I promised to write to you and let you know my horror story with a
brand new top of the range 9000, so here I go.
In 1992 I took the opportunity of purchasing a SAAB 9000 CD
Turbo 2.3 Ltr. Since I bought it on the international diplomatic sales
system I only got 1 years guarantee.
Just after the first year I had a problem when the Traction Control
System (TCS) light lit up on the console. My first indication of this
was when the electronically controlled accelerator stopped working
and the "backup system" of the directly connected cable took over.
Now this is much harder to push but you can get used to it.
But when I took my foot off the accelerator to stop at a
junction the engine did not idle properly and stalled. At this point,
of course I lost the power assisted steering, and the power assisted
brakes. So there I am trying to negotiate a junction with the engine
stalling, bad brakes and bad steering. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
I took the car to my dealer and they replaced a valve on the
accelerator control system. This cost me £150
I had the same problem and in 1996 and this time it happened
when the engine was hot, and this happened in a traffic jam by
the famous road works on the M25 near the M3 junction.
I spent 20 minutes of restarting the engine every time
the car had to stop (dozens and dozens of times).
The valve was replaced again in England at a cost
of over £100 and 3 days of my vacation. The problem
has re-occurred again 3 months ago, I have cleaned
the tubes and played with the valve and this seems
to have solved the problem temporarily.
The next problem I had was high petrol consumption.
It was never below 14 ltrs/100km and in town would
get well above 15 Ltrs. I spoke to the dealer and
they just said it was a turbo and my driving style
1994: I stopped at a SAAB garage in England when
the brakes where making a noise. The Garage told me
I need 4 new pads and that the front left disk had
to be replaced. ON A 2 YEAR OLD CAR WITH LESS THAT
25000 miles cost over £400. After the replacement
the consumption dropped to between 11 and 13 Ltrs/100km.
I believe that the front left brake was sticking and rubbing.
I calculate that
40000 km @ 15 Ltrs = 6000 Ltrs actual consumption
40000 km @ 13 Ltrs = 5200 Ltrs at the new consumption
this means I have not only had to pay for a new disk
but the I used 800 Ltrs of petrol extra at a cost of £400
(assuming 50p Ltr).
1994: Clutch master cylinder had to be replaced.
1995 Electronic ignition block replaced.
1996 Rear suspension struts needed to be replaced.
Drivers seat heater stopped working.
1997 Radiator thermostat failed.
Main engine gasket blew in England £700 + £300 flights
Surprisingly enough this happened again in England and again
I went to SAAB garage (with lots of steam blowing out the exhaust).
Now when I got the car back the consumption had again dropped and now
I can get UNDER 10 Ltrs / 100km on motorways with the cruise control
set to 70 mph. In town it rises to 11.5 (remember when it used to be
over 15)
1997 The ACC does not seem to respond properly.
1998 After hearing a noise from last week the garage has told me I
need a new gear box. Cost minimum £1000.
In addition stupid things like interior panels have fallen of.
The boot has a smoked plastic reflector panel (read, amber etc,
but the silver backing started coming off after the first few car
washes, and when some one tried to open the boot by putting their
hand under and missed the small handle the caught the panel and
it split. This is so easy to do since the panel is thin plastic and
not protected at the side of the hidden handle.
Poor quality paint job (small chips pealing of the front of the bonnet).
All this on a car that only 6 years old and has done just
70,000 miles.
In addition the local SAAB garages seem to love "adding" extra work
to the work list.
Last March I had done 99,000kms and I was worried about my brake
pads (see what happened in 1992) so I went to Kwik Fit for their
free complete brake test. They gave me an OK
(5.6mm front and 7.6mm rear) I was very happy.
I feel this re-enforces my opinion that I am not a rough driver.
I asked them to replace the front pads as they were getting close
to being worn down, which they did. The rest of the braking system
was marked as acceptable on all points.
In April 97 (5 weeks and 1600km later) I had a service at
my local Luxembourg dealer. I picked up the car that evening
and received the bill 3 days later and was shocked to see that
they had replaced the front brake tubes at a cost of over £120
with out my consent and just after Kwik-Fit had reported them as OK.
