Such a sadness that the Saab quirkiness that hindered it from being a big seller was diluted to create more mass appeal which in the end with GM’s help, killed it. I selected a 900 as my new company car replacement in 1986 but sadly a sudden price increase cheated me of the experience. I will never forget the salesman at Gordon Lamb in Chesterfield, he showed me samples of how thick the steel was in various parts of the car including a box steel section from the easy access sills to demonstrate the high level of safety.
I was into Saab in a big way back in the day. I got a Saab 900 GL first then moved onto what l really wanted the Legendary Saab 99 turbo in red this was in 1984 the car was a V reg l unfortunately rolled it but managed to acquire another in red W reg within a few months fantastic car which used to turn heads back then . I turned a lot of people on to Saab who then had never heard of the company. Good video nice car the kind of car you don't sell on !
The only thing that let the 99 turbo down was the non power assisted steering especially because l had wider tyres on. The 2 l had were the boot /sedan 2 door which l prefer loved the stumpy boot especially when viewed from. Behind low slung looked really purposeful. The 900 turbo was obviously a more refined car but l loved the rough and ready non nonsense 99 turbo l had to sell the second one which l used to see on a regular basis l made a mistake but l needed the money. Where l worked we had a local Saab dealer Woolford motors in Tottington . There was also a new fancy dealer in Manchester. I went one day for a part l needed when l pulled up there was a red haired guy stood outside who l vaguely recognized l nodded at him and he said hello which people as you know always did when you had a Saab .when l came out he was walking around my car and admiring it then it came to me who he was he was one of the presenters of "tomorrows world" cannot remember his name he had a fantastic looking 900 turbo 16v aero with all the body kit on but was totally blown away by my red devil!!! All the best mate
@catfish828 I have a brochure from Woolfold Saab dealership for a 99. I've had it since I was about 12 years old! We used to trade with Saab Manchester back in the day. I found that the 99 handled better than the 900 due to the shorter wheelbase and overhangs. I had a 1980 99GL 4 speed which I managed 120 out of it on a long run down the M61. It had a strong engine that had been rebuilt at some point before I owned it. I paid £40 for it back in 1999 and ran it for 18 months. Those were the days 😁
Thank You! They are made to be driven hard and as long as you pamper them with servicing and any other repairs, it's okay. I always let the car get to operating temperature first.
What’s happening with boost control? Are you on APC or MBC. If it’s originally a LPT I assume MBC or just a preloaded WG. What intercooler are you running? I’ve had lots of them. Probably skeins the time you got yours I got my LPT Aero and then took it to abbott racing. Similar number at 220bhp. But I left the type 6 box in. The acceleration was brutal when rolling back in the day. I’d see inline with my e36 M3. But these days most stuff can do that. My 535d would annihilate it (and the steering wheel wouldn’t be shaking all over the place from torque steer). The reason why they sound so good is the manifold design. Unequal primary lengths in that log manifold. Go lauren to one that’s been fitted with the more efficient equal length manifold. It sounds just like an early 9000.
@@rossbethell4187 Yeah, I'm aware of that, but I don't drive it like that all the time. I've got three boxes in storage with stripped 3rd and 4th gears because of that very reason from many years ago. I've turned down the boost for box longevity. I hate these boxes. Been stripping and rebuilding them so many times. Weak helical reverse gears too.
@@rossbethell4187 Just a basic bleed valve and many, many hours and time spent fine tuning the actuator rod to get the perfect balance of high boost with minimal lag. High flow air filter with cold air feed directly from the front, standard intercooler, relocated dump valve, decat. I've driven plenty with APC upgrades and such, but none of them ever seem to have the torque and punch as I get from mine. I'd not really compare it to the likes of the performance M models from BMW, but I had a go in my friend's M3 EVO E36, manual and I wasn't impressed considering it was only 8 years old at the time. I've never been able to afford any serious performance upgrades. I'd love to convert to a Trionic 5 system, but they're over £1500.
