1996 SAAB 9000 CSE 2.0 LPT 2.0 Light Pressure turbo

Summary:

Stealth bomber in a suit

Faults:

Faulty waste-gate actuator needed to be re-fitted.

General Comments:

This is my second car (first Saab).

I bought the car after I found it was cheaper to insure than a Vauxhall Astra TD Estate (I'm a musician).

The interior is among the smartest and most comfortable I have ever had the pleasure of travelling in. Everything is within easy reach and the ergonomics are excellent.

In my quest for more power, I have fitted an uprated ECU, Sports Air-Filter, Atmospheric Motorsports Dumpvalve, and a 3" Sports Exhaust system. Power has increased from 150bhp/156lbs ft torque, to 230bhp/260lbs ft torque. Performance is now 09/10!

0-60 is not among the elite, but mid-range acceleration (where it really matters!) is mind-blowing.

This car provides all of the comfort and safety you could ask for, discerning looks, and rapid acceleration which always make the car a pleasure to drive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th July, 2004

27th Feb 2007, 06:16

Interested in the mods you have done.

Where did you get it all done?

1996 SAAB 9000 CD 2.0

Summary:

A complete dog

Faults:

Resale value - the value of this car goes into free-fall the moment you sign for it.

Dealer service - when asked about how come the value falls off so quickly, the main agent dealer salesman says "you just have to accept it". When his boss is asked about this, he says "you just have to accept what he says". Every query about this car was met by "you just have to accept it". Well, I don't.

Handling - it wallows all over the place. This may have been caused by the trailing link falling off for no apparent reason. Except of course, the car was supplied by the main dealer.

Fuel economy - there isn't any. Best I've got was 27 miles per gallon, worst was 22. It's a joke.

Fuel filler cap lock. Motor failed after 11 months. Main agent didn't want to replace it even though it was still under warranty. I made them replace it or I wasn't taking the car away. They put a new motor in the lock - which failed, 11 months later.

General Comments:

The car is deceptively fast - you can easily be doing 90 before you really think you're doing over 70.

Overall, steer well clear of these - there is no dealer support and you just lose money on them.

If you want to look like a high speed loser who accepts zero service and buys on the cheap, it would be a great car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd May, 2001

2nd May 2001, 13:11

Why do you keep going back to the same dealer? Perhaps if you found a more professional, more sympathetic dealer you wouldn't be too hard on the car. Unfortunately as with many reviews here, bad dealer experience is one reason that an owner would stay clear of a marque next time around. Another thing -- try an independent SAAB garage, since you're stuck with the car, you've got nothing else to lose.

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1996 SAAB 9000 CSE Ecopower 2.0 light pressure turbo

Summary:

1st class alternative to big BMWs and Mercedes

Faults:

Nothing, the car has been totally reliable.

General Comments:

An excellent buy, roomy, comfortable, safe, rapid, economical (31 mpg average - mixed driving).

Excellent ergonomic control layout.

Best all round car I've owned.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd January, 2001

1996 SAAB 9000 CSE 2.3 turbo

Summary:

A hugely fast and comfortable car at a sensible price

Faults:

Inadequate braking system, brake discs regularly warped.

Leaking head gasket.

Several exhaust system failures.

Numerous squeaks and rattles.

General Comments:

Fantastic car, huge performance at a much more competitive price than a BMW or Mercedes. My 5 speed manual would do 75mph in 2nd gear and 110mph in 3rd gear.

Superb engine, lots of torque, 323nm from 1800rpm right where you need it.

Great experience let down by a few reliability niggles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st August, 2000

19th Nov 2002, 03:41

There are complaints about exhaust system failures and a leaking head gasket, together with comments about 75 in 2nd 110 in 3rd.

I'm not a mechanic, but methinks they could be related!

I have had a number of 900s and 9000s over the years. Change the oil every three months with decent (synthetic for Turbos) stuff and you rarely have problems. My current 900 has 194K on the clock.

Patrick.

1st Feb 2004, 07:05

I have owned a 9000 V6 3.0 auto since 30K miles. The car is luxury at its best. I have found the economy better than my old 2.0 Saab of 1989, with more power than you will ever need. At 81K and 8 years the exhaust is the original. Steering with Michelins is OK, but not excellent. The timing belt is costly to replace and the change cycle seems very short. I have the electric roof with climate control and full electric seats at the front. Yes there are a few annoying rattles, and the TCS warning light has appeared on the dash (anybody got any tips on this), but so far I am extremely pleased with it.

Malcolm Place, East Sussex.

28th Mar 2004, 19:04

My advice being a Saab Mechanic is to just stay away from the V6. The costly maintenance and repairs can be disturbing. We dread every time a V6 comes in the shop. The rest of the Saab line is extremely reliable.

7th May 2007, 13:35

The V6 is troublesome.

The problems you describe with the exhaust system could be due to worn out engine mounts. The upper mount is easy to, but the lowers are hard to check without removing the top bolt and jacking the engine up. If your engine doesn't leak oil look for oil and associated caking of debris on the subframe near the engine mounting locations as evidence of failure.

1996 SAAB 9000 Aero 2.3 turbo petrol

Faults:

Split fan belt at 39,000 miles, but it got me home. Cause was wear on the tension arm wheel ball race - occurred just the wrong side of the warranty.

General Comments:

Fast, safe (I'm led to believe), looks are quietly impressive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd December, 1998

1996 SAAB 9000 CS 2.3 turbo petrol

Faults:

Virtually nothing.

General Comments:

Excellent, it is hard to fault the quality, performance, comfort and safety.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th November, 1997