Same here. Takes me back to when I had mine in ‘87. But it wasn’t a factory Carlson. It was a 5 door sleeper built by a SAAB trained race mechanic at the dealership in Berkshire. Best car I ever owned.
I had a 900 16 valve. In the rain someone lost control joining the motorway, spun and hit the barrier in front of me. No time to react. At 120km/h I hit them. When the car stopped, I simply opened the door and got out. Somewhat stunned, but I was glad to be in a Saab that day. Replaced with another 900.
Of all the manufacturers that we’ve lost over the last few decades, this has got to be the one that hurts the most. Everyone’s favourite other manufacturer. Love the engineering and the quality on these. Sorely missed.
I miss Saab too. I had two of the classics (99 and 900). But I sadly must disagree on the quality. If you wanted a durable and reliable car, buy Japanese, not a Saab. They both were very expensive to maintain.
Having learned to drive on one and had one for years, I'm more of the "it's overrated" school. But I get why people feel so charmed by them, they were definitely different.
I love the old 900 turbo no matter how many people hate on them like Scotty Kilmer. Great car. I own a 2010 93 2.0T B207R. It also pulls very well being a HOT.
I’ll never forget when living in San Francisco in 2002 one of the old Saab guys from Sweden was on vacation with his wife.. saw me parallel parking and I saw him let go of his wife’s arm and speedily walk towards me.. started to speak to me in broken style English but his eyes were a light.. he was just heartbroken when they closed. Mentioned how there was hope as many people wanted to buy Saab but it never worked out. I was driving a 1992 Saab 900 turbo 5 speed convertible. He was just so excited to meet me and ask me if I had any issues.. he opened the hood.. got on his knees to look underneath.. like he was reliving a past life. Saab was a great car.. had pep! Loved the manual.. loved the car:( miss them.
I have used my 85 Turbo as my daily for the last 7 years. My dad had one. I was too young to drive it at the time, they say never meet your childhood heroes. In this case I wasn't disappointed.
I heard about that and one of very few in the US to use them as police car. Sweden of course used them a lot with it's black and white paint job and later fully white with some fancy modern police paint job and they all had twin exhausts.
As a long-term Saab tragic, I at one point owned 24 900s. Got it whittled down to a Turbo Aero 3-door coupe, a std 3-door turbo coupe, a 5-door turbu combi coupe, and a turbo convertible. Also have 5 other convertibles, including 2 rare Monte Carlo Yellow ones. They are all superb to drive and own, and are unbeatable for long-distance fast travel, with enough space for a double mattress in the back (of the coupes).
Growing up in the 90s, I never lusted after anything like a Lamborghini or Ferrari, but only ever Saabs! All seemed so special: the 90, 92, 96, 99, 900 and 9000, - man - just so interesting and different. Greatly missed.
Fabulous car. A Friend owned one, purchased Brand new -- he was (and still is) a stupendous Driver. We left Lisbon at 01:00 AM, heading towards Oporto.(around 350 Kms). An excellent highway, very little traffic -- however, under intense heavy rain . The Car performed extremely well, going far and beyond my expectations. A few weeks later, I learned that the Driver -- caught by a radar during the trip -- had received a massive ticket. Speed limits ought to be observed. Neverthless, High-performance Cars often times take control of their drivers. Unfortunately, an empirical theory ignored by the Courts.
I had a 900 Turbo in the States. To many, it was just a used car that had a slightly unusual shape. But once I showed people the unique features, they were very surprised. Don't recall turbo lag being a problem but it was a long time ago. One important item left off the video was that the hatch was incredible useful and surprisingly large capacity.
lag is only a thing if you're comparing to a smaller modern engined turbo ... they don't lag that much. He's not driving it on its best road either .. fast smooth sweepers.... unless you're in a standard turbo car with standard ride height. The wheelspin is likely because its too stiff and too low, messes with the camber set up at the front.
yeah mate.. had the same and was 185 t16, so he is wrong there.. some t16s 1992 had 185 hp.. also no lag if you progress the accel, so he wasnt driving it like saab driver
Having owned many SAABs' I was always told the reason for the front wheel handbrake was when pulling away on snow and ice, if lightly applied it worked as a form of limited slip diff. It works!!
Thanks for taking us back to a much better time! In 1991, I bought a new Saab Aero Turbo in red and it was the best car I ever owned. Notwithstanding the well-known torque steer, this car was an awesome tourer with 80kph to 140kph acceleration that even today, would put a smile on your face. When the warranty expired, I had the dealer fit a "Carlsson" type ECU, that boosted the output to a bit over 180HP. So much fun!
I used to have an automatic non turbo. What a remarkable car. So solid, it made a volvo look flimsy. Shutting the door was like closing a finely crafted bank vault. With the rear seats folded forward the cargo area was 6*4 feet. It was tall too. I bought a dishwasher and a clothes dryer and loaded them both straight in the back still in the packaging which absolutely blew the mind of the smirking warehouse guy at the appliance store. The one bad thing about it was replacing a bad heater valve, it used torx fasteners and o-rings on a flange, which was accessed with one hand through the speaker hole on the top of the dashboard, and the other hand reaching around the glove box underneath. It took me three tries to get the o rings in properly.
People go mad over a boring looking Ford Escort but Saab 900's have so much more to admire! I don't really like the 3 spoke wheels and the colour coded body kit on a Carlsson but I still think the 900 Turbo is one of the best looking cars ever made 😊👌
Carlsson really knew how to jazz up a SAAB. Looks absolutely amazing in a sort 80's sierra cosworth way. The 9000 Carlsson was also a great looking machine.
Many years ago an old friend of mine worked for Westbury Garages in Shropshire who were the agents for Saab when the 900 Turbo was introduced. He was invited to Oulton Park along with the top staff of the company to see the new car. He actually had the privilege to be the passenger for a few laps being driven by Eric Carlsson himself. Eric said to him " Loook how eeesy eet is to drive" whilst going sideways round a corner at about 100mph with just his index finger of his right hand on the steering wheel and controlling the car on the accelerator and perhaps a little left foot braking. What an experience to be driven by one of the finest rally drivers ever. Forty years later it still scares and excites him to recount this tale.
My dad had a black one of these in the early 90s. I'd not long been driving, once went to 'turn it round' after giving it a wash. It totally ran away with me plus was covered in dust by the time it was back home. Have had a 93 Aero since. Not the same but regret selling it still.
You are spot on the evolution from the 99 - one big step up was the heating system. We were a SAAB family (in Sweden you could be like every sheep and drive a Volvo or an individual that drove a SAAB 😁) and I remeber the switch from our 99 with injection (LE/EMS) to a singel carb 900. Quite a lot down on power and up on weight, but we had hot air on the windshield (minus 20ish outside) after 1 km compared to the old 99 where my mum would be scraping the inside of the windows still... And the inovation with a hepa filer for the air intake was a step up for passenger comfort...
I had a 99 in Calgary Canada and the throttle body would freeze in highway speed position, very dangerous! The 900 had the water heated TB, so another improvement.
Handbrake was on the front only until 1987. One of the reasons for it being on the front was that you could reduce wheelspin on the front wheels in slippery conditions by pulling the handbrake up a couple of notches. I had a 99GL, 99 Turbo Combi Coupe and a 900GLS and it worked a treat in Scottish winters.
love old cars i have a 1982 e28 that we have converted to a 3.5 manual .... its " my Alpina " with lots of period correct parts .. and it certainly shifts along
Thanks Jack - I remember being picked up from Cub Scouts by my father in his new 99 Turbo (1977?). It looked like a spaceship to me at the time! He went on to own a 900 Turbo and then the 9000 Turbo. Very nostalgic seeing your review!
Had a metallic light blue, blue velour seats 1979 900 turbo in the mid eighties. Bought as damaged reparable. Was light years ahead in handling compared to contemporary saloons of the time. Once you mastered keeping the turbo on song (fabulous mid range) it would fly. I was a very naughty lad then. The build quality was far superior to most other cars, father was a dealer so i tried many cars. Still miss it.