Thanks for this, brought it all back to me. Had 5 of these in different types, soft point turbo was one I liked best. Always had 5 door cars very practical for my garage work and would carry a lot of stuff with no problems. Always a good drive.
I had an '89 900, the most fun car I ever had. My dream is to own another one, though getting one in the condition you need it to be in for a daily driver at a reasonable price is difficult. Service and parts are also a problem.
Years ago, a colleague of my brother's stuffed his Dad's 900 through his utility and garage walls...and then drove to work. It was enough to convince me to buy one for my family. I've owned a dozen Saab's since. One was a 5 door 900 16v turbo with an Aero red APC ( ECU ), lots of mods by Trent Saab, bilstein shocks, etc. It was huge fun & looked very unassuming until the lights turned green. I've got a loft full of spares that I refuse to get rid of. Obviously I want another. 🤞
Happy days with SAAB... had EMS , uncatchable in 3rd gear.. final body count? I had 23 between 1983-2012. Sadly missing but great to see your trusty steed...
I translated this to read what he said, and I agree... "I was riding the same type and color before. It is a 1993 model. It looks cool even now! ! Thank you for the video!!!"
Always Loved the 99/900, back in the day owned a dowdy 99 4-door and then an '85 2-door 900i (8-valve, mechanical injection), an unusual version that seemed to be almost stripped-out (electric nothing at all) and was quite light as a result, with the grunty 8-valve actually pretty quick for a non-turbo. It was white, minilite (style) wheels, boot spoiler and I actually came to prefer its looks to the 3-door. Yours seems to be pretty hairy, but have you ever considered an equal-length header? I know they lose the idle/low-RPM burble that distinguishes the engines, but I hear they reduce turbo lag (and sound better at high RPM).
The top hose on the turbo models always at some point splits and bursts. It happened to me on another one I'd owned. The ties stop the pipe expanding, thus avoids breaking the internal braiding. It's been like that for about 18 years of hard driving and has never let go. Much cheaper than silicone hoses that can also fail and don't fit properly.
It is a credit to you my friend 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I have had one SAAB 93 Aero from new and one SAAB 95 HOT Aero tuned and lowered by Hirsch, from new. They are not cars, they are missiles 😱
Just bought a superb two owner 9000 manual Aero, in near new condition, garaged all its life and full service history. Can't believe my luck with it, it's in lovely condition. I've been trying to find a decent one for years.
Hi Love your car a credit to you! Can I ask, as I’m only able to drive a Automatic which 900 turbos came with a auto box (not interested in the convertible). Thank you, just liked and subscribed.
The auto 'box was an option on all 900 models, whether it be the 8 or 16v turbo or injection, or carburettor models. Pretty ancient design, 3 speed slushbox. Quite short geared, so only average at high speed cruising. Not great in the 900, as engine noise in the cabin is quite intrusive on all models.
A cone type air filter with heat shielding and a cold air intake connected to the nose of the filter, drawing air from the front of the car below the intercooler.
I got this for very little back in 2003. They were just scrap value back then if they were high mileage. I bought a taxed and running 8 valve turbo shortly after getting this as a donor car. I drove it daily for a while. Cost me £75!
@@stefansworld3351 Its the APC boxes that kill the gearboxes with the sledgehammer torque curves. On the ones i convert to Trionic5 they have no gearbox issues and run 220bhp.
@@dj_paultuk7052 The 9000 up to 1993 used the same system as the classic 900 with the nitrogen filled accumulator bulb. My 1991 model had this system. From 1994 onwards, they used a conventional ABS system with an electric pump to draw vacuum for the brake booster/servo.
@@julianroberts5407 Skoda started off as a budget vehicle and has slowly become more and more of a premium priced vehicle. Saab was never really seen as a value brand, so seemed expensive for what people conceived as an odd choice when compared to it's rivals. It's just my opinion. I don't claim to understand people and the choices they make. I'm an oddball myself.
The last truly worthy Saabs were the 95 and the 96. Newer models are money pits. Even the 96 V-4 has a few weak points. The 3 cylinder 2 stroke was a marvel of engineering. Saab still makes excellent aircraft, but the car businees is defunct.
