The Last Real SAAB BUT Is The 9000 Aero Deserving Of The Legend?

The Saab Turbos were always legendary, Saab was a pioneer in Turbo technology but was the 9000 Aero really faster than a Ferrari? and how does this saloon, which shares a chassis with the Alfa 164, Lancia Thema and Fiat Chroma actually drive today?
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[@Number27]

Thank you to Bidding Classics! Go and check out the website to see what’s listed right now! bit.ly/BiddingClassicsNumber27 Patreon Supporters get advance viewings before official release and also a monthly exclusive roundup video of what I've been getting up to. If you want to support the channel please go to: www.patreon.com/number27

[@dj_paultuk7052]

Thank you so much for reviewing my car Jack. Really glad that you liked it so much. I personally have never been that happy with the handling, but given that i cover 30,000 miles a year in the car i wanted to keep it all factory. It was fully refreshed 3 years ago with all new Shocks, springs, and bushes / balljoints.

[@jake.smith.sc00ter]

Hello

[@kenpoppie4408]

Beautiful car! It’s too bad that Saab is gone. They made very unique and interesting cars

[@pleun315]

Saab faster than a Ferrari 😂😂😂 yeah ...... One without any wheels......

[@dj_paultuk7052]

@@pleun315 50 to 70 MPH in Top Gear. Saab 9000 Aero 2.3T 5.6 Seconds. Lamborghini Diablo SE 6.3 seconds. Porsche 928 GT 6.5 seconds. Lotus Esprit S4 6.8 seconds. Aston Martin DB7 7.1 Seconds. BMW M3 7.1 Seconds. Source. AutoCAR, August 1998.

[@bastogne315]

I had a Saab 93 twenty years ago when I lived in this hell hole, rough estate in Dublin called Mulhuddart. One morning I woke up to this banging sound outside my house. I peeked out my curtains ( knew it was trouble ) and saw 2 thug's using the missus Honda Civic as a trampoline. It crumpled like a coke can...they had it destroyed. Anyway when they'd finished turning that into category D/F whatevah.. they turned their attention to my black Saab. The lad walked to the front and booted the side panel....and...."crunch" he broke his foot.. 😂

[@bastogne315]

The two lil ba stards hobbled off round the corner and still kicking and punching every other car they passed leaving the estate though.

[@Mike7O7O]

Its a pity the little sh*t didn't use his head!

[@PaulWashington..]

What part of Mulhuddart?

[@ricosuave855]

Sad but nice result

[@torreswaithe8607]

😂😂😂😂

[@NoWay23548]

I built SAAB’s at the time in Trollhättan. I might have taken part building this exact car.

[@dj_paultuk7052]

That would have been so cool !. Its my car. Its a early 1997 build. I was working for SAAB at the time as a Master Technician in a main Dealership.

[@tylernail2146]

I love the brand Saab and always hope they come back in some form it seems NEVS may not. I have to ask any Saab memorabilia or stuff from your time working there in Trollhattan your perhaps sell a American who is starting a collection and in hopes to make a small museum in the north east USA 😅😊❤

[@mrd4335]

Real Saab then 👍. My favourite was 900 Turbo

[@grahamstevenson1740]

@@tylernail2146 NEVS have just (2023) announced a 'new' ELECTRIC model. Looks a bit like that last 9-5.

[@Svenssonnn]

@@tylernail2146have you seen the Nevs Emily? I actually think it looks like a redesign of the Saab 9000!

[@johnireland1629]

Losing SAAB was a sad blow to auto enthusiasts. Thanks for bringing them back to light. Just curious...since you shared with us your decision to do this full time, are you still having fun...and has (and if so, how) has your business model changed? Enjoying the channel a lot. Thanks.

[@JeepCherokeeful]

General Motors killed more brands than any other car company;(

[@ryanengler7968]

@@JeepCherokeeful saab wasn’t doing that great financially before GM bought them. GM actually kept saab afloat for quite a long time before the 2008 recession hit

[@blackericdenice]

@@ryanengler7968 I glad you school him.

[@Timtam99]

​@@blackericdenice Koenigsegg wanted to save Saab a few years before GM axed them. But GM didn't allow it

[@blackericdenice]

@@Timtam99 Koenigsegg should have offer more money.

[@terminal-velocity111]

Had an 9000 Aero, it was simply the best car I have ever owned.

[@JoeyJoJoJuniorShabbadoo]

What did you trade it for?

[@terminal-velocity111]

A manual 95 Aero Hirsch Wagon 😅. Sadly it was retired after 12 years and now I drive an S6 Avant. The S6 is good, but ain’t no Saab 😢

[@roadie3124]

@@terminal-velocity111 Ah, well, a manual 95 Aero Hirsch is very nice. One of my friends has the sedan. It's just clicked over the 500,000km mark and it's her daily driver.

[@houseking9211]

@@terminal-velocity111 which had the more "sporty" or ridgid chassis? or were they close enough that it didn't stand out

[@michaellavery4899]

My Father said SAABs were the best cars ever.

[@Wings_nut]

In '93 I traveled to Vancouver BC on holiday, and was fortunate to have rented a 9000 Aero. It was the most fun driving in the one week that I rented it.

