1995 Saab 9000 CDE | Retro Review

In 1995, Saab was feeling the pressure from luxury performance trends to steer away from their 4-cylinder turbo engines and join the masses with a V6. Funny how times change...Today, 4-cylinder turbos are everywhere, and V6's are considered dated.
Show 1508 | Original Airdate 10-24-1995
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[@Spheredalai]

fun fact, MW reviewed the 9000 many years in a row, 86, 91, 92, 95... even with minor changes, and all of them with very positive feedbacks, thats how much the liked the 9000, i really wish saab is still around

[@ravipeiris4388]

Saab is still around but it's not called Saab as the Chinese own it and all the cars are now all electric. The new models look like this Saab 9000, ironically enough.

[@Spheredalai]

@@ravipeiris4388 i don't consider NEVS the new saab automobiles, they barely even make cars

[@Spheredalai]

also, NEVS cars reused Saab 9-3 models, not the 9000

[@ericfitzgerald9139]

They tested the 1988 9000S and 1993 Aero, too. They were big fans of the 9000

[@KingCast65]

And they do it with what??? TURBOS. 3:41 Zeppelin. SAAB was so far ahead of its time. Loved my 9KT even though I found it bland compared to my typical C900T and sold it for one. Tragedy forced sale of that, went through a couple of others and now doing a Wossner 91 full rebuild on my '01 LR 5d Viggen. BMW and SAAB and Volvo, we are lucky to have one of each. Need a Milano now.

[@777jones]

This is an elegant and rare Saab 9000 variant. Few Saab 9000 V6 were sold in the US. And few face lifted sedans were sold.

[@fernandorocha8459]

Elegant and beautiful car this Saab 9000

[@ItsIdaho]

Never knew Saab actually sold past the Saab 99 with massive bumpers. *in the states

[@PatrickRob82]

Had one of these in '03 when I was in my early 20s. I miss that thing SO much.

[@fredaydaybae8450]

I had a 9000 CDE in the early 2000’s and all the Saab forum guys hated it. They called it a fake Saab because it had a trunk. Funny how all the last models had trunks instead of hatchbacks. I loved the car tho, I can still remember the smell of the Bridge of Weir leather in that car. I had the 4 cylinder tho so no reliability issues to speak of. Can’t recall the last time I seen one on the road.

[@alexbritch02]

I own a '96 9000 Aero in BC Canada, daily driver!

[@fernandorocha-dx1wv]

@@alexbritch02 Saab 9000 is beautiful and elegant car

[@derekchisholm972]

My uncle had a pre facelift 9000 sedan when I was a kid, I always thought it was the coolest thing. He was a diehard Saab guy since the late 80s, as was most of my family. He held on the longest and switched over to Volvo like the rest of us by 2016, really sad

[@dohc1067]

It was a nice looking performance sedan in its day. A rare sight now, but I remember seeing alot of Saabs while I was in the military just like other European cars: the iconic Volvo DLs and Peugeot 404s of that day.

[@TheCarCrazyGuy]

$40,000 in 1995 is an equivalent of $78,500 in 2023 dollars. Yikes!

[@alexbritch02]

I own a 1996 9000 Aero, non TCS & Factory high pressure turbo. One of the greatest cars ive ever driven. & ive driven anything from supercars/luxury to Muscle to full blown track cars. I will forever love my Saab.

[@salimerdem7544]

I had a 1995 Aero, manual transmission. I have driven several higher rated sports sedans since then, but I miss the Saab..

[@clintonstubbs2319]

I remember $40k was a lot back then but not so much now. I remember seeing those Saabs. They were different. Motorweek, do you all have any tests of the Saab 9-5?

[@colinw996]

$39,465 is the equivalent of almost $80k in 2022 money. So it was very expensive!!

[@realazduffman]

I did not know Gus Fring worked for Motorweek!

[@jeffreypaul9428]

Right? That dude was probably 20 years old and looked about 40 lol.