My parents owned several Saabs during the 1970s/80s. My mother started the trend, as she always had an eye for something automotively left-field and then converted my father from Jaguars, when he bought one of the first 900 turbos to arrive in the UK. They were always reliable, practical, very well built and fast in turbo guise. My mother and I walked away from a write-off, when she managed to stuff one in a ditch. We just opened the doors and got out! It's the one brand I would like to see return to the roads.
I had that vey car sitting on my drive for about 9 months while my friend umm'd and ah'd about selling it. He never had room to store it. When the buyer eventually came he wanted to hear the engine start. Cue about an hour fiddling about until I suggested putting some petrol in the tank. Started first time. Glad to see it back on the road.
The model to have is the Ruby edition from 1993. The run out model with all of the sporting modifications from the Carlsson but with every luxury add on they could fit in. Painted in a beautiful Mica metallic ruby red with wool incerts on the buffalo leather seats. Only 150 were made and are very sought after. Mine is equiped with heated electric memory seats, air con, electric mirors, central locking, electric sunroof, electrically adjustable headlight aim, cruise control, ABS Front lit gauges to reduce glare at night and best of all little headlamp wash wipe! Amazing car that ive driven all over the country and to sweden. The handbrake was changed to fit at the rear during the first facelift of the 900. They were a pain to adjust and service. Considering that the front wheels are locked in reverse gear, it makes sence to have the hand brake at the rear to lock all four wheels.
David, you probably can confirm this: did the Ruby edition really come with electric seats with MEMORY? I own two very last turbo 16s (continental European models). They do have electric seats but not with memory. I have NEVER seen factory original memory seats in a 900. I would be a fairly easy retrofit by transplanting the parts from a 9000 but, to my knowledge, is not factory-original and therefore I haven't done this mod to my cars
Hi. I found out it was an optional extra available for the late 900. The loom is there so they will just plug in. I found some seats from a 9000 (identical) and swapped the cloth. I also added a manual switch for the heating elements instead of the thermostat.
I've never owned a 900, but I have had a 96 (still have one!), a 99 and, until a couple of years ago, a 9000 Aero. Whilst the 9000 bodyshell was somewhat shared with various Lancias and Alfas (and even a Citroen, IIRC), Saab made theirs of thicker metal, as they didn't think the Italians made them strong enough! In the 9000 Aero, the engine had grown from 2000cc to 2300cc, and the HP was up to 225 in stock form - which mine was. Yes, there was turbo lag if you floored it, but that wasn't the best way to drive it. The turbo was aimed at producing a flat, beefy torque curve. After all, horsepower gives you top speed, but it is torque that accelerates you! The best way to experience that acceleration was to have it in third from about 35-40mph, and then smoothly push the pedal to the floor. The result is absolutely phenomenal acceleration, that feels as if it will never end. It just keeps coming and coming! The only thing I can liken it to, is what it must feel like to surf on a tsunami. This giant hand seems to get hold of you and hurl you at the horizon! Sadly, I had to part with mine a couple of years back. At 230,000 miles it still drove like a new car, used no oil, and driven carefully, could achieve over 40mpg on a run. Not bad for a big, roomy 4-seater capable of blowing off at least some of the smaller Porsches! (I speak from experience!) What finished mine off was rust! There was a water trap formed by a plastic cover below the windscreen, and the area where the wiper shafts protrude through was essentially no longer there! It could have been repaired, but it would have taken a long time and been very expensive. Since it was the main family car, sadly I had to part with it. I look back on the eight years I owned it very fondly. Probably the best car I've ever owned!
Good post, but just a sidenote since not all people might be aware: From a physical point of view, it is the horsepower that accelerates you, not the torque. However, because of age old traditions/misunderstandings, people have come to use the word "torque" instead of what they really mean and is correct, "Low revrange power". So if you want to be technically correct, your sentence above should be "The turbo was aimed at producing a flat, beefy low revrange power curve. After all, top end horsepower gives you top speed, but it is the low end power when driven in a normal traffic, that accelerates you". Cheers mate.
Have you driven one ? The true performance of these cars was at 2500 Rpm-up, and best above 35ish mph. So fun on the highways passing other cars. I wouldn’t say ‘low revrange’.
Having just retired from the auction industry and having auction many motor vehicles, i had the pleasure of driving a company car every few months. One of them was a SAAB turbo. I too loved it for its individuality. Sadly (from memory) there were not too many mechanics who took an interest in them and parts were too difficult. Sad really to see the end of the product. Great review as always
I absolutely love the 900 Turbo! I've always thought a Red 900 Turbo would look fantastic in my Garage 😃.....I love Saabs they are a miss! Happy new Year Jack and everyone else too 🎉
@@andypicken7848 This was as cool as 80s body kits got, and actually looked pretty classy. Cant compare it to 90s-early 2000s in my eyes, it was a different time.
Ive never clicked on a video so fast and was furious it didnt play immediately because of commercial ads....WHAT A BEAUTY!!! I have a soft spot for the SAAB 900 and the Lancia Delta HF EVO I/II
Hey another Saab !. How did it compare to my 9000 Aero ?. Just a note re Carlsson's, since i used to build Carlsson's at Reading SAAB. We would use a base model 900 T16, or 9000 T16. We then added, Bumper kit, Whaletail, Rear exhaust box, Wheels, Spring & Shock set. Red APC and 3.0 bar fuel regulator. Steering wheel, and Carlsson seats. And finally put the graphics on. Used to take me about 2.5 days per car. Because its a dealer model, the log book will say 900 Turbo 16, since that it what it was at registration. Paul @ The SAAB Clinic.
@@TheSeventhSeal There was only 1 exception and that was the 1992 9000 CS Carlsson. A 1 year only model and that was factory supplied. It was a bit of an odd Carlsson since it had no bodykit, so looked like a standard 9000.
I had an 8 valve turbo a few years ago, in white !! 190k miles and still ran very well. It didnt feel that quick but I enjoyed its quirkyness. At over 6ft I struggled a bit with the ergonomics... cars of this era generally dont have great driving positions if you are quite tall whereas all modern cars are much more adjustable. Very interesting cars.
My neighbour had a black automatic saab 900 turbo.. Probably the best car sound I've ever heard in my life.. it sounded like a deep rumble crossed with angry 😂
Excellent video Jack. I’ve a Ruby (end of run special turbo edition of 150 cars had her 4 years in another 4 days) and love it more than I’ve loved my 911 or other cars. They are truly unique. Highly recommend you get one! Keep up the great content and happy new year to all. 🎉
I’ve had a 1999 9-3 Convertible LPT for nearly 6 years. Although under the GMC /platform the Saab - ness comes through , the quality and sturdiness of the dash , the basic sturdiness of the car , the excellent comfortable seats , and the B204 low pressure turbo-engine, which is noted for its strength and refinement. You get the impression everything is over engineered , right down to the fresh air vents which are so effective in their complexity. Despite GMC taking ownership Saab ignored them to some lengths , instead of changing a few outer panels and badges as so often happens, to save money and be so cost effective etc. Of course Saab are not just recognised for their safety - I’m lead to believe they have won the Don Safety award a few times , but also their extraordinary build quality which is up there , some say even better than German marques. Good video , Jack . Carlsson looks great in white.
I grew up riding around in the back of a series of SAAB 96s that my family owned, starting with a two stroke. Had a 96 V4 myself as a daily for a decade. Then finished up with a couple of 900s. The last of those was a 900 T16 Ruby, 185hp red top, limited edition of 150(?) vehicles, mine was one of the very last to be registered, on an ‘L’ plate. Very rare now. Lovely, lovely car; once you had the measure of it you could go outrageously quickly. And they were bloody solid (I walked away without a scratch from a potentially very nasty accident in my previous 900). Traded the Ruby for an Audi S3 (for my 40th birthday present, in 2003), but I wish I’d kept it. If you’re serious about getting a T16 then at least take a look at a Ruby. Thanks for the video, I really enjoyed that and it brought back a lot of happy memories.