[@davidraezer5937]

I was a factory Saab tech in the early 90’s and had the opportunity to work on these cars. I owned 2 9000 Aero models with the 5-speed both in Scarab green. They were great cars. I must correct the statement that this engine was derived from the Triumph engine. It shares nothing in common with its twin balance shaft design. The early 9000 and 900 shared the same basic engine. If you are in the market try to find one without the TCS which was troublesome. ABS was Teves and can be troublesome as well. Definitely one of the best seats ever to be put in a car.

[@JamesGadbury]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience 👍

[@aangelini776]

What is T C S?

[@davidraezer5937]

@@aangelini776 traction control system was an option on the Aero model. It’s Saab’s first drive by wire for the throttle. They tend to be temperamental and require a scan tool capable of performing base calibration. You need a tech2 or tech 2 emulator and the Saab software.

[@JamesGadbury]

@@aangelini776 traction control system?

[@potatis1272]

TCS was great when it worked in the winter snow but a very bad design, the limp home mode was the result for many of the cars that had TCS.

[@pka8514]

Suspension is really designed for nordic winters. It is quite understeery in summer but with proper winter tyres balance is just lovely when you are surrounded by snow and ice.

[@zm321]

The 9000 also had distinct oversteer engineered into it. It was because it was found to be very useful when driving on many of the loose gravel country roads found in Scandinavia. Autocar had quite a good article online about this a few years ago.

[@mawin5899]

Saved my bacon once upon a time when I came steaming up a hill in the dark and fog thinking I knew the road. There was a very tight bend at the top of the hill that I'd forgotten about and I just held the wheel very steady and trundled round on the very edge of grip and was amazed that I made it out the other side. And that was at a time when I was used to driving quickly.

[@garethhughes5721]

I had mine through the winter of 2010, in the UK we had temperatures down to -15. It was on Kumho winter tyres and it was amazing, it really came into its own and shone in a way you wouldn't realise unless experiencing it in such conditions. The heating system for example was amazing, got up to temperature really quickly and rear demisters build into rear passenger windows and rear windows were incredible. Mine was also remapped and ludicrously quick, in 3rd gear it would basically pull from 40 mph all the way to 95mph, in one gear!

[@veikogarage]

I had this car for 5 years, loved it. During winters it was simply amazing. It never got stuck and was superstable on uneven winterconditions. I am still wondering how it was even possible with front drive only.

[@donalmilmo-penny3085]

I have a very clear memory of taking a lift to school from a friend of my parents in one of these about 1990 is horrendous snow and ice. Out of the blue there was a pile up in front of us with cars sliding everywhere whilst we quietly and calmly drove through them in full control, it felt like life slow motion. Some car for a winter's day! No surprise I've driven a succession of Saabs as an adult.

[@AIRDRAC]

Fun fact: You could get the 315 hp tune from the factory, through Hirsch - with full warranty! I had a 1996 9000 Aero, without antispin, but with the Hirsch tune, and associated retuned suspension, and it was a blast! It would happily spin the wheels in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear, and even in 5th at highway speeds, if the road was wet. I raced a Maserati 3200GT on the autobahn once, and it didn't pull away until we reached 250 km/h, and the aerodynamics of the Saab started to hold it back too much. Top speed was somewhere around 275 km/h, but the rear got a bit too floaty above 250. I sold it after it had gone 480.000km with the original engine and transmission (turbo had been replaced once) to a guy that changed the piston rings, and increased the turbo boost until it made ~480 hp (probably more, but it kept making wheelspin on the dyno, so he never got a final number), and then subsequently destroyed it in a crash going well north of 200 km/h. Impressively he walked away. It's the only car I ever regretted selling, especially because it got replaced with a 9-5 that was nowhere near as nice to drive.

[@KingCast65]

just bought an lR Viggen 5 door my 14th SAAB and i had a blunt nose 9KT it was a wonderful car but not spicy enough so I sold it to buy another C900T.

[@Brickhazard]

The 2.3 is really a beast of a unit for the time. My Saab 9-5 has 420nm of torque which is just a crazy amount for the 280bhp it puts out. The same torque as the new Civic Type-R with less power in an engine which is 20 years old. All whilst still doing 35-40mpg on a run thanks to its Trionic 7 engine management. It is almost like driving a diesel but without the small power band of a diesel. Perfect for the real world.

[@kuntibolox]

That's a very good summary to describe the comparison.

[@Soulvex]

Even my 93 2.0t 150hp feels like a diesel apart from the long gearing of the Saab, power from 2k to 5k is really good compared to other 150hp motors. runs out of power after 5.5k and oddly only does about 33mpg with average driving.

[@donben91]

SAAB - Born from Jets. I owned 4 SAABs, 9000 CS Hatchback, 9000 CDI Saloon, NG900 Turbo and OG900 Turbo. Everyone of these cars had Excellent Fuel Economy, average 48mpg with all four, mixed road conditions. They all left Boy Racers standing still. Effortless to Drive, extremely comfortable on long journeys and they all had cavernous boots. I actually got a 3 seater settee and 2 arm chairs into the 9000 CS with the rear seats down and front passenger seat as far forward as possible 😮

[@xeboi11]

Love saabs owned about 10 of them over the years Knew you'd finally get a proper car on your channel jack 😅

[@Roger_Ramjet]

+1

[@Tacko14]

Oooooh! I love the 9000! Especially how Saab had their arm locked on sharing communal parts and structures with the others, but still flipped their digitus impudicus, evilly grinning all the time, and made it their own car. Of the four, this was the one to have. Not just the Aero, any model 9000. Imagine a Swedish carmaker going totally Johnny Rotten but in a good way. Unexpected is an understatement. Okay, one second in, now for actually watching the vid :)

[@VinDieselS70]

Also one of the few cars that looks really modern after the facelift even today.

