Faults:

Heater matrix was leaking when I got the car cost about £150 to fix, none SAAB dealer. Boot lock needed some attention, did this myself and it cost nothing. Bulbs on electric window switches replaced by myself (required soldering iron, but cost pennies)

General Comments:

Fantastic, the origional 900 is a true classic it is the best build car ever without exception. But I would not have any of the more recent General Motor SAAB's as they are not really SAABs anymore and are inferior. So you could say that SAAB's are no more.

These cars were well specified in their day, but are perhaps a bit basic now. I had it for 3 years with no real problems. If you can find one of the origional SAABs in good condition buy it immediatly, it will be worth money in years to come and should run and run.

Faults:

Turbo wasn't working for the first 2 months of ownership.

Gearbox exploded on the M40 motorway at 120,000 miles.

Minor oil and water leaks.

General Comments:

And I will never forget this car; okay, we shared a few grievances with issues relating to the gearbox and turbo, but for its age, well, who cares.

But I have to say, for its superb aero looks, bullet proof build, interior cabin comfort, and on fixing the turbo - absolutely shattering performance, no other car I owned before or after has come close.

This car was quick. A rare combination of quality, performance, image, rarity and absolute beauty.

Faults:

Gearbox overhaul when I bought it, common fault and cost 500 quid to fix, but I knew this (my second 900 turbo) so I was able to negotiate.

Er, and that's about it. Had some accident damage and needed 30 quid weld for 1st MOT with me.

Second MOT cost £2.50! (bulb and 2 washers to fix a minor fuel leak).

Poor 0-25mph, great 25-125! ;-)

General Comments:

Great car, especially on the motorway. A little small inside for a big car, huge boot.

Am after some shocks now, but for a 150k+ car it is such good value.

After a Rover it's a Rolls. I will buy another when this one dies!

Faults:

One wheel bearing went but I simply got a secondhand hub and bolted it on for £15 at 150,000m.

Springs are starting to get spongey.

All dash lights don't work.

Slightly sticky electric window on driver's side.

As it stands today - it needs a new front exhaust pipe (which I can fit, it's like Mechano for £30) and a battery. That's it!

General Comments:

Look at my last car. You would think it would be more economical to run.... NARR.

The engine in the SAAB has just broken in. Due to the tweedy jacket lecturer types who drive them and the safety/security aspect, insurance is low, nearly as low as the jeep. Small cars are a false economy (they break). The SAAB was in competition with BMW and MERC at the time and was engineered, not manufactured. I cannot believe I drive it. It looks showroom.

Faults:

At around 70,000 miles the car needed a new driveshaft, very unusual and couldn't be explained, at 214,000 miles there is still one original one. The first clutch gave way at 108,000 miles not too bad!

Other than that, a couple of radiators, a water pump, a reconditioned gearbox at 177,000 miles as a long trip to the south of France was looming and there was a slight whine. The cylinder head gasket blew at 195,000 miles as a result of driving 100 miles with little coolant on the motorway, silly really. A replacement cylinder head was needed and the clutch was replaced as well, seemed silly not to. A new set of H.T. leads were required at 200,000 miles.

Currently the car is inoperative although hasn't failed an MOT in 6 years! Much better than the newer 900SE light pressure turbo! Not quite sure what is wrong with it and I'm considering sourcing another engine and gearbox. Although the car does very few miles having since been usurped by the newer car, it did do a 2,000 mile continental trip in 5 days whilst having 209,000 on the clock without missing a beat.

General Comments:

Very good cars, must be as I'm on my fifth and have covered well over 500,000 miles in them with very few problems. The boot is probably one of the best attributes, very few cars even estates can get 2 school trunks in their boot or 200 bottles of Champagne.

Although it isn't that powerful it is a brilliant long distance cruiser, 100 on the motorway without feeling out of breath. It is also very good when the going gets slippery or offroad. The chains bought for the first SAAB have only been used once on the subsequent annual skiing trips to the Alps.

Faults:

Main dealer caused the following faults:

While replacing a leaking water pump, failed to re-tighten alternator bolts, resulting in the alternator parting company from the car. Also, the tools used were left resting on steering rack, which could have caused a serious accident.

When replacing a broken headlight lens, they bent the wiper shaft so that it no longer worked. Also while attaching headlight protectors, they fitted them incorrectly so that one split. Also, it caused the bonnet to open with the car in motion. This is just the beginning of the story.

General Comments:

Main dealer support was appalling.

SAAB GB attitude was unbelievable - they did nothing. In themselves the problems were minor, however taken as a whole, unforgivable. Full story can be found on the web at URL.

http://www.keme.co.uk/~stowupland/saab/