900's with front handbrakes had a different wheel stud pattern to the later cars with rear handbrakes. I remember once buying a set of Carlsson wheels many years ago for my front handbrake 1986 900 turbo only to find they wouldn't fit so I'd assume that this gorgeous Carlsson has a rear handbrake not a front one. I'll happily be corrected though. Loved the vid and the car is stunning.
I always found it funny in the commercials, when they used the jet sounds in the background, to showcase the jet plane heritage, however the jet engines were made by Volvo :P
no mention of mr Eric Carlsson, stirling moss's brother-in-law, the saab works multiple race winning rally driver then... my friend had one in black, blacked out windows, tweaked engine. he was a money-lender's collection agent at the time, he certainly looked the part... very nippy see you next year young man, all the best
I miss SAAB so much. Wonderful long-distance cars. Brutal power from the Turbo and some strange solutions. I have driven quite a few different models, but the SAAB 9000 is probably the favourite. Especially the Talladega model which was special. They broke some kind of record at the Talladega track. Remember when the 9 5 came with the big 2.3T engine of 200 HP. It was faster than a Porsche from 70-110 Km/h. The AERO was also nice. Sad when a good brand is butchered by GM. Well well... NEVS does exist.. 🙂
The record at Talledega was taking 3 standard 2.0 turbo 9000s off the production line and then driving them around the Talledega race track as fast as they could for 100,000km (62,000 miles). They averaged 138mph including stopping for servicing and tyre changes. Absolutely incredible engine the B204.
I had a 1982 SAAB 900, I bought it when it was already 4 years old & drove it for another 14 years. The only reason I got rid of it was because of the end of leaded gasoline & it wouldn't run in unleaded. It had the most comfortable seats & great heating/cooling.
I had a 1982 SAAB turbo 5 speed. What a car. Apparently, it was only 135 hp but it felt like 200 and did it go. Seemed like the faster you drove it the better it went and it held the road amazingly well with Pirelli tires. Had the oil temp, and pressure gauges with amp gauge installed in a center console just below the dash in the center so it looked pretty classy. It also had heated seats, something that was almost unheard of at the time. It just was a great car.
Loved the Saab and your video. Surprised to hear the Porsche 930 mentioned as the first mass-production turbo car when both the Chevrolet Corvair and Oldsmobile Jetfire both had production turbo engines in 1962 well before the 1975 Porsche. The Corvair was an air-cooled flat six, and the Jetfire was an aluminum V-8 with water injection! Neither was a proper sports car as well. Loved getting your impressions of I car I’ve always longed for, I just couldn’t see letting the Porsche thing go as fact.
I dont know but I am guessing hardly none of those ever made it to europe, never mind the RHD UK market (BMW 2002 tubro being another one?), thats probably why he didnt mention them. They also were relatively low volume, and most turbo cars really were pretty primitive and not very daily usable for the average joe. until saab put their boost control in their cars, to which point they could be used as any other car, more or less.
Jack, I bought a 1989 model Saab 900 in 2011. It was a two door five speed manual. Unfortunately it did by that time have major problems, but when it was working it was a delight to drive, even though it wasn't a turbo. A three door Saab 900 Turbo would rate as my all time favourite car. You are right about the quirky bonnet, and the wrong way round engine angled 45 degrees, and the aircraft cockpit inspired dash. No-one has ever done it better than Saab. That also goes for their fighter jets, the Drakken, the Viggen and the Gripen. Delta wings with forward mounted canards.
What a gorgeous Saab! Theres a 900 Turbo Carlsson for sale on ebay in the same colour Jack for 12,500 or sensible offers and needs a little work, a perfect project for you!!!!!
Miss my 900S (16-valve non-turbo). Mine wasn't a good example and kind of miserable to drive. It was very slow, but handled well. I loved it. Always stupidly reliable. Engine sounded new at 200k and didn't burn oil at all. Lots of fun little quirks. Unfortunately the floor pan started rotting out from a bodged repair the previous owner did and I stupidly got rid of it because I thought it was done. Now they're impossible to find. Live and learn.
I had an ‘87 Saab 900S three door non turbo. What a great car. It was really a car that you could drive hard and feel like you were driving fast but you weren’t! Huge amount of interior room. I wish I shad it!
Since I'm Swedish, I've experienced a lot of Saab. Especially the 900 and 9000. My uncle had both. As a child I only experienced one downside to the 900 and that was motion sickness. It is truly an innovative car and for me some design solutions came naturally. For me, 900 will be part of my history.
I have a 2007 9-5 and i love it. Its not 0-60 car. Its a highway flyer. Very comfortable and i have 95 percent of the features the new cars have today.
I was selling SAABS when the turbo came out. Got to drive one with Erik Carlson. BTW, the 900 was made because of the US market, but not for safety reasons. It got the nose stretch so SAAB could have room for power steering and factory air conditioning. Thanks for the great video.
Hitched back from Athens to London in 1981, after several horrible rides my GF and I got picked up by a very cool dude in a black turbo with the funky wheels. I drove it across Belgium to Zeebruge, cruising effortlessly at 100/110 it was a joy, ( I was driving a Citroen Dyane at the so it was like getting into a space ship!) The cherry was huge handful of deutch marks from the glovebox which ran to a slap up meal on the ferry, great way to end a road trip...
It was the most desireable attainble car of its day. The Aero Turbo T16 in green metallic and grey Aero three spoke wheels. What a car. Still looks good today.
Hi Jack, I had the next 900 with the V6. I held on to that car for 15 years until the electronics were just failing all the time. Here in Oz we could not get access to the stuff from Europe but what a car. I miss the centre ignition, so easy to find. So hard to defeat and steal. I enjoyed the video and felt sad too.
Jack - Awesome! and Happy New Year! - 1991 - I'm 18yrs old, I had a SAAB 9000i which couldnt pull the skin off a rice pudding, a mate drove his Dads 9000 Carlsson. Destroyed me in every way!
When younger, a neighbour had a Saab convertible which I always thought resembled a dodgem car. I was never keen on them because of that but I love the visibility you get inside the one you are driving. There doesn't look to be any blind spots.
I’ve always loved Saab cars. I have a 1972 96 V4 which I occasionally use in regularity/jogularity classic rallying. There is a definite “following” in that area due to the amazing history with Erik Carlsson behind the wheel. Great feature, thanks.
Everyone has a Saab story. Mine started with the 96 wagon, a 99 EMS, then a flat-nose 900 turbo coupe, to my current 9-3 Aero 2.8 cabrio. Love the brand, quirky, yes, boring never!
I had an early Saab 99, I had many a happy hour playing/ fixing it and discovering its quirky ways! The 900 carried over a fair few of these features including the doors which take the sills with em to clear snow away for clean access, who else does this stuff? The security device linking the ignition key with reverse gear becomes second nature until a tiny spring in the mechanism breaks, then the mech can get out of synch meaning that when I tried to put the car in reverse to get my key out it would start the car! Luckily my car was at home and in my garage when this happened. Over the week end I discovered that to get at the gear box lock mech you have to take the passenger seat out, then you find the lock mech is held down by 4 weird security nuts. One special tool made from an old socket later and a new spring and we were back in business (I can’t believe my Saab dealer had the spring in stock!). The front wheel drum brakes on the hand brake were weak because they had to be small to fit in board of the disks and they got no wear. The hydraulic operated clutch is heavy and burst a short section of rubber pipe whilst manoeuvring in ASDA car park which meant I nudged a small wall knocking the top row of bricks off no damage to the car due to its rubber safety bumpers. Oh and there were the early fibre optic instrumentation lighting fed from a couple of lamps, those lit bits of dash lighting that were a bit further away from the lamps were always a bit dim and half went out when a lamp failed. Then there was the day when my sister locked us out of the car, the front lock buttons could not be defeated using the key (another safest feature), so it was possible to lock the rear doors and the front doors from the inside, climb out and slam the front door closed with no way in, except via the boot and even that required unlocking the folding rear seat back from inside the boot and then squeezing a small lad through to open a door from the inside. I loved my old Saabs but my goodness they are weird! Not as weird as some other cars though! 😂 my last Saab was a late 95, I just love the character and being a little bit different.