@@rossbethell4187 I'm not 100% if they're the type 8, but they're from a 1988 T16S. At 70 mph, it's at 2600 rpm, so pretty long geared. I know that the economy box from early 80's 5 speeds have tall gearing.
I have not mentioned even a third of what I have done to this vehicle, because the video would be about 3 hours, plus I am autistic, so think about that. If people wouldn't get bored, I could probably do about a dozen videos on my car. I know every square milimeter of my vehicle. Do you know yours?
@@stefansworld3351 Relax man, I do know my 9-3, I just rebuilt the whole car after spending thousands on her. I also know my Omega inside out, my Vectra, my Astra. I never let any mechanic near my cars, only me. also, Saab enthusiast wouldnt mind a longer video on all the stuff you've done or even more shorter vids. 👍
nothing wrong with that, making lists and similar things helps a lot of people, just because you can supposedly remember every detail about your car on demand doesnt mean others can
Such a sadness that the Saab quirkiness that hindered it from being a big seller was diluted to create more mass appeal which in the end with GM’s help, killed it. I selected a 900 as my new company car replacement in 1986 but sadly a sudden price increase cheated me of the experience. I will never forget the salesman at Gordon Lamb in Chesterfield, he showed me samples of how thick the steel was in various parts of the car including a box steel section from the easy access sills to demonstrate the high level of safety.
I had a 93 and then a 95 and loved both but a 900 Aero was the one I really wanted. Miss Saab.
One of the most beautiful sedan bodies ever built. Sad to see it gone.
This 900 model is the reason I fallen in love with SAAB brand
Saab had limited resources and money to develop the 900 and they did a good job considering it is based on the Saab 99 dating back to the 1960's.
Thanks for telling the story of your 900 and taking us for a ride!
I was into Saab in a big way back in the day. I got a Saab 900 GL first then moved onto what l really wanted the Legendary Saab 99 turbo in red this was in 1984 the car was a V reg l unfortunately rolled it but managed to acquire another in red W reg within a few months fantastic car which used to turn heads back then . I turned a lot of people on to Saab who then had never heard of the company. Good video nice car the kind of car you don't sell on !
My first car was a 99GL. I had two more then started on the 900 range with a 1984 900 Gals.
The only thing that let the 99 turbo down was the non power assisted steering especially because l had wider tyres on. The 2 l had were the boot /sedan 2 door which l prefer loved the stumpy boot especially when viewed from. Behind low slung looked really purposeful. The 900 turbo was obviously a more refined car but l loved the rough and ready non nonsense 99 turbo l had to sell the second one which l used to see on a regular basis l made a mistake but l needed the money. Where l worked we had a local Saab dealer Woolford motors in Tottington . There was also a new fancy dealer in Manchester. I went one day for a part l needed when l pulled up there was a red haired guy stood outside who l vaguely recognized l nodded at him and he said hello which people as you know always did when you had a Saab .when l came out he was walking around my car and admiring it then it came to me who he was he was one of the presenters of "tomorrows world" cannot remember his name he had a fantastic looking 900 turbo 16v aero with all the body kit on but was totally blown away by my red devil!!!
All the best mate
@catfish828 I have a brochure from Woolfold Saab dealership for a 99. I've had it since I was about 12 years old! We used to trade with Saab Manchester back in the day. I found that the 99 handled better than the 900 due to the shorter wheelbase and overhangs. I had a 1980 99GL 4 speed which I managed 120 out of it on a long run down the M61. It had a strong engine that had been rebuilt at some point before I owned it. I paid £40 for it back in 1999 and ran it for 18 months. Those were the days 😁
I had an '86 T16S back in 1997.
Loved it.
Finally, someone who's not afraid to drive it as if he stole it... Nice Car btw
Thank You! They are made to be driven hard and as long as you pamper them with servicing and any other repairs, it's okay. I always let the car get to operating temperature first.
@@stefansworld3351hard is fine but those fast gear changes down low…that’ll kill your box fast.
What’s happening with boost control? Are you on APC or MBC. If it’s originally a LPT I assume MBC or just a preloaded WG.
