This Is The Only Way: Two 1994 Saab 9000 Aeros
The Saab 9000 is definitely one of the easiest, fastest, and cheapest cars to modify that hardly any people know about. Unfortunately, these cars have largely disappeared the road and Saab has gone paws up. A number of 9000 parts are extremely difficult to find or are NLA (no longer available) at this point. The best way to combat this is to have a parts car handy. Today’s cars are less than 30 miles from one another and when put together could make a entertaining ride (better that I write this here than try to convince my wife of this…). Find this 1994 Saab 9000 Aero parts car and this second 1994 Saab 9000 Aero for sale by two different sellers. The cars are located in the Northwest CT area for about $2,000 total via craigslist.
The black Saab 9000 is said to run and drive, but needs a new battery along with a cooling fan to be an every day driver. The seller notes it having a rebuilt Erickson 5 speed transmission. The car comes with three sets of wheels including a very desirable set of 16″ Aeros that are coveted by every pre-1994 Saab 900 owner.
The engine shows appears to show the offending cooling fan and extra red ignition cassette modules. A genuine Thule roof rack is also included in the sale. A stage 1 tune of the Trionic 5 ECU only runs $200 and turns these into a highway passing monster. If you add a 3″ exhaust, open intake, and a more aggressive ECU tune yields 300+ hp with a stock td04 turbo.
The eucalyptus green Aero parts car does not have a price listed so best to show up with a trailer and five Benjamins likely takes it home depending on how hard you negotiate. The car was a daily driver until last year when the New England road salt took its final toll on the frame rails and rear shock mounts. Maintenance records are available from 2003-2016 so it should be mechanically solid and a great resource for the other 9000.
See another car that requires a parts car to keep it road worthy? email tips@dailyturismo.com
Cory is working on the e-brake system of his 1995 Mercedes C36 AMG
$2000 seems steep for a Thule rack.
Downside of the pre-96 models is the implementation of the TCS / drive by wire system. Can be cured / removed using 96+ parts/throttle body bits.
We've got a '95 that we purchased from the original owner with about 82k mi on the clock two+ years ago. Been a great car, though need to do a bit of pre-emptive work around the windshield 'to keep it out of the cabbage' as there appear to be some factory-related issues with the seals – youtube.com/watch?v=zylGufaIEGw. Should anyone purchase – be sure to check behind the ground effect plastic cladding for any unwanted oxidation.
Zach- I had a stage 1 Mike D tune on my 98 9000 and it hauled ass. Highly recommend his services for the cost involved.
It's an Aero – I need to prob do the dogbone/mounts before a stage one, but will give it a look.