Wow you forget how narrow cars where ,only drove one once spent ages trying to find the ignition but the thing I remember was the turbo lag and just how comfy the seats where .The swedes know how to make a comfortable seat .As always really enjoyed your video you always pick cars which I love ,thanks
As you Jack, I have a real soft spot for the 900. To really appreciate these, look at it as a really competent road trip cruiser as opposed to a sports car. And long time ownership really lets you appreciates brilliant Swedish engineering.
You really have knowledge in cars. My father owns SPG with rare full Airflow package. True classic, I am Saab enthusiast myself since I was a child. Great video, enjoyed it with a smile!
I had a 1989 900 Aero in Australia (SPG in the USA) for many years. Very similar to this (higher performance, lowered suspension, full body kit, full leather interior, etc.), but without the Carlsson badging. Like any turbo 900, its 0 to anything speed wasn't great, but its 20 to anything speed was impressive. Later models had a smaller turbo which reduced lag. If you kept the revs above 2000 to 2500, you didn't feel any lag anyway. I sold mine when it was 23 years old with around 325,000km on the clock. It was using less than 0.6 litres of oil per year even with long trips in hot (44C) temps. I wanted to keep it, but I had already bought a 9-3 Aero (2.8 V6 turbo, six speed manual) and we were moving house 1,000 km away and ...
I almost bought a new 1985 Saab 900 turbo automatic. I have had a lot of cars and this was the one that got away. I was driving a 1985 Oldsmobile Toronado. The 307 V8 had a lot more torque and no turbo lag, so I kept the Olds.. I have always liked the Saab 900 though and would like to have one as a cars and coffee cruiser. Happy New Year Jack!
I had a 900T in the nineties. Loved the look. Everything was solid inside and out. Torque steer was massive. Turbo Lag was there as well. Always thought it would have been more interesting as a rear wheel drive car. The head liners all fall down as well.
SAABs, actual genuine SAABs, are SO cool. Quirky af too. I've only ever been in one 900, a non-turbo five door, but i still loved it. ..and i agree with the feeling of solidity. I grew up with Volvos, and still the SAAB felt rock solid. Don't think i've heard of this particular version, but i'm not british so... You buying one would be great :)
Thanks a bunch for the portrayal of a 'proper' Saab, Jack! A watching tip for newbies: Jason Cammissa on the Saab. You'll see & hear a lot of what you think & heard from 27 confirmed. Had 3 99 Turbos ,a 99L ftom '76, 99GL from '79, a 99GL(5-Gear!) from '84 & a lovely 5 door, green metallic 900S (soft-)Turbo from 91, with AC, ABS, Power Steering & driver airbag! They modernized as far as they could ,also thx to the 9000 components but somewhere they needed to restart......Thank God we were able to experience them 💫🙏!
How spooky. Just yesterday I searched for 900 Carlsson content and was disappointed by the results. Today this pops up! Very good review Jack. Saab is one of the few brands who passing I mourn. Fun fact…. The B-series engine used in the 900 until 1981 was actually a unit from Triumph.
I owned a 900 Turbo 16v Cabriolet. Your appraisal of the interior layout brought feelings of nostalgia. I would like to own another, (except I live in Kenya now). You don't see any over here! Absolutely loved it. Sadly I got driven into and the car was was an insurance write off. The engine very quickly got removed by my mechanic and put into his 3door SPG (I was living in LA at the time)... I think they're called "Aeros" in the UK. I also owned a Volvo 240 wagon which I also loved. (It didn't feel as "premium" as the Saab though).
Nice review Jack. I've had a few Saabs over the years including a two stroke 96, a 95 estate, a V4 96, a 99 and a 99 Turbo. I finished with a 9.3, but enough said about that. One motoring magazine said that they were thoughtful cars for thoughtful people. You didn't mention the link to the Triumph Dolomite engine.
By the way, the column shift 96 also locked the gear leaver in reverse - another SAAB innovation. Not sure where the comment about the ignition key on the gear lever as a safety feature came from.
Awesome video. 30 years ago I had an old 5 door 900 to tool around in, then moved to Canada and enjoyed a 3 door 99 before finding an old SPG (black, of course 😉) and had to give it up when my wife wanted to drive an auto. I loved my SAABs - breaks my heart seeing what happened to the brand.
I had a SAAB 93 Viggen in South Africa in the early 2000`s...that car was stupid quick, it gave many an e36 M3 owner a headache at the not so legal 400m drags on a Sunday night in an industrial area in the east of Johannesburg...
The reason the bonnet opens the way it does has to do if something happens at night and you need to open the bonnet, the headlights will actually light up the engine compartment by reflecting the lights as the bonnet then acts like a reflector.
I was a Saab salesman for 30 years and loved the cars dearly
I salute you Sir 🫡. Good taste runs in your veins.
As a lifelong Saab enthusiast, this brought a huge smile to my face when I saw the notification.
Me also! These are great cars.
Same here. Takes me back to when I had mine in ‘87. But it wasn’t a factory Carlson. It was a 5 door sleeper built by a SAAB trained race mechanic at the dealership in Berkshire. Best car I ever owned.
I've never driven even a meter, but My smile was also huge when this came up. What a piece of treasure.
@@louisimission2153 You have great taste.
As do You mate, I'm pleased You were able to own one 🍻
I had a 900 16 valve. In the rain someone lost control joining the motorway, spun and hit the barrier in front of me. No time to react. At 120km/h I hit them. When the car stopped, I simply opened the door and got out. Somewhat stunned, but I was glad to be in a Saab that day. Replaced with another 900.
Marvelous engineering. Everything was made with safety in mind, even the way the bonnet opens.
Of all the manufacturers that we’ve lost over the last few decades, this has got to be the one that hurts the most. Everyone’s favourite other manufacturer. Love the engineering and the quality on these. Sorely missed.
Also the individuality.
I miss Saab too. I had two of the classics (99 and 900). But I sadly must disagree on the quality. If you wanted a durable and reliable car, buy Japanese, not a Saab. They both were very expensive to maintain.
@@geekandguideyep
My dad's best friend bought one brand new in the early eighties and he told me it felt like he was in the air and not in a car
@@jcdsuperyeah, I remember thinking that when I first drove a 9000. That dashboard! 😀
The classic 900 is truly an underrated car. It’s great to see them beginning to get some appreciation.
Nice to see you here 😊
Having learned to drive on one and had one for years, I'm more of the "it's overrated" school. But I get why people feel so charmed by them, they were definitely different.
@@grindviolence101it came up in my recommended! Naturally, I had to tune in 😬🤣
I love the old 900 turbo no matter how many people hate on them like Scotty Kilmer.
Great car.
I own a 2010 93 2.0T B207R.
It also pulls very well being a HOT.
In what way do you feel that the 900 is 'overrated'? @@Oldsmobile69
I’ll never forget when living in San Francisco in 2002 one of the old Saab guys from Sweden was on vacation with his wife.. saw me parallel parking and I saw him let go of his wife’s arm and speedily walk towards me.. started to speak to me in broken style English but his eyes were a light.. he was just heartbroken when they closed. Mentioned how there was hope as many people wanted to buy Saab but it never worked out. I was driving a 1992 Saab 900 turbo 5 speed convertible. He was just so excited to meet me and ask me if I had any issues.. he opened the hood.. got on his knees to look underneath.. like he was reliving a past life. Saab was a great car.. had pep! Loved the manual.. loved the car:( miss them.
I have used my 85 Turbo as my daily for the last 7 years. My dad had one. I was too young to drive it at the time, they say never meet your childhood heroes. In this case I wasn't disappointed.
The 1980’s Black 900’s used as police cars in Vail Colorado were AWSOME!!
Complete with riot-gun mount and roof light-bar. 😁
I heard about that and one of very few in the US to use them as police car. Sweden of course used them a lot with it's black and white paint job and later fully white with some fancy modern police paint job and they all had twin exhausts.
