1977 SAAB 99 EMS review from North America
"Fun, nimble, quirky lovable car!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Something in the gearbox suddenly locked up on the highway - the front wheels locked and it skidded for a while and then SNAP! Gearbox dead.
Dreaded water pump leakage.
General comments?
I loved this car. Felt like it could really move. I think it had 121 hp. Nimble, comfortable, sporty. Loved the pull-open sunroof. The velour ems seats were a bit tattered. Not sure if the EMS version had anything special on it other than the wheels - I know the engine was the same.
Great engine - except for the design of the water pump. It was down inside the engine and driven by the idler shaft. If you didn't replace it properly, the gears on the idler shaft would get stripped.
Unfortunately they had a tendency for the back end to swing out unexpectedly and fishtail. It happened to me a couple of times before ultimately it happened to me on a snowy road and I ended up spinning and getting hit by a cop car.
Recommended reviews
  | Way ahead of its time at the time, but now out dated (30 years old, but!!) |
  | Never again! |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Model Year | 1977 |
| First year of ownership | 1988 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 1988 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0 Manual |
| Performance marks | 8/10 |
| Reliability marks | 7/10 |
| Comfort marks | 8/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 7/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 100000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 100000 miles |
| Previous car | SAAB 99 |
| Date of Entry | 10th April, 2006 |