1982 SAAB 900 Turbo 2.0 turbo from North America

Summary:

Never again will I buy one of these pos!

Faults:

Brakes replaced at 4000 miles and about every 10K miles thereafter!

Tranny went out at 45K miles and cost $3000 to replace.

Turbo blew at 58K miles.

Car overheated from day one! It didn't have A/C! The radiator was replaced several times and still the car overheated!

Battery was underneath the turbo! When you need to replace the battery, you've got to remove the turbo. VERY EXPENSIVE!

This car was in the shop more than it was out!

General Comments:

The DEPRECIATION on a SAAB is HORRENDOUS! Have you ever known anyone to be a repeat customer???

My friend bought a SAAB (SOB!!!) about a month before me, blew the tranny at 2000 miles (!) and called me up to tell me, "Don't buy one!" Mine was already ordered! I wish I would have just forfeited the $2000 deposit as the car depreciated from $16K to $1K in just 8 years!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 30th September, 2006

2nd Oct 2006, 06:53

If the radiator was replaced several times and it still overheated, it sounds like you have an incompetent mechanic. If it didn't work the first time, why should it work a second or a third?

2nd Oct 2006, 12:41

Yes I know plenty of repeat Saab customers. As far as depreciation goes, there are plenty of cars with far worse depreciation. By the way, how much do you think an 8 year-old vehicle that originally listed for $16,000 should be worth after 8 (apparently very hard) years?

It sounds like you drove your Saab like it was a Camaro, or perhaps because it was an import, like a Porsche.

Anyway, your experience is contrary to my own and to any Saab owner that I know personally (some who have gotten well over 200,000 miles of trouble free motoring from their cars, and have been repeat customers for a long, long, time).

3rd Mar 2007, 04:29

The battery is under the turbo, not great for long term battery life due to the heat. The battery can easily be removed without touching the turbo, a sixty second job. Sorry, but if your mechanic told you otherwise they were taking you for a ride.

1982 SAAB 900 2.0 turbo from Malaysia

Summary:

A love hate relationship

Faults:

Manual gearbox gone, changed to a new one. Engine leaking oil, power steering leaking, Gearbox leaking. Electrical problems sometimes the headlamp is functional sometimes it doesn't. Same thing for the rear lights though. None of the electrical lighting in the car works including the light at fascia panel. Mileage meter is also faulty.

General Comments:

As stated above, this car has been giving me many problems. However, despite all this I find myself strangely attracted to it simply because of its shape, unique design and the sheer pleasure of driving it.

Parts are quite cheap and aplenty if you buy used ones and if you know your way around the local junk shop.

The real turn off is actually the quality of the local dealers for this cars. Just because Saab cars are a rarity here they really take advantage of you when it comes to repair. As at to date none of the local mechanics be it Saab specialists or otherwise that had shown me a satisfactory job.

I am currently learning Do-it-yourself job on the car, but considering the lack of proper tools and space problem that I am facing right now. Some major repairs would still require me to go to the so called specialist. And I really hate that.

In conclusion, I love the car, but I hate the dealer.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th July, 2003

1982 SAAB 900 4 cylinder from North America

Faults:

Transmission.

Brake calipers.

Master brake cylinder.

Air conditioning.

Water pump.

Water hoses.

Belts.

Fan switches.

Exhaust, muffler.

Horn.

Cruise control.

Wheel bearings.

O2 sensor.

Heat dial on dash.

Gas gauge.

Starter.

General Comments:

I loved this car.

It handled beautifully, it was designed with whimsy.

It got me around when the rest of the city was snowed in. It defrosted like magic.

It could turn on a dime.

It was comfortable for long trips.

It hauled anything I needed.

It NEVER left me on the side of the road. The car could drive for miles with parts which were falling into disrepair. (I drove on a broken wheel bearing for 2 years!) I will never forget that car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th December, 2000