As a long-term Saab tragic, I at one point owned 24 900s. Got it whittled down to a Turbo Aero 3-door coupe, a std 3-door turbo coupe, a 5-door turbu combi coupe, and a turbo convertible.
Also have 5 other convertibles, including 2 rare Monte Carlo Yellow ones. They are all superb to drive and own, and are unbeatable for long-distance fast travel, with enough space for a double mattress in the back (of the coupes).
Growing up in the 90s, I never lusted after anything like a Lamborghini or Ferrari, but only ever Saabs! All seemed so special: the 90, 92, 96, 99, 900 and 9000, - man - just so interesting and different. Greatly missed.
Had a 9000 Carlson, picked it up for a song, treated it poorly and truly regret losing it. One of two cars I wished I'd kept.
Fabulous car.
A Friend owned one, purchased Brand new -- he was (and still is) a stupendous Driver.
We left Lisbon at 01:00 AM, heading towards Oporto.(around 350 Kms).
An excellent highway, very little traffic -- however, under intense heavy rain .
The Car performed extremely well, going far and beyond my expectations.
A few weeks later, I learned that the Driver -- caught by a radar during the trip -- had received a massive ticket.
Speed limits ought to be observed.
Neverthless, High-performance Cars often times take control of their drivers.
Unfortunately, an empirical theory ignored by the Courts.
The first mass-produced turbocharged gasoline-powered passenger vehicles were the 1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire and Chevrolet Corvair Monza.
You beat me to it!
1961?
I think the 900 may have been the first mass produced turbo charged car with 16 valves.
Seem to remember that from somewhere but I might be wrong.
Not gobal, not reliable, not really built in large numbers. Unknown in 90%of the world.
That's possibly the coolest car, no wait, the coolest thing on the planet
I had a 900 Turbo in the States. To many, it was just a used car that had a slightly unusual shape. But once I showed people the unique features, they were very surprised. Don't recall turbo lag being a problem but it was a long time ago. One important item left off the video was that the hatch was incredible useful and surprisingly large capacity.
lag is only a thing if you're comparing to a smaller modern engined turbo ... they don't lag that much. He's not driving it on its best road either .. fast smooth sweepers.... unless you're in a standard turbo car with standard ride height. The wheelspin is likely because its too stiff and too low, messes with the camber set up at the front.
yeah mate.. had the same and was 185 t16, so he is wrong there.. some t16s 1992 had 185 hp.. also no lag if you progress the accel, so he wasnt driving it like saab driver
Another great video, Jack. No denying that the 900 has some great engineering, a whole host of quirks, and a desirable 'X' factor.
Having owned many SAABs' I was always told the reason for the front wheel handbrake was when pulling away on snow and ice, if lightly applied it worked as a form of limited slip diff. It works!!
Thanks for taking us back to a much better time! In 1991, I bought a new Saab Aero Turbo in red and it was the best car I ever owned. Notwithstanding the well-known torque steer, this car was an awesome tourer with 80kph to 140kph acceleration that even today, would put a smile on your face. When the warranty expired, I had the dealer fit a "Carlsson" type ECU, that boosted the output to a bit over 180HP. So much fun!
I used to have an automatic non turbo. What a remarkable car. So solid, it made a volvo look flimsy. Shutting the door was like closing a finely crafted bank vault. With the rear seats folded forward the cargo area was 6*4 feet. It was tall too. I bought a dishwasher and a clothes dryer and loaded them both straight in the back still in the packaging which absolutely blew the mind of the smirking warehouse guy at the appliance store. The one bad thing about it was replacing a bad heater valve, it used torx fasteners and o-rings on a flange, which was accessed with one hand through the speaker hole on the top of the dashboard, and the other hand reaching around the glove box underneath. It took me three tries to get the o rings in properly.
People go mad over a boring looking Ford Escort but Saab 900's have so much more to admire! I don't really like the 3 spoke wheels and the colour coded body kit on a Carlsson but I still think the 900 Turbo is one of the best looking cars ever made 😊👌
Think I am with you on this, the Saab is far more interesting and engaging.
Carlsson really knew how to jazz up a SAAB. Looks absolutely amazing in a sort 80's sierra cosworth way. The 9000 Carlsson was also a great looking machine.
Great looking😂
You need less medication mate.
Carleton wasn't a Saab tuning company, it's named after Eric "on the Roof" Carlsson. Who was a Saab factory rally driver in the 1960's
It's over the top for me. The Standard 900 Aero S was peak 900 in my view. Tasteful and understated whereas this verges on being a little bit chavvy
Many years ago an old friend of mine worked for Westbury Garages in Shropshire who were the agents for Saab when the 900 Turbo was introduced. He was invited to Oulton Park along with the top staff of the company to see the new car. He actually had the privilege to be the passenger for a few laps being driven by Eric Carlsson himself. Eric said to him " Loook how eeesy eet is to drive" whilst going sideways round a corner at about 100mph with just his index finger of his right hand on the steering wheel and controlling the car on the accelerator and perhaps a little left foot braking. What an experience to be driven by one of the finest rally drivers ever. Forty years later it still scares and excites him to recount this tale.
My dad had a black one of these in the early 90s. I'd not long been driving, once went to 'turn it round' after giving it a wash. It totally ran away with me plus was covered in dust by the time it was back home. Have had a 93 Aero since. Not the same but regret selling it still.
Unusual engine layout and drive chains were used by other manufacturers , notably Chrysler in the LH cars.
70's (and early 80's) car design engineering was fantastic and SAAB were leaders in the field.
The 900 was my first car in the 90's. I liked it so much that I kept it.
You are spot on the evolution from the 99 - one big step up was the heating system. We were a SAAB family (in Sweden you could be like every sheep and drive a Volvo or an individual that drove a SAAB 😁) and I remeber the switch from our 99 with injection (LE/EMS) to a singel carb 900. Quite a lot down on power and up on weight, but we had hot air on the windshield (minus 20ish outside) after 1 km compared to the old 99 where my mum would be scraping the inside of the windows still... And the inovation with a hepa filer for the air intake was a step up for passenger comfort...
You must not be from Trolhattan
True!@@bzilla-d4i
I had a 99 in Calgary Canada and the throttle body would freeze in highway speed position, very dangerous! The 900 had the water heated TB, so another improvement.
That Saab is gorgeous, especially in that glazier white colour. ❤
Handbrake was on the front only until 1987. One of the reasons for it being on the front was that you could reduce wheelspin on the front wheels in slippery conditions by pulling the handbrake up a couple of notches. I had a 99GL, 99 Turbo Combi Coupe and a 900GLS and it worked a treat in Scottish winters.
love old cars i have a 1982 e28 that we have converted to a 3.5 manual .... its " my Alpina " with lots of period correct parts .. and it certainly shifts along
Thanks Jack - I remember being picked up from Cub Scouts by my father in his new 99 Turbo (1977?). It looked like a spaceship to me at the time! He went on to own a 900 Turbo and then the 9000 Turbo. Very nostalgic seeing your review!
Probably a bit later - the 99T came out in ‘78, but either way a very very special car
Had a metallic light blue, blue velour seats 1979 900 turbo in the mid eighties. Bought as damaged reparable. Was light years ahead in handling compared to contemporary saloons of the time. Once you mastered keeping the turbo on song (fabulous mid range) it would fly. I was a very naughty lad then. The build quality was far superior to most other cars, father was a dealer so i tried many cars. Still miss it.
My parents owned several Saabs during the 1970s/80s. My mother started the trend, as she always had an eye for something automotively left-field and then converted my father from Jaguars, when he bought one of the first 900 turbos to arrive in the UK. They were always reliable, practical, very well built and fast in turbo guise. My mother and I walked away from a write-off, when she managed to stuff one in a ditch. We just opened the doors and got out! It's the one brand I would like to see return to the roads.
I had that vey car sitting on my drive for about 9 months while my friend umm'd and ah'd about selling it. He never had room to store it.