[@pbfloyd13]

He was only acting, or was he...

[@stevend3753]

Ahhhhhh yes. I remember back in the day when $40K was considered "Big Money!". Now it's below average.

[@palebeachbum]

You can still buy a luxury branded car for around $40k. It's not going to be a "well-equipped" trim though.

[@fredaydaybae8450]

@@palebeachbum idk, it’s pretty hard to find a luxury branded car for $40k. That knocks Bimmer and Merc out of the running. Maybe you could get a low-end Lexus and maybe a VW.

[@palebeachbum]

@@fredaydaybae8450 BMW 2-series and MB A-class start in the $30s.

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

Merc A class is hardly luxury class.

[@palebeachbum]

@@kamrankhan-lj1ng Mercedes is exclusively a luxury brand in the USA, unlike in European countries where they're sold with cheaper kit.

[@robertc5200]

Led Zeppelin Black Dog. 3:44

[@FarmerDrew]

The domination of 500cc pistons had begun

[@TofersCarTales]

I can't recall the last time I actually saw one of these on the road.

[@fredaydaybae8450]

I can’t either. I owned. CDE in the early 2000’s and that was the last time I saw one.

[@oldieznut1]

They sold very few, they were reliable cars however.

[@RushLimpball]

Thats because they all broke down. LOL

[@Jonjs99]

Still driving mine, soon to be 600k km

[@rodonis88]

Never liked the full sedan look of the 9000, the CS and CSE hatchbacks looked better in my opinion

[@henryovalles1163]

Had a 91 9000 turbo brought it back from the dead but wasn't worth going crazy on restoring it always looking for another one these 93 and up models just do do it for me ..

[@vibingwithvinyl]

Cool! I actually have a 1995 CDE, a 2.3 turbo automatic though.

[@MrTaxiRob]

Even here in Southern California, 9000s are impossible to find.

[@DarthWaffle.]

Saab is Swedish for ‘Wheres the ignition?’

[@Jonjs99]

Nice every day driver

[@briantorres7339]

The non turbo version of this engine was used in the Cadillac Catera, Saturn L-Series and 02-03 Saturn Vue.

[@fortune300]

This is the non turbo version. It got turbo (0,25bar boost) for the 9-5 and lost 10hp. But got a lot of mid range torque. This 80% opel developed engine doesn´t got a very good reputation in Europe. But good performance and fuel efficiancy for the time!

[@irieite100]

Solid rear axle. Yikes! 😲

[@davidaubin3902]

I’d take this or a 535i

[@fernandorocha901]

Beautiful and great swedish car the Saab 9000

[@Yormsane]

Best 9000 by far was the base hatchback - cavernous interior and good value, too.

[@manthony225]

The beginning of the end for Saab.

[@MauiWauiPineappleExpress]

Thanks to GM!

[@Spheredalai]

hate to say but it's true, this is the final real saab-scania car, before GM took over and forced them to do things the GM way

[@beb1527]

The original pre GM management must have felt so much regret. Imagine a Saab with no manual transmission option and a V6. I was still in college when the 9000 came out so I had to settle for an old used 900 Turbo. By the time I could finally afford a new one, they stopped making the 900 turbo in a 4 door. The 9000 was way out of reach still. I never even got to drive one. The 1986 9000 turbo had a 4 cylinder 165 hp engine with a 5 speed and yet it could run rings around this 200 hp GM v6 equipped model while being able to go at least an extra 100 miles on each tank of gas.

[@10xtenx10xtenx10xten]

Wow, $39k in 1995.

[@vladgladkov237]

Nice video

[@kiritanJ]

The first 20 seconds bring a shocker. 6 cylinder being said as the minimum.

[@pbfloyd13]

Giancarlo Esposito is that you!?!?! 😮

[@sagnbaby]

The front looks like the Pontiac Bonneville

[@apathynoir]

Well, General Motors put and end to that.

[@vampyrelycan99]

Anyone knows if the LSD option was available on the 9000?

