The Saab 9000 Aero is a Forgotten 90's Sports Sedan

[@Mindblazter80]

Im from sweden and can say this Saab 9000 was a beast, a tank. I had alot of different 9000 in the past. They did never brake down. They had one of the best comfort too. Really great cars!! Good looking!!

[@pederfallbom]

One of the best cars made, period ❤

[@petezzzz]

'97 SAAB 9000 CSE 2.3 Turbo. The best car ever made. I miss mine. 😔

[@edgarsdzerins]

My dream car of the era! Bought a new 93 Aero in 2005 ... Miss Saabs

[@letsgobrandon1300]

That engine bay is way cleaner than my '93 9000 5spd fpt cse! They are fun. Would like to drive a areo 5spd

[@marknelson5929]

Hello from Australia. Very good review of these cars, well done YOU on a SAAB which is very much under the radar, but to the enthusiasts who know, the best and last SAAB before GM ruined the brand through cost cutting. I have a 1997, 5-speed manual in silver and its a 2 owner car. It's virtually immaculate in silver with black leather. As you may know genuine 9000 Aero's had different seats designed by Recaro I believe? These seats are sensational, some of the best in any car. And yes the performance of these cars even after all these years is still pretty good at 225 bhp. 330bhp is an easy upgrade, but some Swedish fans have that over 500 bhp to 672 bhp - down to as you say due to the engineering of the internals (but with upgraded heads, turbo, exhaust etc). Mine has been fitted with the popular Quaife ATB Helical LSD differential, which makes a difference even at standard tune.

[@Semi0ffGrid7]

I have the 1996 Saab 9000 Aero not quite as in good condition as this one but I love it!

[@ironfbody]

My '93 Aero chewed through 2 manual gearboxes. Later models had an upgraded gearbox. Would have had the auto box if I'd known. But it was quick, 5500 rpm in 5th = 165mph on the autobahn.

[@dj_paultuk7052]

Just FYI, The Con-Rods are not forged in a B2x4 series, just the Crankshaft. Essentially all the 2.0 and 2.3 engines are the same, with the difference being the stroke. All engines can be tuned to 500 bhp with Zero engine modifications. Just add bigger turbos, injectors and exhaust systems. I even have 1 customer running 610bhp on a standard 2.3. Paul @ The SAAB Clinic.

[@worldhello1234]

Well, dudebro, zero engine mods would mean just software.

[@eriksimca9409]

the headgasket actually needs to be changed to a stronger one to surpass 400-ish, but yes the rest is extremely capable and barely needs any work

[@howearthly]

Thanks for a great video.. i couldn't agree more about your synopsis .. I have a 1997 aero auto, and 1995 aero manual, i love them both.. i do my own work so i can fix most issues. They are amazing and truly underappreciated. i like to imagine if gm never ruined them what could have been. Viva la saab.. Viva la 9000

[@vinniev14]

Great video! We had one when I was a kid too, loved that car. I've been hunting for one and can't believe how hard it is to find

[@Sam9000Aero]

Nice video..I had 3 9000's..My favorite was my.'95 9000.Awro spd..Those Recaro seats were phenomenal. You can probably correct your climate control foam issue. My 9000's were all 5spd..The Aero had a 3" Turbo back exhaust and nothing ever kept up when I stepped on it..I had a lowered suspension by another "1 or 2 on it , with stiffer springs and shocks. Ride was very track worthy. Those improvements transformed the car and had it for 15 years and out almist 500 K KMS on it before selling .I broke my heart to do so, but, had 2 many Saabs at the time.

[@worawatli8952]

On the problem of dust coming out of vents, you should try removing the dash cover and clean the inside of it. Also change the cabin air filter, it's cheap, you'll find out that the car doesn't have any smell at all, I just love how odorless the car is. I live in Thailand and own a 9000 CD 2.3i. It's powerful enough for everyday use and long cruise, and fuel economy is good for its period and performance. The seat is what I feel the most comfortable as well, drove 1200km in one day before and it didn't give me sore butt or back, just a bit of leg fatigue as I don't have cruise control. It's base model 93 CD, very basic, manual AC, no airbags, analog clock. But I love the 2.3i, despite lower power, it has linear acceleration from having no turbo, it is instantaneous from low RPM, more useful in Thailand slower roads.

[@blaserlongrange7616]

Best car ever built

[@slawek1806]

This video looks like it's from 90's

[@lahtimotors7291]

Eihä näyyä😂

[@einpercy825]

Brilliant video. Every time I see a CS like this I fall in love again. Just came across a 2.3 like this today. Eventually I need one alongside my 9-3 SportCombi

[@mazdamarc]

dude i tought this video would have at least 200.000 views. this is great. keep up the good work!