When the buyer eventually came he wanted to hear the engine start. Cue about an hour fiddling about until I suggested putting some petrol in the tank. Started first time. Glad to see it back on the road.
The model to have is the Ruby edition from 1993. The run out model with all of the sporting modifications from the Carlsson but with every luxury add on they could fit in. Painted in a beautiful Mica metallic ruby red with wool incerts on the buffalo leather seats. Only 150 were made and are very sought after. Mine is equiped with heated electric memory seats, air con, electric mirors, central locking, electric sunroof, electrically adjustable headlight aim, cruise control, ABS Front lit gauges to reduce glare at night and best of all little headlamp wash wipe!
Amazing car that ive driven all over the country and to sweden. The handbrake was changed to fit at the rear during the first facelift of the 900. They were a pain to adjust and service. Considering that the front wheels are locked in reverse gear, it makes sence to have the hand brake at the rear to lock all four wheels.
I agree, the Ruby is the one to have. I wish I’d kept mine.
David, you probably can confirm this: did the Ruby edition really come with electric seats with MEMORY? I own two very last turbo 16s (continental European models). They do have electric seats but not with memory. I have NEVER seen factory original memory seats in a 900. I would be a fairly easy retrofit by transplanting the parts from a 9000 but, to my knowledge, is not factory-original and therefore I haven't done this mod to my cars
The Ruby did not have electric, memory seats.
…. from memory, the seats on mine were heated (of course) but almost certainly not electric re movement etc.
Hi. I found out it was an optional extra available for the late 900. The loom is there so they will just plug in. I found some seats from a 9000 (identical) and swapped the cloth. I also added a manual switch for the heating elements instead of the thermostat.
I've never owned a 900, but I have had a 96 (still have one!), a 99 and, until a couple of years ago, a 9000 Aero. Whilst the 9000 bodyshell was somewhat shared with various Lancias and Alfas (and even a Citroen, IIRC), Saab made theirs of thicker metal, as they didn't think the Italians made them strong enough! In the 9000 Aero, the engine had grown from 2000cc to 2300cc, and the HP was up to 225 in stock form - which mine was. Yes, there was turbo lag if you floored it, but that wasn't the best way to drive it. The turbo was aimed at producing a flat, beefy torque curve. After all, horsepower gives you top speed, but it is torque that accelerates you! The best way to experience that acceleration was to have it in third from about 35-40mph, and then smoothly push the pedal to the floor. The result is absolutely phenomenal acceleration, that feels as if it will never end. It just keeps coming and coming! The only thing I can liken it to, is what it must feel like to surf on a tsunami. This giant hand seems to get hold of you and hurl you at the horizon!
Sadly, I had to part with mine a couple of years back. At 230,000 miles it still drove like a new car, used no oil, and driven carefully, could achieve over 40mpg on a run. Not bad for a big, roomy 4-seater capable of blowing off at least some of the smaller Porsches! (I speak from experience!)
What finished mine off was rust! There was a water trap formed by a plastic cover below the windscreen, and the area where the wiper shafts protrude through was essentially no longer there! It could have been repaired, but it would have taken a long time and been very expensive. Since it was the main family car, sadly I had to part with it. I look back on the eight years I owned it very fondly. Probably the best car I've ever owned!
Checkout my 9000 Aero here on this channel, it was reviewed back in May.
Good post, but just a sidenote since not all people might be aware: From a physical point of view, it is the horsepower that accelerates you, not the torque. However, because of age old traditions/misunderstandings, people have come to use the word "torque" instead of what they really mean and is correct, "Low revrange power".
So if you want to be technically correct, your sentence above should be "The turbo was aimed at producing a flat, beefy low revrange power curve. After all, top end horsepower gives you top speed, but it is the low end power when driven in a normal traffic, that accelerates you".
Cheers mate.
@@dj_paultuk7052after that video I somehow ended up with a cse2.3T ....
Have you driven one ? The true performance of these cars was at 2500 Rpm-up, and best above 35ish mph. So fun on the highways passing other cars. I wouldn’t say ‘low revrange’.
@@adamrudling1339 Hehe. Dont forget to visit TheSaabClinic Co UK when you want it to go faster, or more Economy. I offer both options.
Having just retired from the auction industry and having auction many motor vehicles, i had the pleasure of driving a company car every few months. One of them was a SAAB turbo. I too loved it for its individuality. Sadly (from memory) there were not too many mechanics who took an interest in them and parts were too difficult. Sad really to see the end of the product. Great review as always
I absolutely love the 900 Turbo! I've always thought a Red 900 Turbo would look fantastic in my Garage 😃.....I love Saabs they are a miss! Happy new Year Jack and everyone else too 🎉
Yep.. a Red Turbo would probably be the ideal spec.. happy new year dude
The kit and wheels suit the car perfectly. Such a good looking car.
120poundsound2
The wheels are pure class but the body kit looks like its been designed by Ali G
@@andypicken7848 I'm a chav, that's why i like it 🤣
@@andypicken7848 This was as cool as 80s body kits got, and actually looked pretty classy. Cant compare it to 90s-early 2000s in my eyes, it was a different time.
Ive never clicked on a video so fast and was furious it didnt play immediately because of commercial ads....WHAT A BEAUTY!!! I have a soft spot for the SAAB 900 and the Lancia Delta HF EVO I/II
Hey another Saab !. How did it compare to my 9000 Aero ?. Just a note re Carlsson's, since i used to build Carlsson's at Reading SAAB. We would use a base model 900 T16, or 9000 T16. We then added, Bumper kit, Whaletail, Rear exhaust box, Wheels, Spring & Shock set. Red APC and 3.0 bar fuel regulator. Steering wheel, and Carlsson seats. And finally put the graphics on. Used to take me about 2.5 days per car. Because its a dealer model, the log book will say 900 Turbo 16, since that it what it was at registration. Paul @ The SAAB Clinic.
So they didn't have a stiffer anti-roll bar?
@@TheSeventhSeal No, the ARB was never changed on 900 or 9000 Carlssons. Only the Springs and Shocks.
@@dj_paultuk7052 Thanks - I never knew they were a dealer model.
@@TheSeventhSeal There was only 1 exception and that was the 1992 9000 CS Carlsson. A 1 year only model and that was factory supplied. It was a bit of an odd Carlsson since it had no bodykit, so looked like a standard 9000.
@@dj_paultuk7052 Yes, I nearly bought one - but an aero seemed like a much better option!
I had an 8 valve turbo a few years ago, in white !! 190k miles and still ran very well. It didnt feel that quick but I enjoyed its quirkyness. At over 6ft I struggled a bit with the ergonomics... cars of this era generally dont have great driving positions if you are quite tall whereas all modern cars are much more adjustable. Very interesting cars.
You can eliminate a good bit of the turbo lag by going with a 3” down pipe, and there are aftermarket turbo upgrades that spin up more quickly.
A gorgeous car. Rare in its day and even more so now. Wishing you all the best for the New Year! 😊
I own one of the last Turbo convertibles and love it, their built quality really stands out.
I just picked up an 89 turbo convertible red😍
@@kellyclark7517 Enjoy!
Met my wife when owning a 91 900 turbo convertible in Texas. Good memories. Was a fun car to own.
My neighbour had a black automatic saab 900 turbo.. Probably the best car sound I've ever heard in my life.. it sounded like a deep rumble crossed with angry 😂
Excellent video Jack. I’ve a Ruby (end of run special turbo edition of 150 cars had her 4 years in another 4 days) and love it more than I’ve loved my 911 or other cars. They are truly unique. Highly recommend you get one! Keep up the great content and happy new year to all. 🎉
I had one of those, really lovely cars.
Very jealous…would love a nice 900 Ruby.
The only SAAB I ever owned gave me that strange feeling of happiness a child has with a new toy. I could never explain why but it was good…..
