Steve,
Sounds as though the dealer made your problems worse, though the problems
aren't as bad as some of the ones sent to you- like the new style 900 from
California.
I have owned 3 900's and a 9000CD. I really don't think the Lancia/SAAB
9000 was a good car. The transmissions were notoriously week, and I had
several problems with mine. The auto climate control is ridiculous, as I
had to constantly turn it off when I started the car. I would not buy
another 9000, though the car had some nice qualities, it was not worth the
money. I only kept it one year.
900's seem to vary in quality. I had a new Turbo and 900, and a used
turbo. Used cars are hard to predict because some people abuse them
horribly before you get them. The transmissions are balky and hard to put
in reverse, I have had lots of fuel pump problems (at least 2 per car) and
the transmissions are known to go if they are abused. Abused cars go
through transmissions and clutchs rapidly. Abuse and neglect a 900 and it
will be a mess.
On the plus side the old model 900 is a sturdy car compared to many
Japanese vehicles, it has a good driving position, and the 3 door can carry
lots and is a practical, versatile car with the seat down. I also think
the old 900 was very safe, and have talked to many repair places that have
seen horrible wrecked ones where folks walked away. Fuel economy was
disappointing for me overall.
I must say with my older 900s I was never stranded, and I must say that
compared to what I have seen friends spend on their BMW 3 series cars the
900s have been cheap to maintain. The brakes and struts and head gaskets,
and etc. etc. on the BMW 3 series have run up unbelievable costs for
friends- just staggering amounts of money! I have a friend who has spent a
ton on clutch replacement for an Acura Legend over the years- 650 US
dollars a pop, 550 US dollar timing belts, rattling trunk pieces and tin
like metal. SAAB is hardly alone with gripes
So I guess there are bad models in every line and you got one. I think
SAABs overall are high cost cars to own and maintain, based on my
experience, but so are many other makes. I also believe based on talking
to people and repair shops that the 9000 series seems to have lots more
problems than expected, and I tell people to stay away from them.
In the USA consumer reports magazine just out for the '98 cars SAAB was
rated last for overall reliabilty- dead last place. I think the 94/95 new
model 900s are bad news, and have heard through the grape vine to stay away
from them. I think the old 900 was an honest car by large- with bad
individulas like yours, but overall pretty good. It evolved from a simple
but practical design with safety, all weather handling and interior space
at a premium. You could see and feel the links to airplanes, and they were
really different.
The new GM models and all the enormous complexity of the electronics in
them have helped them fall to this place. They look slick but to me have
no soul. First and foremost you can be sure they are designed and built
the way they are for cost considerations- to do it cheaper than the old
900- you can be sure of that.
SAAB has become a brand name with psychobabble advertizing and all the
glitz of the modern "imagine is everything" corporate world. Their ads are
as ridiculous as everyone elses now, and the mind fuck they throw out at
you is pitifully transparent.
The new names for the 900 and 9000 are just ridiculous, in the US. What
were they thinking? They will be 98 model 95's? 98 model 93's? Its
already a big joke. The Windows '95 93 in 98, etc. Really dumb.
I wonder if SAAB will be around in 5 years. I don't see them staying
around through a recession, in the US. Everyone is buying 4,000 pound gas
hog SUV's here, and driving them to the mall on dry sunny days in places
like California and Florida. Luxury cars are being replaced by these pigs
and sports cars are mostly dead.
Madison avenue will not give SAAB cars back their soul. SAAB cars lost
it when the original 900 died, in my opinion. GM will dim the spirit until
the lights go out, which will make you happy no doubt.
I have a Volvo now and I feel it is a better made car, for sure.
Hi Steve,
There really isn't much to scan. The article just showed Saab at the
bottom of the chart of manufacturers for reports of trouble/reliabilty
problems.
I don't share your fervor for blasting at Saab. I guess I have other
dragons to slay and crusades to be on, and places for my energy.
I can understand your ire at the dealers, and they truly our hideous in
many circumstances. But I really don't believe from my experience that the
900 (to 1994- the older model) was "junk", as you put it. I can sell you a
Hyundai, a Ford escort, a KIA, and many other unsafe and unreliable pieces
of junk. I think the 900 overall is a good car, with bad exceptions. I
believe it can be pretty awful if you don't maintain it, and it can be a
bad used car, but overall I don't see it as junk like you do.
