Saab 9000 - Cracking value Grommit !
Discussion
It didn't take long browsing AutoTrader to realise that the Saab 9000 is a lot of car for the money. There were lots of ads with prices that looked like they were giving them away. So I thought I'd have a closer look!
I went to a nearby garage intending to do a little tyre kicking and left profoundly impressed. So much so that I went back a couple of days later and layed my cash on the table.
That was two weeks ago.
What have I got and why was I so impressed ?
Saab 9000 CSE Anniversary, 2.0t, 'R' Aug 97, 119K miles
Full service history - Saab dealer till two years ago, then a Saab specialist.
Every MoT since new. Also every garage bill, which as well as the big stuff had loads of little things like 'fix parcel shelf squeak'; looked like someone cared.
It is in way above average condition on top and underneath - it must have been garaged most of its life.
Aircon is ice cold and the steering feels tight and responsive.
The dealer told me the Saab was a trade in on a £60K Mercedes !!!!!!
I found a few minor niggles like the interior temp sensor being a bit noisy and the drivers headrest slipping down, but nothing that can't be put off till later or that hard to get sorted.
The only toy it hasn't got that I'd have wanted is cruise control, but the black leather, climate control, top of the range Clarion CD system and Anniversary alloys really hit the spot.
And the amazing thing is the price. Only £1200 !!!!
I went to a nearby garage intending to do a little tyre kicking and left profoundly impressed. So much so that I went back a couple of days later and layed my cash on the table.
That was two weeks ago.
What have I got and why was I so impressed ?
Saab 9000 CSE Anniversary, 2.0t, 'R' Aug 97, 119K miles
Full service history - Saab dealer till two years ago, then a Saab specialist.
Every MoT since new. Also every garage bill, which as well as the big stuff had loads of little things like 'fix parcel shelf squeak'; looked like someone cared.
It is in way above average condition on top and underneath - it must have been garaged most of its life.
Aircon is ice cold and the steering feels tight and responsive.
The dealer told me the Saab was a trade in on a £60K Mercedes !!!!!!
I found a few minor niggles like the interior temp sensor being a bit noisy and the drivers headrest slipping down, but nothing that can't be put off till later or that hard to get sorted.
The only toy it hasn't got that I'd have wanted is cruise control, but the black leather, climate control, top of the range Clarion CD system and Anniversary alloys really hit the spot.
And the amazing thing is the price. Only £1200 !!!!
Many moons ago I owned an Alfa 164 3.0 V6.
Although the Alfa and Saab are supposed to be based on a common design, they couldn't be further apart in character.
The Saab is so refined.
It munches big miles and leaves me feeling relaxed and smiling.
I'm still getting used to flying through the twisties not able to hear the engine, it's quite disorientating, but I expect it'll pass.
It's wierd - it feels like it shouldnt handle because it cruises so well.
But it has never even felt remotely unsettled with anything I've thrown at it so far.
On the other hand...
The Alfa was the bastard sibling brother.
Always asking to be pushed to the limit, always itching for a fight.
It was a bit like a ganster in a sharp suit.
It looked and meant the business; but any provacation brought out the knuckle dusters.
God I miss the Alfa!
Downside of the Alfa was that it spent more time in the garage than the TVR.
FFS - it took two years to get some replacement engine mounts!
But like most Alfa drivers - I didn't care. It's all part of the character.
Although the Alfa and Saab are supposed to be based on a common design, they couldn't be further apart in character.
The Saab is so refined.
It munches big miles and leaves me feeling relaxed and smiling.
I'm still getting used to flying through the twisties not able to hear the engine, it's quite disorientating, but I expect it'll pass.
It's wierd - it feels like it shouldnt handle because it cruises so well.
But it has never even felt remotely unsettled with anything I've thrown at it so far.
On the other hand...
The Alfa was the bastard sibling brother.
Always asking to be pushed to the limit, always itching for a fight.
It was a bit like a ganster in a sharp suit.
It looked and meant the business; but any provacation brought out the knuckle dusters.
God I miss the Alfa!
Downside of the Alfa was that it spent more time in the garage than the TVR.
FFS - it took two years to get some replacement engine mounts!
But like most Alfa drivers - I didn't care. It's all part of the character.
Nacnud said:
The Saab is so refined.
It munches big miles and leaves me feeling relaxed and smiling.
I'm still getting used to flying through the twisties not able to hear the engine, it's quite disorientating, but I expect it'll pass.
It's wierd - it feels like it shouldnt handle because it cruises so well.
But it has never even felt remotely unsettled with anything I've thrown at it so far.
It munches big miles and leaves me feeling relaxed and smiling.