[@syawalhamidi]

​@@VinDieselS70 Agreed

[@ojeskog]

The facelifted 9-3 also still looks modern and the 9-5 NG. Boy do I miss the 9000. I had one, my dad had one, my sister had one (well they had 4 different ones). My dad's one had over 600000km on his when he retired it as the bottom of the doors and the front fenders were basically disintegrating. But the drivetrain and the other important bits were still just going and going

[@dankingsbury9971]

Sold my '96 Aero manual after 18 years last summer, miss it still! It was such a balanced car, but also so much fun to drive.

[@Ellis_B]

Why you sell dude

[@johnd296]

I still have my 1990 SAAB 9000 Turbo, bought from new. Lovely car. Doesn't cover many miles these days but I keep it for nostalgia, the occasional cross country blast and for lugging stuff that doesn't fit into my daily driver.

[@RichardBeds]

I had a SAAB 9000 Turbo. It was a great load carrier, taking me, four passengers and our luggage for two weeks in Italy, plus my bike on the roof. It was also the first car I had that had ABS brakes. The only downside was it’s size, making finding a parking space tricky.

[@bwofficial1776]

In the US this would be considered a midsize car at best. You have to admire Saab for sticking to their practicality and engineering even when they had to share a platform.

[@robertmcclean1273]

@@bwofficial1776 IIRC, At the time, it was classified as a large car in the US, because it had amazing internal and boot space for its physical size. I had a 9000 2.3 LPT Anniversary in mica metallic amethyst. Lovely car. Sadly, it got written off.

[@bpg786]

My daily driver is a Saab 9000 which the previous owner tuned so it's running twice the boost it left the factory with. It is a rocket on wheels, if you can get traction. It has over 300k kms on the clock which blows my mind.

[@thisiszaphod]

Former Saab Nut here for over 30 years. Had three 9000s in my time -2.3CSE T facelift, but pre-GM beancounters, 3.0V6, and 2.3t anniversary. Happy days - and concur. Good load luggers, too.

[@tonkerdog1]

Spent a lot of time on saabscene

[@thisiszaphod]

@@tonkerdog1 - in the early days, yep.

[@Whatshisname346]

My first car was a pretty ropey 9-5. The mid-range and the turbo always got me though. Loved it to bits and it was surprisingly easy to work on which you kinda had to do because any non specialist was terrified of Saabs. The other thing about them was, they always had a great spec. Stuff that was optional on other cars was usually standard fit like climate control, cruise control and leather. Great cars, really miss them.

[@ThunderChunky101]

I had a 9-5 turbo. It was like driving on a cloud. Like it was just pulling the planet underneath you, rather than driving itself forward.

[@Sophiechic]

I had 2003 95 aero hot from 05 till 2013 the person that originally ordered it must have ticked every option I didn't see heated and air conditioned seats on any car till years later the jaguar xj I had after was a nightmare wish I kept it or got a lower millage one but it felt tired towards the end I was only 22 and should have looked after it better!

[@houseking9211]

@@Sophiechic I think heated seats are standard, either that or everyone that ordered a early 2000s 9-5 aero always optioned it

[@Sophiechic]

@@houseking9211 I think you're right but mine also had ventilated front seats and heated front and back seats which I saw blanked off on every other 95 I looked it up years ago every single option was ticked I've not owned another car like that since!

[@sumnik852]

Unless we talk about the early Saabs, the rest of them are like any other car. I don't understand why mechanics are afraid of them.

[@MatsGarage]

I remember the Saab guys I worked with telling stories about how they were using low spec Opels as mule cars and driving them down on german autobahns and surprising people with alot more expensive cars when there was a Saab turbo engine lurking under the hood.

[@fortune300]

Start of development of new 900. Everything twisted and the rear windows popped out. Crappy GM2900 plattform.

[@giggiddy]

Ive always wanted a Saab but have always been intimidated with working in one- Im a certified mechanic and turn my own wrenches on most of my cars. Not sure why I'm intimidated, but I've always thought they might be fiddly or non-conventional in terms of how they're assembled. But I will end up with one soon.

[@oliverkumbrink87]

I remember in the 90s driving my saab 900 turbo 16 Flatout speedo Shows 240kmh/ in a race with a mercedes slk Kompressor wich was a little bit fester...... it was a three lane unrestricted Autobahn.... the 9000 aero apears on the Fastlane ..... so fast he Passes us..... look like 300 kmh from my view

[@christophecamus3295]

Saab was a great manufacturer, different, safe cars. Interesting styling well built. MISS SAAB THAT DARE TO BE DIFFERENT.

[@anderszettergren4302]

I stil(l?) have the record of Norsjö-Stocholm (789 km) in a Saab 9000 in about 6h. That preproduction car was just brutal.

[@John_Findlay]

I had two Saabs, both 99 models, and my favourite was a 1974 99 EMS tha I bought in 1986. Solid, totally reliable, great handling and fantastic brakes. The engine in it was the 2.0 predecessor of the engines in the 9000. Years later, I wanted to buy a 9000, but Saab had reduced the headroom, so it was a non-starter for me. I managed to blag a drive in a 16V 900 turbo from a dealer (same engine as the first 9000) , and the performance was astonishing considering it was a 1985 car. Third gear felt like warp drive It also had superb camber tracking, on a properly built road you could take you hands off the steering wheel and the car would follow the curves. Wonderful. Shame Saab cars were lost to us.

