Faults:

Alignment

Light-bulbs seem to burn out quickly

Leather seats have not aged naturally (cracks, peeling in some areas)

When new, car would shut down on hot days due to a computer problem that indicated over heating

Replaced battery.

General Comments:

First european car of mine to date, handles beyond my expectations despite some turbo lag from the otherwise powerful, efficiant and reliable engine.

Wagon load space is much more conventional than that of my previous Jeep Grand Cherokee. (no spare tire to deal with, lower to the ground for easier loading, seats fold with more ease)

Despite its reputation (SAAB: Stop At All Banks) my 9-5 has served me well and I hope it will continue to do so for years to come.

For my next car, I would seriously consider a used SAAB, as they depreciate savagely and really stand the test of time well (or at least mine has)

Even in our coldest of Canadian winters, the front wheel drive beauty plows through almost anything with great ease. Throw in some snow tires, and turn on the traction control and you've really got a force to be reckoned with. I know I can feel especially secure given the cars extra high safety ratings.

I am really happy with my SAAB and I hope I can continue to be well into the future.

Faults:

Most recently, the turbo booster had to be replaced due to a leaky gasket.

The small lights on the heater switches, and central lock button have failed and had to be replaced.

At 56,000Km, the oil pressure sensor failed and had to be replaced. It had also allowed the engine oil to leak to potentially dangerous levels.

General Comments:

I am generally pleased with the car although the ride is rougher than a Lexus, and handling/road noise are only average.

However, it has outstanding safety features, comfortable seats with more room than you would expect, a decent stereo, cool features like a cooled (or heated) glove box, map and storage pockets everywhere, a trunk that has low lift-over height and good depth, especially with a 60/40 split rear seat.

Every reference I have checked on Saabs refers to their "quirkiness"; well, I like the ignition on the transmission hump (once it was explained that safety was the driving force behind the design, it makes sense), but I am still a bit unsure of the dependability/reliability that I have come to expect, and experience from same-class cars (like my previous Lexus).

Time will tell.

Faults:

Serpentine belt and pulleys needed replacement at 48,508 miles.

General Comments:

I've checked with previous Saab owners in my area (who have had up to 190,000 miles on their vehicle) and they state they never had to have the serpentine belt and pulleys replaced.

While my car is still under warranty (less than 50,000 miles), the serpentine belt and pulley replacement was not.

I was told that the warranty on the serpentine belt and pulleys is only 1 year or 16,000 miles.

Has anyone had a similar experience - the need to replace the serpentine belt and pulleys at such low mileage?

Faults:

• The original key remotes stopped working within the first 6 months. The dealer provided me with at least 6 replacements because none would hold the programming to open the car. Eventually, one was able to hold the code. (11/00-3/01)

• The front toe setting was off from the beginning and the car pulled assertively to the right. The original dealer was never able to isolate the problem (after several trips to the service bay). The dealership which bought the original Tulsa dealership was finally able to identify it, but could only modify it slightly. By that point, the front tires were worn so badly on one side, they had to be replaced. (6/00-6/01). By 10/01, the toe setting was off again and had to be reset.

• The rear shocks had to be replaced. At the moment, I am not able to remember what alerted us to that problem. (11/02)

• After driving to my office on a snowy day, I was unable to drive the car home because it felt as if the parking brake would not release and several warning lights were illuminated. I had the car towed to the dealership and, after sitting in the heated garage all night, the car was fine in the morning. The only hypothesis my service adviser had was that some part of the braking apparatus had frozen and needed to thaw. I will admit it was a cold, snowy day, but I find it hard to believe a snowy day in Oklahoma will undo a car built for snowy days in Sweden! (1/03)

• In February of this year, I had the 60,000 mile service done. Now, in May, I am faced with having to have the throttle body replaced as well as the digital display which has been spotty for the last couple of months. In fact, the service adviser informed me the displays have been a common problem and the dealer always has several in stock in anticipation of someone needing a replacement. (5/03)

- As of 7/03 I had to have the ignition module replaced. Have spent a total of 3000.00 on the car in last 5 months.

General Comments:

I have written a letter to the president of Saab USA listing the above complaints. Her response was (and still is, despite my phone calls) that Saab has no responsibility for and will not address issues after the warranty has expired. Even the dealership feels sorry for me and gave me a slight discount on the last part.

If the company's customer service had been better, I would probably buy another Saab because I like the car and I understand lemons do happen.

Faults:

Oil Leak.

Computer keeps incorrectly indicated light failure.

Battery went dead after one year.

General Comments:

The car has very poor traction.

From a start on a rainy road it yanks to the left or right and front tires spin out.

Oil leak has been repaired four times.

Uses premium fuel only. Costly to run.

An overpriced car with good safety features and comfort, but needs all wheel drive.

It also needs to have its electrical and computer system reworked,