[@americanchallenger]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed 🎉

[@chhannaradio]

Just finished the video, so I'm gonna add in my 'Sob' story. I recently spotted a Saab 900 for sale. Of course you never know for sure until you see it (hell, not even after!), but it was in near perfect condition, had a great forest green coat, and was a manual. It was a beaut! I wanted it to be my first car, and as I rushed to secure it, I found out that it was already gone. A true tragedy, lol, but a testament to how desirable these cars are to those in the know.

[@eriksimca9409]

got my love for the 9000 many years ago when purchasing my first saab, at that point i was all in love, even with just 150 hp, and had a few up until 3-4 years ago when i took a break from them but a few weeks ago i decided to get back on track and purchased a modified one, 15t turbo, injectors and e85, also bilstein suspension... abit north of 300 horsepower, full throttle in 3rd instantly jail.... impossible to drive in the rain. But its absolutely a blast to drive, with the suspension its definitely a backroad/track weapon.

[@blackdog8151]

“You wouldn’t understand unless you had one.” 😉 as the saying goes. Nice vid I miss my ‘97 cse. No woodgrain just black plastic, and a PROPER e-brake unlike these modern cars.

[@foxgamesk97]

Good video keep going👍

[@EmmiGilbert]

This is a very informational video. I appreciate the Saab 9000 very much

[@americanchallenger]

@@EmmiGilbert thanks, Gilbert

[@rojosik9385]

I've own 2 of them looking to buy another one I do have a Saab 900 now Great 🚗

[@svenskenh644]

Excellent video on an excellent car! Please upgrade to atleast full HD Greetings from Sweden!

[@jfbarsanti]

Still have 3 a 97Aero,98 CSE auto with Aero suspension and a 97 CSE parts car that was my dad's which died from rust . Had/have 5 9000s. Much more solid body than the 09 9-5 I picked up in 5/2024.

[@michaelsutton3032]

I love my 1998 saab 900 aero 5 speed. Shes a perfect combination of practicality and fun!

[@peterzin_2246]

is it good for daily? Im looking for a first car and I always liked saabs!

[@metonAlternate]

Imagine this car with the Finnish Saab V8 (4.0 liters 230Bhp 330Nm NA, it was meant to be twin-turbo. Double those figures) and in a 4WD Saab 9000 that was on the works in Sweden at the time, also killed by GM's short sightedness at a stage when they literally could have started to tool up for production. The Saab 9000 project, in fact was at a point where the only thing that would need to happen for the Uusikaupunki factory to start punching out V8 9000s was a phone call to Sisu-Diesel engine plant to start up the line. Well, start tooling the line for mass production, anyway. The V8 9000 was a rather tragicomical affair as to how it came about. Saab-Valmet in Finland Uusikaupunki, had it's own R&D department as of course did the Trollhättan headoffice. The Finnish head of R&D (who had a double role as the top level of engineering exec at Sisu-Diesel at the time. Both, finnish government majority owned businesses because social-democracy), and the Swedes were rude to him when he proposed combining two 45 degree Saab B202 (2.0 liter 900, 9000) engine blocks into a V8 and fitting them into the front of the flagship model for the US market. He had, you see, done some calculations and determined it would fit easily. The Swedes insisted, they had done the math and measured several times and that this is impossible. And told him something to the effect, he was incompetent. And there's very little more insulting than that, that a Swedish person can say to a Finnish one. Especially in the field of engineering and technology. He went and got his own personal 9000 from the factory parking lot, parked it in the tool room shop floor, took out a tape measure and according to witnesses after a couple of minutes proclaimed "Mahtuu!" which is "Fits!" in Finnish. Most likely with "vittu" prefix and "perkele!" exclamation at the end, to let others know were gonna do some serious shit now. :D And proceeded to greenlight the engine development program the instant he got in his office. They made all in all 5 V8 9000 prototypes. Of which all were rigorously tested on the road. According to legend, this is how the R&D head got his revenge. After informing the Swedes what he had achieved, they naturally had to come down and see it for themselves. He proceeded to pick up the Swedes with one of the prototypes. Said nothing on the drive back to the factory and upon arriving on an empty factory parking lot with out anyone to greet them, the Swedes got pissed and asked "Where the hell is this mythical V8 9000 of yours!?" "You are sitting in it." I suspect, that some swedish person may have also had something personal to do with killing the V8 9000 by getting under the skin of GM managers, as to how could a small country in the nordics be able to make an engine on their own, let alone a very good V8, when GM itself was struggling (and failing miserably) to come up with a DOHC V8 in the first place and knew full well that their SBC based on 1940s technology isn't cutting it. Of course, then some genius in the US managed to make a push-rod breath finally and there is the LS. But, c'mon, better fuel mileage, much better thermal efficiency (similar power and torque, smaller displacement) and the fucker is built with twin-turbocharging in mind, they used turbo exhaust manifolds and were working on a turbo prototype, when the axe came down. It would have been a Viper killer. The Saab H-engine is a torque monster with a single bank and poky little Garret or Mitsubishi TD04 bolted on to it. It's an engine that had by then been already designed to be turbocharged easily so that the turbos wake up early and give top power and torque into high revs. The power band in the last B235Rs starts from 1400rpm and keeps on giving until 6500rpm. Imagine a five liter twin-turbo V8 DOHC engine, which punches out over 800Nm of torque and more than 600bhp. With 4WD :D In a Swedish luxor barge. :D Here's a few clips of it and the story told by someone... kzbin.info/www/bejne/pofMlZuoo7F5nJI kzbin.info/www/bejne/pX-oap6Cd8iAe5o kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5eXe4SVl9Shp6c

