This $1000 Saab Proves You NEVER Have To Buy A New Car Again

I love Volvos. Shifting Lanes loves Volvos. But none of us have ever driven the Volvo's Swedish cousin, a Saab. Until today! Kyle Pancis was nice enough to get in contact and let me drive his 2002 9-3 convertible. But the story behind this car is even cooler than getting to drive it. He bought it for $1000 with a blown engine, and did all the work himself to make an extremely competent daily driver. Proof with a little knowledge you never need to buy a new car ever again.

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Intro - "Bow and Arrow" - T-Mass

#saab #volvo #projectcar

[QvistJr]

My father and mother worked in the Saab factory from 1972 - 2012 until the bankruptcy. The factory is running it hasn't been producing as in the Saab days, but new cars might be coming soon I think 2020 from the new owner. The 2005 Saab's got the GM threatment they downsised the oil pump that backfired quite hard. I think personally the best years are 2001-02 Saab 9-5 wagon. I personally do prever in vector trim if there still are cars left. At that time I drove one of those cars from factory fresh I received the car when it had 20 km on the dial and left it back when it had 4000 km that I drove during a month. If I do remember it correctly the Saab 9-3 Viggen was manufactured in Finland as of the convertibles at the time. I don't exactly remember what year when they changed the convertibles for being manufactured in Sweden. The midrange punch was the idéa behind safe driving if you think about overtaking it's better for that kind of driving. I read that they have a joint venture with Koenigsegg so how these cars will be I don't know.

[nickpathoffman]

Hey there. North Jersey guy here as well! Picked up.a 97 Saab 900 se turbo convertible 5 speed. Paid1500 had a ton of work done and love it!!

[richsackett]

How to keep your SAAB 9-3 from sludging:

1. Remove turbo heat shield and toss it in the trash. It is doing nothing but concentrating heat on the motor. Ditto with the plastic dealie that sits on top.

2. Wrap the catalytic converters. Both of them, all the way up the turbo flange.

3. Use only premium synthetic motor oil.

[sippigrrrl]

I'm a Saab girl, my current being a 2001 9-3 Viggen convertible. I've also owned two 2000 Honda Civic Sis, the ones with 160 horsepower with a 1.6 normally-aspirated engine that was available to the public at the time, but they were both stolen, the second before my license plate even came in the mail. That car was amazingly fun to drive, and the shifting was just… perfect. But, I was still a Saab girl at heart. I had driven a 1999 coupe (that was before they "detuned" it in the first three gears to cut down on the truly uncontrollable torque steer), but when I was test driving it, the salesman who rode with me told me to "watch [my] speed, " and I looked down and I was going very close to 100 mph! I knew I’d get into trouble, and kept my base 1999 9-3. But, about two years ago, my fiancé – knowing that was my dream car above all others – sniped one off eBay for a bit over $3000. We flew to Tampa to pick it up, and drove it home. We haven't had any major issues, but I do envy you, because it seems that you have plenty of sources for used parts and facilities to repair a Saab. I live in New Orleans, so if I run into trouble needing to be towed, I need to go to Houston or Memphis. There is a bit of body flex going over railroad tracks, or even just the crappy roads that are rampant in the "Big Sleazy." But, my Viggen has 235 horsepower from a 2.3L engine, and a higher-output turbo and a better intercooler. It has about 137, 000 miles, uses no oil – full synthetic all the time – but, MAN! Can that car GO!!! I can be in the most horrible mood, and get into my car, get onto the freeway, and be comfortably at 75 mph before I need to merge! The sound of the turbo spooling up brings a huge smile to my face every single time. But, my disadvantage is that Saabs of any year are SO RARE down here that nearly every time we see another one on the road, we both honk at each other. I lived in Minnesota from 1994 until 2007, and they were EVERYWHERE! As it is, I still have to call a friend up there who owns a Citroen, and he'll put me on a three-way call to his Saab guy, so he can tell me what to do if something weird happens. But, I'm taking it to Houston sometime soon, and getting a 6-point subframe brace and new motor and tranny mounts put on, so, yeah, in my part of the world, it's getting hard to find (used) parts for them, and I want to put the E-code headlights on, but I have to find a used set, because Sweden won't send them if the car will be driven in North America. But, I love my car. I can honestly say I've never cried from happiness until my fiancé showed me the pic of what he got me on eBay. I seriously lost it, I didn't believe people could cry from happiness, but I know now! My brother lives in Baltimore; if I'm ever in the area with my car, I'll send both of y'all messages and you can drive one of the 738 2001 Viggen convertibles that were made, it may just convert you :-)

