1997 SAAB 900 S Taladega 2.3L from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Excellent, reliable and classy buy.

Faults:

Mutli-stack CD player (Clarion) in boot jammed and needed to be sent interstate to be fix by the manufacturer. $800 to repair the laser.

Decals needed replacing between windows. May have been due to previous owner. Approximately $150 each.

General Comments:

Excellent car, with a sporty feel and luxury items.

Never had any problems with the running of the car and it runs very well both in the city and on the highway. Would recommend using Premium Unleaded, and whilst an additional cost, the improved results are obvious. Servicing is not the cheapest, however that is expected if you buy a European car.

The heated-seats are a bonus, particularly if you have a sore-back!

This car also has one of the most remarkable level of boot space for a hatchback, with the seat being able to fold down and many other features to list! Even after 2 years I am still finding nifty things that have been designed into the car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th April, 2004

2nd Nov 2004, 15:08

I just recently bought a used SAAB 900s last week. It had 95K miles on it, but engine feels new. I have just one problem with it so far, yesterday the audio system shut down on me. My radio won't work, as well as the tape player. The display screen does not recognize that there is a tape in, so I figured the tape was jammed, so since the eject button won't work, I manually took the tape out, with the help of a butter knife, but nothing changed. None of the buttons on the audio pannel work except the on/off switch that makes the antenna go up and down. Except I found out that when you hold down the Band button, "Code In" is displayed on the display screen. I have no idea what that means. I don't know how to program the little computer in there, or what the programs do. I would just like some help on figuring out what is wrong with my audio system, it gets very boring and lonely in my car without any kind of music : (

Thanks,

Kelly.

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1997 SAAB 900 Anniversary coupe 2.0 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Sensible, quality car

Faults:

Airbag required replacement - done without charge out of warranty following call to Saab Auto Australia as next year's 9-3 had airbag recall.

Tilt/slide mechanism for coupe front seat now only tilts; AUD300 quoted to get the 'slide' functioning.

Dealer incompetence saw bolts in steering arms not re-tightened following wheel alignment. This resulted in steering becoming deranged and both front tyres scrubbed. I needed to arrange for a Saab Auto Australia Technical Advisor to go to the dealers to get this sorted out. Both tyres replaced under warranty, but no offer from the dealer to refund any of the money I was spending for them to stuff up my car...

Sony stereo fitted in Australia replaced under warranty.

General Comments:

Super comfortable long distance car.

Swedish build quality very good. Australian modifications (stereo, colour-coded paint) not to same standard.

Will hold two pairs of skis in bags inside the cabin.

Huge boot will hold pram and then some.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th December, 2002

2nd Aug 2012, 23:36

2012 -- I still own this car -- and I was only looking to own it for a year or two at purchase -- but now have a (second) Alfa 159 and a Mercedes C200 CGI, so it'll be sold soon hopefully. It will be missed.

With an additional 103,000 km on it, nothing major has gone wrong. A snapped clutch cable and a minor door lock inconvenience is as dramatic as it gets.

Still super comfortable. Still super practical. Mechanics reckon it's good for another 150,000 km, and they are probably right.

1997 SAAB 900 SE Talladega Sensonic 2.0 turbo from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A prestigious performance bargain

Faults:

I have just noticed a metal clunking noise coming from front right suspension area. In the process of getting it checked out.

Sensonic gear-change gets tight when changing from 1st to 2nd at higher revs.

General Comments:

The interior is immaculate even after 75000 miles, the leather seats are just getting worn in. Every electrical gadget works perfectly, although I am still figuring out how to work the on-board computer!

Once the turbo is up to speed this car holds it's own with many V6's and above. Brakes are excellent, discs all round.

This is a great car and not too expensive to run or insure, I am 23 and I have insured it fully comp for under £600.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th April, 2002

24th Aug 2004, 09:58

I agree with the insurance costs. Having qualified late in the working life, I only bought my first car (Saab 900 Convertible) at 29. The full insurance set me back considerably less than for example equivalent BMW.

26th Apr 2006, 15:55

I sold this car in 2003. As predicted the sensonic module went, cost £1300 to get the car converted to a standard manual transmission.

Very glad this car is no longer in my life, a big money pit.

I am now in the process of getting a Skoda Fabia Vrs, very addictive torque!!

1997 SAAB 900 S 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Sun shield snapped off.

Air conditioner compressor broke. Fixed under warranty (thank God) would have cost £750, but it had only done 5000 miles at the time.

General Comments:

I like the car despite its woolly performance and handling. It feels solid and safe. To get any sort of performance you really need to stir the gears or buy a turbo. Comfortable for long distances and excellent stereo.

Front tyres need replacing after 12,000 miles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st March, 1999

17th Feb 2006, 14:26

I have no idea what you do with your front tires as mine last for about 60000 miles. I have 210000 miles now, and had a new set of tires twice (with a front rear change). Quality of the '97 900 is great, performance of the 2.0i not very saab-like.

1997 SAAB 900 2.0i from Sweden

Faults:

Nothing at all!

General Comments:

A great reliable car. Thinking of buying a 1998 9-5 SE (nicer looks).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st January, 1999

4th Aug 2012, 13:12

Stick with your 900. The 9-5 is pretty much a Saturn with a facelift.