I really thought that the problem with my saab was an isolated one, mine also has been a nightmare. The last expense was a $3,100 dollars in a transmission repair job. But before that, there has been a trail of repair after repair. Due to the "artificial quality reputation" that saab cars enjoy " among the non-saab owner" it is a misconception of the general public that saab's cars are built "like tanks" I was hook-up on this misconception too. when I purchased my son's Turbo and my 900S. I have been doing some research in the internet and to my surprise I am finding the true facts about Saab's cars.b You see, Saab dealers take advantage when it comes to repairs, because there aren't enough trained Saab mechanics and also because the lack of available parts. I am sorry to hear that you also got a "lemon" you seem to be an honest and truthful person, and because of that, you were an easy pray like me. As far as I am concern, from now on, Saab's cars to me, are no longer my choice, "And they build aircrafts". "it sounds sarcastic" " But my neighborhood mechanic said that, "Saab build cars just for the fun of it" " That's why they never break down" "ANOTHER IGNORANT STATEMENT, BECAUSE HE HAS NEVER FIXED A SAAB AND HE HAS NEVER OWNED ONE"
Dear Steve,
Thank you for taking the time to write to us and including the newspaper article. We appreciate the time you took to write to us and the support you have given Volvo. We would like to send you a 'Volvo Pin'. If you would like one, please send us your mailing address by return.Thank you again and kind regards,
Rosie Hislop
Customer Relations Department
Volvo Car Corporation, Sweden
I couldn't help but laugh when I saw your Saab Web site. My husband owns a 900 Saab Turbo, and it has been one mechanical problem after another after it hit 80,000 miles. That "Saab Soundings" magazine shows happy Swedes with their Saabs that have 300,000 miles or so on them - I think those photographs are staged My husband's turbo blew up at 80,000 miles, his transmission went, the air conditioning and heating systems died, the odometer broke, etc. etc. Although we have a wonderful repair guy who broke away from the local dealer it still costs a fortune to see him. His lot is never empty I think the older Saabs are sharp-looking cars which under certain circumstances probably run quite well. However, unless you have unlimited funds for repair, I would not advocate buying a used one. The new ones may be less temperamental.
I have a cursed 9000 CD Turbo (92 model), but even just thinking about the history of problems make me depressed. At the moment I am fighting against a crooked garage who have charged me 200 quid for replacing brake hoses, 1 month after I had the brakes cheaked and cleared by another garage. I will one day make a page like yours for my car.
Thanks for the list of Saab sites (11/23/97). If only I had visited these BEFORE I bought My problem is with the transmission. It turns out that The Saab Network has a survey of 9000 owners that shows 83% have transmission problems within 100k miles and that many report the replacement fails within 30k. I thought I was reading about myself. The surprising thing in the survey is that the owners who were highly satisfied with their overall repair record in reality had much worse than average repair costs ($620/yr). I don't get it. - This car is a bad buy which explains why only 14% of new buyers would buy again and why there aren't any in the parking lot....... Anyway I really appreciate your help.
I was thinking of purchasing a 1987 Saab 900 turbo convertible. It's a 4 cylinder 2 liter with automatic transmission. Would this purchase be a unwise move on my part. I live in California and was wondering if the cars here are any better than the one's you've experienced there.
I understand your frustration with your Saab. If your not aware already, the 900 didn't really improve in reliability until 92. 92-94 were the best years for the 900 and 9000. I plan on buying a Saab. I live in the U.S. and have a Saab dealer one mile from me. They carry a few 900 convertibles, some CSEs' and some 900S models. All new. The only Saab I liked in the 80s' was the SPG. I plan on buying a Saab next year but I'm going w/the 9000 CD turbo. 1994 model. This one if you don't know already has the trunk. Ratings for the 2.3 turbo engine for the 92-97 model years have been excellent according the - Wards Automotive - which says it is a top 10 engine made. Go figure........ My decision to buy a Saab rather than a Honda, Toyota,Mazda, or Nissan is mainly for individuality. If I can find one that is in mint condition w/ all the papers I will buy it. But I'm a - private seller - buyer. The hell with the dealers. Their trained to screw you while making you think your being treated like a king. Why go through the trouble? Less commission for them. Anyway a private seller knows the car and will be more honest and flexible with the price.