What intercooler are you running?
I’ve had lots of them. Probably skeins the time you got yours I got my LPT Aero and then took it to abbott racing. Similar number at 220bhp. But I left the type 6 box in. The acceleration was brutal when rolling back in the day. I’d see inline with my e36 M3.
But these days most stuff can do that. My 535d would annihilate it (and the steering wheel wouldn’t be shaking all over the place from torque steer).
The reason why they sound so good is the manifold design. Unequal primary lengths in that log manifold. Go lauren to one that’s been fitted with the more efficient equal length manifold. It sounds just like an early 9000.
@@rossbethell4187 Yeah, I'm aware of that, but I don't drive it like that all the time. I've got three boxes in storage with stripped 3rd and 4th gears because of that very reason from many years ago. I've turned down the boost for box longevity. I hate these boxes. Been stripping and rebuilding them so many times. Weak helical reverse gears too.
@@rossbethell4187 Just a basic bleed valve and many, many hours and time spent fine tuning the actuator rod to get the perfect balance of high boost with minimal lag. High flow air filter with cold air feed directly from the front, standard intercooler, relocated dump valve, decat. I've driven plenty with APC upgrades and such, but none of them ever seem to have the torque and punch as I get from mine. I'd not really compare it to the likes of the performance M models from BMW, but I had a go in my friend's M3 EVO E36, manual and I wasn't impressed considering it was only 8 years old at the time. I've never been able to afford any serious performance upgrades. I'd love to convert to a Trionic 5 system, but they're over £1500.
Love the passion, thats a long friendship with a Saab. Clearly has not let u down. :)
Thanks for this, brought it all back to me. Had 5 of these in different types, soft point turbo was one I liked best. Always had 5 door cars very practical for my garage work and would carry a lot of stuff with no problems. Always a good drive.
Thank you! They are very practical cars and fun to drive 👌
Loved these back in the day!
I had an '89 900, the most fun car I ever had. My dream is to own another one, though getting one in the condition you need it to be in for a daily driver at a reasonable price is difficult. Service and parts are also a problem.
Great content - looks fantastic
I look
I love those cars, thanks for the video, great looking car,well done
Thanks for the support!
Years ago, a colleague of my brother's stuffed his Dad's 900 through his utility and garage walls...and then drove to work. It was enough to convince me to buy one for my family.
I've owned a dozen Saab's since. One was a 5 door 900 16v turbo with an Aero red APC ( ECU ), lots of mods by Trent Saab, bilstein shocks, etc. It was huge fun & looked very unassuming until the lights turned green.
I've got a loft full of spares that I refuse to get rid of. Obviously I want another. 🤞
The 5 door looks like a 900i. Sleeper car 👌
Happy days with SAAB... had EMS , uncatchable in 3rd gear.. final body count? I had 23 between 1983-2012. Sadly missing but great to see your trusty steed...
It looks absolutely beautiful I'm very jealous 😍 😫 😢
would love to one day drive one of these, great video :)
Thanks! 👍
Great job, mate! Now I want one, even if I'm fortunate enough to own a great example of an NB MX-5 1.8 😁
Man this one has a hot engine! Very quick to accelerate!
Thanks! Many years of maintenance and fine tuning along the way 👌
Such a beautiful car . enjoyed your video 😊 always wanted an 900 . On 2nd saab 93 2005 convertible 65k
Great car, thanks for sharing. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😃
In certain parts of Australia at times whenever you saw a Volvo parked in the driveway there was also a Saab lol.
When I visited New Zealand back in 2008, there were very few Saabs. I probably saw about 8 the whole 10 weeks I was there.
前に同じタイプ同じカラーを乗っていました。93年式です。今から見てもかっこいいですよ！！動画をありがとう!!!
I translated this to read what he said, and I agree... "I was riding the same type and color before. It is a 1993 model. It looks cool even now! ! Thank you for the video!!!"
Love the zip ties on the radiator hose 👌
They've been on for nearly 2 decades and have done their job 👌
That goes very well!
