I have fancied a change from the Primeras recently, and this beast landed in my lap quite by chance. I had been looking at V6 Galants, S40 T4's, Audi coupes etc, when a mate of mine decided to sell this......1997 'P' plate Saab 9000 CSE 'Anniversary' ltd edition auto. It's a 2.3 litre turbo originally running 170 bhp, but it has been re-mapped by Abbott Motorsport to 200bhp.
The lad selling it knows I like the older motors, so texted me to ask if I knew anyone who would be interested in it. I'm glad he did. I'd seen it a few times, and admired its wedginess, but as soon as I drove it, my mind was made up.
Apart from the power, the interior and equipment list also sold it to me. This 'Anniversary' limited edition model celebrated 50 years of Saab, and came with a discreet bodykit and the most gorgeous leather upholstery I've seen. It's a quality Scottish leather hide (there's tags on each headrest!) with nice velour inserts. On each seat back there is the Saab Aerospace logo, which look great. Fully kitted, it comes with electric slidey heated seats for both front seats, with the drivers seat having 3 memory settings. Ice cold air-con plus climate control, cruise control, electric windows all round, trip computer, leccy heated mirrors etc etc. The original two piece stereo has been upgraded to a DAB Digital unit, which so far is great, and there's a rear wing mounted power arial which works. Well, everything works.
The lad gave it a full MOT, and the only advisory was that the underside couldn't be fully checked due to being undersealed/waxoyl'd. There was a massive box of spares too, including air con unit, brake master cylinder, DI cassette, various light units, relays, mudflaps, dog guard etc.
The only downers are the slightly shabby front os wing and the dull colour.
Early pics after I had collected it..
The dodgy wing (I already have a replacement ready to paint)..
Beautiful seats
Engine bay as I got it...
After half an hour under the bonnet..
Smoked side repeaters with chromed bulbs..
Before fitting..
After fitting.. much better..
I don't like the fried egg look, so fitted some chromed bulbs in the front repeaters as well. The one on the left is done, the one on the right is the standard orange bulb..
Both done..
Clean..
I had thought that the grille was missing the 'Turbo' badge, but I've been advised by those in the know that low pressure turbo motors didn't get that badge. So mine being the low pressure turbo didn't get it. Shame. Got one sorted anyway. I thought the grille was definately missing it...
The last thing I did, for now, was to remove the stupid 'neverbeen' sticker from the rear end. Now you see it..
Now you don't..
I have these rims bought, and just need collecting from Nottinghamshire. 16" Aero open stud three spokers..
And I've got some Aero door cards also awaiting collection. These have black leather inserts (which properly match the seats) and have lovely walnut door cappings.
So to sum up, this is my first Saab, and after 6 weeks, and about 2000 miles, I'm blown away by the 9000. It's such an under-estimated gem of a motor. Fast, comfortable, well put together, with subtle, understated looks and genuine sleeper qualities. It's genuinely rapid. The last of the proper Saabs before GM took over. Brilliant.
I realise this may not be particularly 'retro' to some guys, but this is one of the later 9000's, and the design didn't change much from it's early days in 1985!!
All comments welcome, good or bad.
Cheers guys. Thanks for looking.
The lad selling it knows I like the older motors, so texted me to ask if I knew anyone who would be interested in it. I'm glad he did. I'd seen it a few times, and admired its wedginess, but as soon as I drove it, my mind was made up.
Apart from the power, the interior and equipment list also sold it to me. This 'Anniversary' limited edition model celebrated 50 years of Saab, and came with a discreet bodykit and the most gorgeous leather upholstery I've seen. It's a quality Scottish leather hide (there's tags on each headrest!) with nice velour inserts. On each seat back there is the Saab Aerospace logo, which look great. Fully kitted, it comes with electric slidey heated seats for both front seats, with the drivers seat having 3 memory settings. Ice cold air-con plus climate control, cruise control, electric windows all round, trip computer, leccy heated mirrors etc etc. The original two piece stereo has been upgraded to a DAB Digital unit, which so far is great, and there's a rear wing mounted power arial which works. Well, everything works.
The lad gave it a full MOT, and the only advisory was that the underside couldn't be fully checked due to being undersealed/waxoyl'd. There was a massive box of spares too, including air con unit, brake master cylinder, DI cassette, various light units, relays, mudflaps, dog guard etc.
The only downers are the slightly shabby front os wing and the dull colour.
Early pics after I had collected it..
The dodgy wing (I already have a replacement ready to paint)..
Beautiful seats
Engine bay as I got it...
After half an hour under the bonnet..
Smoked side repeaters with chromed bulbs..
Before fitting..
After fitting.. much better..
I don't like the fried egg look, so fitted some chromed bulbs in the front repeaters as well. The one on the left is done, the one on the right is the standard orange bulb..
Both done..
Clean..
I had thought that the grille was missing the 'Turbo' badge, but I've been advised by those in the know that low pressure turbo motors didn't get that badge. So mine being the low pressure turbo didn't get it. Shame. Got one sorted anyway. I thought the grille was definately missing it...
The last thing I did, for now, was to remove the stupid 'neverbeen' sticker from the rear end. Now you see it..
Now you don't..
I have these rims bought, and just need collecting from Nottinghamshire. 16" Aero open stud three spokers..
And I've got some Aero door cards also awaiting collection. These have black leather inserts (which properly match the seats) and have lovely walnut door cappings.
So to sum up, this is my first Saab, and after 6 weeks, and about 2000 miles, I'm blown away by the 9000. It's such an under-estimated gem of a motor. Fast, comfortable, well put together, with subtle, understated looks and genuine sleeper qualities. It's genuinely rapid. The last of the proper Saabs before GM took over. Brilliant.
I realise this may not be particularly 'retro' to some guys, but this is one of the later 9000's, and the design didn't change much from it's early days in 1985!!
All comments welcome, good or bad.
Cheers guys. Thanks for looking.
but with the auto box your a bit limited and cant go mad as the extra torque will kill the box (can always convert to manual) ;D there's a few guys running around 280-300bhp on the auto's with T5 Suite remaps so plenty of scope for a bit more oomph with a 3"DP and decent autobox friendly remap to keep it happy (I've been using Faero from UKSaabs for the last few years...he's really really good at T5 Suite) Also go for the T7 APC mod if you did decide to remap it....makes a nice difference in power delivery, a lot smoother....well worth it.