I'm still getting used to flying through the twisties not able to hear the engine, it's quite disorientating, but I expect it'll pass.
It's wierd - it feels like it shouldnt handle because it cruises so well.
But it has never even felt remotely unsettled with anything I've thrown at it so far.
Yep. That about sums it up really. My 9-5 Aero is much the same. A bit more road noise on the coarser surfaces perhaps and it can tell you when it has found the bumpy bits, but then on a smooth road it rides like soft limo. The performance is as much as one really needs (and can make use of)on today's roads.
Pity about the depreciation if you buy new but who cares if the deals for the older cars are so good?
I know we're kinda vering of topic but I love my 9-3!
It's not the best handling car around, the 2.2 diesel is frankly agricultural but there is just something about Saab, even the bastardised Vauxhall versions.
I bought mine new in March 2002, I had some money and knew that for various reasons I was buying a car that I needed to keep at least six years. The other option was a Tcdi Mondeo - the Mondeo engine was good, but I just couldn't see myself driving a six year old Mondeo whereas I hoped that a six year old Saab would just have developed character.
Mine is now just over 4 years old and I'm glad I went for it, it looks set to get through another 2 years fairly easily (fingers crossed!), just crossing 85k miles, still sounds agricultural but i love it!
It's not the best handling car around, the 2.2 diesel is frankly agricultural but there is just something about Saab, even the bastardised Vauxhall versions.
I bought mine new in March 2002, I had some money and knew that for various reasons I was buying a car that I needed to keep at least six years. The other option was a Tcdi Mondeo - the Mondeo engine was good, but I just couldn't see myself driving a six year old Mondeo whereas I hoped that a six year old Saab would just have developed character.
Mine is now just over 4 years old and I'm glad I went for it, it looks set to get through another 2 years fairly easily (fingers crossed!), just crossing 85k miles, still sounds agricultural but i love it!
My dad had a couple of 9000s in the late 80s/early 90s. He did 135,000 miles from new in the first and somewhere around 100k in the second, and I loved them both - I even learned to drive in the first when it was quite new.
So I've always thought I'd like one at some point, and this year I realised they were starting to get a bit old; good ones were getting rarer; and prices were stupidly cheap. I couldn't find what I wanted when looking in May but kept my eyes open since and, 4 weeks ago, spotted a lovely 105,000 mile 96P (1997 model) Aero with only one owner since 1997 (prior to that was Saab UK). It cost me a little more - £1895 - but the Aeros do seem to command a higher price and I wouldn't sell it for that little since finding one in this condition, even from a Saab specialist, is a rarity.
Of course, I've spoilt it already by adding a 3" exhaust in preparation for a Maptun Stage 3 upgrade (approx 300bhp) but it's plenty fast enough already - just on the verge of spinning its wheels in 3rd on full boost, on a dry road.
Great bargains, and I think the non-Aeros are probably more so. Even the Aero's suspension needs tweaking if you're going to drive it quickly, and the chassis is definitely suited to wafting rather than B-road thrashing. My car was without any boost for 10 days after I got it because the wastegate actuator had come off, and it was probably more pleasant with a mere 150bhp or so. Get an LPT, enjoy the 35mpg and relaxing character, all for a grand or so. Marvellous. Or, if you want an Aero, enjoy silly power outputs for only a few hundred quid upgrade.
So I've always thought I'd like one at some point, and this year I realised they were starting to get a bit old; good ones were getting rarer; and prices were stupidly cheap. I couldn't find what I wanted when looking in May but kept my eyes open since and, 4 weeks ago, spotted a lovely 105,000 mile 96P (1997 model) Aero with only one owner since 1997 (prior to that was Saab UK). It cost me a little more - £1895 - but the Aeros do seem to command a higher price and I wouldn't sell it for that little since finding one in this condition, even from a Saab specialist, is a rarity.
Of course, I've spoilt it already by adding a 3" exhaust in preparation for a Maptun Stage 3 upgrade (approx 300bhp) but it's plenty fast enough already - just on the verge of spinning its wheels in 3rd on full boost, on a dry road.
Great bargains, and I think the non-Aeros are probably more so. Even the Aero's suspension needs tweaking if you're going to drive it quickly, and the chassis is definitely suited to wafting rather than B-road thrashing. My car was without any boost for 10 days after I got it because the wastegate actuator had come off, and it was probably more pleasant with a mere 150bhp or so. Get an LPT, enjoy the 35mpg and relaxing character, all for a grand or so. Marvellous. Or, if you want an Aero, enjoy silly power outputs for only a few hundred quid upgrade.