Thanks!
Great video
Such a unique car. I bet that turbo boost is fun and addictive.
Thanks, yeah, it's not easy driving it sedately!
Funny thing is, when you have it, it's a savoured morsel for occasional treats. Like all posh nosh- it's not for the kids.....
@@janegrimshaw9003 hahaha well that's one way of putting it!
Always Loved the 99/900, back in the day owned a dowdy 99 4-door and then an '85 2-door 900i (8-valve, mechanical injection), an unusual version that seemed to be almost stripped-out (electric nothing at all) and was quite light as a result, with the grunty 8-valve actually pretty quick for a non-turbo. It was white, minilite (style) wheels, boot spoiler and I actually came to prefer its looks to the 3-door. Yours seems to be pretty hairy, but have you ever considered an equal-length header? I know they lose the idle/low-RPM burble that distinguishes the engines, but I hear they reduce turbo lag (and sound better at high RPM).
And you have done a job, and it looks awesome 👍👍🏴
Thanks!
Lovely ❤ car
Thank you 😊
It could do with a nice black or dark grey leather to finish it off buy still looks nice you're very lucky man
I did fit dark grey leather with matching door panels and knee pad, but I changed it back as I preferred the velour.
VERY, VERY, VERY, NICE.
Thanks! It's a result of ongoing work involving literal blood, sweat and tears (and some money)👌
You have to shim up the valves using special size shims or oversized shims once they are worn and has to be extremely cold when you do it
Not on a 16v.
That's on the 8 valve B series and H series. Very tedious job to do!
Question: why was the upper radiator hose laced with zipties?
The top hose on the turbo models always at some point splits and bursts. It happened to me on another one I'd owned. The ties stop the pipe expanding, thus avoids breaking the internal braiding. It's been like that for about 18 years of hard driving and has never let go. Much cheaper than silicone hoses that can also fail and don't fit properly.
It is a credit to you my friend 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I have had one SAAB 93 Aero from new and one SAAB 95 HOT Aero tuned and lowered by Hirsch, from new.
They are not cars, they are missiles 😱
Love the car, got a 1987 flatnose one myself! Did you fit an entire 9000 rear seat or just the headrests?
Just the headrests. The 9000 seats are completely different in construction.
great work, represents the 900 well.
Thanks!
Biggest car regret was selling my 900 Aero, second biggest was selling my 9000 Aero .
Just bought a superb two owner 9000 manual Aero, in near new condition, garaged all its life and full service history. Can't believe my luck with it, it's in lovely condition. I've been trying to find a decent one for years.
bellissima
Hi Love your car a credit to you!
Can I ask, as I’m only able to drive a Automatic which 900 turbos came with a auto box (not interested in the convertible).
Thank you, just liked and subscribed.
The auto 'box was an option on all 900 models, whether it be the 8 or 16v turbo or injection, or carburettor models. Pretty ancient design, 3 speed slushbox. Quite short geared, so only average at high speed cruising. Not great in the 900, as engine noise in the cabin is quite intrusive on all models.
Yes yes ❤❤❤❤RAa
Do you have an upgraded air intake? It sounds a lot more aggressive than my stock intake sounds. I love it.
A cone type air filter with heat shielding and a cold air intake connected to the nose of the filter, drawing air from the front of the car below the intercooler.
It's mostly exhaust noise, as there's the stainless steel system and a catalytic converter removed.
Like you told someone else there's a lot of the car you didn't cover. Really great work. I'm looking forward to seeing more.
So what is the colour code for the bumper/trim colour in satin?
Anthracite 176
Bear in mind that if the rest of the body kit is faded/dull compared to new, it will probably not match up to the fresh paint.
Very nice motor car Sir, I am searching for one myself...
Thank You! For a decent example, pay at least 5k 😁
@@stefansworld3351 Thank you. I'm searching for a Viggen 🥰
@@gro9465 If you're in the UK and are serious about finding one, speak to Peter Raw at RawSaab as he has a few and specialises in OG 9-3s.
@@stefansworld3351 Thank you, I will indeed.
