Faults:

Within the last six months the car developed a stutter when running, twice shutting off completely while sitting idle in traffic. Problem is that the stutter happened intermittently, so when we took it to a SAAB mechanic, they couldn't find the problem. After three attempts there, went to SAAB dealership. Initially, the dealer could not locate the problem, but on the second try they diagnosed it as a throttle issue. Luckily we purchased a warranty when we purchased the 9-5 (gently used). So the repair was covered. We'll see if this resolves the hiccup/stutter problem... So far so good ( x fingers crossed x)

General Comments:

Generally, we LOVE our SAAB. We also understand that 2002 (I think) is the last year Saab's were made in Sweden (prior to GM acquisition). Due to same, would likely not buy a GM SAAB, especially due to our recent problem with our 9-5. It's really kind of a love-hate relationship. Love the special feel of a SAAB, hate when something goes wrong.

I owned two Honda preludes in college and grad school and loved both dearly. Especially because they were pretty AND completely headache free. But do feel quite safe in the SAAB, so our next car will have to be a tank also (but no SUVs for us).

Faults:

Head Lights have been changed 3 times.

Rough idle, creating a high vibration in the whole car mostly when it's still cold. The dealer said every looks normal, they upped the rpm on idle to take care of the vibration, but this did not work out so I went back to have him say to me that I have the dentist syndrome: (there's always something wrong).

Starting takes some time.

On rainy days it sometimes feels that it would choke.

Brakes seem fine by the dealer, but is still squeaking.

Power-steering module is sooooo noisy.

General Comments:

The handling of the car is great, that's what got me when I first tried it, the cornering and the feeling at speed is incredible. There's a great amount of power when you need it, to pass someone or taking that curve aggressively.

I travel a lot on highway and the car is a dream, the ride is smooth and as strange as it seems, the fuel economy on "highway" is the best I've seen so far. But in the city... it drinks almost as much as my 4L ranger...

In parking lots, it has the turning radius of a bus and you can't see too well where the front of the car is.

I'm 6 foot 5 and this car has a seat that backs up for I would say at least a 7 foot tall person. That was one of my criteria.

I like it, but I'm getting scared of the money I'll have to spend to keep it running for a few more years before selling it.

Faults:

We bought this car used because we wanted something smaller and sportier, and had heard that SAABs were safe and reliable. One month after we got it the turbocharger impeller fractured. Fortunately, the used car warranty covered it or it would have been a $4000 repair.

The car needed a thermostat replacement soon after, and the bill exceeded $250 to replace a $14 part.

A water pump failure soon followed with a $500 bill to go with it.

We have replaced at least 8 headlight bulbs during this two year period, half the dash lights are out, and the radio has so much static on "AM" that you can't listen to it. It is obviously an electrical problem because by pushing in on the radio, the sound improves.

General Comments:

This is the most overrated automobile I have ever owned. I am aghast that anyone would buy this new at $38,000 and justify the purchase.

I cannot wait to trade it in on an American car and be done with the experiment. Oh yes ---- one more comment. The service is so expensive that whenever it goes in for its regular service intervals, I call it the $500 car wash. It comes out running just like it did when it went in, except that it is clean.