and engine can start to pull if you ask - and that pull just doesn't end. So musch torque, lots of power. Gears are long so you can often easily reach speed needed without even changing gears. I once started moving with 3rd gear by mistake, it didn't even tried to stall. The only reason I didn't keep it is because it was falling apart after years of neglect by previous owners. Sometimes I dream about importing good condition 9-5 estate from Sweden - just because of that engine-transmission combo. Yet the rest of the car is superb too and pretty modern even by todays standards.
I used to work in a body shop in Switzerland. It was known that some body parts of the SAAB 9000 and the FIAT Croma were interchangeable. I always regarded the car as ugly. But in the Midnineties I was offered a low mileage late Croma automatic 2l for the ridiculously low prize of 300 Swiss Francs. It was the best buy ever. With nearly zero repairs I drove it for six years and made nearly 200 000 km with it. I replaced the front brake pads once, a seat belt and the rear of the exhaust twice. I did not even change the spark plugs and I replaced the oil only once. The car was bullet proof and never let me stranded. It was rust free to the end. But it started leaking every where. Specially the automatic transmission. So I failed at the strict periodic car inspection in Switzerland. 300 Francs divided by 6, so the car cost me 50 Francs a year plus the hardly existing maintenance and gas cost. It does not get more unproblematic than that!
Fall out with the GM was about safety. GM wanted to save money so they told SAAB that the roof must be thinner to save money and SAAB said that then it is not safe anymore if the car rolls over.
Although the 9000 ended up sharing very few common Type 4 parts, it's somewhat ironic that the doors were four of them, which is why it ended up looking too much like the Fiat and Lancia, in very much the same way as the British Austin Maxi was disadvantaged by using the doors from the 1800!
Thanks for long awaited video. I became interested in the Type 4 design since I had a Fiat Croma in 1980's, then later two Saab 9000 CSE which had more solidity if I may say so. I like the shape, the space and of course the turbo.
I still see 9000 and 95 models on road in Ontario Canada but they are getting rare. 900 disappeared altogether except for rare occurrences on car shows.
I bought a 13 year old Saab 9000, from a mate, around 2003 for 500 quid. Had done 173,000 miles. I drove it for 7 years. Never let me down once. I've had many cars since, Volvo of a similar time period included. It's still the best car I've ever had. I deeply regret selling it. (Was a saloon. H plate.)
I really do enjoy your SAAB videos! I do miss the brand and am always on the lookout to have another one. Would you be willing to think about perhaps creating a future video on the Saab 93 (1999 - 2003)? Thank you so much for these videos, so interesting!
One parked next to me a couple days ago in a grocery store lot here in the States. A girl in her thirties had it. How timely to see this video as I began to think about the classic SAABs.
I've always been a fan of this car. Back in the day, late in its life I came *this* close to buying an Aero 5 speed. Liked almost everything about it, but I could not get comfortable in the driver's seat. No thigh support, and as this was going to be long distance runner, that knocked it out. So 2nd place, an S70 T5, edged it out. Today however, the one I lust after and watch the marketplace for as a 'fun' car is the 164 Q -with Recaros please, even though it's heavier and doesn't have the torque. Hmm, maybe I should rethink that.
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I worked at the Saab factory, in the bodyshop. I remember when we started to build the CS bodies at night, it was very secret. One day we were invited to "the shed", a prototype department. We were presented 9000 CS / CSE as a ready production car. I felt very proud and privileged. Now I have found a low-mileage ( 55000km) 9000 from 1984, I feel a strong need to buy it. Thank you for your accurate and good content!
❤
I remember when the 9000 was first shown at the Vildmarkshotellet outside Norrköping were I lived at the time. Lots of hush-hush!
Grab it and clean it up. It will be a fun hobby and should not fall in value IMHO.
I have one of the few 9000s from 1998 with only 170,000 Km on the clock. Sadly, though, I have had to put it up for sale because it's too expensive in Danish tariff, 2 x 4.000,- DKK per year, and since I don't drive more than max. 10,000 Km per year, it's not worth it, even though it drives like a dream.
So I have gone renegade and got myself an Audi A3 1.4 TFSI. The tariff is 1/10 of the Saab tariff and the fuel economy is almost twice as good, so it's really a no-brainer.
