1994 SAAB 9000 CDE 2.3 non turbo petrol from Israel

Summary:

Cheap to buy, pricey to maintain, disappointing to have

Faults:

Exhaust had corrosion, and finally developed a huge hole and needed replacement ($300).

Leak from the fuel tank, probably because it was damaged by the previous owner.

Cruise control doesn't work.

Fuel pump failed and needed replacement ($200).

Service lamp always on, nothing helped.

Auto box blew at 192000 km, didn't want to put another 2000 USD in it, so I just dumped it on some public parking.

General Comments:

The non turbo engine is very weak and unsatisfying.

The car is extremely thirsty on fuel.

Many small electrical staff does not work at all - very annoying.

This car does not fit a hot climate. I've heard many times about automatic gearbox early problems due to the hot climate.

Visiting the dealer's garage costs a fortune.

I had a Citroen once - it did more problems, but at least was comfortable. The SAAB 9000 is not very comfortable though. I didn't feel confident in the car, and always prayed not to be stuck. I'm a tall guy, and for me the driving position was a nightmare, even though it is a big car.

Very few garages will agree to take care of it and repair it.

Don't buy this car; it will take you a fortune to maintain and keep up going, but eventually you won't be pleased with it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 23rd May, 2012

24th May 2012, 09:35

Umm... Why did you buy this car??? I've owned 9 Saabs and never had issues like you have. You bought a old car that was not maintained by the previous owner, has over 190,000 miles on the car and you are complaining??? Then judge the entire Saab company on the one old junk Saab you bought??? Be reasonable. Try a NEWER Saab. Possibly a 2001, which is 11 years old, not 18 years old. THEN comment on Saab vehicles.

24th May 2012, 13:46

It's engineering like this that put Saab out of business.

In reply to 24th May 2012, 09:35

25th May 2012, 08:57

That's 190k kilometers, not miles.

In reply to 24th May 2012, 13:46

25th May 2012, 18:04

It seems to me it was GM that put Saab out of business.

In reply to 25th May 2012, 18:04

28th May 2012, 02:12

GM actually gave Saab a few more years to live. When they bought 50% of Saab Automobile in 1990, Saab were already in danger of going under owing to several factors:

A) Dependence on too few markets to generate the majority of sales volume.

B) Too narrow a product offering.

C) Models that were too old to compete with newer offerings from their rivals.

D) Awful marketing that saw their cars appealing to too narrow a customer base.

Sadly, few, if any, of these issues were addressed under GM's stewardship.

To be fair to GM, even Ford screwed up Jaguar when they owned it.

1994 SAAB 9000 Aero 2.3 turbo from North America

Summary:

Supercar acceleration with minivan cargo capacity

Faults:

Purchased the car realizing that it needed a significant amount of work, so the amount of work I did here probably wouldn't be necessary on every Aero.

Replaced motor mounts and CV joints.

Replaced SCC unit, twice.

Replaced stereo system (previous owner installed an OEM system from the wrong car when the original failed.)

Replaced ACC unit.

Replaced headliner.

Replaced taillight and headlight units.

Replaced driver's side sun visor.

Cruise control doesn't work.

Can't get full boost.

Driver's seat is worn and is four-way instead of eight-way power due to failed motors.

Passenger's seat recline cables are bad, so reclining warps the seat.

Noisy transmission, may go in 10,000 miles.

General Comments:

Immensely practical, with a cavernous hatchback that can swallow almost as much as a minivan, and incredibly comfortable interior. There is significantly more passenger room inside than my father's 1995 Mercedes E-class.

The best seats that I've ever sat in, ideal for long rides and very supportive.

Even without full boost, very fast. Overtaking is a breeze. Going from 40 to 65 happens without even realizing it. Handles very well for such a large car, but occasionally reminds you that it's no Miata, as there's still a bit of wallowing in sharp turns. Can be tricky to park in the city.

Shares most of its parts with lowlier 9000s, so used parts can be had extremely cheaply.

Button heavy interior dates to 1985 and is a bit dated, but works very well. Subtle airplane-like touches like the overhead "Fasten Belts" sign are neat.

If you can find one and don't mind the slightly anonymous styling, the Aero is a staggering performance bargain.

The above list of replacements seems like quite a bit, but the car, when bought, needed a bit of work and was purchased very cheaply. Later I learned the vehicle was a flood victim - had I known I would have bought it regardless.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th May, 2009