I have plenty of horror stories from people with Audis, Fords, Chryslers,
and BMWs. Every dog has it's day. And as I said the 9000 here is not a
good car either. I really like the Mazda Rx-7, and no doubt people in UK
think that is junk. Now that is a reliable car!
Anyway, your site is intersting, and though I don't agree with you totally,
neither do I like the morons who swear at you for sharing your opinion.
Now, if there was page for bad stories about Nothwest Airlines (USA
carrier) THAT I could get into!
Best Regards
Just saw your site and was amused, misery loves company. I live in
southern California. My commute is 45 miles each way in a 95 SAAB 900 S
2.3 liter manual. In the last 2.5 yrs I have clocked up approx 50,000
miles, 99% freeway driving , and surprise, one clutch! I was surprised
that freeway driving would do this. Actually, the clutch was fine but
the cable stretched to the point that my foot couldn't actually
disengage the clutch even with the pedal pressed to the floor. The
dealers told me that with wear of the disc, the position of pressure
plate spring causes an increase force, apparently toohigh for the cable.
They put a new cable in under warranty but told me the new one would
stretch as well. After about 2 months, I noticed that the new cable was
beginning to go as well so I bit the bullet and had a new clutch put in.
I have the old parts. I have yet to measure the clutch disc thickness.
Do you know where such specifications are available? Its really a shame
cause the car is really comfortable on the highway, gets great mileage,
and has a lot of neat features. But I am worried that in another 50,000
miles I will have to do this again. The 9-5 is really nice looking but I
think next time around I will look elsewhere for a new car. The
depreciation is a real killer as well!
Dear Steve,
Am I so glad to see your page! I was thinking of doing a page myself!
I recently bought a "used" convertible (N plate) and was just about to fire
off a heavy duty letter to SAAB UK. Is it possible you could allow me to
have a spot on you page, a special column or something???
I would be so grateful becuase I did spend 20k on a car that
has been back to the dealers at least three time now and still needs
another visit. I've only done 2k in it!!!.
If my request seems okay - or not - could you reply
Regards,
xxxxxxx.
hey steve, great page. i recently bought a SAAB 900. buying parts from
an outside source or even better, a junkyard, is the way to go. after
just a few calls to the dealership, i quickly became discouraged with
their silly prices. i'm not mechanicly inclined but i found with a
little determination and some patience, i'm able to get around my car
farely well with a wrench. my car has high miles and the parts replaced
have been minor. however, your page has made me aware of the possible
dangers in the future and i will say that i won't stand for it.
fortunately, i didn't pay much for the car and getting my money back
will be easy. i really hope your car nightmares are over for a while.
stuff like that is certainly no fun.
Dear Steve
I was, until reading your tale, just about to buy a Saab.
Now I won't! I just cannot be bothered to take that chance.
You may assume that you have saved me in the nick of time, and cost Saab a
sale, which, I am sure, will not cause you too many sleepless nights.
Thank you for taking the trouble and know that your efforts are not totally
in vain.
I've never had a Saab - Always Vauxhalls and Fords - No Problems.
But I have worked on SAAB aircraft - Electronic parts for the JAS-39.
I'll say no more.
I am so thankful that I am not the only person who was suckered into buying
the Saab dream car.
I have wanted a Saab since I was 14 years old, and at the age of 22, I
invested all of my earnings into a used 1992 9000 turbo. I assumed I got
a good deal, the owner was getting divorced from his wife and just wanted
the car out of his site, since it was her vehicle.
I purchased the car in 1995, and since then I have invested almost $8,000.
Later this week I will have to invest another $700. or so for a new
compressor for the AC. I have had problems with the Traction Control ,
the heater core, my car has had 2 transmissions, a constant problem with
stalling that has yet to be determined, valves replaced. I could go on and
on , but I 'm starting to depress myself. I thought I was "investing" in a
sporty, well engineered, safe automobile that would last me at least into
my 30's. You guessed it, I was totally wrong.
