Kyiv Aero

A few days ago, Alex got in touch to have his stunning gen 1 9-5 Aero added to the High Mile Club, but I thought it deserved more than just that. Having covered a healthy 213,000km / 132,000 miles, what is incredible, is that he's owned it since 2001.

"This was my first car, bought when I was at University. I used to drive it more frequently back then, commuting from the Eastern regions in to Kyiv, but then I eventually moved to the capital. From 2006 up to 2016 it was kept stored in a garage, whilst I drove a number of other cars.

As the war actions started in the Eastern regions of Ukraine, I undertook a two day road trip to rescue the Saab Aero through "war zone territories" and is now with me again in Kyiv.

I kept it in stock-condition up until 2018, when I decided to make it a real 'sleeper'. I extensively modified it with Koni sport shocks, Eibach springs -3, TD04HL-19T hybrid turbo, custom intercooler, 3" downpipe and exhaust and upgraded intake, Porsche vacuum brake booster, Hell Performance brake lines, 4-piston Brembo calipers, WISECO forged pistons and plenty more, it's now running around 300+hp and 600nM torque but aesthetically looks factory standard".

It's always a privilege to share these Saab High Mile stories, especially ones that have been cared for and enjoyed by one owner from almost new. Nice work Alex and thank you for sharing.

High Mile Club

I have to admit, that I’m not always great at keeping up with the High Mile Club, endless entries arrive in my inbox and I just don’t seem to have the time to edit them all, request photos and generally keep it bang up to date. Apologies to those Saab folk who might have tried recently but not seen their pride and joy appear on the website, however, I’m having a surge of proactiveness and trying to backdate a number of requests.

It’s always amazing to see the shear variety of wonderful high miles Saabs out there, some range from the entry level 125,000 miles, most around the mid 100,000’s, but then some come in at more weighty mileage, 8 - 900,000 miles. What I love most about running this page, are the Saab stories you share with me.

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Annely, from Denver, kindly sent this little story to me recently, someone who continues to believe in Saab, but also sees the changes that have happened over the years and the maintenance issues we can all face:

“ I had this vehicle for 28 years and reached 306,000 miles, it was in pristine condition both inside and out, I had all the service records and the original manual and brochures. When it needed a new clutch (manual) and a new head gasket, I decided to donate it to our local high school thinking that the mechanic shop class would do the work and sell it. Unfortunately, the school sold it to a student before doing the work and ultimately as I followed the VIN, it ended up within a year in the car graveyard. I am sick to think that such a great vehicle had such a sad ending, and wish that I had had the work done (clutch and head gasket) and kept it. It was a tank and I loved it! I did purchase a 2008 SAAB 9-3 Aero XWD sight unseen from a different state. Even after that purchase I couldn't part with the old 1986 but finally did. I really enjoy this car but it is not even close in "solidness" to my 1986 SAAB. My new car is a hotrod and handles superbly. I will keep this one but still pine for my old SAAB.”

Join the club here

New Generation Saabists

I've promised myself a little more time dedicated to maintaining the High Mile Club this year, so with renewed energy I've been gathering a few new recruits. As our Saabs get older, the original criteria of 100,000 miles became achievable by pretty much every owner, continually proving just how beautifully crafted these cars are. Some barely show signs of wear at that milage, so the game has been raised slightly to 125,000 Miles / 200,000 Km.

One new entry was this fantastic 900i 16v from Finland, its owner, Saku has grown up around Saabs and although only 18 years old has already owned 8 Saabs and 1 Volvo, he says "There’s just that something about Saab. My family has had a lot of them, even my grandfather had a Saab 900".

It’s always fantastic to see new generations with the same passion for Saab as we have, also great to see what and how they give their Saabs a bit of individuality, after all, it's another Saab kept on the road.

Laser Red Aero

Although the Saab High Mile Club has been going for some years now, I’m always thrilled when another great Saab drops in to my inbox, this gorgeous rare Laser Red Aero is the latest.

The Saab Story “This car is very special to my family. My grandparents leased it in 2006, my dad purchased it after the lease was over, and now it is my car. We all have loved the rare laser red paint color and the heated and cooled leather seats. It has been an excellent car for the last 167,000 miles, and I hope it will last at least another 167,000”

What I love most is just how beautifully this Saab has been kept, just shows how well these cars hold up to high milage. Keep them coming, I do add them to the club at random points. Join here.