Excellent car back in the day with fabulous proper Saab engines some high pressure turbo versions being very lively indeed for the period. I had a 9000cs 2.0 light pressure turbo that still had good performance and not terrible economy (30+ish mpg, managed 36mpg on long European trip). Seats are outstanding. Mine was a fantastic very long distance cruiser - did Munich from Blighty in one go, not a twinge! Boot takes a washing machine without dropping the seats.

Points to check:-

• Rust rust and rust - most have died because of tin worm, they are rather prone. Some still seem to be surprisingly good though
• Ignition system can be an issue both the earlier distributor cap/leads or the later coil pack module. Not a show stopper but something to look out for. Not sure if it's the position on the engine that makes it susceptible.
• Auto box can be fragile but if it has a service history with numerous gearbox oil changes they last the test of time.
• Check interiors thoroughly.

Edited by Big John on 02/09/2024 at 18:23

I understand that the 9000 was one of the last 'true' Saabs before the 'cloned Vectra' 9-5.

Depends on how you look at it. The 9000 was part of a joint project between Saab, Lancia, Fiat and Alfa Romeo. The Alfa (164) did look completely different, but I believe the front and rear doors of the 9000, Lancia Thema and Fiat Croma are actually interchangeable!. Yes, Saab did a lot of engineering (mainly strengthening, as the Swede's felt it too weak) to the basic structure and it did use Saab's own engines apart from at the very end (where a GM V6 was offered). But IMO, as a Saab fan, the classic 900 was the last "proper" Saab.

Which engine is in the car you are looking at?

My father owned a manual Saab 9000, which he purchased used when it was about 3-4 years old. I loved how it accelerated—it was truly a joy to drive. The car felt incredibly solid and well-built, almost like a tank, with every component feeling like a solid piece of metal. However, owning a Saab comes with the need for a reliable network of mechanics. When we took it to the Saab main dealer, they handed us a six-page list of repairs. We declined to do the repairs. We then went to an independent Saab specialist for some of the work, but they ended up being disappointing. Badly advising us to use reconditioned parts, rather then buying one ones.

The local independent mechanic was okay, but they didn’t work on enough Saabs to develop the necessary expertise and support us in a good way.

Of course, nowadays, there’s more help and support available online.

Eventually, the car broke down and wouldn’t start, even though it had low mileage. It may have been the clutch or something. The buyer came with a two truck came and ended up buying it from my dad, but I’m not sure if the buyers ever made it back on the road.

If you’re thinking about buying one, my advice is to make sure you have reliable mechanic support, access to parts, and be prepared for the associated costs.

Edited by Warning on 02/09/2024 at 18:56