Faults:

200.000 km: leaking head gasket.

210.000 new rear brakepads. Since then the brakes made a ticking sound when I braked. The mechanic (a SAAB master technician) could not find the reason, but solved it by greasing some parts and then the problem disappeared temporarily.

The failing dashboard light was repaired in 2000. But after about a year the light failed again. A costly repair.

General Comments:

In general it was a decent well-performing and reliable car. However, a bit old-fashioned and not as big on the inside as you would think looking from the outside. Now I drive a 9000 CSE and it's a BIG difference, not only in interior size.

Faults:

Since September 1998:

The dashboard lighting goes on and off. Not during driving but when you start the engine the light won't turn on. Using a pair of pliers and some force applied it will work for a day or two. Then the whole thing starts again. Pretty annoying at times but very expensive to repair.

I once lost the belt for the power steering somewhere on the highway and did not notice it before I had to make sharp turn. You can imagine the surprise. Next day it was fixed for free!

The car gets its service every 20000 kms which costs about 750 NlG (375 USd).

General Comments:

You just gotta love 'em those 900's. This one's grown on me in time and the next car will certainly be a SAAB 900 again although the last time I drove the new model 900 I thought it didn't feel as good as the old ones.