Saab. What is it about them that just keeps you fixing them?

[jonathan_dyane]

IIRC They will all sludge up if servicing neglected or fully synth isn't used however the redesigned breather system for 2004 MY reduced the problem.

[Guest Hooli]

There is a redesigned breather kit for the earlier ones too, but again they'll still sludge without the right oil.

[SiC]

I thought it was 2005? when the facelift happened.

 

I know my 54 plate was sludged up as I think SiC did the sump drop & clean when he first got it.

No never did it. Just often ran low on oil and the pressure light coming on. Silver cam covered engines were revised internally to solve the issue (iirc yours is). Older units had a cam breather upgrade to mostly resolve the issue. Problem is from when the engines were run on mineral or semi. They need full synth.

 

The later 9-3 had completely different engines and didn't have the problem.

[Tetleysmooth]

What about a 53 plate 9-5 2.0t.

Could that potentially have problems?

As far as I know, it hasn't had any problems and still doesn't.

 

By the way, anyone fancy my 9-3 Linear convertible? 05 plate. Manual.

I just cannot get on with this manual box.

If anyone's interested, drop me a pm and we'll discuss price etc, and I'll give you a full description.

[Guest Hooli]

No never did it. Just often ran low on oil and the pressure light coming on. Silver cam covered engines were revised internally to solve the issue (iirc yours is). Older units had a cam breather upgrade to mostly resolve the issue. Problem is from when the engines were run on mineral or semi. They need full synth.

 

The later 9-3 had completely different engines and didn't have the problem.

 

 

Ahh I recalled oil issues when you got it so just assumed.

[jon.k]

Not the dame Edna facelift but the one which smartened up the front end. Mine was like that and 04.

This thread made me go to the classifieds again!

[GeordieInExile]

Everyone said it was mad to swap a 63 plate lease BMW for a 1990s Saab....

 

But 10,000 miles and one year (nearly) later in my 9000 and I’m still the one smiling! It’s reliable (mostly) comfortable, eats up the miles, can embarrass moderns at the traffic lights, swallow all the family stuff and tip runs etc... and for less than three monthly payments!

 

I’ve kinda got the Saab bug methinks.

 

Off to SaabFest in it this weekend.

I really want a 9000 at some stage. Nearly won one on eBay a few months ago but got sniped. Grrr. Ended up with a 9-5 Aero instead though so I'm not too cut up.

 

I also really want an OG 9-3 coupe at some stage. Saabulous.

[Ohdearme]

I really want a 9000 at some stage. Nearly won one on eBay a few months ago but got sniped. Grrr. Ended up with a 9-5 Aero instead though so I'm not too cut up.

 

I also really want an OG 9-3 coupe at some stage. Saabulous.

I had an OG 9-3 coupe before I got the 9-5 Aero. The 9-5 although bigger and heavier is the nicer car. The 9-3 coupe looked more SAAB, but even with everything sorted it torque steered quite a lot under throttle and boring but a three door with kids was a ball ache too.

 

Bloody good fun though in a straightish line and the boost was addictive. Unfortunately mine was on 175,000 miles and failed the mot on a few bits and bobs, plus the EML had started to put in guest appearances for fun...and then on the way back from the mot the turbo, that had been weeping a little bit, started pissing all over the floor so it was sent away to Rawsaab for pocket money.

 

Had an Alfa 147 for about 10 months for a change and then got back in with an Aero, it will be a lovely place to be when I’ve changed every single bush as they’re all shot. First corner I came to on the way home I nearly ploughed through the hedgerow.

[Jerzy Woking]

Had a 9000 some years ago that I spent a bit* of money on beefing up the engine and (almost) eliminating turbo lag. Thanks to an endless supply of cheap Yugoslavian tyres, lighting them up by prodding the accelerator in third gear was impressive when overtaking Astra boys. Didn't do anything for the cornering though.

 

Fast forward 15 years and numerous cars and back in a Saab again. Present (and long term keeper) Saab was a bargain as all the work I wanted to do had been done (engine, suspension, brakes) and I bought at a price that was not much more than a standard Aero, but with 300bhp. Used only for runs of 50 miles plus, and only has 75,000 miles on it now.

 

I get the use of the works cars (high end BMW's, Audi's, etc) but none feel as "complete" as my Saab does.

 

Keep thinking about buying a cheap 9-3 floppytop as a WBoD (had the AX last year).

[Toledo71]

I really want a 9000 at some stage. Nearly won one on eBay a few months ago but got sniped. Grrr. Ended up with a 9-5 Aero instead though so I'm not too cut up.

 

I also really want an OG 9-3 coupe at some stage. Saabulous.

 

 

I had a 94 9000CSE 2.0LPT, a 2000 9-5 Aero and an '07 Dame Edna Aero.  The 9000 was a load of trouble but a lovely thing to smoke about in when it was working, and not leaking petrol or eating its head gasket or exploding its battery.  Leather and walnut interior made me feel like a lottery winner after the misery-spec Mk II Golf that preceded it.  The 9-5 Aeros had all the long distance comfort but were in a different league to drive with fantastic mid-range wallop.  Strangely, I never liked the Dame Edna as much as the early one despite its thrustier engine, more gears in the box and every factory option.