[@OpenBarGarage]

I've had two 1997 Saab 9000 aero manual in black. It hurts me that I never kept one of them. I miss it a lot. Amazing mile muncher. Blasting through the city at night. Driving in the mountains. I wish I knew what I had. And that car prices would never be as cheap as they were then. Now like Jeremy Clarkson mentioned in his tribute to Saab video. All I have now is another airplane manufacturer BMW...

[@soundscare]

That Saab was ahead of its time. The 2.3 with TD04 turbo and 5 speed was soooooo amazing.

[@karlberneli4602]

Nice to see a dashboard with real buttons.

[@mmau]

I really love these videos of yours. I do almost everything by bike these days and rarely drive our car. But your channel sums up what is (was) great about cars - aesthetics, engines, feel, sound.

[@alexbritch02]

I'm fortunate enough to own a 1996 Saab 9000 Aero in BC Canada at 20 years old, I picked the car up for 3,750 CAD & it's been the best decision of my life so far. The car has 207,000 Miles (334,000 KM) & yet never fails to roll over another mile. She has been repainted once with a cheap spray that's sadly peeling in areas, the front fenders have some rust bubbling that I've controlled by waxing the car, She has scratches, Cracked front seats & a cracked windshield due to an ice storm. But never fails to make me smile, the engine is almost completely stock. All I've done is change the upper coolant hose, Clutch replacement, master cylinder, Coolant expansion tank, K&N Air Filter & Bilstein B4 Shocks. Previous owner did a Gasket replacement on the Exhaust manifold & few small things here & there. She has minimal rust on the underside with nothing eating through, I've repainted the underneath & sanded away anything that would be deemed as a threat! The car is unimaginably perfect to me & many others & I can't wait to roll this car to 384,000 KM. The distance to the moon!

[@jakuborlik1511]

I do own such a Saab. 9000 aero 1993. I did own several Saab prior and am confident in saying that this was the opus magnum of Saab. Great car with a lot of power even to this day. Great cruiser, very stable at 200+ kph.

[@gnashmelllow]

It would not surprise me if the switch to the beam axle was to make the trunk larger. SAAB always emphasized versatility.

[@joekrepps]

I owned an '87 9kT. LOVED IT!! The ergonomics were in a class of their own. "Unfortunately", I only had 160Hp...I can't imagine how much trouble I would have found with Law Enforcement if I had that 310Hp under the hood! Just a delightful car!! I miss it terribly. Quick story: I sincerely unintentionally got into a race with an Acura Integra on a back road with a 55MPH speed limit. He was poking around at 50MPH so I thought, "Well, I'll just drop down from 5th gear to 4th, let the boost build and pass him. No need to get the motor revving by dropping to 3rd and be a nuisance.". We come to the passing zone, no opposing traffic. so I dropped to 4th, floored it and when the boost hit, I made my pass. As I got beside him, I could hear his motor revving high and realized he was racing me. I kept it in 4th and got up to 115MPH before we were running out of highway speed roadway. I simply pulled away from him, he had no hope. Mind, my car had ~230k miles on the odometer. So many people here in the USA simply saw a black 5-door car, ignored the "Turbo" on the rear hatch and thought they had an easy victory. Did I mention I LOVED that car? ;)

[@johnandrews3568]

Wish Saab was still around. Last of the truly quirky mass produced, available in Canada cars around.

[@dickhilt]

Had an identical 1997 9000 Aero to the one in the video. Amazing mid range, once surprised a 750cc motorbike who was really trying to get away from me! Beautiful build quality and practicality and the most comfortable seats ever! Ended up owning seven Saabs in total including the 9-5 Aero but always missed the 9000 Aero the most.

[@mohammadzein504]

Love the 9000 Saab! It has such a distinctive design, unmistakably Saab. And this one in particular is tuned to perfection! Congrats on the 100K subs Sir Jack👏. Well deserved! ✌

[@mhsurfer6713]

I had a 94 9000 CSE 2.0 low pressure turbo. Loved that car. Good size family hatchback and quirky: balancer shafts, incredibly well built, posh plastic, headlamp washers, rear door demister fans, climate control that was super effective, fantastic seats, and for me the design still looks good. Happy memories, so many thanks for the review. 👍👍

[@daniel635biturbo]

One of the most spacious cars, in relation to its size. Very large luggage compartment and very wide inside ! Cheers from Sweden !

[@svenT16]

Thanks for the upload. I've been a big fan of your channel, and have had a 9000aero like the one you were driving. ( mine with auto gearbox) lovely car!!! Still miss these seats, really comfi, like a big bear hugging you.😊 Perhaps the best car I've had... Made to eat kilometers at 130kmh+++ 😉

[@kamran102]

I own one of these. Goes like a rocket. Also the best car I have ever driven.

[@Ellis_B]

Wicked

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

Very nice car. Thank you for showcasing these cars. Keep up the good work.

[@lint8391]

I loved my Saab 9000 turbo when I had it in the 1990's. I moved onto Volvos when Saab went all General Motors.

[@Jay_Speed]

A friend of mine Francois had a Chroma and it was a very good car for more than 200.00km. Compared to the 164 V6 that Brian had it run much longer. The Thema and the 9000 were more alike to each other, for me at least.

