12th Aug 2009, 09:09

I'm at the Saab Service Center while I write this. I have a 2001 9-5 with 74,000 miles, although at 65,000 I received a new engine because of the sludge recall. I'm waiting for my $800 throttle body replacement; although YouTube shows how to remove it from "limp home mode" so perhaps I should have tried that first. At least there is free wifi in the waiting area.

My experiences with this car have been similar to those with my two prior Fords (Explorer and Escort); about 2-3x per year you can expect a hefty mechanic bill. Forget being handy - it is all about plug in diagnostics. This last issue happened during a 5hr. drive home at 9:00 p.m. Not fun when you're a woman alone far from home, especially when driving a car believed to be in good working condition and well maintained. I'll wait for the new hybrid cars that are powered by a DC motor - I know how to change batteries!

19th Aug 2009, 19:25

I have a 2002 9-5 Aero sedan (5 spd). I have never had a single problem with the car! It's got almost 180k on it at this point and it not only looks new (mostly because I wash and wax it by hand all the time), but it DRIVES like new.. Yes, I only put full synthetic oil in it (M1), and I do so every 3k. Believe me, it's worth the extra cost in the short run to save you all the trouble in the long run. The SAAB dealer has always been courteous and consistent with quality service. This is the best car I've ever owned by a long shot. I will definitely buy SAAB again.

21st Aug 2009, 00:06

We own two Saabs. One is an Aero 9-5, the other an Aero 9-3. The 9-5 has been one thing after another. I love it. I really do, and I love the 9-3 too. I don't know how to explain it. The car is comfy, luxurious and great to drive, but holy hannah when the thing decides not to work -- patience...

The 9-3 is a dream, no issues ever.

The 9-5 in the last 8 months has been ABS module, throttle body, heated seats, switches, A/C repair, oil change, new tires, lights that come on and off and on again... weird stuff. Some of the things are to be expected -- oil change, the rest is annoying.

I am afraid of what I am reading. I see my 9-5 in all of your comments. I've owned Buick, Chevy, Ford, Hyundai, Kia (just like the 9-5, always something). I would buy a Hyundai again, never a problem, reliable, only the oil change to worry about, and that was included for the life of the vehicle -- but it just isn't the same.

How do you explain that you want your lemon to taste more like lemonade because it's just so sweet to drive when it's drivable?

7th Oct 2009, 15:46

I have a 2000 SE Saab convertible, 94,000 miles.

My driver's window would not go up. It cost $850 to repair, and when I left the shop, my air bag light came on. That just cost me $275. Said there was a short in the wiring.

When I left the shop today, my air conditioner starting blowing hot air. At least it is getting close to winter so I will wait a while and see what else happens.

After reading all these comments, I am sure something else will go wrong.

28th Oct 2009, 11:49

I had one of the best SAABs ever built - the mid 90s 900. I had to replace it in 2006, so I did some research before committing to anything. I discovered the following... Just because the 1996 900 was one of the best pieces of automotive engineering ever to go into production, this doesn't mean that the early 2000s 95 in not one of the worst pieces of automotive engineering ever to go into production. I also researched some other vehicles... the mid 2000s Ford Mondeo (Europe model) is a superb piece of engineering. I now drive one; in fact I am on my second one since 2006. They don't break down, they just wear out.

1st Nov 2009, 17:37

Well as most of you know, Saab was bought out by GM in the early 90s and has went down hill ever since. I too own a "money pit" or as my dad likes to call it "S**t All About Belts" since I have thrown mine 3 times in 6 months. But if the rumors are true, you will be happy to know that Koenigsegg bought Saab. And are planning on producing fewer cars and take more time designing them. Quality or quantity unlike domestic brands.

2nd Nov 2009, 16:39

The comment about Saab going downhill ever since GM bought into them is not entirely true.

The Saab 9000 was pre-GM and a collaborative effort with Fiat and even this model series has numerous problems and issues dogging it.

Don't forget that had GM not intervened, Saab would have become history by 1992, like it or not.

As for their recent buy out by Koeni-whatever, it remains to be seen how Saab will remain in the popular price classes as once you shave volume, then the price each car has to be sold at increases dramatically as it is not inexpensive to design, engineer and manufacture platforms and components without anyone else to share these costs with.

Future Saabs may be more "pure", but at what cost?

10th Nov 2009, 16:12

I own a 1999 Saab 95. I bought it about 4 years ago for 8k which I thought was a good deal but it did have high miles. Since then I have spent more on it in repairs than I paid for it. I could have almost paid for a near new Honda or Toyota by now.

Don't get me wrong, when it runs I love it but it is constantly one thing after another. Anyone with one of these cars make absolute sure to get the sludge checked by 100,000. It can be picked up, go through the turbo and starve the engine of oil. Mine seized almost instantly. Check engine light never came on, I heard the lifters, and started heading to the side of the road, and boom $4k later and a new short block/turbo and 3 weeks in the shop.

It eats lights (lamps) I carry extras and have to replace them every few months. In fact at lunch today, I just changed a headlamp. I've had to replace more things than I care to remember. Moon roof broke one little piece of plastic that guides the rails and you can't replace just it. Need a $260 complete replacement plus another $250 for labor. Driver side window starting to move slow, plastic connector for rear window brake light snapped off going over a bump.

So much money... like I said, when it runs I love it and the seats are awesome. However, looking or something that doesn't cost me on avg $200 a month to keep running.