My father (a true Ford man) insisted that I look around, but thanks to my
persistence and dedication to my dream, I am now the proud owner of the
worst car on the planet. I believe Stephen King's Christine was less
temperamental than my 9000. I had many visits to the dealership, and yes
after reading all of the email on this website, I do agree that the
majority of Saab dealerships employs people that were swimming at the
shallow end of the gene pool.
Not only has money been an issue for my Saab, but I also invested a lot of
time figuring out what to do about transportation. I am so tired of
borrowing other people's cars, or asking for rides. It's not only
embarrassing, but also frustrating.
I'm not sure what I will buy next, I can't afford to even think about that
right now. I just know that I have given too much to Saab already.
However I would like to end this e-mail on a positive note. If I ever win
the lottery, My goal is to buy out the entire Saab Corporation, and give
Saab's customers the best car on the road. Until that day comes, good luck
to all who own a Saab.
I too have had a horrible experience with a Saab dealer and a new
(actually two) 1995 Saab 900 Turbo Convertible. It was a heartbreaking
experience for me as I have driven a Saab since I was 16. My father was
driving Saabs before Saabs were cool. My first Saab was a 1960-something
Saab 99, it had a knack for not starting when I was somewhere where I
shouldn't have been. . .I think that's why my dad wanted me to drive it.
I've also since had the pleasure of owning and driving (all used) a '74
Saab Sonnet V4, a 1992 Saab 900 Turbo, a 1985 Saab 900 Turbo, and a 1987
Saab 900 Turbo Convertible. All of these cars had been used and all but
the Sonnett had over 100,000 miles on it (the Sonnett had been wrecked
and my father repaired it). My father always said they didn't even get
broken in until they had 100,000 miles on them. When the new 900's came
out in '95 and I saw the new Convertible it was bliss. . .I knew I had
to have one. . .so I told my Saab dealer to start thinking about me when
they came in, I found out later he made a joke about my ability to
afford a $40,000 car. . .boy were they suprised when they saw my credit
application. I should have known from the start this was not going to be
good relationship! But like you I perservered and I bought the car. Then
trouble began.the car was in the shop 7 times in the first two months. I
called the district guy, he looked at the car, agreed it was a "lemon"
and under the lemon laws replaced the car even though I had put 13,000
miles on it by the time they replaced it (after 6 months). Needles to
say the next one was no better. After one year I couldn't take my Saab
story any longer. I tried to trade it off but no one would get me within
$5,000 of what I owed on it citing the "terminal top illness" that has
plagued the new convertible. Finally I resorted to a client of mine (I
sell radio advertising) who is GenMgr of a Honda dealership. He paid off
the car and put me in a 1997 Honda Accord. I really do miss my Saab. .
.but I can never go back. Since my horrible experience with the car and
the dealership even my father has lost the faith and now has gone to
Mercedes. I just saw an ad for the new Saab 9.5, it looks great and I
admit I was tempted. . .but I just can't go back to that dealership. .
.my husband and I are going to buy a new Audi A6 in October when the
Honda lease is up. Saab was once a great car and car company. . .it's a
shame to see it come to this.
Steve,
I had an 87 9000 turbo which I had no problems with beyond the normal
maintenance. The clutch was replaced at 140,000 miles, and the turbo
never failed. I think sythetic oil had a lot to do with this.
I then bought my dream car. I used 1995 Aero. I kept the car less than
a year as it was in the shop around 40 days. First, it was stalling.
It took the dealer 4 visits and many attempt to realize it was simply
the battery cables( a recall was later made on these). The bearings in
the transmission were replaced under warranty, the dealer heard the
noise when they had the car, I was unaware of the problem. The CD
player had to be replaced. The clutch master and slave cylinder had to
replaced largely I believe from debris in the system. The transmission
began making noises again, and the dealer and Saab regional rep said it
was normal, but it didn't make the noise when I bought the car. I chose
to sell at that point.
To add to my troubles, the car was hit 3 times in less than a year.
Twice by cars, and once by a large rock a week after I got the car.
Could someone have been trying to tell me something?
Steve
thanks for your responce . Maybe there are enough of us abused Saab owners out
there to make a difference. I bought this 9000 cd with 56 k mikes just to fill
in for a couple of years . I t now has a mortgage and i cant afford to get rid
of it . My dissatisfaction fell upon deaf Swedish ears . But im not done with
it. I will do whatever I can to spread the bad news and i dont mind spending a
few bucks to get it done .