[@Jonjs99]

Yes

[@docsaaab]

Here in Germany in a dyno test, from a car Magazine the 2.3 l 4 cylinder turbo has 235 HP at the wheels! No Chance for this v6 wich have in the same test under 200hp and fuel economy on the Autobahn is much worser

[@blakbanshee]

Borrowed from General Motors, the demise of Saab.

[@MrJimbo666]

​@@blakbanshee its an Opel built engine.

[@blakbanshee]

@@MrJimbo666 you didn’t watch the video. GM has its hands in opel also. The guy in the video literally said “borrowed from GM”. Thanks for the reply.

[@MrJimbo666]

@@blakbanshee i did watch the video lol. And i know everything you said. "Borrowed from GM" since Saab was owned by GM.

[@vladgladkov237]

I have 9000 1992

[@fiiv3s]

a cool swedish car with a GM powerplant? Im sold.

[@MrJimbo666]

This is basically a Saturn L300 V6 with a different body.

[@1995RangeRover]

Good luck changing the timing belt on these 😳

[@fredaydaybae8450]

Omg those timing belts were a horror story on their own!

[@jeffstellish1990]

V6 demanded by luxury buyers in 1995? I remember the Chrysler Imperial was a much better car than comparable Cadillac and Lincolns in the late 1980s/early 1990s, and the main reason the media told us it didn't sell as well was because it was FWD with a V6 rather than a V8. "lack of a V8" is the top reason for the low sales, according to many contemporary reviews. This is a nice Saab, though...

[@user-cj4sm8hv9y]

Another Six For Saab

[@tkskagen]

"BATHTUB" SAAB Bodystyle!

[@ChristopherOvrebo]

If it was borrowed from GM, was it based on the 3800?

[@vibingwithvinyl]

No. This was an Opel design with a 54° vee angle. Saab had already built a 4-litre V8 prototype to be used in the 9000 by combining two B202 engines, but when GM took over in 1990, they shelved the V8 and decided to use their V6 instead. There is a 9000 in the old Saab museum in Uusikaupunki, Finland with the V8 fitted and occasionally it's driven for special events. It's not registered though.

[@82_KID]

Why do some people say this is also an Alfa Romeo 164LS? (I like both these cars, almost maybe slightly prefer the Alfa but the 9000 looks so good its my favorite Saab)

[@lukem9962]

It's part of the type 4 chassis they co developed with Alfa fiat lancia

[@82_KID]

@@lukem9962 It is a car that I'd like since it was made and it is so sexy. I remember wanting an Alfa Romeo 164 LS. "Quadrifoglio" Is just a fancy way of saying 4 doors. I still would like to have one and wouldn't mind owning one... First the Alfa and then a close second this Saab.. Remember the snowstorm commercial?

[@thekhakiobserver3128]

Yeah this didn’t age well. Saab struggled and until it’s death in the 2000’s. A solid rear axle w/heated seats. That’s like a twin turbo w/no over drive. You never saw these things last even in the 90’s.

[@Jonjs99]

I cant imagine simpler and more durable car than this besides old volvos and maby celica

[@lukem9962]

The swede engined ones have

[@mainiotaainetta]

Saab (or Valmet who manufactured saabs) was developing own V8 to 9000, but then GM bought Saab and used this engine instead. :(

[@fp5495]

Wow, a beam-axle in the rear. A letdown from the past.

[@rootsmanuva82]

$78,679 in 2023. No comment.

[@capang9555]

Too bad the V6 in them aged horribly. As a SAAB mechanic I hardly see the 9000 or 900 v6

[@Spheredalai]

yea because they don't come in large quantities in the first place

[@capang9555]

@@Spheredalai there was actually a good number of ng900s with the 2.5 V6. The CDE was not quite as plentiful but my boss saw plenty back in the day. They just didn't age well.

