wuvvum Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 I bought this yesterday. The seller very kindly delivered it free of charge from Kings Lynn, although I suspect he fancied one last drive in it as he's replaced it with a diesel Focus. It's a 2.3 CSE turbo (full pressure), and so far it appears to be a good 'un - it's had thousands spent on it over the years, including £1000 on a recon gearbox five years ago, and heaven knows how much on a Xenon headlight conversion kit (a proper kit, not a pair of blue-tinted H4s from the pound shop like the ones in the Camry ) and it shows. Everything works, even the cruise control, although the aircon needs a regas. It's got a full Aero interior fitted too, which is what made me want it in the first place - I love the Aero seats. And it's got the wood trim kit on the dash, which I actually quite like in 9000s. This is the business end. It's pretty much standard, although it's been fitted with an uprated intercooler and an atmospheric dump valve (which makes a nice "Tssshhh" sound when you lift off the throttle - not loud enough to sound chavvy, but loud enough to make the car sound like it means business). It runs great and goes like shit off a shovel - it's the quickest standard 9000 I've owned, and the mechanics seem to be in rude health despite the fact that the mileage is fast approaching 300,000. It doesn't handle as well as the Carlsson, but it's noticeably quicker in a straight line - the 2.3 is a much torquier unit than the 2-litre. Only thing I'm not quite sure about is the exhaust. It's not excessively loud and it's actually quite an expensive system, but I'm not sure I like the look of it - I think a standard oval tailpipe would look better. Other than that it's pretty much my ideal 9000, and it's in surprisingly good nick for a high-mileage K-plater - even the headlining isn't sagging. And so far it's managing 33 to the gallon, which isn't bad considering how I've been driving it - once I get over the novelty value and stop playing with the dump valve in traffic and/or overtaking everything in sight on B-roads, hopefully that will improve even more. 9000 turbos are a criminally underrated car - I love 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VWPowered Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 looks sweet as a nut that, exhaust too, great purchase Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torsten2001 Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Have you still got the Carlsson? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autohausdolby Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Nice mota. I've always passed these by but I may roll one one day. Obv. the best thing to do with those seats is rip them out, throw away the perfectly good car, then make a shit 70s VW camper even worse by "installing" said seats into it with some 13mm bolts though the thin steel inner wheel arch, which will probably be rotten anyway. WINAR! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Thumbs Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 That looks wonderful! I love this style of 9k. By looking at it I would have assumed it had done a third of it's mileage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pillock Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Nice mota. I've always passed these by but I may roll one one day. Obv. the best thing to do with those seats is rip them out, throw away the perfectly good car, then make a shit 70s VW camper even worse by "installing" said seats into it with some 13mm bolts though the thin steel inner wheel arch, which will probably be rotten anyway. WINAR!Sounds like Messr. Dolby has been working on an example of said 70s camper and is a little bitter over it ;)But yeah, I can never work out why drivers of Type 2s - top speed 23.2mph downhill - need Recaros and stuff. Spoils the look and they're hardly going to be cornering on the doorhandles. 'Sports' seats aren't even that comfy on a long drive, you need anything French for that.But that Saab, that is tasty. Seats and all. Proper little sleeper, even on 300,000 miles! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garethj Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Nice!Am I right in saying that Saab 9000s are unbelievably cheap?A friend of mine used to run them, buying them for about £250 and finding a new one every 2 or 3 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pogweasel Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Super lovely. Was just contemplating fast swedes last night. Mmmmm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavcraft Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Kwality!I like the exhaust, looks fairly subtle and at least it's not one of those wanky drainpipe/rocket launcher types.Full pressure turbo should be a right laugh and Saabs have a sort of 'secret style' about them which a lot of people miss. That mileage should be no bother at all especially being as well looked after as it would appear. Does this have the clutch slave cylinder in the gearbox by the way? Mate had one and that was the only real fault but wasn't that expensive to sort out iirc.Good work anyhow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gompo Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Good effort, we know you love your Saabs..I have been thinking about getting a 9000, although it'd have to be a 200+bhp model - this one is meant to be 200bhp, right?Are the seats more hugging than your average Saab leather seat? I dont seem to fit in them well and slide all over..Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
155V6 Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Really like that,one of those cars I never really noticed when they were new,but the sort of thing I'd like now.Exhaust looks good too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mash Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Lovely. A mate of mine is right in to Saabs and he had a mint L-reg 9000 Aero for a few years. Scared me shitless how fast such a big car could accelerate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tony Hayers Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Nice purchase I had a 91 'J' 9000 S and it was a great car, miss it loads.Have you still got the Carlsson?Have you still got the 9000? And if so how is it these days (pics needed)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted July 4, 2009 Author Share Posted July 4, 2009 Have you still got the Carlsson?Nope, that went a few weeks ago - needed room at the garage as I had to rescue the Skoda from my mate's garden where it had been sat for six months without moving . It went to a Saab enthusiast who is going to use it as a track day toy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted July 4, 2009 Author Share Posted July 4, 2009 I have been thinking about getting a 9000, although it'd have to be a 200+bhp model - this one is meant to be 200bhp, right?Are the seats more hugging than your average Saab leather seat? I dont seem to fit in them well and slide all over..The minor upgrades on this one supposedly mean it's running 210bhp - it certainly feels like it could be. The Aero seats have much more lateral support than a standard 9000 leather chair, and the leather is softer and grippier too. Plus they look cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torsten2001 Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Swapped for a Mitsubishi Galant Estate, which was nice but not as nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 Nice-very nice.Looks a good purchase. Tow car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted July 5, 2009 Author Share Posted July 5, 2009 Tow car?That's the plan - I'm sure I've got a 9000 towbar in the shed somewhere. 9000s make superb (if rather juicy) tow vehicles - I've had 2 1/2 tonnes behind an eco turbo 9000 and it never broke a sweat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 I've driven a couple of warmed-up 9000s. They really are phenomenally quick and torquey for such a big car with a relatively small engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mouseflakes Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 If anyone else wants to join wuvvum... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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