All the cars I’ve ever bought
Saab 9000
Why did you Want one?
It was 2005 and I’d come into a small windfall. I wanted a performance saloon to replace the Rover 800 Coupé that I’d just sold, and after ruling out a ropey E34-era BMW M5, I decided to go for a Saab 9000 Aero instead. With 230bhp combined with understated looks, these were – and are – brilliant Q-cars capable of surprising just about anyone. But more than that, I’ve always liked Saab’s design – even when based on an Italian platform – and the slightly cerebral image that these cars have. Finding the best one at the time involved lots of research, joining the Saab Owners’ Club, and then a trip to the Isle of Wight to bring this one home, sight unseen. And do you know what? It was worth all the effort.
Was it a nightmare or a joy or to live With?
This one was an absolute joy to live with. From the brilliant seating position, to the fact that everything worked as it should, even though it was ten years old at the time, it was a pleasure to have on my drive. I should say that I still have this car, although it’s the third time I’ve owned it, and it’s in my lockup right now following muchneeded full body restoration. There were times it irritated me, especially when the windscreen surround rusted through (blame poorly-fitted replacement glass) and the headlining sagged like the inside of a Bedouin tent, but the most comedic time was when it cut out on the A14 following the failure of its Direct Ignition pack. But as they say, they all do that, sir.
What’s your abiding memory of it?
Its speed – there’s no other way of saying it. It’s almost supercar quick between 30mph and 100mph. Okay, so it may have visited Abbott Racing in Suffolk several times and might possibly have been remapped and had a larger stainless steel exhaust fitted, but I couldn’t possibly comment… The happiest time in it was a family holiday to Italy during which we scooted up to 150mph in Germany and zipped around the mountain passes in the Apennines. There were sad times, such as the pain of getting its windscreen sorted, and later seeing its body and paint go to rack and ruin, but seeing it now, looking like a million dollars, all shiny and restored, makes up for them.
What are your top tips for buying one today?
The main one is to make friends with a good Saab specialist. Although parts supplies for Saabs are still good – despite the company having gone bang in 2011 – there’s not the expertise for them out there that there used to be. So, find a specialist who knows these cars inside-out and stick with them. Also, join the Saab Owners’ Club, and become part of the community. In terms of things to watch out for, it’s a reasonably short list. Make sure that the gearbox works as it should; if it jumps out of reverse or fourth gear, you’re staring down the barrel of a full rebuild. Rust hits them, too – so check the front and rear wheel arches, the rear of the sills under the body side skirts and especially sunroof and windscreen surrounds. Central door locking and other random electrical issues can strike – some are easy to sort, but most tend to be quite fiddly. Finally, most 9000s have almost certainly been modified, so make sure that any additional power has been extracted correctly and that the suspension and brakes are up to the task. Go on, ask me how I know…