The Audi is a nice and quick car, but it doesn't have the soul that the 9000 has. Not even close.
@@sneakyfox4651 😥 stop ✋️ you're breaking my heart 😢
Here in Munich there is a Saab 9000 with a sticker "Born by airplanes, killed by a**holes". Nailed it!
A friend of mine, developing engineer of Mercedes-Benz loves his Saab 9000, I had the honour and pleasure to drive it, and he loves that car because he is an expert in car technology. He said he would never buy a Mercedes because he knows them too well. But the developers of his Saab 9000 still have his full admiration and respect.
Saab was killed by Saab. That's why they had to sell themselves away in the first place. Saab themselves failed in the marketplace.
I bet your friend has no clue about cars or what the 9000 is like engineering-wise or he wouldn't say such completely unfounded nonsense.
Wow, my comment where I pointed out that what you wrote (or what your friend said) is unsubstantiated, incorrect nonsense was deleted for some reason by someone who can't handle the truth and factual discourse. Putting down Mercedes (with zero argumentation) and putting Saab on a pedestal (with zero argumentation) is ridiculous.
@@pistonburner6448 I'm not a technician, I can just quote what an expert said. I have no reason to doubt what he said is true.
@@UlliStein You should doubt it, because it makes absolutely no sense. And you didn't provide any argumentation for such wild claims.
Mmmm.... I'm not going that far. That era Benz are fantastic cars mate. They had it over BMW in terms of integrity even though I am a BMW/SAAB guy to this day, with one of each.
As a Swede born in -71, I give this thumbs up even before watching 👍
Minus 71? You old!
Kidding, '70 here. We learned to drive in real cars, right? No power steering, let alone ABS, TCS or any of that. 135-13s and a handbrake got us through the snowy parts alright. And sometimes a bystander to help push.
Now you live with naggers...
@@Tacko14 Ha, ha, he is 2095 years old.
Love for Sweden and late SAAB from Serbia. I enjoy my 2006. 9-3 2.0T Erik Carlsson edition, tuned in Switzerland, Ruckstuhl. Great, great car!
@@Tacko14what's wrong with abs
Saab talked about 50-70 because that is when you come to the highway. Quick acceleration makes it smoother to join the traffic. It is also safer to overtake long trucks when your car has power to do it quicker. You don’t want to stay on the wrong lane for too long.
at one brief time in the UK this increment was called TED, Time Exposed to Danger and a few magazines gave stats on the 50-70 times.
@@paulallen6915 Thanks 🙏 for that piece of information 👍 SAAB was tuned to excel in that range. They were proud of that. Ditching Lamborghini about that gives the people idea that this really is fast. From 0 to 100 doesn’t matter from 50 to 70 yes. That is where the danger lies.
The Saab 9000 covers ground like no other car I've ever been in. I drove one from Oxford to Edinburgh in one hit, and got out the other end feeling fresh as a daisy. It's so unbelievably comfortable, and those seats are absolutely the best in the world. Fabulous car.
Yep!
100% I would do Sydney to North Queensland in 1 hit...18 hours and you could turn around and drive back if you needed to
I covered the 650 Km distance from Stockholm to Helsingborg non-stop in my old, battered 9000i back in 2001. I hated when I had to scrap it due to too much rust a few years later.
I drove non-stop 1000km many times in 9000 from central to south Thailand, leave at noon, reach destination at midnight. Seat ergonomic is just perfect, my favorite seat, no body fatigue, but a bit of pain in the right leg as mine doesn't have cruise control. lol
@@worawatli8952 Mine didn't have cruise control either when I bought it, but I got it retrofitted and use it almost every time I'm driving the car.
It wasn't that cheap because there were some workshop hours attached to the job at Danish tariffs, but since the salaries are that much lower at your place, it shouldn't be that bad. Finding the parts from a scrapped 9000 can be a bit of a puzzle, though, but in my opinion it's worth the effort.
Leaving behind what anyone may feel about Saab, can we all agree that they nailed every single alloy wheel in every single car in this video?
Yes!!!
Thank you so much. What a great video. A whole 9-5 episode would be lovely as well
One day!
@@BigCar2 Can't wait.
@@BigCar2 I remember a cat named Norm on SAABnet I believe it was got a new 9-5 back in the day and the argument was that it was more SAAB than 9KT because the key was in the right place. Nice try but not sure I'm buying it LOL.