Steve, I just discovered your web site. I have been in touch with xxxx, whom you have linked in your web site. I helped xxxx understand his difficulties regarding his '95 900S and xxxx has recently decided to stop advertising his anti-Saab web site information because Saab USA was willing to address and correct his problems. Steve, your situation is remarkably similar to xxxx situation. You are frustrated with your Saab dealer(s) because they have failed to solve problems which you feel they had an obligation to solve. I AM IN TOTAL AGREEMENT WITH YOU. The situation is completely related to the fact that incompetent or ignorant technicians have tried to address problems with your Saab which they are incapable of solving. Like xxxx, you have decided to blame the Saab corporation for causing you grief. You have been very kind to point out that your Saab is in better hands when left away from the dealer. Given this revelation, I would like to point out to you that your vehicle was built by Saab and not by the dealer. Saab, the corporate entity, whom I do not work for, apparently is not your focus but your web site seems to inspire negative attitudes in that respect. I am a fanatical Saab enthusiast who believes that the fundamental values Saab represent, and the overall Saab ex- perience is something which you have grasped, given the fact that you own a Saab and have experienced the driving environment which Saab pro- vides. an environment available in no other vehicle It is important for you to understand at this time that I am 100% in your court. I would like to help you come to terms with your vehicle in understanding the exact problems which have led to your dissatisfaction and I would like you to know that your concerns are going to be addres- sed by hundreds of Saab enthusiasts. The knowledge which is availble concerning any and all problems related to your vehicle can and will be solved. Please feel free to address all of your concerns.
Sorry to hear about your troubles with your SAAB. I own a -88 900 T8 and I had very few problems despite my efforts to find some more power... I've also own several older 900 and had very few problems related to the cars construction. But - I think it is best to do the service as much as you can by your self. That way there is only one person to blame.... The reason I kept on driving SAAB is that I know it inside and out by now and that I liked the driving experience from the very first testdrive in my first SAAB (an old 900 GL -82).
I read your internet SAAB 900 page with interest. I have driven and maintained SAAB 900s for many years now, and like many friends I regard them as a beautifully designed and manufactured car, a pleasure to drive and - comparatively speaking - a pleasure to work on. In its various developmental stages (including the 99) it had one of the longest production runs in history. A modern classic, in short. So I was surprised to find your story.
Having read your tale carefully, it's my conclusion that your complaints have more to do with the modern SAAB dealer's attitude and incompetence than to do with the car model itself. As a result, I think you unfairly denigrate the history of a lovely model.
You should be aware, if you are not already, that SAAB was absorbed into General Motors a few years ago, and that the 9000 and the new 900, and current trading practice are products of a totally different outfit. The new 900, for instance, is little more than a posh, heavy Vauxhall Cavalier. The GM SAAB company shows little interest in the old 900 despite its long history, and frankly I'd be grateful if they'd sell off the parts trade for it. So please be careful how you tell the tale. There are many many fans of the old SAAB 900. Even as old bangers they serve us very well. Hope you keep on driving SAAB and dont let the small problems drag you down...
Hi, my name is xxxxx. I have owned two Saab 900's, a 1982, my first, and a 1987, my second. Both were very faithful, enjoyable vehicles. I am trully sorry to hear of your HORRIBLE experience with the car, and company. I Found that while owning my first 900, the dealership charged a fortune. I checked around and found service center - Genes Place - he only services Saab's, and has been doing so since they came to America in the 1960's. I first arrived there to find a quaint little lady, - Genes wife -. The two of them ran the business, they were the sweetest people. I grant you, I did have some very odd problems with the 87 that never came up with the 82, but Gene was always willing to go the extra mile to find out what was wrong. He wouldn't give me my car back until he knew it was perfect. I know that in 1987 the base model 900 came with a 8 valve engine, and the 900s, a 16 valve. The 16 valve was a much better engine. I don't know what you had. But what puzzles me the most is that you said it was carburated. In the U.S. both are Fuel Injected. Just as a word of inspiration, I would like to say that I would relate most of your problems to the dealers that you dealt with. Sometimes the non dealership service centers are much better. I am sorry to hear that you would never want another Saab.