[@hallga007]

B23 engine was far advanced in it's time. You didn't mention the twin balancer shafts that make as smooth a 6 cyl. Had mine warmed up by ABBOTT RACING. One of the best cars I've owned amongst BMWs, PORSCHE, MERCs. A real Q car!

[@DontEatTheAnimals]

I have three Saab Aero's in my driveway, all 9.5s but it is so nice to see this video of a 9000.

[@1995RangeRover]

I've owned 2 900 SPG, 1 900 classic SE convertible, 4 Aero, 3 9000 turbo and 2 9-5 Aero models. BTW an Alfa Romeo 164S too!! Loved 'em all! Great vid as usual! Cheers!!!

[@vibingwithvinyl]

Those Aero seats are the best I've ever sat in. I changed my CDE interior to those, with doorcards and everything.

[@nr5494]

Loved my 9000. As you say, the ride is so fluid. Could really cane it along bumpy country roads. PS. Have you ever met Harry on those roads?

[@antonpandoursky9790]

Cool video,Jack!🙂Very informative. I never knew that SAAB 9000 was in collaboration with the italians.Keep up the great work🙂

[@richardshearwoodport]

I discovered 9000s by accident, when I was looking for a cheap, bombproof car to teach my kids to drive in. I owned 10 after that! My favourite was a 9000 CSE with Aero suspension that I had remapped. The handling was incredible for a heavy front wheel drive car but, believe me, lift-off oversteer can catch you out. My favourite memory was of a race with a Ferrari and an Audi TT on the way to Le Mans. We were no match for the Ferrari, but I had to slow down to let the TT past. I've had more powerful 95s, but they were no match for a 9000.

[@jeffcullen6573]

Bang on with the oversteer! That solid rear axle... I had a TON of fun with my '93 Aero... drove it VERY hard... and it always returned miraculous fuel economy numbers despite my HEAVY right foot. Great car.

[@46spanner]

Regarding your comments about lift-off oversteer, they were designed/developed to do exactly that. The head of road test at Lancia, who were responsible for the vehicle development within the Fiat group specifically wanted this characteristic to help get round a sharp turn if you went in too hot and lifted off

[@nuttycommuter3718]

@@46spannerhis design definitely saved a hedge or two for me!

[@KiwiExpressCream]

My mate had one years ago, he put on a bigger turbo and had it remapped, 350+ bhp. Wheelspin in 3rd in the dry? Yes please!

[@Ellis_B]

Nutter

[@paulking54]

My Dad had one, stock, they were pretty rapid cars. Always felt so solid. Handsome, very 90's.

[@christophecamus3295]

Great video. Good to see them again

[@dukexsi666]

Amazing test and show, more of stuff like that! Great story!

[@jamescoe764]

Stunning car. I think it's a very underrated vehicle.

[@anothersaabstory1237]

I just rebought the 9000 I sold back in 2021, missed it too much. Every time I drive it I remember why I rebought it, it’s a feeling that can’t be matched by any modern vehicle. It feels old, but substantial and just executive. It’s a time capsule. My GF loves it too with the aero “pilot” seats and the comfort

[@waynel389]

What is the best Saab in manual speed

[@bigbelly5098]

I remember as a kid my dad always had Fords which were box shaped. I remember my uncle having a Saab 9000, I was in awe of the shape. I finally got to own a 9-3, what a great car.

[@TheBTG88]

I had series 1 9000 turbo that I loved. These later cars are even more impressive and good-looking as well as hugely practical with the amount of stuff they can carry.

[@paulsmith1981]

The 900 was the last SABB , I owned the later model that was made when GM bought the company. I remember lifting the hood and getting that sinking feeling when I saw the GM logo on all of the engine components. That car kept my mechanic very busy.

[@badstep7637]

No GM part could be found in any 2,0 or 2,3l 9000 / just a few V6 engine cars came around '95 an soon went away in silence

[@nuttycommuter3718]

@@badstep7637The thermostat was a GM part in my 1991 2.3T 9000 for which I was grateful as it was a £10 part rather than the cast aluminium unit I had to replace on my Alfa 146

[@Cowley46]

I once had the similar 9000 Carlsson but never had an Aero. Lovely cars. That one looks great in red with the black interior. Excellent video.

[@nuttycommuter3718]

I’d probably pick a Carlsson over an Aero if I was offered the choice, but I wouldn’t be disappointed with either!

[@chillwithcars]

This is a fantastic car, and thankyou for reviewing this classic! A video of our taste!

[@chrissdavey]

These are great cars. Very underrated. Every other manufacturer has gone over to 4 cylinder turbo engines now. Saab were way ahead of their time. Great handling cars, very tuneable and comfy, and those seats are amazing. Excellent build quality, and that rear suspension is much better than a torsion beam.

[@bizmyurt8582]

They were not ahead just could not afford/make a six. As he said even the four was from triumph.

[@nuttycommuter3718]

@@bizmyurt8582As has been pointed out elsewhere in the comments, by the time you get to the B234 engine, there’s very little of the Triumph engine left.