I bought a 9000CD with 2.3 NA 3 years ago because I found one in really good condition for cheap, no one wanted the non-turbo one, despite having exact engine as 2.3 turbo. I wasn't convinced that it is going to be good or reliable at first, it turned out the opposite, it's great, it's reliable, the more I understand it, the more I just feel sad that this incredible car failed to make money and bankrupted Saab.
It was the most satisfying driving experience I had in a 90s car, in a way that it's just effortless, nothing has this quite balanced blend of comfort, sportiness and practicality. Great for long drive, but economical enough for city driving, not the best car ever, but in my opinion is just most practical 90s luxury sport sedan.
Maintenance is also easy in my area, there are a few Saab specialists still open as so many people are still using it, 9000 is easy to work on, reliable, parts might be a bit steep, but they always last if you keep everything on time and not neglect it. My skepticism for Saab was cleared up by the 9000.
They aren't the same as the turbo, they have 40hp~ less don't they?
@@Low760 Yea, it's linear from 0 to 100, but 100kmh+ is not fast, it doesn't have that boost like 2.3 turbo. I'm happy with it though, as I rarely go faster.
What always impressed me about the 9000 was how it has never looked outdated, neither during or after production (especially the facelifted version)
I daily drive a '96 9000 Aero in BC Canada, No TCS, Factory B234"R" so the high pressure Mitsubishi TD04 turbo, It's truly a magnificent car even in today's standards, speed wise it has absolutely no problem beating "sports cars" of today, 150MPH without a limiter, 176mph capable ratiod transmission & easily tunable is a reason for that. My example isn't perfect but man is it ever fun. If anyone ever gets the chance to experience one you NEED to. They're quick off the line, quick in the corners & ridiculous at third gear on the highway. It can rust out on me before I even think of selling it.
I love Saab and had two in my life. One before GM and one after. Always loved the Saab interiors. They always kept their own style and comfort and quality leather.
My dad had 2 Saab 9000, a 93 green 2,0 turbo, and 96 blue 2.3 turbo, which I inherited when he passed away in 2009. ❤
Your dad had taste and style ! 👍
the 4wd being cancelled because of Opel is just more unsurprising GM nonsense, what difference would it even make if Saab were first instead of them? "The car's basically production ready, quick, cancel it" happened far too many times.
It wasn’t just delayed so that Opel could go first, but completely cancelled. No Saab to rival an Audi Quattro.
I have owned a dozen different Saabs, 4 of them 9000's. My favourite 9000 was a one owner 1993 NA 2.3 CSE. The owner had bought a 9-3, listing the 9000 on eBay, stating that it overheated. I won it for £250. It was utterly immaculate with beige leather, working climate and FSH.
I drove it 160 miles home with no engine temperature issues and we took it on a 500 mile round trip 4 days later with no issues. Why the owner thought it overheated was baffling.
On another note, I was offered a Fiat Croma 2.0ie some years ago. I thought it might be a good comparison to the 9000's I'd owned. It had 39k on the clock and was in great condition. But it was a huge let down. Appalling build quality inside made it feel like a fat Uno and the thing was underpowered. Another 9000 was bought to replace it very quickly.
SAAB is a case study of missed opportunities by not understanding the market, often poor marketing, and not focusing on its market development on the (small) portion of the market niche that appreciated SAAB's quirkiness and was willing to pay money for it. GM took away SAABs soul and made the cars me-too. SAAB's pre-GM cars were great!
I bought a Saab 9000 Anniversary new in 1997 and picked it up directly from the factory in Trollhättan (was British Forces Germany so got it tax free). Dark blue with beige leather. A very special car and loved it to bits. Great video as always and as usual, I pop across to Classic Cars straight after to browse the ads 😂😂
Thanx a mill for another fantastic video,my younger brother passed away exactly four years ago,it was him who got me into watching your fantastic offerings because they are just that,your knowledge is superb&everytime i look at your videos it reminds me of him,I drive a 2005 Saab 95 Aero&have had it nearly 10years,he used to love driving it..
as a 9000 owner i have to watch this and before i forget that there was plans for a 9000 v8 at the valmet factory but then gm came in and said no heres a v6
The plans for a V8 Saab 9000 are further proof that Saab 100% deserved to go bankrupt.