[@paulshort1174]

I’ve had 2 a hatchback and a saloon so enjoyed them, one thing Saab didn’t sort was the headligning sagged on both ! small gripe Once you know them good chance you’ll always want another in time, great wagon.

[@americanchallenger]

@@paulshort1174 I feel lucky that mine isn't sagging at all! But I'm scared that it will start soon!

[@studiomwg]

Awesome car! I had one. The thing was a beast. Unfortunately I sold mine when I didn’t really need to. Amazing that you were able to buy your Dad’s back. Take care of it. Fluid Film the underbody, keep the leather properly moisturized. It’s Elmo leather and unheard quality today.

[@americanchallenger]

Spends the winters in AZ so don't need to worry too much about rust. What do you recommend to keep the leather seats in good shape?

[@studiomwg]

@@americanchallenger OK good. I just noticed the NJ plates. Figured sea air, road salt. I used Lexol products on the seats but would highly recommend you research it and do a spot test of whatever you choose. I tested it on the back of my rear headrests. They were so dry at first but a few applications of moisturizer and they softened.

[@pieterk4960]

Thanks for sharing👍.

[@worldhello1234]

It was the most solid contender based on the Fiat Tipo platform.

[@peterzin_2246]

I really like this cars! is this a good daily driver??

[@americanchallenger]

@@peterzin_2246 yes. It is currently my daily. Find one that's been well maintained!

[@andrewlayton6025]

What's your care routine for your seats? What a gorgeous ride. Wish my 9000 was that clean.

[@andrewlayton6025]

Btw later automatics were beefed up - mine's pulling 250 no problem 😘

[@americanchallenger]

@@andrewlayton6025 luckily received the car in great shape and just trying to maintain it. I do have the chemical guys leather conditioner. I use that occasionally. Otherwise, I just try and keep it out of the sun as much as possible and am thinking of getting some seat covers.

[@MrTimodon]

"Well, i know one swedish man who are towing cars here in Sweden and he say that he never towing so many cars as the Saab! But it was the 900, it was not good at anything! My car is 2018 Kia Stinger with 200 hp diesel engine and 0-100 km at 7 sec! My first car ever was Dodge Dart -65!

[@adamweinberg4843]

Lol yes the climate vent foam! Here’s a fix for you: those Saab air con units are programmable. Turn the key to ON but not starting the engine, set your desired temp and blower speed and vent output, then hold those buttons down (not the temp arrows) for 2 seconds until you see those little green light dots flash. Pls lmk if doesn’t work

[@americanchallenger]

@@adamweinberg4843 wow! Thank you for this!!!

[@adamweinberg4843]

*whoops sorry mate it’s just a simultaneous depress of the rightmost top and bottom buttons ( defrost and )

[@adamweinberg4843]

ALSO if interested in steering that’s quicker, more precise, and lighter on its feet, you might wanna try a front strut brace from Maptun or Abbott Saab-made specifically for 9000s Difference is night and day and doesn’t sacrifice road comfort at all

[@GabrielGomez-p3n]

Technically not an aero as it's a 1998 cse. For the last year of production these were fitted with the b234R 'Aero' motor when equipped with the 5 speed box as well as 'sport' suspension. This lacks all other Aero fittings however such as bodykit and interior.

[@americanchallenger]

i said this in the video

[@jsweetsgetsfitjoeysweet330]

Me neighbor is selling me his 1997 Saab 9000 Aero for $2k it’s in mint condition I pick it up Saturday. He also has a 2008 9-3 Turbo X lucky guy.