Hey Steve,
Sounds like you had a rough time of it... I currently own a '86 900S and
to be honest, after 203,000 miles, have been very satisfied. But, I will
say, I purchased the car via a private owner and it was literally the
last Saab I was going to look at... I was disgusted at all the junk
Saabs people were trying to sell, for a pretty penny at that. The trick
here is to be an informed consumer and to go with your gut... I
particularly chose the '86 with the 16v (900S), over many newer models,
because of it's high ratings in several consumer reports... sometimes
newer isn't better! I also bought the car with 93,000 miles... not
recommended for most, unless you know your cars and, again, I favor the
private sale over the dealer... mostly because it's alot easier to read,
say, a "little old lady" with a folder full of repair history than a
"parasitic car dealer" who's used to reading you and will tell you
everything you want to here in order to make a sale. Finally, I think
what really made your experience miserable, was clearly the lack of
satisfaction from your dealer. I like and choose to do most of the work
on my car.... I know this isn't possible for alot of people but, there
is no better, cheaper and satisfying way to maintain your car.
So, would I buy another Saab?... While, I had to kiss a lot of frogs
before I found my jem, I believe it was worth it... and I would probably
do it again. But, I like change and will probably try something else
when this old girl croaks... maybe a Jag.
To all Saab 9000-ers
I'd like to share my experience with you. I have always thought SAABs
were the best and I believed that they were made using the most sophisticated
methods of manufacturing and the most stringent quality inspection.
Well, judge for yourself:
I bought my SAAB 9000CS in Göteborg. It was new. Every 20.000 km I had
it
checked and always only by authorized SAAB garages in the Netherlands
and
in Germany. I drove almost all its mileage long-distance with speeds
between 100 - 160 km/h on smooth motor-ways in Germany and in
Netherlands
and I can say I have taken a good care of my car.
Therefore, I was shocked when one day, driving on a motor way in
Germany,
suddenly at a speed of approx. 160 km/h within a few hundred meters a
terrible metallic noise developed in the engine. I stopped the car
immediately, called the nearest SAAB service and had my car towed for an
inspection. The crankshaft and its bearing failed. Just a day before I
had
my car serviced at a SAAB garage in Rotterdam.
Once the defective engine of my car had been disassembled I had the
crankshaft inspected to find the reason of this premature failure. And
indeed...! Major grinding burns(*) were revealed on the journals. With
this type of a defect it is surprising that my car lasted three years
and
as much as 160.000 km.
The garage and the lab that inspected my crankshaft explained it was
evident that this failure of the engine in my car was clearly a result
of a
serious fault in manufacturing. With this ruling I contacted the
customer
department of SAAB in Trolhatan.
And then, here comes the major reason for my disappointment. Ms.
Johnson,
responsible for all customer contacts, bluntly pointed out to me that my
car was by then three years old and thus out of the warranty. She did
not
think SAAB could account for a car as old as three years !!! One year
guarantee was long enough and if after this it should appear that the
car
and the engine were put together by glue and paper clips it was all at
the
buyers risk.
So, I had the engine fixed. Had to pay a fortune, almost a price of a
new
engine.
Now I am desperately looking for a buyer for my car. I want to get rid
of
it and get something reliable. I'm contemplating a Volvo. Meanwhile I
have
learned that Volvo uses a state of the art inspection method to inspect
all
critical engine components for manufacturing defects such as grinding
burns(*).
So, how are your SAABs doing? Have you had any similar experiences?
Please let me know.
------ ------ -----
(*) A grinding burn is what happens to an engine part during surface
finishing i.e. grinding if the part is allowed to overheat. Just like
when
you sharpen a knife and press it too hard against a grinding wheel.
You'll
see it turn red hot and right in that place the knife will lose its
hardness, so vital for its endurance.
Dear Steve
Came upon your web site, please point your web browser to:
http://www.pugwashhouse.demon.co.uk/index.html
Kindest regards
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Loves his 9000i but outraged by the attitude of a so called Saab Main Dealer
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Published by Steve Rothery
steve@stowupland.keme.co.uk
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