The V8 version still exists and is put on show from time to time.
@@pistonburner6448Well, Saab had nothing to do with it. It was Valmet who independently made a V8 engine from two Saab i4 engines in hopes they could sell the idea to Saab.
@@virtueofhate1778wouldn't you just put dohc heads on the stag motor?
I owned a 1993 SAAB 9000 automatic hatchback from 2009 to 2012 in Australia. It had the 2.3 litre naturally aspirated four cylinder engine and the automatic transmission was a four speed one. I only paid $3000 AUD for it, so yes, it had some problems. I had the driver's side power window motor replaced. It had an annoying habit of having the headlights go off, due to a minor crack in the connection. It was quite thirsty, using about 13 litres per hundred kilometres. It was, however, supremely comfortable, and the hatchback allowed it to carry very large loads. When I taught my son how to drive, most of his lessons were in the SAAB 9000. He loved driving it. It was a dark green colour, something like British Racing Green. It was my daily driver for three years, until I traded it in on a brand new Honda Jazz 1.5 litre five door hatchback with a four speed automatic transmission in 2012.
My dad ran a Volvo and Saab dealership through the 80’s - he always had a 9000 as his demo including a beautiful black carlsson - Erik Carlsson drove my dad and all the other Saab dealers at a launch event in south of France - scared him to death !!
That’s fantastic!!😂👍
We love Saab for the very things that put it out of business. I don't think it would have been the same company if it didn't ridiculously over engineer things or style their cars differently.
GM put SAAB out of business
@@jd_the_catthey'd likely have died a little later or completely lost their character and lived to today otherwise, they're sadly not a company that would do well through economic crisises
9000's are great, i still run 3 of them. My 1997 9000 Aero 2.3T was noted to be "The best in the UK", back in early 2023 at the NEC classic show. I do over 35,000 miles in my Aero averaging 40.5 mpg, and with 317 BHP on tap. (i Remap Saabs). Ive also just finished a Track Car which we will be racing full time next year. Paul @ The SAAB Clinic UK.
👍I loved mine . Hillclimbed and track days and driven hard all week for work. Mpg was excellent too. It liked to consume DI cassettes but I kept a collection of those.
@@user-ih7gc7dt9l Heat kills DI's. Like most coils. Some strategic Drilled holes, allows some air flow in and out of the spark plug cavity.
Wow. My dad's 9000 CSE barely got over 23mpg....
@@ichibanmanekineko Was something very wrong with that then. The worst model is a 2.0t auto, they do about 31 mpg tops.
If SAAB included the AT4 anti tank missile with the SAAB 9000, it would be selling like hot cakes, plus, they can market it as a solution for road rage and traffic jam.
😂
As a teen in the 1980, when I saw my uncle's Saab, I thought it was the poshest thing I had ever seen... well very posh in any case.
Another great video, thanks.
When Chinese company Geely Holdings bought Volvo from Ford, they basically wisely told the Volvo executive, we have no experience running a car company, but you do, so we will let you do what you do. Volvo is doing pretty well.
Another Chinese company was interested in acquiring Saab from GM but the deal fell through at the last minute and they shut down. Which is a shame. GM wanted Saab to merely badge engineer their cars from their own models, but Saab never really wanted to play ball. Like what Ferdinand Piech was doing over at Audi/VW (as explained by Jason Camisa in a Hagerty video), the better car, for instance Saab, should have been given the lead in development, only then for quality to trickle down to other brands. Unfortunately, GM only ever had a bean counter CEO after another, often not from a car background, unlike Japanese car manufacturers CEOs, who often raised through the ranks after decades within the company.
Anyway, I believe if Saab had been given the chance to continue, with funds and the lead in development, they would be a very interesting contender today. Sadly, we shall never know.
Saab, Pontiac and Holden. 3 of GM's best brands I wish they didn't shut down
GM Missed managed all of them
My parents had 3 of these in the 90:ies, one CC and two CS, all red.Such a brilliant car it was. Loved driving them too.
I still have 3 9000's and use one daily - still haven't driven a better all round car - I would say it's one of the best cars ever made.
Love love love
I've owned over 150 cars and the 9000 turbo is still my favourite car ever...❤
Thanks for covering
You’ve owned “ over 150 cars”?!