I’ve had a 1999 9-3 Convertible LPT for nearly 6 years. Although under the GMC /platform the Saab - ness comes through , the quality and sturdiness of the dash , the basic sturdiness of the car , the excellent comfortable seats , and the B204 low pressure turbo-engine, which is noted for its strength and refinement. You get the impression everything is over engineered , right down to the fresh air vents which are so effective in their complexity. Despite GMC taking ownership Saab ignored them to some lengths , instead of changing a few outer panels and badges as so often happens, to save money and be so cost effective etc. Of course Saab are not just recognised for their safety - I’m lead to believe they have won the Don Safety award a few times , but also their extraordinary build quality which is up there , some say even better than German marques. Good video , Jack . Carlsson looks great in white.
I grew up riding around in the back of a series of SAAB 96s that my family owned, starting with a two stroke. Had a 96 V4 myself as a daily for a decade. Then finished up with a couple of 900s. The last of those was a 900 T16 Ruby, 185hp red top, limited edition of 150(?) vehicles, mine was one of the very last to be registered, on an ‘L’ plate. Very rare now. Lovely, lovely car; once you had the measure of it you could go outrageously quickly. And they were bloody solid (I walked away without a scratch from a potentially very nasty accident in my previous 900). Traded the Ruby for an Audi S3 (for my 40th birthday present, in 2003), but I wish I’d kept it. If you’re serious about getting a T16 then at least take a look at a Ruby. Thanks for the video, I really enjoyed that and it brought back a lot of happy memories.
900's with front handbrakes had a different wheel stud pattern to the later cars with rear handbrakes. I remember once buying a set of Carlsson wheels many years ago for my front handbrake 1986 900 turbo only to find they wouldn't fit so I'd assume that this gorgeous Carlsson has a rear handbrake not a front one. I'll happily be corrected though.
Loved the vid and the car is stunning.
correct
Yeah they stopped doing front handbrakes in 1987/1988. My 1987 2 dr 900 T8 was one of the last front handbrake. First Carlssons were 1989
I always found it funny in the commercials, when they used the jet sounds in the background, to showcase the jet plane heritage, however the jet engines were made by Volvo :P
I love Saab and I will always do
no mention of mr Eric Carlsson, stirling moss's brother-in-law, the saab works multiple race winning rally driver then...
my friend had one in black, blacked out windows, tweaked engine. he was a money-lender's collection agent at the time, he certainly looked the part... very nippy
see you next year young man, all the best
My father once raced against Pat Moss, Erics wife. She thrashed him.
I miss SAAB so much. Wonderful long-distance cars. Brutal power from the Turbo and some strange solutions. I have driven quite a few different models, but the SAAB 9000 is probably the favourite. Especially the Talladega model which was special. They broke some kind of record at the Talladega track. Remember when the 9 5 came with the big 2.3T engine of 200 HP. It was faster than a Porsche from 70-110 Km/h. The AERO was also nice. Sad when a good brand is butchered by GM. Well well... NEVS does exist.. 🙂
i agree, i loved all my Saabs, had a few over 40 yrs.
The record at Talledega was taking 3 standard 2.0 turbo 9000s off the production line and then driving them around the Talledega race track as fast as they could for 100,000km (62,000 miles). They averaged 138mph including stopping for servicing and tyre changes. Absolutely incredible engine the B204.
Lovely saab and great review. The bonnet was designed to open forward to let the snow fall of and not all over your wind screen.
I had a 1982 SAAB 900, I bought it when it was already 4 years old & drove it for another 14 years. The only reason I got rid of it was because of the end of leaded gasoline & it wouldn't run in unleaded. It had the most comfortable seats & great heating/cooling.
Love Saab, one of the best design and safest
Very cool cars. I've always loved them ever since I got to drive a turbo back in the eighties. It was like nothing else.
I had a 1982 SAAB turbo 5 speed. What a car. Apparently, it was only 135 hp but it felt like 200 and did it go. Seemed like the faster you drove it the better it went and it held the road amazingly well with Pirelli tires. Had the oil temp, and pressure gauges with amp gauge installed in a center console just below the dash in the center so it looked pretty classy. It also had heated seats, something that was almost unheard of at the time. It just was a great car.
Loved the Saab and your video. Surprised to hear the Porsche 930 mentioned as the first mass-production turbo car when both the Chevrolet Corvair and Oldsmobile Jetfire both had production turbo engines in 1962 well before the 1975 Porsche. The Corvair was an air-cooled flat six, and the Jetfire was an aluminum V-8 with water injection! Neither was a proper sports car as well.
Loved getting your impressions of I car I’ve always longed for, I just couldn’t see letting the Porsche thing go as fact.
And before the 911 was the BMW 2002 turbo 🙂
I dont know but I am guessing hardly none of those ever made it to europe, never mind the RHD UK market (BMW 2002 tubro being another one?), thats probably why he didnt mention them. They also were relatively low volume, and most turbo cars really were pretty primitive and not very daily usable for the average joe. until saab put their boost control in their cars, to which point they could be used as any other car, more or less.
The ford Capri was also turbo’d, but not for long Lol they would self destruct often.
One of my boyhood dreamers car
I had tuned 900 T16 Aero -87 for a few years. It wasn't in great shape but it was still a nice ride. I still love the looks of it.
Jack, I bought a 1989 model Saab 900 in 2011. It was a two door five speed manual. Unfortunately it did by that time have major problems, but when it was working it was a delight to drive, even though it wasn't a turbo. A three door Saab 900 Turbo would rate as my all time favourite car. You are right about the quirky bonnet, and the wrong way round engine angled 45 degrees, and the aircraft cockpit inspired dash. No-one has ever done it better than Saab. That also goes for their fighter jets, the Drakken, the Viggen and the Gripen. Delta wings with forward mounted canards.
What a gorgeous Saab!
Theres a 900 Turbo Carlsson for sale on ebay in the same colour Jack for 12,500 or sensible offers and needs a little work, a perfect project for you!!!!!
Miss my 900S (16-valve non-turbo). Mine wasn't a good example and kind of miserable to drive. It was very slow, but handled well. I loved it. Always stupidly reliable. Engine sounded new at 200k and didn't burn oil at all. Lots of fun little quirks. Unfortunately the floor pan started rotting out from a bodged repair the previous owner did and I stupidly got rid of it because I thought it was done. Now they're impossible to find. Live and learn.
I had an ‘87 Saab 900S three door non turbo. What a great car. It was really a car that you could drive hard and feel like you were driving fast but you weren’t! Huge amount of interior room. I wish I shad it!
Since I'm Swedish, I've experienced a lot of Saab. Especially the 900 and 9000. My uncle had both. As a child I only experienced one downside to the 900 and that was motion sickness. It is truly an innovative car and for me some design solutions came naturally. For me, 900 will be part of my history.
That looks like an SPG package in America....dad had a 73 EMS I had a 76 EMS..also had 78 Turbo.....Saab family....we truly miss them.
I have a 2007 9-5 and i love it. Its not 0-60 car. Its a highway flyer. Very comfortable and i have 95 percent of the features the new cars have today.
I was selling SAABS when the turbo came out. Got to drive one with Erik Carlson. BTW, the 900 was made because of the US market, but not for safety reasons. It got the nose stretch so SAAB could have room for power steering and factory air conditioning.
Thanks for the great video.
Yup , way more than a ‘facelift’ of the 99. Way better design in all aspects other than ditching the 5 door hatchback design.
Hitched back from Athens to London in 1981, after several horrible rides my GF and I got picked up by a very cool dude in a black turbo with the funky wheels. I drove it across Belgium to Zeebruge, cruising effortlessly at 100/110 it was a joy, ( I was driving a Citroen Dyane at the so it was like getting into a space ship!) The cherry was huge handful of deutch marks from the glovebox which ran to a slap up meal on the ferry, great way to end a road trip...
It was the most desireable attainble car of its day. The Aero Turbo T16 in green metallic and grey Aero three spoke wheels. What a car. Still looks good today.
Hi Jack, I had the next 900 with the V6. I held on to that car for 15 years until the electronics were just failing all the time. Here in Oz we could not get access to the stuff from Europe but what a car. I miss the centre ignition, so easy to find. So hard to defeat and steal. I enjoyed the video and felt sad too.