[@watersidenoticeboard5807]

Great video! I had a 9-5 Aero, remapped to 275hp. Epic mid range acceleration, with the comfort of an armchair! Selling it was the worst thing I did….😢

[@ricosuave855]

I know the feeling I sold my 2.3 Turbo Griffin and it had LPG to enhance economy .You could not tell if it was running on Petrol or LPG it was that good. The 50 to 70 acceleration was epic. I would regularly take it out just for a blast. On LPG I was getting about 55 MPG. Having your cake and eat it

[@Pyjamarama11]

Hello my name is Pyjamarama And I also have regrets about selling my Saab

[@pka8514]

Story of the engine is intresting and Jack got a lot of it right. However with some british bias. In the begining of the 60s Saab was looking for 4-stroke engine for 96. They started co-operation with Ricardo from UK. Ricardo delivered about 20 prototype engines during 1963 to Saab for testing. Saab noticed that they did not have enough money to continue alone with this project. So in 1964 Saab and Triump did a deal to do this project together. At this time Triump did not have ready slant engine, just some drawings. Test motors build by Ricardo and designs owned by Saab were sent to Triumph and project continued. Triumph would build engines at Coventry and Saab would do prototype testing of them. So really Triumph Dolomite used Saab engine build by Triumph and Saab did not use Triumph engine like the usual misconception is. Saab used Saab engine build by Triumph. Reference: Saab: The First 40 Years of Saab Cars, Bjorn-Eric Lindh, 1987

[@kevinmanns7170]

Don't you mean Triumph ??

[@helgysaab]

Jack! Thank you for doing a review on the 9000 aero. These cars do not get the credit they deserve. Just got my aero back on the road this weekend and loving every minute of it!

[@christophecamus8410]

Thanks for the great review.

[@Number27]

Thank you for watching!!

[@amphilbey]

Great stuff Jack, love a Saab. One of my favourite jobs ever was delivering them in the late 90s during student holidays, love a 9000 Turbo, lovely looking cars with brilliant seats and interior and met lots of interesting discerning owners who wanted something different from the German brands. The stories of Saab doing things their own way only get better during the sad GM era when mediocrity was forced upon them by the Americans.

[@ojeskog]

I still love the look of the 9000 Aero. Mine was Le Mans blue and with a bit of a chip tune it was faster than any later SAABs of mine (as they were limited to 250km/h...) What a cruiser that car was. Piled miles and miles on it. I'd say everyday comfort speed was 160km/h or 100mph. But long autobahn stints were happily performed at much higher speeds for hours and hours. Remember going from IJmuiden in The Netherlands to Sweden stopping just once (for petrol) in Germany and hammering as fast as I could on the autobahn. A true delight to drive and those Aero captains seats were just wonderful!

[@jgg02]

As a swede I approve of this episode. Actually of all your episodes of your channel. Keep up the good work.

[@natjes6017]

This vid reaaaaally makes me miss my 9-3 Aero, also a very nice Saab driving down the autobahn at breakneck speed 😁

[@mattsoutherden]

Love Saabs. I grew up in Saab house. Dad had 4 different 900 and 9000 turbos before I was about 12. Shame that meant about 7 or 8 manifolds! 😅 I love that you even went with the 80's architect polo neck for the authentic Saab look. 😉

[@terryjames5109]

Great informative stream Jack

[@Hvitserk67]

A great video. I can remember from the 80s on winding French roads before the motorway south over the Massife Centrale was constructed that the Saab 9000 Turbo really made a name for itself. I experienced this in a Porsche 924 Turbo with the facelift/upgrade from 1981 which gave a minimum of 177 horsepower (most likely 200-230 HP). The Porsche was faster and clearly more agile around the twisty roads over the mountains, but not by much. The Saab amazingly more or less kept up as long as there weren't too many twisty turns and not too long stretches where the Porsche could really stretch out with its long gearing that could reach 250 Km/h (155 mph). The Saab, on the other hand, was a four-door family car and perhaps a sort of early BMW E28 M5 with the E30 M3's performance? Very interesting in my opinion and certainly worth discussing.

[@totallypixelated]

Saab seats are the best! The distinctive headrest that wraps over the top of the seat back is based on a classic Swedish design. You can see echoes of 1950's and 60's Swedish armchairs in the seats that Saab used from the late 70's in 99's, 900's and 9000's. Admittedly, not so much in the Aero seats.

[@ThunderChunky101]

That classic Swedish furniture is worth a fortune now. I wanted a coffe table not long back and I was looking at a grand for a tiny battered old piece of junk! 😂

[@totallypixelated]

@@ThunderChunky101 Ikea is more my budget too!

[@nuttycommuter3718]

I always thought that the velour ones were comfier than the leather, by just a smidge. The velour fabric also gave off the Saab smell too!

[@totallypixelated]

I had a base model 1986 9000 with velour and it is a bit more comfortable. The 1988 9000 I had had nice Scottish leather, but the leather wasn't as nice in my 1993. Couldn't get it properly soft at all.@@nuttycommuter3718

[@gregoryvangaya8971]

Yes, the Carlson and Aero, for any family man who still wanted to have fun, are THE legends. Fuel efficient, fast, reliable and safe.

[@paullacey2999]

My boss was a SAAB fan,I got to drive them once a week to the car wash,they were lovely cars I recall.....

[@BP-xe7dw]

I almost bought one many years ago and never stopped liking the design. No other car combined utility, economy and sophistication in one unit. Most people are surprised that is a hatchback. Seats are amazing and it gets amazing fuel economy for it's size. I just saw one yesterday on the road, still looks modern. God, I love this car. Thank you for the review.

