1997 SAAB 900 S 2.3L

Summary:

Complete trash! Stay away!!!

Faults:

Let me list what did NOT go wrong... engine and transmission.

Disposable message centre units, faulty radioS, noisy/leaky exhaust, temperamental electricals, noisy suspension, most switches went out on me... total CRAP!

This car was the worst lemon I have ever owned. I upgraded to a Honda Civic after this... what a relief. To me reliability is most important. After 3 years of ownership the service manager recognized my voice on the phone. In the first year alone the total value of the warranty repairs was $20K!!! I paid $18K for the darned thing.

It rarely started when it was really cold (wasn't this thing made in Sweden!!!) so I had to boost it repeatedly with my 18 year old Oldsmobile... how embarrassing. It idled like a lawnmower from day 1.

I drove to the dealer more than once with 1 or more window down because it would not go back up.

General Comments:

DO NOT BUY A SAAB! The service manager admitted that my experience was not far off from the norm... NONE of the mechanics at this dealer (largest in the area) drive Saabs!!! It speaks volumes about these cars.

The ONLY positive marks are stellar braking, impressive handling and remarkable versatility.

I had read bad reviews about this car when I bought it, but mine had the extended warranty (thank God! I would have gone bankrupt keeping it on the road!!). At the time I thought "it could not be THAT bad!"... guess what, it CAN and it IS!

Stay away... you've been warned. In case you still buy one... "I told you so"...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th March, 2008

12th Nov 2008, 21:45

I also had a 1998 Saab that always had problems. Will never buy another Saab again.

28th Feb 2009, 12:42

I have a 1997 SAAB 900s with 105,000 miles and it is a very fun to drive and reliable car. Your reviews would scare me off if I didn't currently own one, but I'm glad I bought one first.

18th Apr 2011, 10:53

From original poster: I was wasting time and looked up my review to see comments. To the last poster: my gripes had nothing to do with $$. The troubles never cost me a penny because it was on full warranty, so it wasn't an affordability issue. The car was very low mileage and meticulously maintained... it just sucked! Read the details of the review next time; if necessary perhaps you could ask someone else to explain the meaning of the words. And ALL cars are built for longevity: the only variable is the number of repairs it will need.

In reply to 18th Apr 2011, 10:53

13th Jul 2015, 07:50

Hi, your Saab was actually made by GM to GM standards... these models are a far cry from older proper Swede Saabs. The same happened to Mercedes and Volvo from the mid-90s. All made by US style car manufacturing, which favours $$ over quality.

Sad really.

1997 SAAB 900 900S 2.3L

Summary:

Reliable, comfortable, attractive transportation!

Faults:

Clutch cable (apparently a weakness in this model car).

Clutch (still had the original at 160K).

Exhaust-needed muffler and tailpipe.

Rear brakes.

Serpentine belt-the ugliest one the mechanic had ever seen that was still functioning.

General Comments:

I love my old girl, 170K and she still gets me to school and back every day no matter the weather or the state of my steep driveway. Just a great car, minimal fixing needed other than the usual maintenance stuff and the clutch (which was bad when I got the car for a very good deal two years ago). this is saab number five for me, and by far my favorite-still a good-looking vehicle inside and out, even though it splits its time between vermont and new york (two states where the winters are rough and they salt the roads!). I would recommend this car to anyone.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st February, 2008