8th Jul 2008, 14:29
Last month the dashboard on by '00 9-5 lit up and the speedometer stopped working. What's strange though is that it lasts anywhere from 10 seconds to 30 minutes, but never stays that way. I just had both sets of brakes replaced, and I can't figure out if that had anything to do with it. I also just plunked down nearly a grand two months ago to get some electrical work done.
Never again will I own a saab.
8th Jul 2008, 15:49
The 2004 9-5 Arc looked great on the showroom floor. I usually drive my cars into the ground and this is my first "nice" car. I drove my Nissan for 16 years. I bought the extended warranty with the car at 32,000 miles. Glad I did. The car is in the shop as we speak while the family is away on vacation. A throttle problem. The thing I loved most about the car was the ride. It is great! Make sure you go into the purchase knowing that it will need a lot of repairs as it gets older. Like the Space Shuttle, it may be in the VAB for quite a while, but it is one HECK of a ride!
11th Jul 2008, 23:53
All this doom and gloom, heck I'm 25 and owned 6 Saab's starting with a 85 900 and currently in a 99 9-5 Aero and a 2001 Viggen *my wife's*.
I have to say I have always enjoyed owning a Saab. I sold my 85 with 379,xxx miles on its original engine and tranny, and the A/C still worked.
I have to say the 95 900 with the crappy GM-OPEL V6; that thing was troublesome, so I do not drive a V6 anymore, thus why I do not have a new 9-3 Aero; as pretty as it is, they do not have the 4 cylinder, and even though the V6 has had the timing issues reworked, I do not trust the motor.
Other than that, love them, never would trade them.
I also own a 2002 Pontiac GTP; might I add that the car's general maintenance costs are actually higher than my Saabs? Now that's weird. Including it might burst into flames while sitting; how warm and fuzzy that makes me feel... nice recall.
12th Jul 2008, 11:12
I have owned 3 Saabs over the past 17 years, each of which has been a problem car. Each was purchased new. The cars have been unreliable and repairs have been frequent, time-consuming and expensive. My Saabs have given me more car woes than anyone else I know. Still, Saab owners like me are passionate about their cars and hang onto them (and keep buying new ones) even though keeping them is irrational. It's a love affair, not a smart business decision. I finally used my head and bought a BMW to use as a primary car... but I kept my 2000 9-3 Viggen and still love driving it. I can't rely on it, but I still love it.
15th Jul 2008, 18:57
Tomorrow I am donating our Saab 95 V6 to charity, since they will pick it up at no cost.
We purchased the car new in 1999 and have 108,000 miles on it. The car was well maintained, but over the last 3 years we have spent over $3000 in repairs per year to drive it 10,000 miles annually.
Two weeks ago, we had the driver's side window and air conditioning repaired for $600. We were told there was a small coolant leak ($800 repair), the rear brakes needed redone ($1200) and the SID is totally unreadable ($600 for the 4th replacement).
Four days ago car would not start. I recharged the battery (new alternator 4 months ago) and got the car going. Two days later, the check engine and gear box warning came on. The car is in limp home mode but of course, the car has to be jumped to get it started so it can be driven to the dealer. To fix this car which has been towed 7 times over the course of its life, would cost more than it is worth. So, I am taking the minuscule deduction and coming out ahead.
We loved the car at first, but will never buy another Saab. The repairs were ridiculous versus any other vehicle we have owned.
21st Jul 2008, 13:04
I own a 2001 Saab 9-5 Wagon. Good car at first until the warranty expired. Since then I have replaced the following things: fuel pump, turbo, Engine, throttle body, cat converter, 2 sets of brakes, many headlights and tail lights, drivers seat heater, some computer component that controls the entire car, water pump and all the other scheduled services.
This car is like the money pit! I would love to sell it but no takers... I just keep hoping that I have finally reached the end, but to my disbelief it still keeps breaking down.
I would never recommend another Saab to anyone, and apologize to the people I recommended a Saab to. Hopefully your Saab was better than mine... I keep meeting other Saab owners with similar stories to mine. It is really too bad!
4th Jul 2008, 20:41
I have a '99 Saab 9-5 turbo which I bought in approx. 2004 and it has been a "sob" story. I absolutely love the ride of the car, but with the issues the car has had and with the amount of money I have put in this car, I could have bought a new car. The amount of money would have equaled out. I bought the car with approx. 32,000 miles and it has 106,000 now. I think saying what has not been replaced would be quicker. The list includes replacing the a/c control unit resistor wiring harness & blower fan motor to a/c system, one of the units the spark plugs sit in (id module), wheel bearings in the front (more than once), some type of electrical problem that shorted out the battery, the dash display units (both), hood emblem (2x) (plus back emblem), chrome came off grill, memory seat switch replaced, alternator, water pump, timing belt, timing belt idler, timing belt tension (timing belt twice), front door guide seal out of track, and I am sure there is more. Oh, and now the car is bucking on the highway and is now giving me trouble starting - I am getting ready to sink some money in the fuel pump, I think this time.
I have never had the luxury of owning a brand new car and always have bought used. I am used to "normal" repairs for worn out parts on cars and have always gone out of my way to ensure proper maintenance, but this car has been extraordinary.
I wonder if the Saab lovers are the ones that buy the new (er) ones and trade in before all of the problems. The cars are an awesome ride. A question for the Saab lovers - Are there Saab lovers out there who have higher mileage on their Saabs in my year range and have not had all the problems many people discuss on this site?