That’s incredible!!
What was the worst ? And others you’d place at the top, with the Saab?!
@@williammorris1384 yep...
I'm the favourite God son of an owner of large car dealerships in Sydney Australia..
"in the 1970s front-wheel drive was the future"
(in the 1970s car manufacturer fooled us all in believing that cheaper manifacturing was the future)
I admire Saab so much. I got into them as a kid and teen reading John Gardner's James Bond novels.
Wayyyy back in the day (late-ish 80's) I had a girlfriend who had a 900, the exact version escapes me. All I can remember about it is it was just a joy to drive and it had the flat back, not the doglegged or kinked rear window/trunk. Miss the car much more than I miss her.
Always had a sweet spot for the brand but unfortunately living in a heavy road salt area for our winters, most vehicles no matter the brand just don't last for any extended period of time. Too bad because it'd be neat to find a nice condition survivor that someone didn't let rot away.
Saab is/was a great brand and the automotive landscape is worse off without them.
The version with the window/trunk back end was badged as the 90.
I was lucky enough to own x 4 different 9000s over the years ...including x 2 of the beautiful and very rapid CS Aeros ....beautiful cars in every way ....extremely underrated
I had Saabs for years after being ripped off by BMW and Mercedes..fantastic cars..fast safe luxurious and reliable.....what more can you ask for...?
Best car I ever owned. Eco power auto model. It was smooth and fast. Rock solid. I drove through a storm once, a huge branch landed on the roof. Not a dent or a mark on it. I had done my back in Thailand about 2008.Agony on the flight over and in a London hotel. Then had drive to North Yorkshire. Put the seat heater on, set the seat to near upright.By the time I reached N Yorks,my back was better.
This man could sell any car to anyone anyday.
Loved my 1988 turbo. A car that did many things very well.
We still have dozens here in my central PA town…love seeing them..loved my 81 900 GLI
Both of my promotors drove a 9000. Our bi-monthly PhD progress meetings would invariably kick off with them telling each other about the various 9000-parts that had failed in the meantime ("my turbo exploded". "Oh, that's nothing - my anti-theft system locked me out"). Fun times ❤
Congratulations on your bi-monthly PhD progress meetings.
Weird flex, but OK.
I can sympathise! Of the 25 or so cars that I have owned, my 9000 was BY FAR the most unreliable - my Morris Marina was superb in comparison! A 1987 2-litre non-turbo model bought in 1991 from a Saab dealer with full Saab service history and just 62,000 miles on the clock. Continual electrical failures - which started the first time I drive it off the dealer's forecourt! - interior build quality issues leading to bits of trim falling off and corrosion along welding seams were just some of the problems. I sold it a year later because the latest batch of faults meant it failed its MOT and the dealer couldn't fix any of them. At just seven years old, it was, in effect, scrap.
@@davidkmatthews Your experience reminds me of a foto in auto motor and Sport magazine among readers letters after 6 months! The owner of a new bought Rover SD1 3500 S was so angry about the problem that he removed the letters L and Y from British Leyland at the back of the car and made a foto of it. British Elend could be read there, German for British misery! The picture was published millions of times over the last 4.5 decades. And British Elend became a geflügeltes Wort for the quality of British car products from Leyland, Austin Rover and so on, only exception Cars produced under Japanese standards.
One of my first bosses had a saab . I was fascinated with the key being by the gearstick and that you " locked " the car in reverse. Always had a mystique.
Saab was one of the coolest cars to own. Fun to drive and incredibly safe.
GM tends to destroys everything they touch!!!
Including its drivers. GM has the highest number of deaths caused by mechanical/electrical failures....more than any other brand.
I had a 9000 turbo then went on to the 9000cse 2.3 16v turbo 😱 what a car it was! A stage 1 'tweak' my local nutcase did for me saw 265bhp and eventually cost me the syncromesh between 1st and 2nd gear but still, in 1995 when I had it, there wasn't too much, locally, that could stay with it❤❤ such a shame they stopped making them, if they still made them, I would 100% still be buying them❤
So good
My friend with a workshop did the same for me 250 hp..
@@lukestocks4370 great times
My family had a blue auto 9000 turbo 1986. Got it second hand and kept it over10 Yeats. Absolutely fantastic car. Fast, reliable, comfortable and great handling. Also felt so secure on the road. Hatchback made it a great load carrier too. The perfect car.
