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Dec 19, 2016 16:40:38 GMT
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Hi there fellow Retro people, here is one of my more modern rides.  Having covered nearly 900 miles in her over the last 24 hours I thought it as good a time as any to give a little recognition to my Euro hooner/ winter beast. I introduced my fleet here the other day. I tend to buy cars with a reason to have them and keep them. So every car that is added will have something that it does much better than the others. In this case - the way it covers mega miles with ease. Yesterday I spent 8 and a bit hours at high speed and got out totally refreshed. Last summer we did just shy of 1000 miles in one day. She was bought about 8 years ago at a time when I really shouldn't have been buying a car, I was splitting up with a long term girlfriend, had not a penny to my name and was about to become homeless and move 100 miles. But, you know...  Fast forward to today and life, as well as the 9000, is looking very very different I am pleased to say. I don't have any pictures to hand right now of when I first got her so let me paint you a picture: I bought her because she was mega cheap and worth more in parts straight away. She had been px'd at a TVR dealership and had clearly been used as a 'dog car' for a year or so. I paid £225, put oil and water in where there was none and drove home. On the way home I discovered three things: first was the stink, second was the lack of boost and third was actually how very well she drove. The smell and damp inside was so bad that every journey for the first three months needed all the windows open. Was very cold. Once home and and with the engine cooled a quick 20 second job saw boost returned and boy did she go... that was probably the corner turned to me keeping her actually! As I said I don't have pictures to hand of this but she was a mess, dented wing, flat paint, grimey interior, bald tyres etc etc. Having driven her around like this for 9 months (well, a little cleaning obviously) I decided to commit to keeping her and get her up to standard. I had been in contact with Saab and discovered this was bought new by a gentlemen as his second Aero and owned by him with very comprehensive main dealer history until just over a year before I bought her... that'll be why she drove so well then! One of the first jobs that I can show you was the interior swap and custom door cards. To do this I swapped out the old black interior and bought a nice cream interior to bastardise the two together:   This is how she looked as I had got her ready for her first winters proper use. Heated seats, mirrors and hot wash for the screen all fitted and working well.   |
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Dec 19, 2016 17:43:24 GMT
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Around this time I also got started with upgrades. Being the sensible type the first thing was a basic remap and rolling road session. With boost leaks all over the place she still made 230bhp and had the most hilarious power curve.. looked like the Alps! Handling mods like front and rear strut braces, lowering springs and Bilsteins soon followed. As as did a new intercooler and 3" down pipe. All of this got me to 297bhp with 350lb-ft torque was the end result. Most of that torque is available between 2500rpm and 5500rpm too which certainly helps with the daily commute.  Since it was built I have driven it in anger a few times at Caste Combe and Snetterton as well as all over the Italian side of the Alps to name but a few trips. All of the main things were done about 6/7 years ago now and since then it has been used mainly during the winter months unless we had a Euro hoon planned. One of the features of the 9000 Aero in particular that make it the weapon of choice is the very long (3.61 iirc) gearbox it has. This gives you 120kmh (80mph) for only 2500rpms. I'm aware I am rambling a little now so will stick to adding a few pictures. Hope you like her as much as I do - as one of the surprise keepers that really get under your skin.  With winter wheels on;  In Poland (where we are now) showing the E46 M3 headlights which, with HIDs, have made a big improvement in night time driving;  Tucked up safe, warm, dry and waxed;  With one of the summer Saabs;  Nice and filthy;  |
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Dec 19, 2016 18:33:59 GMT
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Really like this shape Saab, seems to be a very underrated gentlemans express. Cracking job on bringing it up to scratch. Are the E46 lights a straight fit then?
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Dec 19, 2016 18:45:09 GMT
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Oh very very nice. I do like a 9k drove one a few years ago and took off like a scalded cat. Getting to be quite rare now and who could not be impressed by those seats.
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Fossilfish
Part of things
Thank fossils for fuel!
Posts: 653
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Dec 19, 2016 19:30:01 GMT
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Loving the Avez alloys on the car and those seats look sublime. I had a 2.0 9000 CSE and the car was very comfy and had some get up and go.
Keep the post long we love the ramblings
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Last Edit: Dec 19, 2016 19:30:39 GMT by Fossilfish
Thank fossils for fuel!
1996 Jeep XJ Sport 2.5 Manual
1975 Scimitar 3.0 V6
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Dec 19, 2016 19:36:03 GMT
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Very nice indeed. This stirs quite a few memories of mine Black with Black leather interior and a fair few Abbott Racing goodies.
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steve900
Part of things
Idle & Shiftless
Posts: 85
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Dec 19, 2016 21:15:21 GMT
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Got my first 9000 this year - absolutely love it! Goes like stink and you'd never know it's coming up for 200000 on the clock. My brother was bemoaning how much his newish BMW cost to run for a year - I just laughed as I'd bought my 9000 for less! Guess who has more fun driving?
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Saab 900
Saab 9000
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I have it on good authority that the Saab 9000 seats are the comfiest of any car out there.
