Faults:

Head Lights have been changed 3 times.

Rough idle, creating a high vibration in the whole car mostly when it's still cold. The dealer said every looks normal, they upped the rpm on idle to take care of the vibration, but this did not work out so I went back to have him say to me that I have the dentist syndrome: (there's always something wrong).

Starting takes some time.

On rainy days it sometimes feels that it would choke.

Brakes seem fine by the dealer, but is still squeaking.

Power-steering module is sooooo noisy.

General Comments:

The handling of the car is great, that's what got me when I first tried it, the cornering and the feeling at speed is incredible. There's a great amount of power when you need it, to pass someone or taking that curve aggressively.

I travel a lot on highway and the car is a dream, the ride is smooth and as strange as it seems, the fuel economy on "highway" is the best I've seen so far. But in the city... it drinks almost as much as my 4L ranger...

In parking lots, it has the turning radius of a bus and you can't see too well where the front of the car is.

I'm 6 foot 5 and this car has a seat that backs up for I would say at least a 7 foot tall person. That was one of my criteria.

I like it, but I'm getting scared of the money I'll have to spend to keep it running for a few more years before selling it.

Faults:

We bought this car used because we wanted something smaller and sportier, and had heard that SAABs were safe and reliable. One month after we got it the turbocharger impeller fractured. Fortunately, the used car warranty covered it or it would have been a $4000 repair.

The car needed a thermostat replacement soon after, and the bill exceeded $250 to replace a $14 part.

A water pump failure soon followed with a $500 bill to go with it.

We have replaced at least 8 headlight bulbs during this two year period, half the dash lights are out, and the radio has so much static on "AM" that you can't listen to it. It is obviously an electrical problem because by pushing in on the radio, the sound improves.

General Comments:

This is the most overrated automobile I have ever owned. I am aghast that anyone would buy this new at $38,000 and justify the purchase.

I cannot wait to trade it in on an American car and be done with the experiment. Oh yes ---- one more comment. The service is so expensive that whenever it goes in for its regular service intervals, I call it the $500 car wash. It comes out running just like it did when it went in, except that it is clean.

Faults:

I've had the car for 7,000 miles of driving and had very few problems. The turbo was bad when I bought it and was replaced under warranty. The water pump had a slow leak which was also covered by warranty.

General Comments:

Automobiles are meant as transportation, but SAAB's are considered an Individualist car. They are for someone who recognizes fine engineering, ergonomics, comfort, safety, and innovation. They are for someone who doesn't want vanilla transportation - for someone who likes different. SAAB has always led the pack for others to copy. My 1973 SAAB had a heated drivers seat and front-wheel drive. Actually the first and all SAAB's were front-wheel drive. Who else had that in 1973? In 1997, they introduced ventilated seats along with seat heaters. And now 10 years later, Toyota/Lexus is copying. To me, the cockpit is very well thought out. There are many features that make owning a SAAB a treat. The passenger outside mirror tilts down when in reverse so you can see the curb (button to activate) and then returns when you go forward, seat heaters/coolers, cooled glove box, Bosch anti-lock brakes with active yaw control, side air bags, radio with weather band, CD, and cassette. Memory seats, direct ignition, bi-xenon headlights. Tilt and telescopic steering wheel.

If you want a generic car with no personality, buy a Honda or Toyota. If you want a European car that costs a bit more to maintain but makes you grin every time you drive it, buy a SAAB.

This is one of the few cars I've owned that I can't wait to drive! I love to just sit in it.