Why fixing one of the rarest Saab 900 Turbos cost so little — and why this video is a must-watch for anyone who ever admired Scandinavian engineering.
The Saab video every true enthusiast should see
When The Car Wizard — a seasoned YouTube mechanic with over 1.2 million followers — spotlighted a 1988 Saab 900 Turbo SIS (Springtime in Sweden edition), he did more than just fix a broken cruise control. He gave Saab’s most eccentric convertible a proper mechanical appreciation on camera. This wasn’t just a nod to Saab’s quirky legacy — it was a technical walkthrough every Saab enthusiast will want to bookmark.
With only 288 examples of this special edition built, and this one in immaculate shape with 73,000 miles, the video gives us a front-row seat to one of the last surviving specimens in this condition.
The $100 cruise control mystery, solved
Let’s cut to the main issue: this car landed in the shop because the cruise control wasn’t working. While others might panic over obscure electronics, Car Wizard’s team tracked the problem to a faulty brake switch that tricked the ECU into thinking the brakes were always applied.
Result? Cruise wouldn’t engage, and brake lights didn’t work.
The fix cost just $100. And that’s what makes the video compelling — it’s not about the cost, but how Saab designed interlinked safety systems long before it became industry standard.
Saab’s flipped drivetrain still baffles newcomers
One of the highlights of the video is watching Car Wizard explain the reversed longitudinal engine layout, where the transmission, differential, and oil pan are all in one unit under the engine. For Saab lovers, this is familiar territory. But seeing a mechanic show it with clarity and respect — and lift the car to expose how it all fits — is worth the runtime alone.
Even seasoned Saab wrenchers in the comments chimed in: “Still the easiest clutch job in the business” — a claim backed by mechanics doing it in under 45 minutes.
Watch the full Saab 900 SIS repair and review on YouTube:
Interior deep dive: Scandinavian quirks in full display
Mrs. Wizard took over the cabin tour, revealing all the eccentric touches: ignition key between the seats, classic Saab boost gauge, a pristine dash with integrated notepad holder, and those infamous glovebox cupholders. A few sharp-eyed commenters corrected minor details — yes, the passenger seat is heated, but automatically via an internal thermostat.
More than features, the condition of the interior amazed viewers — factory Clarion head unit, tight stitching, uncracked plastics. In a world of digitized dashboards, this was a cockpit for drivers, not just passengers.
What the comments say — and why it matters
This video sparked hundreds of comments, many from Saab owners and ex-mechanics sharing stories. One viewer recalled surviving a 50 mph T-bone accident in a 900 Turbo. Another remembered watching their dealership mechanics scramble every time a Saab rolled in.
Highlights from the comments:
- “A Saab 900 Turbo saved my life.”
- “This was designed by engineers, not bean counters.”
- “Clutch swap in under an hour? Only on a Saab.”
- “Built like an aircraft, because Saab built aircraft.”
The video isn’t just entertainment — it’s a time capsule and group therapy session for those who miss when cars had personality, and Saab led that charge.
The SIS package — and why it matters to collectors
What makes this SIS edition worth a feature?
- SPG lower cladding in black
- Gray interior with badge on glovebox
- 3-spoke wheels unique to this edition
- Limited production: only 288 built
The video underscores how this wasn’t just a cosmetic package — it was a celebration of Saab’s identity: functional, minimal, and proud of its quirks.
From video reveal to auction success
After the video premiered in late September 2024, interest in this particular car surged. It was clear that viewers recognized the rarity and preserved condition of this Saab 900 SIS. On October 29, 2024, it sold for $23,333 on Bring a Trailer, confirming that collector-grade Saabs still command attention — and serious bids.
The detailed walkthrough by The Car Wizard likely helped elevate buyer trust, as it clearly documented the car’s condition, originality, and recent repairs. For Euro Asian Bob, it wasn’t just about listing a rare car — it was about presenting it with transparency and mechanical respect, something many sellers overlook.
Today, this Saab likely lives in the garage of a well-informed enthusiast who saw the value in owning one of the cleanest surviving SIS Convertibles in North America.
Once on the lift, the undercarriage revealed no rust, new brakes, new shocks, and a flawless subframe. For a 35-year-old convertible, that’s rare. For a Saab 900 SIS? It’s borderline miraculous.
The car was listed on Bring a Trailer, where Euro Asian Bob hoped to find a buyer who actually understood what made this car special. And thanks to The Car Wizard, tens of thousands now do.
Another high-priced Saab 900 Cabriolet on the market
While the Car Wizard’s $100 Saab 900 Convertible raised eyebrows, there is now another classic 900 Cabriolet making waves in Norway. This time, it’s a 1992 Saab 900 Turbo S Aero Cabriolet, showing 227,000 km and carrying a bold asking price of €17,000. The car is offered by Auto Tjuvholmen, a former Saab dealer, and comes with documented maintenance and additional equipment. Enthusiasts will recognize the Turbo S badge and signature aero details as some of the most desirable features of the late-model 900s. The listing has already sparked discussion about whether such a high-mileage Saab can justify its collector-level price tag. You can read the full breakdown in our dedicated article here
I have an 88 turbo vert, no Springtime though. But awesome to drive nevertheless!
And interestingly, brake light switch broke yesterday on mine…
The Americans took saabs into their hearts from the sonnet onwards from what I can tell. To quote a childhood song….. ‘too good to be forgotten, now what more can I say’ 🙂
Car is made in finland but al lot of people don’t know it i guess. The later 9-3 from 2004 til half 2011 came from Austria build by Magna-Steyer in Graz.
Im in Wichita KS and saw this car! It was owned by Euroasian Bob and was an incredible find.
i got three of these, 5 k each and already tuned 250hp and road ready..not True btw , one is only cabrio
23k , i love saab but ..cant be true
The photo of the badge indicates where the badge is supposed to be. That’s where I’ve seen it on all examples, and I’ve seen my share. I’m curious as to why it’s in the center of the glovebox door in the video. I also see no evidence in the door padding that it was once on the left. The photo is not of this car. On the car, either the door was replaced, and the badge relocated on the new door, or this badge was purchased somewhere and put in the car to increase the value.
We bought a 1988 Saab 900 Turbo on BaT recently and it is supposed to be an SiS. However, the dash board and glove box were replaced with fake wood grain (in theory at the dealer when purchased in US?) so there is No Springtime in Sweden badge on the glove box. Car is black, does have the 3 spoke wheels, has the grey interior, and black exterior lower cladding. Also some add-on cheap gold pinstripes!
Is there a production number listed somewhere on the car that would tell me if it is indeed a Springtime in Sweden. The Vin number verification says it was mfg in Finland. Thanks for an help