 

Lovely things and I still, to this day, miss them.

[Vantman]

I really want a 9000 at some stage. Nearly won one on eBay a few months ago but got sniped. Grrr. Ended up with a 9-5 Aero instead though so I'm not too cut up.

 

I also really want an OG 9-3 coupe at some stage. Saabulous.

 

I have a 1993 9000 CSE 2.3 Automatic Full pressure turbo that may be for sale shortly.

[brownnova]

I have a 1993 9000 CSE 2.3 Full pressure turbo that may be for sale shortly.

Oooooh.....

 

Now that might be interesting....

[Uncle Jimmy]

Grim determination plus a modicum of humour. They're cute too.

[Alanism]

I have just got rid of a 9-5 Aero after spending way more than it was worth keeping it on the road for many years.  Before that I had a 9-3 that was constantly eating every penny I had.  Before that I had a gaggle of 9000s stretching back about 14 years.

 

Why? I don't know.  I like owning a Saab I guess. 

 

Recently my 9-5 got lobbed up the road for bridge money.  it decided to munch a turbo on a week when we were wondering how to pay bills, buy clothes for school return, pay an unexpected vets bill and generally balance the books.  It chose the wrong week to demand more 10 pound notes.

Would I have a another?  Probably.  Why?  i just don't know.

 

I have no idea why I keep buying Saab.  I've never had one without a multitude of problems.

 

Im actually really saddened about by 9-5 going.  It was the right thing to do but I never like selling a Saab.

[brownnova]

There’s a 9000 festering on a driveway near me that tempts me greatly. Because owning two almost identical 9000s is totally reasonable right?

[GeordieInExile]

I have a 1993 9000 CSE 2.3 Full pressure turbo that may be for sale shortly.

By for sale I hope you mean for raffle.

[Guest Hooli]

There’s a 9000 festering on a driveway near me that tempts me greatly. Because owning two almost identical 9000s is totally reasonable right?

 

More chance of one working at any given time...

[Richard]

9000s are fairly reliable if you can keep the gears on the inside.

[Vantman]

By for sale I hope you mean for raffle.

 

For sale will mean for sale,not raffle. Sorry.

[Alanism]

I have a 1993 9000 CSE 2.3 Automatic Full pressure turbo that may be for sale shortly.

Despite complaining about Saabs on this very thread I too would be interested in seeing this.  This is the problem with Saabs.  They are like crack-cocaine to the motoring middle classes.  I always end up relapsing and going straight back despite knowing I really shouldnt.

 

1993 is a good year for Saabs and I think it will be pre "B234 that gets thrown in a Vauxhall" so at least it should survive.  So many B2*4 cars are being killed to make old Vauxhalls faster.  

[Vantman]

Despite complaining about Saabs on this very thread I too would be interested in seeing this.  This is the problem with Saabs.  They are like crack-cocaine to the motoring middle classes.  I always end up relapsing and going straight back despite knowing I really shouldnt.

 

1993 is a good year for Saabs and I think it will be pre "B234 that gets thrown in a Vauxhall" so at least it should survive.  So many B2*4 cars are being killed to make old Vauxhalls faster.  

 

Yes it has a B234L engine--

 

[brownnova]

Yes it has a B234L engine--

 

BlueyRS1.jpg

Hnnnnnnngggggg

[Shep Shepherd]

For me, no other car comes close to a Saab, not even a RWD Volvo ^^

[406V6]

Interesting to read all this Saab praise. I test drove the occasional 900 and 9-3 back in the day as a potential company car but found them a bit meh and didn't choose one.  On the other hand all the characteristics described about the Saab could, in my view, apply to the 406 that I've owned for many years

[GeordieInExile]

The 9000 really is a brilliantly proportioned car isn't it? In the photo there it looks really compact - a world away from the bloated messes in its class now.

[Bobthebeard]

The 9-5 estate is now chuffing out blue smoke every cold start! Bless. Assuming turbo oil seals but no smoke after start up.

Still love the car though. It just keeps on getting us there and back.

[GeordieInExile]

Have you got a spare DIC in the boot? Just in case it abruptly decides it doesn't want to get you back...

[Bobthebeard]

Have you got a spare DIC in the boot? Just in case it abruptly decides it doesn't want to get you back...

Yes....

[Vantman]

Just collected my 9000 from my tame mechanics,aircon recharged,coolant flushed and renewed and a new coolant header tank fitted as the old one was really grotty. Took it for a 40 mile run and it drives lovely! Circumstances now dictate that I have to sell it so it is up for sale now if anyone is interested.

[GeordieInExile]

Mmmmmmmm 9000. Lovely colour as well. Good luck with the sale, can't imagine it'll hang around.