Faults:

The braking system had some minor issues such as failures in hoses, bleeding, and electronic ignition components, nothing of vital importance.

Although it's robust, being a classic, finding specific parts (like original racing kits) is a challenge, and the quality of British components isn't the best. It's not a Ford or a Vauxhall; finding spare parts isn't easy, and they're expensive, like all Saab parts.

As for maintenance, it's generally a very reliable car, but it does require strict maintenance, and it's best if it's done by a specialist from the Swedish brand.

The air conditioning, while it never had any problems, didn't cool very well, and the heating was hotter than an oven. It's clear this was a car designed for the Swedish or Scandinavian climate.

General Comments:

Besides being robust and well-built (it never had a rust problem in over 30 years), the car was very safe and easy to handle, two virtues that were not easy to find in cars from the early 80s. My previous car was a Peugeot 505, which is well known for being comfortable and reliable; little to nothing can compare with the 99. The Swedish car surpassed it in every way (and that wasn't an easy task).

Its stability is excellent; the handling is quite neutral for a front-wheel-drive car, since its engine, although longitudinally mounted, is positioned directly over the front axle, with the transmission located under the engine. This makes the overall ride height relatively high, but because it has a very wide track, the height-to-width ratio is normal. It's even curious that there are no anti-roll bars, yet the car corners remarkably flat, with hardly any body roll.

The steering, aside from being slightly slow for very spirited driving—which isn't typical of a car in the 99's class—is delightful to use: precise, as with any rack and pinion system, and very smooth, even when parking. However, what impressed me most was the extreme smoothness of its return to center: without any jerking of the accelerator or engine braking, as is quite typical in front-wheel-drive cars, and without the slightest harshness.

The brakes are excellent. I certainly didn't subject them to any excessively harsh tests, but based on how they perform, they are more than adequate.

The driving position is perfectly adjustable. The seats, already superb in terms of lateral support and, above all, their ergonomic design, have a couple of improvements for the driver: electric heating (which activates automatically when the ignition is switched on if the temperature is below 14 degrees Celsius) and height and tilt adjustment. In other words, not only can you adjust the distance to the steering wheel and pedals and the backrest angle, but also the seat height and tilt. Because the distance to the steering wheel and pedals is well-balanced and the gearshift lever has a very short throw, a perfect driving position can be found for any size driver.

Finally, I'll talk about the mechanics. It's a robust car and quite quiet, considering it's a very old model.

The engine, with its very square profile, runs with exemplary smoothness and silence. It revs to 6500 rpm without complaint, even well beyond its maximum power output. It always starts on the first try, and in just a few seconds, the choke can be almost completely bypassed.

The power isn't extraordinary, but the engine's flexibility certainly is. From below 1500 rpm the engine pulls impressively, all the way up to 5500 rpm; the next 1000 rpm are taken more slowly, as if it's lacking breath.

Thanks to its efficient aerodynamics, fuel consumption is not too high, although it is certainly not a fuel-efficient car; it is simply on par with any 2.0 engine of its time.

I don't think it's a car for everyday use these days, but anyone who has owned one surely enjoyed it as much as I did.

Faults:

Exhaust is currently a combination of parts from 900's including a 9000 flexi pipe.

Loose wire to fan causing overheating.

Cylinder head threads for manifold have stripped, soon to be replaced.

New alternator.

General Comments:

An awesome machine!

Our 99T has led a sheltered life having lived on an old lady's drive for 15 years. It was purchased by a friend to restore who happens to own a garage. The car itself was bought from the said lady, brakes freed and then put in for an MOT for which it failed only on headlights.

Since we have bought it, not much has been done with regards to restoration due to lack of space (currently have a 900 T16S having a full rebuild and mods to take to around 300bhp, bye bye gearbox!). The car will then be lovingly restored with the addition of a stainless steel exhaust minus the huge backbox! After that, we have a 900T16S Convertible to go in.

Anyway, as for the 99T. This car never ceases to amaze me. Firstly, this car changed motoring history by utilising the full potential of a turbocharger for normal day use. Secondly it is such a beautiful machine! It is a 2 door in red (one of a approx. 400 in that colour I believe).

It is such a pleasure to drive, with the quirky offset steering wheel and the looks from other drivers and pedestrians. It has a commanding presence on the road, especially as those Inca alloys are mesmorising!

My only gripe is the seats. They are very comfortable, but they don't hold you so well when enthusiastic cornering takes place!

As for performance... what can I say? For an old car, this thing really moves. 145bhp and 174lbs ft of torque through a 4-speed gearbox is great fun. Around town it can be quite sluggish, however once at cruising speed this car can pull away from a lot of modern cars with ease. It can sit at 80mph all day although as the revs are high at this speed, I tend to sit at 60mph, enjoying the drive and knowing that I am driving piece of history.

Finally, I must justify my cost markings. Although this car hasn't cost much as far as parts go, it eats the petrol. Especially if you have an enthusiastic right foot, however on a long journey whilst taking it easy, I have managed approx 32-35mpg.

I love this car and it will take a lot of money to prise it away!