Build thread: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/1996-saab-9000-aero-new-dd/55627/page1/
- 1996 Saab 9000 Aero
- 5spd
- 280,001 miles
- Imola Red/Black
- Located in Waterbury, VT
This car runs strong and always has. I've "known" this car since 220k, and owned it from 226k to 260k and from 265k until now, it has been extremely dependable in that time. It does, however, need its fair share of TLC. Inspected in the state of Vermont through December. Over this winter all 3 lower engine mounts were replaced, last summer saw the right rear caliper and water pump, and the winter before that I did the radiator and serpentine belt + tensioner & idler pulleys and ignition switch.
The bad. Needs ASAP:
- Left rear caliper sticking burned through the pads, has been metal on metal for a while.
- Right outer CV boot open, axle beginning to bind intermittently.
Things that will need to be addressed at some point:
- The trans has had a whine and slight grind in 3rd gear for the past 60k miles
- The clutch, while perfectly happy on the stock ECU, does slip with a tuned ECU making 20PSI
- Cracked windshield
- The left rear shock tower is beginning to show some rust, but is still solid at this time. The front jack points have been repaired.
- Exhaust manifold gasket leaks
- Plenty of oil leaks
- A suspension clunk or two, too
- CEL is on with the original ECU, P0420 - Catalytic converter efficiency below threshold. Little aftermarket 3" cat.
- Right rear door doesn't open from either side. I removed the panel and seat bottom on that side to investigate and got no further than that. Right front door only opens from the inside (typical 9000 stuff).
- Sunroof reportedly went SNAP and needed help closing during the year I had sold it to a friend and it hasn't been opened since. I have a good complete sunroof assembly to include.
- Tachometer works intermittently (typical 9000)
The ugly:
- Rust in both rear wheel arches, left fender, etc. Nothing bad, but it's there and visble.
- Drivers seat well worn, right rear has a seam blown out
- Dash top cracked
- Will have a crappy grille (keeping the good one for my new 9000)
- Aero front valence cracked under the right fog light, but in above average condition
- It's generally a 280k mile car...
Now the fun stuff!
- Koni adjustable dampers all around
- B&G springs
- SAS swaybars
- SAS rear spring spacers not installed but included (evens out "reverse rake")
- Turbo back exhaust consisting of a stainless Group9 downpipe mated to a locally made cat back. The cat back... is kinda crap. 2.5" over the rear axle, hangers don't line up, muffler hits rear suspension.
- EIIIUSA FMIC
- Clear corner lights and smoked fender lights
- Sunpro boost gauge on the A pillar dates to my 18 year old self... but it works.
- Will have crappy open intake in the engine bay
- A/C has been removed
- Comes with one of two ECUs, your choice. I have the original, never altered ECU for the car that runs fine. Or I have a Stage 3 tuned ECU with T7 BPC conversion and downstream O2 sensor deactivated. Makes ~20PSI, which the clutch no longer holds. Also has no CEL due to the deactivated O2.
- You also have the choice of one of two set of wheels and tires. Either the 15" "Directional" wheels with Gislaved snow tires that are on it, or a set of 16" Aeros with mediocre but runnable all seasons.
I'm being very critical of this car, and probably making it sound worse than it is. I want to be completely transparent about anything it needs - nobody likes that kind of surprise. With an axle and a caliper, this would be a perfectly reasonable and safe cheap car. Add a new clutch and the tuned ECU and it gets pretty quick, too 
Pictures taken yesterday. It's filthy and in dire need of a detail.
Left wheel arch:
Left fender:
Right wheel arch:
And, FWIW, the paint does clean up to be pretty presentable. This was taken last summer:
Looking for $1500, obo.
I'm probably forgetting stuff, will update if I think of anything.
