Faults:

Heater control, power antenna, windshield trim, stripped bolt oil drain plug, radio tuning (AM) and 2 recalls.

General Comments:

Worst torque steer on earth; the car wanted to change lanes on heavy throttle.

Worst manual shifter since the 70's; vague and clunky.

Poor stereo sound.

A/C barely could cope with a Western New York summer.

Peaky engine (I don't care what the sales literature says) that made using the transmission necessary - a real chore when the tranny feels like this one.

All controls rubbery, slippery and hard to activate.

Claustrophobic and very narrow cabin.

Poor snow traction even with 4 Michelin Alpins.

Great high speed steady speed cruising capability.

Good gas mileage (30 MPG @ 70 mph).

Large and usable trunk with the hatchback.

Faults:

Lots of plastic trim replaced because it turned from black to grey.

Gearbox rebuilt because of bearing noise.

New gearbox fitted because of noise.

New reverse gear fitted because of noise when engaging.

Engine sub frame bolts tightened twice because of clonk when pulling away.

Wrinkled hood around rear window was normal according to dealer.

Plastic cover for hood frame replaced because return spring broke.

Windscreen seal replaced.

Seat base replaced twice because seat belt marked it.

Drivers door mounting brackets re-welded to stop creaking.

General Comments:

This is a boulevard cruiser; if you hit bumps, it shakes and twists.

You look really good with the hood down.

The low-pressure turbo goes well enough not to embarrass you at the lights.

You can't sit women (or men) with long hair in the back because the wind will whip them to death.

If your local police force uses video cameras for speed traps, it's so dark inside with the hood up that the driver is unrecognisable.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

This car is quick. The turbo really helps with acceleration and the engine is great for high speed cruising.

The cabin has enough room for four adults to be seated in comfort.

Wind can be a problem at high speed and I would recommend the wind shield for long distance cruising.

The car does suffer from some scuttle shake (as do all convertibles), but it is worse in the Saab than in the latest 3 Series BMW convertible.

Faults:

My A/C stopped working after 2 weeks of getting the car.

Shifter locking mechanism went bad and was replaced at 20,000 miles.

Airbag deployment sensor had to be replaced at 18,000 miles.

Power steering pump began leaking and had to be replaced at 27,000 miles; car had to be towed to the dealer.

A/C stopped working again at 33,000 miles.

Driver's side seat had be replaced.

A/C knob broke and had to be replaced.

Passenger side vent broke and had to be replaced.

General Comments:

This car rides nice. I find the feedback the steering wheel provides is just the right amount.

It's a real shame that this car's reliability isn't better than previous models. I was warned by many of my freinds about buying a SAAB, however, I made the assumption that progress was on my side. I figured that by now SAAB would have gotten things right.

I was wrong!