Edited by SJobson on Saturday 7th October 23:58
SJobson said:
So I've always thought I'd like one at some point, and this year I realised they were starting to get a bit old; good ones were getting rarer; and prices were stupidly cheap. I couldn't find what I wanted when looking in May but kept my eyes open since and, 4 weeks ago, spotted a lovely 105,000 mile 96P (1997 model) Aero with only one owner since 1997 (prior to that was Saab UK). It cost me a little more - £1895 - but the Aeros do seem to command a higher price and I wouldn't sell it for that little since finding one in this condition, even from a Saab specialist, is a rarity.
Of course, I've spoilt it already by adding a 3" exhaust in preparation for a Maptun Stage 3 upgrade (approx 300bhp) but it's plenty fast enough already - just on the verge of spinning its wheels in 3rd on full boost, on a dry road.
Edited by SJobson on Saturday 7th October 23:58
Yep ,finding a low milage one is almost impossible because people actually drive these cars
Especially Aero's with their peerless seats
I have driven 200 k in mine and would not give it up for anything
It is a little "tweaked" but it is surprising what a few well chosen components will do to the handling
like front wishbone rear bushes and the rear a/r bar bushes will transform it
then its a slippery slope
the best mod for handling and grip is fitting an LSD ,it is quite expensive, but it allows you to put your power down easily and without torquesteer
I popped in to my dealer yesterday for a change of keyfob battery (silly I know but the manual says go to a dealer and I had other reasonas for being there. And they did it for free ...)
The new car market being a bit difficult at the moment there are a lot of deals about and a lot of used Saabs around 6 months old coming into the market. Not good for depreciation of course but should be excellent value as nearly new with the best part of the 3 year warranty still available.
The new car market being a bit difficult at the moment there are a lot of deals about and a lot of used Saabs around 6 months old coming into the market. Not good for depreciation of course but should be excellent value as nearly new with the best part of the 3 year warranty still available.
ylee coyote said:
It is a little "tweaked" but it is surprising what a few well chosen components will do to the handling
like front wishbone rear bushes and the rear a/r bar bushes will transform it
then its a slippery slope
the best mod for handling and grip is fitting an LSD ,it is quite expensive, but it allows you to put your power down easily and without torquesteer
My current feeling is the engine mounts and brakes need doing first - mine aren't particularly worn, but I'd forgotten how much the engine shifts around when changing gear. like front wishbone rear bushes and the rear a/r bar bushes will transform it
then its a slippery slope
the best mod for handling and grip is fitting an LSD ,it is quite expensive, but it allows you to put your power down easily and without torquesteer
LSD might be a while away, though is clearly necessary!
I have a real soft spot for 9000s, came very close to buying one 2 or 3 months ago (2.3 lpt auto CSE - the ultimate cruiser?) but let it go as I just can't afford to run 2 cars at the moment 
My dad has had a couple (and early facelift 2.3T and now a 96P Anniversary 2.3FPT) and they are truly fabulous. The Anniversary is in lovely condition with only 90k on it, and has been lowered and rebushed so it actually handles very well and is quick even with the standard 200bhp - although slightly disappointingly they don't feel all that quick as they are so well insulated.
One word on the cruise - it's easy to get it retrofitted, my dad did for a couple of hundred at his specialsit
My dad has had a couple (and early facelift 2.3T and now a 96P Anniversary 2.3FPT) and they are truly fabulous. The Anniversary is in lovely condition with only 90k on it, and has been lowered and rebushed so it actually handles very well and is quick even with the standard 200bhp - although slightly disappointingly they don't feel all that quick as they are so well insulated.
One word on the cruise - it's easy to get it retrofitted, my dad did for a couple of hundred at his specialsit
SJobson said:
ylee coyote said:
It is a little "tweaked" but it is surprising what a few well chosen components will do to the handling
like front wishbone rear bushes and the rear a/r bar bushes will transform it
then its a slippery slope
the best mod for handling and grip is fitting an LSD ,it is quite expensive, but it allows you to put your power down easily and without torquesteer
My current feeling is the engine mounts and brakes need doing first - mine aren't particularly worn, but I'd forgotten how much the engine shifts around when changing gear. like front wishbone rear bushes and the rear a/r bar bushes will transform it
then its a slippery slope
the best mod for handling and grip is fitting an LSD ,it is quite expensive, but it allows you to put your power down easily and without torquesteer
I would check the top ones first (easy)
the bottom ones are a little more difficult to change
and they seem to be prone to fail as well
I am looking for a set of "solids" for mine as my engine does move around a bit under power and the hydraulics are not up to the job....
how in the HELL do you put 500hp through the wheels of a front-driver?
ok a stripped out drag car on street-slicks with a ridiculous suspension setup that goes only in a straight line but seriously....how?
and what is the torque steer like? if you stamp on it in 3rd at 35mph does the world spin the other way?
ok a stripped out drag car on street-slicks with a ridiculous suspension setup that goes only in a straight line but seriously....how?
and what is the torque steer like? if you stamp on it in 3rd at 35mph does the world spin the other way?
