Saab 9000?

[Regdorpten]

At the risk of prompting outrage, consternation, banishment, etc I am considering replacing my 1995 XM 2.0 CT with a 1995 Saab 9000 2.3 Ecopower if I can get it dirt cheap. Has anybody had experience of this car?

I'll probably end up sticking with the XM because of lack of funds but I'm beginning to resent the scarred knuckles, oil-caked fingernails and lost weekends that go with ownership (and the fact that the car has been dented twice in a month by eedjits).

Yes, I know it's way uglier than the XM...

[Dean]

Hi

Nice car, the heads are prone to cracking and as always parts are expensive, i think i had to cough up £300 for a radiator at one point , pretty quick car though as it will run off the 140mph clocks no bother, most 2,3's are well spec'd.
I loved mine even though it isnt as pretty as the xm and didnt handle as well either but they are well built and comfy thats for sure.

D

[Peter.N.]

Don't do it, you will regret it. I have tried all manner of cars and nothing comes near the XM for comfort and space, and with the 2.1, fuel economy. Of course if these things don't matter to you you could be very happy. I have bought a BMW 5 series, nice to drive but that's where it ends, fortunately I still have two XMs

Peter

[citroenxm]

Saab 9000 is part of the Type 4 Italian Platform... which really DOES mean Rust, and I have seen rusty ones.. however, engines strong, Id not heard of Poor heads though..

Hard ride to match the super power engine, so noooooooooooooo dont do it...!!!!!

Paul

PS: I do though my self LOVE the Mark 1 2.oi 16v Turbo 9000 with 175bhp..

[jorgy]

Hi

I love the looks of the 9000 (btw, once, a non-car savvy friend of mine asked me if my XM was a Saab, having in mind I guess the 9000...very similar wedgy shapes!).

It's a very good car in most respects except one, where it scores "poor", unfortunately: suspension. In fact, Citroen's strongest point is this car's weakest point. Compared to the XM, it's like day and night. It's...how can I say...mmm..it's "the opposite", in this respect. Suffice to say it has a live axle at the rear, probably with a Panhard connecting rod.

I know it looks great and sporty (to me at least) but, handling-wise, u should think of it as a dressed-up Volvo 740 Turbo or 460. *That* generation of Volvos. All this that stopped with the very good 850.

Now, chances are, in daily driving in Britain, u won't realise much of the difference -it'll be however noticeably less comfortable-. So, I'd say, gauge your needs, and decide. I, could never buy one. Still remember my dad's 460 rear swaying off the straight line when it fell into deeper pot-hole type bumps or anything more complex than a single, not repeated, bump or hole. In one case, pootling along at 50mph, the rear really moved away *so* much, that my dad needed doing a bit of reverse-steering to continue going straight....The only thing that I imagine saves the day in the 9000 2.3T specifically, is that it'll have way harder springing+damping, so the effect of the Panhard bar will be very atenuated.

cheers
George

[Regdorpten]

Well it got away anyway. £560 for one with 144k miles, a full engine rebuild at 122k, and full service history. Thast's not far off XM prices.

I really need another XM to replace mine. It's one thing after another at the moment and I fear the manifold gasket will need to be done before the next MOT. I just don't have the time or technical skill to tackle that.

[citroenxm]

But of a plug here, I got a 1994 M reg S1.5 Auto LPG Injection one nearly ready, just needs MOT, LOTS of stuff done to her, posted else were on here, including an engine swap, New transmission fluid, new spheres, new exhaust, nearly new strut tops..... new cam belt, waterpump, track rod end..... etc etc... just need to book MOT!

Paul

Oh, and leather, and wood centre console, plus electric arm rest too....

[Regdorpten]

I know, Paul, I know....

I've been kicking myself ever since Steelcity Steve sold it to you and I am very interested in buying it from you

LPG would be very very nice -- the CT's costing me a fortune in petrol

Matt

[citroenxm]

Reg,

Thats not me, This car is NOT steel Citys car..... mine another one.. wont be any were near as much as his was, but thats reflected in how nice his was, it I saw it at Wetherby.. VERY tidy indeed..

Mine wont be any show winner, but as a daily user, should do the job well!!!

Paul

[Regdorpten]

Sounds like you've been busy. Any more details or pix?