Faults:

Info display says fill coolant fluid - has been on for several days because I have not been able to fill it yet. Yesterday, check engine light came on. Could these two messages be related?

General Comments:

Don't like it as much as my 95 9000!!! But unfortunately, I "lost it" in a bad ice storm.

Faults:

Bought car in immaculate condition, and reviewed service records; like clock work, serviced every 5K miles.

Only thing I can say bad about it - was the driver's seat needing repair. So, having it repaired with seat matching on color with local vendor (Fibrenew) ($350).

Everybody thinks the car is new and was garage kept.

I put new Yokohamas on it and a Harman Kardon interface.

Things changed during its service history:

SID unit.

AC compressor.

Front struts.

Rear shocks.

DI cassette.

Serpentine belt (twice).

Brake job (twice).

Other things are normal service like filters and oil changes.

So now that I found this site - I will only pray that I will not fall under the gun with the QA/Engineering defects. I bought the car based on the history and quality/engineering legacy of SAAB.

I have only had car for 1 month. Going to make sure I use synthetic oil and baby it. I love the looks of this thing with the top down, and it is in fabulous condition.

Pics of the thing are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28063509@N08/sets/72157606573435080/

Hoping I am lucky - not holding my breath.

Faults:

Muffler rot at 40,000 miles - $650.00

DI cassette replaced at 70,000 - $600.00

ABS/speed sensor module needs to be replaced at 74,000 - $2000.00.

General Comments:

Car is fun to drive, quick and handles good.

Car is good on gas mileage

However, the car is not a quite ride, you can hear all road noise. Seats are not comfortable on a long drive.

The most expensive parts to replaced went out before 80,000 miles.

DI cassette 600.00

ABS/speed sensor module 2000.00

Muffler replaced 650.00

Problems with warning lights check engine, asb, brakes keep coming on. Even though after having checked by dealer no problems found???

Faults:

Convertible top hydraulic rams, Inside door panel loose, belt tension-er, headlight wiper, automatic door locks, engine sensors $$$.

General Comments:

Great car to drive! Costs money to operate!

Dealer has zero knowledge how to repair this car and parts department has zero idea when ordering parts.

If you buy this car make sure you live in a city that has a good Saab mechanic.

Faults:

Water pump failed at 90K, I replaced it for $130.

Rear shocks were leaking, all shocks and struts replaced w adjustable Koni dampers and lowering springs. I did this myself for a cost of ~$800.

Rear muffler rusted through at 90K. Replaced with stainless steel factory sport exhaust.

Fan speed knob broke off...$10 part to fix.

General Comments:

I wish my 9-5 Aero was as reliable and tough as this old girl.

The Aero is faster and handles well, but the 9-3 with the upgraded suspension is a hoot and scoots along pretty quickly!

These cars have lots of performance potential and require a strict maintenance regimen (full synthetic oil and good filters every 4K or so). But they are long lived and pretty tough.

Interior quality leaves plenty to be desired, but the seats are comfortable and leather.

Faults:

I totaled the car after owning it for only 2 weeks.

The driver window was hard to use and would repeatedly fall into the door cavity.

Nothing else.

General Comments:

Great acceleration and handling.

In general FWD cars are not good for racing and stuff like that if you don't know how to control them. I myself do not know how to control it...

Really fun to drive.

Safest car I could have been in when I was showing off (slid on gravel and flipped the car over into a ditch - my fault completely)