I can tell a similar story to the above - a 1996/P 9000CSE 2.0t, admittedly not an Anniversary, and on 135k, but get this - one owner from new, always serviced by the original selling dealer who have since supplied me with records of every little bit of work that's ever been done on the car, in scarabe green with the cream leather interior, with a full year's MOT - again for £1200! Not sure if I paid over the odds for it but it still seems very little money for an awful lot of car. And I've never owned a car like it - fast, unfussed, so refined and oh so comfortable. And the sound system is brilliant! It really doesn't handle badly at all for its size either. What an awesome bit of kit! 
Now then, anyone fancy giving me the £500 for a Speedparts Stage 1 ECU upgrade?
Now then, anyone fancy giving me the £500 for a Speedparts Stage 1 ECU upgrade?
Edited by capri on Wednesday 11th October 17:29
wadeski said:
how in the HELL do you put 500hp through the wheels of a front-driver?
ok a stripped out drag car on street-slicks with a ridiculous suspension setup that goes only in a straight line but seriously....how?
and what is the torque steer like? if you stamp on it in 3rd at 35mph does the world spin the other way?
ok a stripped out drag car on street-slicks with a ridiculous suspension setup that goes only in a straight line but seriously....how?
and what is the torque steer like? if you stamp on it in 3rd at 35mph does the world spin the other way?
Well you would think it would be a problem .... but its not
There is a little squirreling under full beans but not as bad as you think ..in fact the wife's 9-3 ss 'vert torque steers more
LSD and tcs keeps most of it under control its boost limited in 1st and second to save the 'box and the suspension is full poly
Biggest problem is wheel hop which my analysis is down to the engine moving about too much..so hence the solid mounts
I have been searching the interweb and I might just have to cast my own....
Nacnud said:
nicecupoftea said:
One word on the cruise - it's easy to get it retrofitted, my dad did for a couple of hundred at his specialsit 
Cheers - that's brilliant news
Just one caveat - I think it depends on the year and whether it is DI+APC or later Trionic.
My dad's was a Trionic (later) car.
NiceCupOfTea said:
Just one caveat - I think it depends on the year and whether it is DI+APC or later Trionic.
Phew! Just checked Haynes - For the 2 litre, Trionic is 1994 onwards. Mine is 1997.
If anyone can recommend a Saab specialist capable of retrofitting cruise, preferably in the South West I'd be most grateful - ta!
I just happen to have the Saab Enthusiasts' Club directory of recommended specialists up in another window, so here you go...
BRISTOL
Economy Saab Ltd
1 Longcross
Shirehampton
BS11 OLG
01179 381973 Sales
01179 380003 Service
01179 830004 Fax
www.economysaab.co.uk
saab@economy.fsnet.co.uk
CORNWALL
MGM SAAB Specialist Ltd Little Beside Garage
St Day, Redruth
TR16 5PX
01209 822224
07831 585448 (mobile)
www.mgmsaabspecialist.co.uk
DEVON
Chris Hamley
Saab Specialist
The Parade
Yelverton PL20 6DT
01822 855001
07778 959297 (mobile)
chris@saab-specialists.fsnet.co.uk
BRISTOL
Jamsaab
Unit 22
Durley Lane
Keynsham
BS31 2AJ
01179 869997
jamsaab@btconnect.com
BRISTOL
Economy Saab Ltd
1 Longcross
Shirehampton
BS11 OLG
01179 381973 Sales
01179 380003 Service
01179 830004 Fax
www.economysaab.co.uk
saab@economy.fsnet.co.uk
CORNWALL
MGM SAAB Specialist Ltd Little Beside Garage
St Day, Redruth
TR16 5PX
01209 822224
07831 585448 (mobile)
www.mgmsaabspecialist.co.uk
DEVON
Chris Hamley
Saab Specialist
The Parade
Yelverton PL20 6DT
01822 855001
07778 959297 (mobile)
chris@saab-specialists.fsnet.co.uk
BRISTOL
Jamsaab
Unit 22
Durley Lane
Keynsham
BS31 2AJ
01179 869997
jamsaab@btconnect.com
Edited by capri on Thursday 12th October 20:01
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