Back in the day, I came to this channel for a Saab video and stayed for brilliantly made content.
Than you
The Saab 9000 was a beautiful car. The design is still up to date.
Once owned a Saab 99 as a vintage car. Loved it. When the 9000 came out, I wanted to like it, but I just never took to the design. I liked the large sedan of Volvo, but I felt like the Saab failed to capture a large sedan feeling.
Damn thought I've already watched this video but sawit was uploaded 8 mins ago. Cheers!
My parents had quite a few 9000s in the late 90s/early 2000s (all of them red, for some reason), so I am very familliar with it - even if I like the original 900 (and 90/99) I have to say the 9000 is my favorite. It drove exceptionally well, felt enormous inside but small and nimble to drive (the very opposite to the Volvo 745 my parents had before the first of the 9000s - I hated to drive the 745). I have only good memories of the 9000.
Anything Sweden makes/ does is amazing-SAAB, Husqvarna, Volvo, women, IKEA, ABBA
The ship "Vasa", Norway oil deal...and all of the companies you mention except Ikea failed and were sold abroad...?
@@pistonburner6448SAAB is still around
@@jd_the_cat Oh, this will be good: How is Saab still around?
@@pistonburner6448 Look up Gripen
@@pistonburner6448 By making aircraft, weapons, radars etc. list is long... But yes Saab Automobile AB went bankrupt.
Oh man we had a 9000 cs and loved it
IMO, the high water mark for Saab was the 99 and 900 cars. Too bad GM botched them out of existence. They were, at times, unique in a good way.
It's 5:49 am here and it's refreshing to get this new post for breakfast 😂❤. Thank you bro 👍
The ACC changing to what ever it thinks is right is incorrect. You set it how you want it. Then press the Upper Right and Bottom Right buttons at the same time. Then the default is set. And it will always start at that setting, Forever........ Paul @ The SAAB Clinic UK
My dad had Saab 9000CSEs from 97-2009.
I absolutely love this car and it saved our life when a lorry crashed into the side of.
Not the most economically but wonderfully comfy and quiet.
What a concise and well constructed film of the SAAB 9000. There are other so called histories out there, but yours filled in many blanks - thanks.
I've always admired SAABs, especially the later re-styled 9000, particularly the 97 AERO.
The Recaro inspired leather seats alone are to die for on these late models - and that's before you even sit in them, they are works of art.
I'd been searching for many years to find a 9000 AERO here in Australia, but they are few and far between these days, compared to previous 900 and post SAAB 9-3, 9-5 (GM) cars 4 sale.
Amazingly last year I found 1997, 5-speed manual in silver with low mileage (great SAAB service history) in almost near new condition, garaged, paint and trim excellent. I'm only the third owner - the last had it for 22 years. For a 27 year old car, it drives amazingly, as all of you have experienced, the car is in stock condition, but with a Quaife LSD fitted by the previous owner.
My father after a 9000 2.0 with 128hp had a 9000 CD 2.3 turbo with 195hp. It run 245km/h and could easily pass a BMW 535i (211hp). The gasoline consumprion was not high. (ca. 10l/100km) The suspension was a little bit soft but comfortable. The quality & safety was much better than FIAT, Lancia & Alfa. He drove later 93's until the end of SAAB. They had some issues with the gearbox (broke down at 180.000km) and with spare parts delivery (> 6 weeks no gearbox ...). The engine was also new as a 2 litre because of the 4 valve cylinder head. There was also a development of a V8 but they had the money to bring it into series. And GM killed SAAB by letting them develope the turbo engines for Opel & Vaushall, but not paying this.
Years ago I drove a 9000 CSE V6-3.0! Absolutely amazing car; spacious; comfortable and everything electric inside! Marvellous airconditioning and it drove like it was on rails!
Loved my 9-3, drove like a boat, but a lovely boat at that. I always wanted a 9000. There will always be a special place in my heart for Saab's
I owned a 9000 CSE (1993) and loved it. I loved everything about it.