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Dec 20, 2016 19:03:00 GMT
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Really like this shape Saab, seems to be a very underrated gentlemans express. Cracking job on bringing it up to scratch. Are the E46 lights a straight fit then? Thank you very much, it has been worth the effort! The e46 lights were fairly easy to do. But they're not for the perfectionist as they don't quite line up perfectly. But for the improvement in light I will happily live with them Oh very very nice. I do like a 9k drove one a few years ago and took off like a scalded cat. Getting to be quite rare now and who could not be impressed by those seats. Cheers - I love the seats. Apparently when new they cost Saab a ridiculous amount per set. Sadly quality like those (and the engines) was part of the reason Saab didn't make enough money building the cars. Loving the Avez alloys on the car and those seats look sublime. I had a 2.0 9000 CSE and the car was very comfy and had some get up and go. Keep the post long we love the ramblings Yes, the Azevs. Ive actually ended up with eight now! They look good on slab sided cars like this and the 944 in my opinion Very nice indeed. This stirs quite a few memories of mine Black with Black leather interior and a fair few Abbott Racing goodies. Thank you. This one actually started out as black with black too. My Saab tech reckoned that's the perfect spec for an Aero.. personally I like the contrast. I wouldn't mind an LSD from Abbotts next year to add a little grip. Although for its power it's pretty well controlled. Got my first 9000 this year - absolutely love it! Goes like stink and you'd never know it's coming up for 200000 on the clock. My brother was bemoaning how much his newish BMW cost to run for a year - I just laughed as I'd bought my 9000 for less! Guess who has more fun driving? That'd be you!  Third gear in this and there's not very much that will keep up.. lots of modern things included. That and the subtlety are always fun. I have it on good authority that the Saab 9000 seats are the comfiest of any car out there. That'd be true! Love 'em |
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Dec 20, 2016 19:29:29 GMT
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Just remembered to mention something else that I have only just got round to doing. Brakes. One of the few things that let's 9000s down every time is the lack of braking. And a car should never go better than it stops, which this one certainly always has. I've tried all sorts of different pads with varying but never much success. I've got used to replacing heat cracked discs every 10,000 miles. I've had flames when they completely gave up at Snetterton. And I've had near complete brake fade on Italian mountains, with girlfriend and go-pro on board too! Hopefully this new set up will be the end of these issues. The conversion consists of the 308mm discs, carriers and calipers from the '02 onwards Saab 9-5 and it gives you a much bigger disc/ pad area to make use of. Whilst in there I have also got new 5.1 fluid and discs/ pads all round. That with braided brakes lines and it's about as much as can be done for under £1000. Here is a picture I've borrowed to show the increase in pad area;  As you can see from these fitted pictures there is absolutely no space left at all!   |
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Dec 20, 2016 19:50:41 GMT
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The 308 brakes are very good, I have them fitted to my 1.8 Vectra (I didn't fit them) certainly stops a lot better than it goes |
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eternaloptimist
Posted a lot
Too many projects, not enough time or space...
Posts: 2,578
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Dec 21, 2016 16:15:06 GMT
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That looks good. Had a 9000 CSE 2.0 lpt which was a good drive. Now in a 9-5 Aero estate stage 3 which is just outstanding fun/value.
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XC70, VW split screen crew cab, Standard Ten
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Dec 28, 2016 23:31:07 GMT
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Really really pleased with the car - have been in it on the move for 16 hours today! Had a big birthday on the Autobahn and scored a treble too..  |
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Lovely 9000! and looks amazing on the Azevs! I had a 9000 Griffin 3.0 v6 about seven years ago now. Fantastic car but it was the GM part that let me down. The engine cut out one day and just never started again  |
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düdo
Part of things
wide as house
Posts: 770
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Dec 30, 2016 22:22:03 GMT
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Nice ride. And those sci-fi seats!
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Just trying out some new shoes..    Very pleased to have got the Superleggeras - lose 5kg unsprung weight at each corner |
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Enjoyed reading your thread. My car is a bit sorry for itself but is being recommissioned as we speak. It's going to be my dry weather fun car. I've had to go sensible and economical for my daily drive to work.
Any issues with the 17 inch wheels, rubbing or harsh ride?
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Nov 12, 2017 19:41:34 GMT
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Enjoyed reading your thread. My car is a bit sorry for itself but is being recommissioned as we speak. It's going to be my dry weather fun car. I've had to go sensible and economical for my daily drive to work. Any issues with the 17 inch wheels, rubbing or harsh ride? Cheers. My car is my daily through out the winter and gives a pretty decent 32mpg + average. No issues with rubbing on the wheels but you will notice the difference in ride. But it's really not bad. I'm really looking forward to getting the Superleggeras on but I only have three at the minute! |
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Nov 12, 2017 21:00:48 GMT
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Driving mine daily for ten years has taken its toll. It was gutting to watch it slowly fall apart. Especially after all the money i spent on it.
I was averaging 34 mpg. Could get 37 at a push.
I'm getting 70 mpg out of my Yaris diesel without even trying. That is helping to pay for the restoration of the Saab.
The 17's do look very cool. I've got the Bilstein B6's with lowering springs. If it was any firmer it would do my head in I think. The roads in Dorset are rubbish.
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May 24, 2019 21:38:57 GMT
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Okay. It’s been a little while since my last post about this car but I am pleased to confirm the next big stage in its life has now started: bodywork. Having owned her for 11 years now with many miles covered, quite a few abroad and some on track too it has proven itself time again. As it reaches towards 200k miles it is time to look after the body the same I’ve looked after the rest of the car - by throwing time, money and new parts at it! Here is what we are starting with. Two new wings which took some serious finding as they ceased production a few years ago and an arch repair panel from Saabits.  Here is the new arch welded in. Guy that did it was a real old school welder who has done a lovely job.  Here is some of the grot still to deal with.  And one of the big jobs. This was done about nine years ago but was never perfect. Hoping for better this time. Will fit a new screen at the same time.  Roof, wings, doors, bumpers and boot will need to be painted too so we’re most of the way to a full respray. |
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Last Edit: May 24, 2019 21:45:20 GMT by mrmoonyman
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