Jack - Awesome! and Happy New Year! - 1991 - I'm 18yrs old, I had a SAAB 9000i which couldnt pull the skin off a rice pudding, a mate drove his Dads 9000 Carlsson. Destroyed me in every way!
When younger, a neighbour had a Saab convertible which I always thought resembled a dodgem car.
I was never keen on them because of that but I love the visibility you get inside the one you are driving. There doesn't look to be any blind spots.
I’ve always loved Saab cars. I have a 1972 96 V4 which I occasionally use in regularity/jogularity classic rallying. There is a definite “following” in that area due to the amazing history with Erik Carlsson behind the wheel. Great feature, thanks.
Everyone has a Saab story. Mine started with the 96 wagon, a 99 EMS, then a flat-nose 900 turbo coupe, to my current 9-3 Aero 2.8 cabrio. Love the brand, quirky, yes, boring never!
I had an early Saab 99, I had many a happy hour playing/ fixing it and discovering its quirky ways! The 900 carried over a fair few of these features including the doors which take the sills with em to clear snow away for clean access, who else does this stuff? The security device linking the ignition key with reverse gear becomes second nature until a tiny spring in the mechanism breaks, then the mech can get out of synch meaning that when I tried to put the car in reverse to get my key out it would start the car! Luckily my car was at home and in my garage when this happened. Over the week end I discovered that to get at the gear box lock mech you have to take the passenger seat out, then you find the lock mech is held down by 4 weird security nuts. One special tool made from an old socket later and a new spring and we were back in business (I can’t believe my Saab dealer had the spring in stock!). The front wheel drum brakes on the hand brake were weak because they had to be small to fit in board of the disks and they got no wear. The hydraulic operated clutch is heavy and burst a short section of rubber pipe whilst manoeuvring in ASDA car park which meant I nudged a small wall knocking the top row of bricks off no damage to the car due to its rubber safety bumpers. Oh and there were the early fibre optic instrumentation lighting fed from a couple of lamps, those lit bits of dash lighting that were a bit further away from the lamps were always a bit dim and half went out when a lamp failed. Then there was the day when my sister locked us out of the car, the front lock buttons could not be defeated using the key (another safest feature), so it was possible to lock the rear doors and the front doors from the inside, climb out and slam the front door closed with no way in, except via the boot and even that required unlocking the folding rear seat back from inside the boot and then squeezing a small lad through to open a door from the inside. I loved my old Saabs but my goodness they are weird! Not as weird as some other cars though! 😂 my last Saab was a late 95, I just love the character and being a little bit different.
Wow you forget how narrow cars where ,only drove one once spent ages trying to find the ignition but the thing I remember was the turbo lag and just how comfy the seats where .The swedes know how to make a comfortable seat .As always really enjoyed your video you always pick cars which I love ,thanks
Where!!!
As you Jack, I have a real soft spot for the 900. To really appreciate these, look at it as a really competent road trip cruiser as opposed to a sports car. And long time ownership really lets you appreciates brilliant Swedish engineering.
You really have knowledge in cars. My father owns SPG with rare full Airflow package. True classic, I am Saab enthusiast myself since I was a child. Great video, enjoyed it with a smile!
I had a 1989 900 Aero in Australia (SPG in the USA) for many years. Very similar to this (higher performance, lowered suspension, full body kit, full leather interior, etc.), but without the Carlsson badging. Like any turbo 900, its 0 to anything speed wasn't great, but its 20 to anything speed was impressive. Later models had a smaller turbo which reduced lag. If you kept the revs above 2000 to 2500, you didn't feel any lag anyway. I sold mine when it was 23 years old with around 325,000km on the clock. It was using less than 0.6 litres of oil per year even with long trips in hot (44C) temps. I wanted to keep it, but I had already bought a 9-3 Aero (2.8 V6 turbo, six speed manual) and we were moving house 1,000 km away and ...
I almost bought a new 1985 Saab 900 turbo automatic. I have had a lot of cars and this was the one that got away. I was driving a 1985 Oldsmobile Toronado. The 307 V8 had a lot more torque and no turbo lag, so I kept the Olds.. I have always liked the Saab 900 though and would like to have one as a cars and coffee cruiser. Happy New Year Jack!
I had a 900T in the nineties. Loved the look. Everything was solid inside and out.
Torque steer was massive. Turbo Lag was there as well. Always thought it would have been more interesting as a rear wheel drive car.
The head liners all fall down as well.
I have a Saab 99 turbo from 1980. You can definitely see the line of progression in this later Saab.
SAABs, actual genuine SAABs, are SO cool. Quirky af too. I've only ever been in one 900, a non-turbo five door, but i still loved it. ..and i agree with the feeling of solidity. I grew up with Volvos, and still the SAAB felt rock solid. Don't think i've heard of this particular version, but i'm not british so... You buying one would be great :)
Carlsson was used in the UK - elsewhere they were known as “Airflow”
Thanks a bunch for the portrayal of a 'proper' Saab, Jack! A watching tip for newbies: Jason Cammissa on the Saab. You'll see & hear a lot of what you think & heard from 27 confirmed. Had 3 99 Turbos ,a 99L ftom '76, 99GL from '79, a 99GL(5-Gear!) from '84 & a lovely 5 door, green metallic 900S (soft-)Turbo from 91, with AC, ABS, Power Steering & driver airbag! They modernized as far as they could ,also thx to the 9000 components but somewhere they needed to restart......Thank God we were able to experience them 💫🙏!
How spooky. Just yesterday I searched for 900 Carlsson content and was disappointed by the results. Today this pops up! Very good review Jack. Saab is one of the few brands who passing I mourn. Fun fact…. The B-series engine used in the 900 until 1981 was actually a unit from Triumph.
I fell in love with these watching "The Paradise Club" his black 900 Carlson ended it's days getting blown up to be replaced by a 9000 Carlson IIRC
I owned a 900 Turbo 16v Cabriolet. Your appraisal of the interior layout brought feelings of nostalgia. I would like to own another, (except I live in Kenya now). You don't see any over here! Absolutely loved it. Sadly I got driven into and the car was was an insurance write off. The engine very quickly got removed by my mechanic and put into his 3door SPG (I was living in LA at the time)... I think they're called "Aeros" in the UK. I also owned a Volvo 240 wagon which I also loved. (It didn't feel as "premium" as the Saab though).
Nice review Jack. I've had a few Saabs over the years including a two stroke 96, a 95 estate, a V4 96, a 99 and a 99 Turbo. I finished with a 9.3, but enough said about that. One motoring magazine said that they were thoughtful cars for thoughtful people. You didn't mention the link to the Triumph Dolomite engine.
By the way, the column shift 96 also locked the gear leaver in reverse - another SAAB innovation. Not sure where the comment about the ignition key on the gear lever as a safety feature came from.
SAAB brilliant cars always stood out from the crowd, had a white A Reg 99 GL bought it from my father awesome car always loved the 900's 👏👏
Awesome video. 30 years ago I had an old 5 door 900 to tool around in, then moved to Canada and enjoyed a 3 door 99 before finding an old SPG (black, of course 😉) and had to give it up when my wife wanted to drive an auto. I loved my SAABs - breaks my heart seeing what happened to the brand.
One of the most quirky…dopest body styled car designs in history. 🙌🏽
I had a SAAB 93 Viggen in South Africa in the early 2000`s...that car was stupid quick, it gave many an e36 M3 owner a headache at the not so legal 400m drags on a Sunday night in an industrial area in the east of Johannesburg...
Amazing how long they managed to use the old 99 chassi. I have always wondered what Volvo did that that SAAB did not manage to do? To survive I mean?
LOVE LOVE LOVE the 900 Turbo! Great vid, Jack. Happy New Year, mate!
The reason the bonnet opens the way it does has to do if something happens at night and you need to open the bonnet, the headlights will actually light up the engine compartment by reflecting the lights as the bonnet then acts like a reflector.