[@eternalextrapolations]

Do you have one or did you have one? What fuel economy did you get and how did you measure it?

[@dj_paultuk7052]

@@eternalextrapolations Its my car in the video. I cover 30,000 miles a year in this 9000 Aero so its driven quite hard. Typically per week i get 40.2 mpg Imp. So about 33 MPG USA. Roughly 530 miles per tank.

[@eternalextrapolations]

@@dj_paultuk7052 So you measured by recording mileage and doing fill to fill? 40mpg imperial is much higher than would be expected. Are you doing mostly highway driving in a very tall gear?

[@dj_paultuk7052]

@@eternalextrapolations No it is not. 40mpg Imp is the standard MPG for a 9000 Aero. Yes i do about 80% motorways during a typical weeks driving.

[@eternalextrapolations]

@@dj_paultuk7052 I mean 40mpg is much higher than would be expected for any petrol powered turbo car above 1.3 liters and/or 1000kg, and certainly one with more than 300bhp and approx 1450kg. Even with an extremely tall top gear, and cruising at a constant 56mph on level ground with a slight tailwind, 40mpg imperial exceeds typical fuel economy expectations by at least 5mpg. Is there anything specific about the design of the engine or your enhancements to it which might be helping to achieve such an incredible figure?

[@carlgeorgtsigakis498]

That left front wing was Very misaligned. Love these SAABs. I've heard that SAAB even used different steel in the chassis, so In theory it was a shared platform, but SAAB change so much that is reality it wasn't

[@dj_paultuk7052]

The wing is perfectly fine. The bonnet was not closed properly after Jack opened it.

[@carlgeorgtsigakis498]

@@dj_paultuk7052 Just can't trust Jack with you car man! :) hehe

[@simonturner5450]

Thanks Jack for bringing back lots of happy memories of my 9000 CSE, I would love to see you reviewing a 900 T16.

[@Timothyboland1995]

I have owned 2 of these!!! a 5 speed (aero ratio) and a auto, Amazing to see it on your channel!!

[@Tom-wl9sx]

Have owned alot of Saabs from 93 two strokes to 9-3 aeros. Really liked them all, it's a pity they don't make them anymore 😢

[@Abraxium]

Closest you’ll get is Nevs

[@domtoni4567]

FYI, the doors (most expensive on the BIW on cars) were interchangeable with the Croma, Thema and 164 (from one of my Italian colleagues back in the old days).

[@lennyvalentinoSchiaretti_lvs]

The 164 despite used the same chassis, had different doors (the only one in the group).

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Apparently the SAAB doors aren’t interchangeable with the Chroma / Thema - maybe something to do with the additional side impact bars.

[@brucebeauvais1324]

@@simonhodgetts6530he side impact bars have been required in the US market since 1973 or so. Only the Alfa 164 was sold in North America and only until 1991 or so. Some of the 164s would have have side impact bars but not the Fiat or Lancia.

[@Driver599]

The Bmw e34 at 7:45 was designed by Ercole Spada, a highly respected Italian designer. To me personally the 164 and or Thema are my favorites from the type 4 platform. Great content.

[@Carlos.G]

I used to own a 9000 Carlson saloon and loved it. Brilliant car

[@zoppotromp1958]

Could you also review the Thema 8.32 and Alfa 164 and 166 with the 3.0? This would be very interesting in comparison, and I would be very interested in your opinion on those 😊

[@richardhoner7842]

Same! A 2-stroke wagon right thru to a 9-3 wagon. All great cars. I only wish I were a better mechanic! My '95 9000 Aero was the best. Most underrated car ever. My son still has it :).

[@potatis1272]

That "Ferrari" Thema was really not a common car not many left either. I have driven both alfa 164s (both 2.0 and 3.0s) and 9000s can say the alfa is a better handling car but they had tremendous electrical problems qnd a harsher ride than the saabs. But a fun group of cars no doubt.

[@zoppotromp1958]

@@potatis1272 A Thema 8.32 was present in my hometown back in the days and I always was curious about it. Later I nearly bought an Alfa 166. So, some nice memories, which might need todays reconsideration.

[@stevecrowe8135]

The croma wasn’t horrible, had fantastic engines

[@VinDieselS70]

The croma was a great comfy car and could sit on the motorway for hours and as you said, amazing engines.

[@danieleregoli812]

I wish I could find one of the very few V6 Cromas....

[@delahayenator]

The 2.0 turbo i.e. was seriously quick :)

[@delahayenator]

@@danieleregoli812 never saw one but must be nice with the 2.5 Busso

[@dj_paultuk7052]

@@delahayenator They were only 152bhp. 0-60 was 7.8 they claimed. A bit off the 9000 Aero at 6.1.

[@tongravity5668]

Great review of the great car!

[@2702simmo]

Enjoyed that Looks a great car to drive and by the sounds of things that’s going to be a better one than most Love the three headline points at the start :) Very clever

[@VinDieselS70]

The fixed rear axle gave more stability in wet and snowy conditions as the wheel geometry stayed the same. Could not say the same when it came to my first car, a BMW touring from 1972. Independent suspension all round and absolutely useless in snow unless you had like 25 extra kilos in the boot. Hence the reworked rear axle on the 9000.

[@jonntischnabel]

Pretty sure the claims at the time were faster than Mondial, not a testarossa. As a boy, I was obsessed by the 9000 as my dad had 2, and your dad is your hero! I eventually inherited his Saab when he passed in 2009. A '95 CSE turbo, with all the options. Alas not an aero. ❤ Incredibly comfortable, quiet, well built and stylish.