[@Nakkisampyla]

Opel engine , 2.3 turbos were very robust engines

[@capang9555]

@@Nakkisampyla the 2.3 is a SAAB engine not an opal engine. The 2.5 was an opal engine

[@briantorres7339]

No better in the Cadillac Catera, Saturn L-Series and 02-03 Saturn Vue that also used it.

[@zillsburyy1]

saab was ahead of its time

[@chicagoui9299]

I will one day own a Saab 9000 CSE.

[@daryljoseph]

I hope you do. I want one myself but have been unable to find one without the rear shock towers rotted out. I'll have to live for the time being with my two 9-5 aero wagons... but one of these is on my bucket list along with the 9-3 Viggen. Hope you find a nice one!

[@letsgobrandon1300]

I have a maroon 1993 9000 cse turbo 5spd hatchback . Came from Connecticut. Got it 3 years ago. My first Saab. I've drove it 6 months / 10,000 miles then the fuel pump died. I replaced that last fall after it sat for 2 years. Runs great but the flex pipe was rusted. I replaced that then my cat pipe rusted and broke .I won't drive it on salty roads. I got a new cat to put on it when the weather gets warm then I hope to have it road worthy and crusin' this summer in Maine. One fender has a little rust the other none. My shock towers look fine still. Master slave is leaking. One caliper is sticking. Needs a blower motor and heater core. I enjoy it a lot even though I haven't got to really use it in 2.5 years. I feel it is a bit rare and hard to find a 9000 at all in my location

[@02ujtb00626]

How is at a saab if it has a GM engine though...

[@lukem9962]

Only the v6 did the chassis ect and the trionic on the ,4 pot was all pre GM Saab

[@theKevronHarris]

The Saab 9000 CDE 4door sedan is a great car. Unfortunately, the 4door notchback sedan body style of the 9000 didn't return for the 1996 model year.

[@TheRealHungryJoe]

Reminds me a Fiat

[@TheSimonhammond]

The 9000 shared it's platform with the Fiat Croma/ Lancia Thema.

[@MauiWauiPineappleExpress]

@@TheSimonhammond And Alfa Romeo 164!

[@yudhabagaskara98]

Would be better if it's called 9000 CDE FGH

[@Spheredalai]

HaHa.

[@thomasryan5394]

Successful partnership? GM killed SAAB 😔

[@ssippishark]

Fugly. When these designs came out I thought they were ugly. "I still do, but I used to too" (MH). I like the older Saabs.

[@quentinwooten30]

Love mitch too.

[@Jonjs99]

Do you even Know who designed it?

[@ssippishark]

@@Jonjs99 No. Do tell.

[@HikikomoriDev]

Looks very Renault.

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

Looks very Renault, Fiat, Volkswagen.

[@lawrencelenerd3988]

Aborted from jets.

[@lawrencelenerd3988]

@2 Corinthians 4:7-11 yikes. What model saab? They were making cars with gm and subaru for a bit. Just curious

[@Jonjs99]

@2 Corinthians 4:7-11 You are clearly lying there, You havent been even close to this car, there is no uv joint and wheel falling of like that its simply impossible, but this happens a lot to new cars due to one worn ball joint, its all what it holds together

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

GM ran Saab to the ground! Literally!!

[@fredaydaybae8450]

Now I agree that GM DILUTED Saab but Saab ran itself into the ground. They kept trying to be unique and didn’t want to build SUV’s which was what the market was moving to. Saab isn’t innocent in that venture because they kept trying to make cars that were “unique” instead of mainstream. Be it good or bad, GM tried to fix that.

[@oldieznut1]

@2 Corinthians 4:7-11 GM had nothing remotely to do with the building of the 9000. It was designed entirely pre-GM without a single GM component. Fiat/Alfa Romeo yes, GM no. The engine is the only thing here.

[@beb1527]

@@fredaydaybae8450I had hoped that GM would apply some of Saab’s more advanced technologies to the domestic GM line instead of vice versa. Saab was interested in making great cars but couldn’t sell the volumes needed to be profitable.