I picked up an imported Japanese spec 1993 Saab 9000 CD auto back in the mid 2000's for €500, from a Japanese professor in Ireland. He was sick and tired of boy racers showing interest and wanting test drives. None could afford the insurance. What a car that was. Beautiful condition. All black leather. Low KMs. One of the best cruisers I've ever driven, and I've had BMW E39 and E38. So comfortable and felt effortless when pulling. Also, it had a carnivorous boot (trunk) for a saloon. Very well built car. I'd have another if I see the right one here in Spain.
After all, 9000 became a very good car. Fast for it´s time, specially overtaking performance was really good, more fuel efficient compared to competitor, safe, practical and easy to work on.
Being born in the early 1980s I owned both a 900 II and 95 Estate. I always considered them special, as was Lancia. We still own a 1996 Kappa in the family. I couldn't stand the downfall of those companies though and keeping those cars alive was not my piece of cake. Today you do find great engineering elsewhere. For some time I found a new home at Lexus and Alfa Romeo.
I've owned an early large light CD Saloon, i reluctantly sold it when i was detached to Iraq.
When I got back, i missed it so much i searched out a 1996, 1 owner, a former british diplomat to Sweden...it was fully loaded and a wonderful drive.
Sadly, I'd injured my spine in Iraq, and she sat on my drive for many years....i sold it after 10 years (6 off the road).
I still regret that decision to this day.
I got an old knackered 2.3 turbo 20 years ago as a 2nd car/play thing - it was mental. the boost limit was broken so it had insane boost psi - it would wheel spin at 70mph. In the year I owned it, it broke it's engine retaining bolts twice with the torque. utter madness. fun though 🙂
The original Giugiaro design looked amazing - one of the most handsome SAABs in my opinion, and a clever interpretation of SAABs design quirks. The later cars don’t sit so well to me - although I understand that they are possibly the best driving SAABs.
I sold these in the 1990s (Saturn Saab Isuzu in Canada) and I loved the 9000. The manual was lovely and the handling excellent. I must say the 3.0L V6 was a dog though.
I’ve always thought the 9000 was one of the sexiest cars ever. And I saw the relation to the 900, I don’t know who wouldn’t;)
I had a gold Saab 900. It was wonderful. Comfortable, fast, enjoyable. I was a smoker at the time and managed to get so much tobacco stuck in the ignition key hole that I could start the car with a 20p coin. Loved it.
I always found that the original Saab 9000 design was a bit "off", but with the facelift to the Saab 9000 CS they nailed it. It has aged very well and many elements of its design were incorporated in future Saabs like the Saab 9-5NG. And the Saab 9000 Aero seats are stunning! If you ever have the chance to sit in one you'll understand why they are so sought after ;-). Thanks for the cool video, I never knew they made a coupé prototype.
I had 2 Saabs...a 900 turbo, sadly broken gearbox, fault of a garage & a 95 that did me 50k miles with no issue...given to the kids as a runaround, they eventally had to scrap it due to rear suspension issues.
Great cars...so comfortable & proper fast.
I have driven a 9000 albeit it was knackered example but still it had left some of that SAAB robustness and comfort of the interior. I really liked it. One day maybe i even own one
Europeans are posh over the silliest things. Hatchbacks and liftbacks are great! They give you more space and they usually cost a little more, so if anything it’s the snazzier option imo.
Another brilliant video
Thank you for the effort!! ❤
The Saab 9000 is still my favourite car of all the cars I have owned. Fabulous car.
in high school around 2005 a friends parents had a stacked driveway - they had an Oldsmobile Silhouette minivan, a Saab 9000 and an Audi 5000 wagon. I think they had some kind of GMC truck too - her parents own a successful hotel in our small town. I always admired the selection in their driveway haha
I had two of these, 2.3 Turbos, in the 2000s. They were great - cheap to buy, fast, commodious. Definitely not an all rounder like an E34 or a w124 but where a 9000 was good, it was truly great.
These cars were truly stylish and from an era of car design and innovation (which didn't always go as expected) which we'll never see again. Up to late 2000's was the golden era of motor cars.
Somehow, I liked the initial hatchback shape best and found that all the updates may have technically improved the car but spoiled the harmonious original Giugiaro design.
I think people who wanted V8 in a Saab just never took a test drive. I had 9-5 Aero as a first car - same engine as 9000 with few updates. Pair of engine and transmission is a match made in heaven. You can pick any gear and engine takes it. Choose correctly and engine can start to pull if you ask - and that pull just doesn't end. So musch torque, lots of power. Gears are long so you can often easily reach speed needed without even changing gears. I once started moving with 3rd gear by mistake, it didn't even tried to stall.
