Author Topic: Used Vehicle Review: Saab 900/9-3, 1994-2002  (Read 4283 times)

Offline Autos_Editor

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Used Vehicle Review: Saab 900/9-3, 1994-2002
« on: February 04, 2010, 04:06:38 am »



The Saab 900 sedan and convertible were renamed the 9-3 in 1999.   Consumer Reports rates reliability as well below-average, but low resale values make this Swedish premium car a bargain, if you do your homework, says Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.

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Randy

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Saab 900/9-3, 1994-2002
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2010, 10:49:35 am »
I own a 2008 Saab 9-5 wagon. Its been flawless so far. All of Saab's cars are recommended in Consumer Reports for 2008 and probably 2009. Its a blast to drive as is great on gas. I don't regret buying one bit.

If someone decides they want to buy one of these older Saabs, I highly recommend you join a Saab club. There is a Saab club of Canada as well as Regional Clubs. They have email lists and often other members know how to fix any problems. They can help with diagnosis and how/where to get it fixed as well as getting used parts.
Some will even come over to your house and help you fix it!!

Just google Saab Club of Canada...(sorry it wouldn't let me post the link)

Offline ktm525

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Saab 900/9-3, 1994-2002
« Reply #2 on: February 04, 2010, 11:33:39 am »
Quirky little cars for sure but I am unsure what makes them so desireable. The 900's I have tried all had a very rubbery manual shifter, probably the worst I have ever used. The suspension was squishy with tons of body roll. The turbo engines were snappy but that horrible lag, nothing nothing nothing then boom! Torque steer out the wazoo.

What am I missing? ???

Offline ArticSteve

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Saab 900/9-3, 1994-2002
« Reply #3 on: February 04, 2010, 10:10:21 pm »
These series Saab's had fantastic form and function.  The standard seats were top of the industry.  I found the suspension typically Euro good.

However, the motors were junk.  The Opel V6, later used in the Caddy that ZIGGED  ::) was perhaps the worst V6 ever produced in automotive history.  The automatic tranny was top notch.  The manuals dreadful.

4saabs & counting...

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Saab 900/9-3, 1994-2002
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2010, 11:30:11 pm »
Quirky little cars for sure but I am unsure what makes them so desireable. The 900's I have tried all had a very rubbery manual shifter, probably the worst I have ever used. The suspension was squishy with tons of body roll. The turbo engines were snappy but that horrible lag, nothing nothing nothing then boom! Torque steer out the wazoo.

What am I missing? ???


Gosh! The first review I'd read about Saabs that didn't actually use the word "quirky", and you had to go ahead and spoil it, by using that word again!  ;)

Offline ktm525

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Saab 900/9-3, 1994-2002
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2010, 11:09:47 am »
Faie enough. How about a thousand little buttons the size of a tic-tac? The turbo lag and rubbery shifter added up to a "unique" driving experience. ;)