I've realized that the Saab 9000 is a very anonymous-looking vehicle

"Someone Else's Projects" (someoneelsesproject)
02/07/2014 at 00:27 • Filed to: None

Here's what mine looks like with ordinary alloys and a smattering of snow. Nothing stands out about it; in fact you could almost mistake it for a Volvo. Perfect sleeper, to be sure, but there is an inner attention whore within me that wants to be noticed. Luckily I have a 96 to satisfy that urge as soon as the winter goes away.

DISCUSSION (19)

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Someone Else's Projects
02/07/2014 at 00:38

Don't these share a platform with the 164?

TFen > Someone Else's Projects
02/07/2014 at 00:42

Aren't sleepers supposed to be fast? :p

Someone Else's Projects > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
02/07/2014 at 01:21

Yup; hard to tell, but I did manage to get close to one and take some pictures: http://forums.finalgear.com/post-your-car/…

Someone Else's Projects > TFen
02/07/2014 at 01:23

Oof you cruel cruel person :P. It did get dynoed at 260-odd HP and 300-odd lb-ft at the wheels, so it's almost there. For a 3200-lb car it's not bad at all, though of course FWD and an open diff are limitations.

Hoccy > Someone Else's Projects
02/07/2014 at 01:31

Well, at least you have the hatch, the sedan was even more sleepy.

Kinja'd!!!

Storz > Someone Else's Projects
02/07/2014 at 06:55

That gen came with the TD04 stock right? My 9-5 has the wienie little GT17....for now.

Zac Estrada > Someone Else's Projects
02/07/2014 at 08:48

Kinja'd!!!

It might be the sleepiest Saab, which is why the 9000 Aero is probably my all-time favorite.

Well, that and the Turbo X.

David Hume > Zac Estrada
02/07/2014 at 09:05

Zac, that is not a Saab 9000, that is actually a Tatra Frontegra-X. Few people know that Tatra briefly dabbled again in the car market in the mid 90's. This particular one was powered by a 3 liter 5 cylinder horizontally-opposed compound piston 2-stroke diesel mounted under the passenger's seat. You can't tell by the angle of the shot, but the car has 5 wheels - a special spiked retracting inclement condition drive wheel that retracts from the trunk area, between the two rear wheels to provide grip in snow and ice. What is really fascinating about this car is that it if fabricated out of glass-reinforced neoprene, and requires positive pressure inside the car to maintain its shape. Russia ordered 25,000 of these to serve as official vehicles, and Tatra was halfway through building the factory when the order was cancelled due to the fact that Boris Yeltsin signed the purchase order while sleepwalking. Amazing car.

Someone Else's Projects > Hoccy
02/07/2014 at 09:34

Agreed; squint and it could be any of a number of big 90s European sedans.

Someone Else's Projects > Storz
02/07/2014 at 09:42

Yup, the Aeros came with TD04 stock, while the others came with Garrett T3 or T25s. Planning a swap?

Storz > Someone Else's Projects
02/07/2014 at 09:53

Once the stock turbo on mine goes I'll swap it, if I don't get rid of the car first.

Davevq > Someone Else's Projects
02/07/2014 at 10:50

Kinja'd!!!

I love my 2004 9-5 Aero. Just crossed over 135,000 miles and still has plenty of life to go. But I love the 9000 Aero's too, those seats are so comfortable and the T5 can just take a tower of power with no problem.

Official Witch of Los Angeles > Someone Else's Projects
02/07/2014 at 19:51

Wait, did I just find out where all the Saab freaks hang out on Gawker sites?

Uh, hi. If you'll take me, I'm a 20-something lady with a 2001 9-3 currently plagued by a dying ABS module. Hello, how are you, help me, etc.

Saabriety, 10 years now. > Official Witch of Los Angeles
02/08/2014 at 01:22

Is the ABS light on?

Who diagnosed the failing ABS module?

How much do you have as far as tools and skills?

Youtube has the solutions in a quite handy video format, for most common issues.

Someone Else's Projects > Official Witch of Los Angeles
02/08/2014 at 01:44

Oh yes, there's a not-so-secret Saab sect here. Not sure about how to fix your ABS module though; I'll let someone more expert chime in.

TFen > Someone Else's Projects
02/08/2014 at 09:22

No, that's actually very respectable. I was just having some fun haha

Official Witch of Los Angeles > Saabriety, 10 years now.
02/08/2014 at 18:07

I diagnosed it by chatting with my dad, who used to be a Saab certified tech back in the day, and by looking up my symptoms online. Basically, I get the warning chime, a bunch of warning lights turn on, and the speedo stops working. It initially would to that and return to normal a few seconds later, but now it comes on and stays on. Sucks not having a speedo during half of my commute.

I have no tools or skills. My boyfriend is the handy tool dude but he has no experience with Saabs.

Saabriety, 10 years now. > Official Witch of Los Angeles
02/08/2014 at 19:27

http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthr…

Forums are really helpful.

Here is the Youtube:

Saabriety, 10 years now. > Official Witch of Los Angeles
02/08/2014 at 19:28

And don't call us freaks.