I know the Saab has a poor reliability record. I forget actually what I sent to you in regards to the 900, but I know I did. I like the 9000s' more so than the 900, I tend to like the styling of the 900 also. What troubles me is for all the years Saab has had what I call - engineering defects - the car is still troubleprone according to what the reviews say and what owners say. You would think they improve. I don't know if I told you in my e-mail, but I test drove a 92 9000 turbo 5 speed. It had 85000 miles on it. Pretty clean car, had the Aero wheels and it was loaded. The clutch was very heavy, the shifting was miserable- I had to baby the clutch out of first gear to get it going or it would stall- which it did two times. I had to slam the shifter into the corner of the box for 2nd gear. Wind noise was apparent from the top of the windshield. On the good side, the engine was plenty willing for power. The car coveredalot of ground quickly, and the engine sounded pretty good. I couldn't understandwhat button did what for the heating and cooling. Not user-friendly at all.Starting the car sounded like it needed CPR- it sounded like a car w/ a near dead battery. I want to get a 94 9000 Aero or CD (one owner) in new condition. I hear people saying like yourself ( your 96 V4 being the exception and a much older car) their a mechanics nightmare and others saying it's the most trouble free car they have owned. Old and new. What to do.............. I surely want a individualistic car, but at what price????
Very interesting. Have they set their lawyers on you yet? I liked the bit that said - this site is not anti-SAAB - . I'm still content more or less with my Escort Wagon. I am now glad I didn't buy a SAAB.
Hear, hear - We have a Saab 9000s. It's great when it runs, but at 120k miles we are faced with replacing the transmission for the 3rd time. Needless to say we are disappointed with it's reliability and would like to know if transmission problems are common. Maybe we should just stick with a Ford Thanks for a great site
Steve,
I see you posted your site on my site. Can you post my
email on your site? Thanks.
I've been involved with Saabs since 1988 and get email every day
from Saab owners. For every 1 problematic email, I get 100
"My
Saab is the greatest' emails. The 'survived an accident thanks
to my Saab' and 'I'm over 200K miles and still going strong' come
into my mailbox on a daily basis.
Please check out our upcoming survey that will ask Saab owners on
the Internet if they'd buy another Saab. I'll bet it will be much
higher than 14%.
Thanks,
-Scott
I've perused your site and am somewhat encouraged by your persistence pays attitude. I was wondering if I could get your take on my situation...I purchased a new '96 Saab 900s in Sept '96 and have had some minor problems so far. Or perhaps I'm just being picky. The first was what seemed to be an AC compressor problem. Every 30 seconds the compressor would cycle and you could here a small clicking sound in the dashboard every time it did. Accompanying that was an engine shudder which at times could be quite violent. After MANY trips to the dealer and a letter of complaint, they finally replaced the anti-frost switch so that you couldnt hear the clicking anymore. Still has the annoying engine shudder though. Have you seen this before and is it something worth pressing Saab about? Secondly, the idle often approaches a stall when any type of load is put on the engine. (turning the wheel to its max, AC running, etc). Also, when I rev the engine up to about 2,000 rpm or higher and let it down on its own, there's a period of rough idle right before it hits 1,000 rpm. Sometimes it dips below the 1,000 rpm mark, overcompensates, then dips again quickly and not stabilizing for a 15 seconds or so. Are these concerns I should approach the dealership with or are they not significant enough? I appreciate your help and your efforts in creating this website! Thanks in advance...
Thankyou for your emails if you have anything sensible to add please contact me. I do however get the feeling that it is now dangerous for me to venture out in the 900. I have to keep a look out for low flying Saab 37 Viggen.
Do not get caught out like me - Immediately take photographs of the problem. Write down details of exactly what occurred and in particular what was said by the dealer Return to the dealer and complain. Even if the problem is put right contact your local trading standards as they may want to know especially if it is a road safety issue. Do it immediately if you wait you will end up with the stone wall syndrome. The following links could be useful:
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Published by Steve Rothery
steve@stowupland.keme.co.uk
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