The only reason I didn't keep it is because it was falling apart after years of neglect by previous owners. Sometimes I dream about importing good condition 9-5 estate from Sweden - just because of that engine-transmission combo. Yet the rest of the car is superb too and pretty modern even by todays standards.
I had a 1998 2.0l CSE, I loved it and I still regret selling it despite the many “driver’s” cars I’ve owned since.
I used to work in a body shop in Switzerland. It was known that some body parts of the SAAB 9000 and the FIAT Croma were interchangeable.
I always regarded the car as ugly. But in the Midnineties I was offered a low mileage late Croma automatic 2l for the ridiculously low prize of 300 Swiss Francs. It was the best buy ever. With nearly zero repairs I drove it for six years and made nearly 200 000 km with it. I replaced the front brake pads once, a seat belt and the rear of the exhaust twice. I did not even change the spark plugs and I replaced the oil only once. The car was bullet proof and never let me stranded. It was rust free to the end. But it started leaking every where. Specially the automatic transmission. So I failed at the strict periodic car inspection in Switzerland. 300 Francs divided by 6, so the car cost me 50 Francs a year plus the hardly existing maintenance and gas cost. It does not get more unproblematic than that!
Totally unrelated but just realised I've been watching your videos for three years! Love your content, thank you!
My first car was a 1987 SAAB 9000. Miss it.
Fall out with the GM was about safety. GM wanted to save money so they told SAAB that the roof must be thinner to save money and SAAB said that then it is not safe anymore if the car rolls over.
Although the 9000 ended up sharing very few common Type 4 parts, it's somewhat ironic that the doors were four of them, which is why it ended up looking too much like the Fiat and Lancia, in very much the same way as the British Austin Maxi was disadvantaged by using the doors from the 1800!
Loved a 9000 my grandfather had 2.0 liter in 1987 then in 1989 he purchased a 2.0 turbo executive what a car
Such a great looking car. Fantastic review. The Saab 9000 looks are actually reminiscent of the Renault 25 in side profile.
Thanks for long awaited video. I became interested in the Type 4 design since I had a Fiat Croma in 1980's, then later two Saab 9000 CSE which had more solidity if I may say so. I like the shape, the space and of course the turbo.
I still see 9000 and 95 models on road in Ontario Canada but they are getting rare. 900 disappeared altogether except for rare occurrences on car shows.
I bought a 13 year old Saab 9000, from a mate, around 2003 for 500 quid. Had done 173,000 miles. I drove it for 7 years. Never let me down once. I've had many cars since, Volvo of a similar time period included. It's still the best car I've ever had. I deeply regret selling it. (Was a saloon. H plate.)
Loved these ..my bandmate had one as did PSU football coach Joe Paterno…
I had a Saab 9000 16 valve airflow Coulson best car I ever had 30 years ago😊😊❤❤
Carlsson.
My Parents had 2 ( not at the same time) loved it as a kid
I really do enjoy your SAAB videos! I do miss the brand and am always on the lookout to have another one. Would you be willing to think about perhaps creating a future video on the Saab 93 (1999 - 2003)?
Thank you so much for these videos, so interesting!
Maybe!
Do you know the UMM car company. I think it would make a interesting video!
According to Saab CD doesn't mean "corps diplomatique" but Classic Design.
Valmet also developed a V8 out of two slant 4 Saab engines for the 9000!
One parked next to me a couple days ago in a grocery store lot here in the States. A girl in her thirties had it. How timely to see this video as I began to think about the classic SAABs.
My neighbour in the early 80s had a Saab 900 turbo, it was black, surprisingly I could remember that. It must've left an impression on me.
I've always been a fan of this car. Back in the day, late in its life I came *this* close to buying an Aero 5 speed. Liked almost everything about it, but I could not get comfortable in the driver's seat. No thigh support, and as this was going to be long distance runner, that knocked it out. So 2nd place, an S70 T5, edged it out. Today however, the one I lust after and watch the marketplace for as a 'fun' car is the 164 Q -with Recaros please, even though it's heavier and doesn't have the torque. Hmm, maybe I should rethink that.