Saab 900 convertible T16+ //Road Test

We spool up the turbo on this classic Saab 900 T16 convertible to find out if it could be the ultimate sports-cruiser-convertible. Thanks to specialists Two Stroke to Turbo for lending us this special example.
It is for sale, so get in touch twostroketoturboparts.co.uk/c... if you're interested. It's in superb condition and also features a very neat T5 engine management conversion - you can see how it performs in the video.
We push the car to the limit, cover the performance, handling, braking, as well as the design, interior details and anything else that appeals to the driving enthusiast. Why not watch another? • Car Reviews
From full-on road tests of driver's cars to immersive tours of where to drive them. Espuela Grande is a place for proper driving, great scenery, and (hopefully) interesting details.
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[@earthbarnes6694]

That car drive's like none other, i don't care what anyone else says

[@Edgar_84]

LOL this comment section is really full of crap. This is a great review of a great car from a great reviewer who tells us way much more about a car's character and feel than many other motorists do. You almost feel in the driver's seat when watching this video.

[@davidbauer1485]

Like Paid in Full you went ahead and put BBS on it! Looks like a spaceship! Golly, I am feeling it! Gonna have to make a few drop offs to pay for the maintenance. Get some woofers and an old school rap play list. Cruise down the main street a get lots of props from your homies!

[@robinrigault5950]

Spot on review! I've been driving the 900 for years and you capture the essence of the car by talking about it's rhythm. It's either not your first time driving one or you really have great appreciation skills! Thanks for sharing!

[@SaycoPworrell]

Like to see another one of these Saab 900 drives. Enjoyed it

[@ianbrade7754]

What a great review and very well presented.

[@dutchcculture]

Nice video and great car!! Thanks for sharing.

[@paulflores8944]

You’re doing a great job! Top gear vibes

[@mattsgaragex]

Great channel EG. Watched alot of the videos. On a side note I find it interesting that a lot of the Saab videos are filmed in my area - I can see that windmill from my garden! Corrado vr6 and once restored a mk2 and mk3 16v if yoye want to review them.

[@EGMedia1]

Thanks Matt! It's a good area for driving. Unfortunately we're on hiatus for now, but those would have been great cars to drive...

[@mattsgaragex]

@@EGMedia1 that is a shame I was really enjoying your videos and format. Look forward to watching when you're able to. My 2x 16v may even be ready by then :)

[@JS-yj7ow]

I like mine better, ‘cause it’s in my garage, my 900 vert that is. Though I’d love to go DI. Nice vid.

[@ThePrissy11]

Beautiful car. The steering wheel is on the wrong side for the US

[@anncameronwilliams5409]

Thank you for the drive! Just wondering… How tall are you? :-)

[@EGMedia1]

Taller than usual on the Saab's seat!

[@joshbro99k96]

There's a guy watching you from the back seat... ghostly.

[@MassiveTrackHunter]

So the T5 changes the boost parameters altogether I guess. My 89 SPG pulled like a decent 4cyl, until it hit 3800RPM and then it hit like a hammer with a boosty whistle it turned into a tire shredding beastie! Truly tried to kill me with change lanes or jump off the road with tons of torque steer and alternate tires breaking loose depending on the moment. Left me grinning every time! Very unruly. Guessing T5 civilized it alot.

[@johnweir9639]

The most significant enhancement comes from 3D computer control of the ignition map and very powerful capacitor discharge ignition cassette. In other words, very upgraded ignition system compared to a standard 900. It gives the engine 'sparkle' and 'zing' compared with a normal 900 which feels like wading through mud by comparison. The upgraded ignition system means the boost can be better utilised and as a result feels like it comes in sooner and stays available for longer. The ignition curve is being continuously adjusted for the very best performance. Boost is specified in the 'boost request table'. In other words, you simply say this is the boost I would like at this RPM. It must be a realistic request deliverable within the specification of the turbocharger but it's a different approach to the old APC system.

[@MassiveTrackHunter]

@@johnweir9639 Yep. Nicely summed up. If someone wants to see how well Saab engine mgmt works, drive an NG9-3, say 2005ish, and then drive a 2017 buick Regal 2.0T(My other car). Even with the Saab Derived engine, GM could not make it smooth on delivery. That thing shifts at awkward moments, brand new brakes are grabby, but fade fast, has a dead gas pedal until you push it, then a lunging reaction as it decides you actually want to get moving, then feels like it adds 10psi into the engine all at once. Not smooth. Not linear or confidence inspiring. Inconsistent is the best description. It is a nice car but I hate driving it because it is so erratic. I prefer

[@1873Winchester]

Man I reacted viscerally to first seeing that meeting car at 3:10 ish on what to me is the wrong side

[@earthbarnes6694]

I saw a prize in the back seat🤷

[@zm321]

I love Saab 900's and I really like convertibles. BUT a Saab 900 would not be my first choice of convertible and a convertible would not be my first choice of Saab 900... In the next few years the hardtops will be more sought after (and good examples are already rarer) than the convertibles.

[@Farmer2492]

i have both i get way more interest in my convertible at car shows than the sedan

[@earthbarnes6694]

Yea the convertible is definitely a better looking Saab tho...but both are nice I had a few sedans never was able to get the convertible

[@1873Winchester]

@@Farmer2492 They are much rarer. I live in Finland where they made the convertible Saabs (not sure if they made them elsewhere) and they are rare compared to hardtops. I would really like a convertible 900 myself. But I could settle for a nice hard top.

[@davidbauer1485]

​@@1873WinchesterMost of the 900 convertibles went to the USA. You can still pick up a rust free convertible in the dry Western areas of the US fairly inexpensively.

[@1873Winchester]

@@davidbauer1485I saw two nice convertibles last month a red and a black one. Black one was driven by a grey haired old lady. I drive a 4 door turbo saloon / notchback now.

[@johnweir9639]

Why is prince Harry sitting in the back seat?

[@stevel9914]

suspension springs too hard for convertible if you want a comfortable ride. There's always a compromise particularly on older vintage cars.

[@TheBTG88]

“Reinforced B pillars”? There are no B pillars on a convertible. Also, T-5 keeps the spark plugs. Perhaps you meant plug wires.

[@EGMedia1]

I see what you mean, but there is a reinforced structure at the resr of the door aperture. B-pillar is a concise phrase for it. Not sure what you mean re T5 plugs - it has plugs and a direct ignition cassette.

[@TheBTG88]

@@EGMedia12:12 mark - You say ‘out with the plugs’.

[@EGMedia1]

@@TheBTG88 ah yes, fair enough

[@stevel9914]

lol ... 40mpg .. the consumate optimist.

[@NEEMZ999]

Not gonna lie, my American mind thought that white van was about to hit him! Nerve wrecking watching him drive on the other side of the road.