[@stuartwilkie4887]

Yeah makes sense. I mean as if. Unless they chose a very specific speed range. My car has the latest incarnation of their most powerful engine - and I'm not going to be challenging any Testarosas anytime soon.

[@pederfallbom]

Actually it was the Testarossa and Porsche 993 Carrera. The 9000 Aero was faster than both in a realworld passing situation in 5th gear 70-120km/h. 3rd gear acceleration is surprisingly fast even today.

[@stuartwilkie4887]

In any case, the Testarossa would have an extremely high 5th in order to top out at 180 mph / 290 km/hr - so its top gear acceleration of course wouldn't be that great from around 25% of its intended maximum.

[@pederfallbom]

@@stuartwilkie4887 True but Saab went for everyday performance which is what most use and in those situations it is very fast. I bet that in a similar passing situation but in optimum gear it would still be close to the Ferrari. The Aero is simply very effective in those situations.

[@stuartwilkie4887]

@@pederfallbom I currently drive a BAIC D70 2.3 T and I think I'd get dropped by a Ferrari Testarosa very quicky with with us both being in optimal gears. That's not to say mine isn't fast. Accelerating out from toll boothes to full motorway speed happens rediculously fast and smoothly up to 120 km/hr. Being based on the 9-5, it doesn't get off the mark that quickly, an Audi All-Road can visibly pull away from a start, and a Volvo XC 60 seemed to get away from me but I can't verify that.

[@joejopling3295]

Was lucky to have a 9000 aero..which was high pressure turbo..very very quick..fantastic roadholding..very reliable..sold it for a profit..

[@andygtv]

Perfect content👍have a great weekend

[@elliottharley1386]

Saabs are just ace, this one in red looks lovely. 3 spoke wheels 👍

[@ralphe5842]

It was fast! Particularly in a passing situation I had a 2.3 aero and I could embarrass a lot of muscle cars

[@glenmcneill1675]

Loved my 9000 Aero, efficient, reliable, practical. Fits a 60 gallon water heater. Didn’t realize how much turbo lag it had until I ok it on the track.

[@RantDuJour]

Ohh i had one of these with cream interior! So lovely, still miss it and the seats where fantastic!

[@cf5914]

This is one of those cars where you should never change the stock wheels.

[@HawkMillFarm]

Perhaps a 99 turbo if you can get one, black of course. One of the first inspirational cars for me not to mention the wheels.

[@dj_paultuk7052]

I did talk to Jack about a 99T during filming, watch this space!.

[@MassiveTrackHunter]

Having a tuned 2.3 will really surprise you. Pulls like a V8 when under full boost, but gets amazing mileage when you keep your foot out of it. Few other streetable 4's will break both fronts loose all the way to 50mph, especially with an aftermarket limited slip diff. As long as they are out there, I will own one. Love em.

[@Jsb1967]

I was rushed to the hospital in mother's womb in a 58 Saab 92, then dad moved to a 59 93B after rolling his 58 at night picking out a rally route (he must have hit the brakes in a corner), finally dad had a 64 850GT, with the triple carbs and oil injection. The 850 was finicky as hell and difficult to start in cold weather. He had 3 kids and not the time to mess with it much longer. I graduated from pharmacy school in 83 and bought an 85 900 SPG based on an article in Car & Driver or Road & Track in which they tested the prototype. It had the "Red Box" ECM and ran like a scalded cat. I later traded it for a 93 9000 Aero , again the first year of production as was the SPG and with the "Red Box" ECM. It also ran like stink, smoking a Mustang GT out of a red light, with 4 guys on board, and a 95 Vette in the 50- 70 zone. One night, I took it into a high speed power drift with my foot to the floor and the Pirelli's singing that had my Jewish buddy saying the rosary in the back seat. I also had both a 98 9000CSE and a 2002 9-5 Aero until Saab got the GM shaft. To this day, I believe that Saab put the "Red Box" in their first production year performance cars to build something of a legacy that wasn't available after the first year in either the 900 SPG or 9000 Aero, due to warranty liability issues. My SPG tore up the synchro's in the tranny at 30k miles which was fortunately covered under warrantee. All the Saab's were a blast, some more than other's, but I could get a Christmas tree in all of them but the 02 9-5 Aero.

[@dj_paultuk7052]

1993 9000 Aero is a very special car. Its a 1 year only configuration. It had special Lucas Blue injectors and a TD04-15G turbo. I am aiming to break the world record for the most powerful "Stock" 9000 Aero with nothing more than a remap. Currently it stands at 350bhp by 2 Swedish cars. Hopefully with my expertise i can break that barrier. Paul @ The SAAB Clinic.

[@poulbroendegaard]

The rear suspension was changed to reduce understeer and make the car drive more neutral in the corners

[@pka8514]

No, it was changed to reduce oversteer when driving on snow and ice.

[@stevel9914]

both coments maybe relevant but I agree with OP ... it allows gentel oversteer in extremis because the inner wheel will push the outer wheel away.. as it loses grip

[@stevel9914]

same set up .. nearly as classic 900. In fact the c900 srings are near identical in size and I suspect strongly that the beam axle is identical length .. hence why 9000's always look a little under tyred... as if the wheels could do with being a little further outbound