[chandlerflint]

I own a 2004 9-3 convertible 2.0 liter turbo and it’s my favorite car I’ve owned so far it’s sad they don’t make Saab’s anymore

[GordonBenny]

I have a 2007 9-3 Convertible, 6 speed manual. 3" downpipe with a sports CAT, 2 1/2" exhaust system all SS. Uprated Maptun clutch, oil free foam air filter, 18" alloys. It's mapped to, 287BHP, 293 FTLB torque. It's 100% perfectly driveable.
Only has 83, 000 on the clock, full service history, interior is mint, bodywork almost perfect.
I'm keeping this amazing car until it's a museum piece.

[TrueSenseForever]

Saab is a underated beautiful car. I have the same one. But hatchback. Not convertible and many people are shocked by how fast it can move. Put up the boost just a little bit and that thing moves very quick without mods

[CardboardSliver]

I've owned both Saab and Volvo. Swedespeed for life!

[brettkramer]

Kudos to Kyle for rebuilding in his driveway. I attempted swap my manual trans in my parking lot and it's a big, big job, which I didn't finish. Still have my Saab and love driving it, they're heavy duty great running cars.

[steventhompson]

I've just upgraded the turbo on my 2001 saab 93 to the td04hl15t and it totally insane now. The way it puts the power down is completely mental
😀

[BruceTheSpruce]

I have owned an OG 9-3, NG 9-3 and now 9-5 Aero, and I recommend the latter due to best built quality, more room and better options (although the NG 9-3 has less rust issues). The 9-5 Wagon is super spacious but even if it weighs ALOT for a car like this, it hauls very quickly!

[stratplayr]

My wife & I own a 2005 Saab 9.3 convertible. Excellent car & a joy to drive. Just our fun car now (not a daily driver), we do not foresee ever getting rid of it.

[chijen]

I have a SAAB 9-3 5-Door Maptun Stage 2 (230 hp) and a Ferrari California (490 hp). I can say with all honesty that the steering feel of the SAAB and the Ferrari are pretty close. I realize one is FWD and the other is RWD, but the steering feel is about the same. The Ferrari is actually a little lighter and the SAAB steering is a little bit more communicative. Blows my mind when my carbon fiber LED steering wheel alone in the Ferrari costs many times more than the SAAB itself.

My SAAB engine is very smooth. It doesn’t vibrate like your Vert. A 5 door is just stiffer. I have found that the Liqui Moly Ceratec helps a lot with the engine smoothness too.

[johnschillo]

I just bought a 2007 9-3 (12 years old) with only 23K miles. Perfect!

[lewisstone]

I had a 9000. I loved that car..when it ran. I bought it used - it was 3 years old. I paid $11000 for it. Over the next 3 years I put another $11, 000 in it. Then one more expensive thing broke and then traded it. My wife said I could get any car I wanted ...as long as it was a Volvo. And that is my Saab Story

[Jandejongjong]

2.3 viggen
270hp

Just stage 1 software

No hardware mods


Check the 9-5 2.3 aero stage 1 software


The newer 9-3 2.8
300hp
Stage 1 software

No hardware mods

[PeterChomanic]

Finally a proper SAAB time on this channel :) and not only a flash of some SAAB in the background of Carlisle :D

[joshuaregula]

So I just got a 02 9-3 convertible for a cool $600 and it turns out my dog hates the wind. What's that cover thing for the back seat?

[familytravelgunsclaudia]

Saab's are awesome! That's so awesome that you rebuild your Saab... I own a 1995 900 S with a 2.3 engine. I bought it for $450.00. And my car drives like a dream.

[hausmeisterengineering]

Dude kinda got ripped off. You can get running examples of this car for $1000 bucks all day.