[@shantmassoyan6648]

Buttery!

[@chhannaradio]

Oh yes

[@markjarvis2894]

Hello. I have 96 9000 aero 5 spd bought new in New Zealand. I wanted to say a few things about my car and how it differs from yours. You speak of heavy steering body roll and turbo lag. The Aero has thicker road springs and barely any body roll. The handling and road grip is impressive firm and flat. Turbo lag is nill unless you expect full power from very low revs. Instant power can only come from high cubic capacity. To get strong acceleration from a low speed, you need to have the turbo spooling up allready. With practice there is no lag. Regards the Car Wizard...his attitude simply comes from zero interest in Saabs. Why? His intention is to support the regular guy into buying a sensible car with his eyes open. The Saab brand is for the Saab enthusiast and those guys have no problem finding parts. Why? Because the enthusiast owner and the enthusiast parts supplier are operating in the same mind set and the regular guys are not. In the same way I have say the pre GM 900 are not at all difficult to work on and in may ways much easier than conventional brands. You are right in saying the unconventional nature of the 900 engineering would scare poeple off the brand. The Saab brand was a niche brand and quirky. Regular buyers are too scared to be that. The 9000 was Saabs first attempt to be normal and sell their product to the masses. They went up against the the long established major brands. To win at that game would require many decades to learn how to do that. The original Saab DNA is what makes them so remarkable. That DNA is not able to operate in the mass production game. Otherwise I aggree with your reasons why you apreciate the Sab you have. 😮 .

[@dj_paultuk7052]

Re the Climate control, sounds like you dont know how to use it. With the car running, set the Climate to your preferred setting and fan speed. Now press the Top Right and Bottom Right buttons together at the same time. Thats it, your default is now set. It will always start at that setting.

[@jfbarsanti]

Yup

[@DeePimpish]

In Sweden they all are rusted out… only have a few left now

[@americanchallenger]

@@DeePimpish interesting. These have pretty decent rust resistant metal. In NJ where rust eats cars alive, these are holding up reasonably well, albeit many of them are slightly lighter than when they were new ;)! I suppose swedish winters are far harsher though!

[@DeePimpish]

@@americanchallenger yeah, we have a lot of salt during the winter time.. so there isent many left of Saab 9000 here. Even 9-3 and 9-5 starting to see there old days here 😂 But 9000 was my favorite back in the day. Easy to get good power in them

[@Scriptshepherd]

Only snobs don't like Saabs

[@marktreston2982]

Yes. It made me lose any faith in the car wizard. He does not know anything about Saabs. He only attacks them because he heard they are hard to work on.

[@chillappreciator885]

A lot of talking, no acceleration demo( Viewer such as I want to get the feeling of what this car is like, not just to listen to you

[@americanchallenger]

@@chillappreciator885 sorry. Will upload this when I get a chance. I need to get a camera mount to do this. Right now I only have a tripod in the back seat and harsh acceleration will knock it over. That being said, there are two short accelerations a few minutes into the driving portion.

[@barenekid9695]

NOT a triumph based engine.. at all! Scania Designed and built the Venerable Saab engine and being a Highway truck maker (not a passenger car maker) overbuilt the thing in Long life / heavy duty truck fashion . They eventually added Turbocharging another Truck staple. NOT forged internals YOU guessed .. Wrong! Nothing magical about the engine beyond being Overbuilt. But as result it does tolerate turbo boost ... safely. Saab fitted smallish Turbos... NO idea what your info is... but it Sucks. Autobox , from 96 onwards was Much improved over the intial Crappy versions. Late versions are actually durable. Seats are OK But nothing exceptional. Leather , unfortunately wears out .. quickly. Lower spec Mouse fur wears MUCH better. You really Do need to get out of your Gran's Basement a bit more often.

[@americanchallenger]

@@barenekid9695 read up: eeuroparts.com/blog/get-to-know-an-engine-the-saab-b234r/ Education starts now!

[@svenskenh644]

Common knowledge: the engine originates from Triumph. The seats are deigned by Duxa and are the best in the world. Please be more cutious

[@GabrielGomez-p3n]

The engine does originate from the triumph 8 valve 4 cyl. Although a lot of that dna started to vanish when the dohc came out and more changes were made to the block in 1986 when it was fitted in the 9000.

[@jsweetsgetsfitjoeysweet330]

so not an aero then lol....

[@americanchallenger]

@@jsweetsgetsfitjoeysweet330 not an aero in the same way that a GMC Yukon is not a Suburban