People in US would want over 15000 for this easily
Just glad I got to own a few of these before prices got silly...for me.. they're comparatively cheap I suppose compared to a fast ford or bmv
I got this for very little back in 2003. They were just scrap value back then if they were high mileage. I bought a taxed and running 8 valve turbo shortly after getting this as a donor car. I drove it daily for a while. Cost me £75!
What about ulez crap is it OK to drive
I've not checked as there's none in my area. They are still under review.
had an F reg. The gearbox was the main issue.
Yeah, if they're running healthy boost, normally 3rd or 4th gear gives up. Mine's on it's fifth or sixth rebuilt gearbox 😂
@@stefansworld3351 Its the APC boxes that kill the gearboxes with the sledgehammer torque curves. On the ones i convert to Trionic5 they have no gearbox issues and run 220bhp.
PS, 9000's never had the Ford ABS system. They used ATE.
@@dj_paultuk7052 The 9000 up to 1993 used the same system as the classic 900 with the nitrogen filled accumulator bulb. My 1991 model had this system. From 1994 onwards, they used a conventional ABS system with an electric pump to draw vacuum for the brake booster/servo.
@@stefansworld3351 Yes i know, im a Saab Master Technician. But the 9000 one is not Ford like the C900. Its ATE.
If there is a ‘god’, he drives a SAAB Aero!!! 😇
But as a dyslexic, atheist, insomniac I often lie awake at night wondering if there is a dog!
😆
Ridem cowboy
GM=the death of Saab 😢
They tried to make a mainstream car brand from an oddball marque. It was inevitably going to fail.
Saab killed Saab
@@stefansworld3351 Then how is it, that VW's purchase of Skoda has been such a stunning success?
@@julianroberts5407 Skoda started off as a budget vehicle and has slowly become more and more of a premium priced vehicle. Saab was never really seen as a value brand, so seemed expensive for what people conceived as an odd choice when compared to it's rivals. It's just my opinion. I don't claim to understand people and the choices they make. I'm an oddball myself.
Plus people trust VW, though I believe that trust in perceived quality is not justified.
The last truly worthy Saabs were the 95 and the 96. Newer models are money pits. Even the
96 V-4 has a few weak points. The 3 cylinder 2 stroke was a marvel of engineering.
Saab still makes excellent aircraft, but the car businees is defunct.
I've always had and loved unworthy Saabs, I guess
Befors the Americans ruined Saab.
150 + ?. A C900 T16 will be stuck on the rev limiter at 138mph.
It's got the long primary gear set.
I've got footage on VHS, but I won't be uploading it.
@@stefansworld3351type 8?
@@rossbethell4187 I'm not 100% if they're the type 8, but they're from a 1988 T16S. At 70 mph, it's at 2600 rpm, so pretty long geared. I know that the economy box from early 80's 5 speeds have tall gearing.
I'm mad that you have to read from a piece of paper to remind yourself what the car has lol
I have not mentioned even a third of what I have done to this vehicle, because the video would be about 3 hours, plus I am autistic, so think about that. If people wouldn't get bored, I could probably do about a dozen videos on my car. I know every square milimeter of my vehicle. Do you know yours?
@@stefansworld3351 Relax man, I do know my 9-3, I just rebuilt the whole car after spending thousands on her. I also know my Omega inside out, my Vectra, my Astra. I never let any mechanic near my cars, only me. also, Saab enthusiast wouldnt mind a longer video on all the stuff you've done or even more shorter vids. 👍
Grow up, what’s wrong with reading from a list, at least we got ALL the info! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
@@venenareligioest410 Not sure it means i'm a Child just because I said that. 🤐
nothing wrong with that, making lists and similar things helps a lot of people, just because you can supposedly remember every detail about your car on demand doesnt mean others can
Do not fool the viewers, i had 2 Saab's and both had a horrible engine.1 99 Saab Turbo,and a 900 GLs. Totally unreliable money eaters
Horrible when not looked after properly. It takes alot to kill a 900/99 engine. Great when working properly compared to its contemporaries.