95 Saab 9000 CSE

[Guest Tony Hayers]

I know some of you lot like SAAB planes so I thought I would ask my question here.

 

The timingbelt on my Endura-DE engined Escort has snapped and I am not prepared to throw any more coin at it. So I bought the local rag and there is a 95 9000 CSE in it for a few hundred quid. I have phoned the guy and from what he says it seems ok (as if a seller is going to knock his offerings) for a car of its age. Thing is, he dosent know what power output it has? When I asked him if it was 150/170 or 200 hp his reply was that its 'pissing quick'. This phrase doesn't mean much to me, if his daily job is driving a milkfloat then the Invacar is going to be fast as phuck and 'pissing quick'. I dont know if you can tell from these details but its a manual, has the red top DI unit, is 2.3 and has leather.

 

Oh yea, theres a VVC lumped 218 bubble for 350, I may just buy that and be back with OMFG MY RUVER HAS BOIL3D, N E 1 WANTA CUPPA?

 

Thanks.

[The Moog]

9000 2.3 will be around 150 without turbo. Not sure I would describe them as quick ! They are ok though. Without Turbo 9000's are generally unloved by populous but tend to be looked after by owners. Can be a lot of car for not much dosh...

[dollywobbler]

As Moog says, 150bhp sans blower. Doesn't really feel that rapid, even by my usual standards, but decently swift. As long as the timing chain isn't rattling like the proverbial skeleton in a biscuit tin and the wheelarches haven't fallen off, probably a good buy.

 

I think, now I've got a Saab and been utterly underwhelmed by it, I'd be tempted by the 218 VVC. That'll be fun as long as it's not got kettle syndrome. There's always K-Seal...

[Rod/b]

K-seal can't fix VVC mech failure though.

[Guest Tony Hayers]

Its fitted with a turbo, so I dont know what this ups the power of the 2.3 to?

[tonedepear]

If it's got a manual box the 2.3 turbo is a brilliant machine.

 

IIRC if it has a boost gauge in the dash, then it'll be the 200bhp. The 150 light pressure turbo doesn't have a boost gauge, or an intercooler, but can be converted relatively easy to proper pressure.

 

http://saab9000.com/

[Guest Len H]

2.3 LPT will be 170bhp.

[tonedepear]

Oh, aye. 150 is the n/a.

[Guest Tony Hayers]

Its the 170 version, just found it looking through the certificate of conformity.

 

Did buy it, pics to follow when weather improves.

[DCLane]

Yep - same as mine.

 

170hp unless it's been altered up (easy and cheap to do).

 

The turbo'll take 250 easily. UK Saabs forum has advice on how to do it.

 

Possible faults are the DI Unit, also the 'hedgehog' in the aircon (I've still got a spare in my shed) - and make sure you do an oil change.

 

Otherwise ... enjoy!

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

"pissing quick" sounds like a problem with the cooling system!