Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-105, 106-120, 121-135, 136-150, 151-165, 166
I own a 2001 Saab 9-5. I change my oil every 10,000 miles for good reason. You are only supposed to use synthetic oil in Saabs. The use of regular oil will always cause sludge problems in a turbo engine. You pay more for synthetic, but it is the only way to keep your Saab engine from breaking down.
Changing your oil every 10,000 miles is going far too long, even with synthetic oil. I would cut that in half if I were you. Personally I change mine every 3 months or 3,000 miles whichever comes first. I also use synthetic.
I am the woman who had my engine replaced by Saab. Make sure you have all your oil change receipts and if you don't, make sure you them.
I'm glad to speak privately if you'd want to write to me at tocarol@earthlink.net.
In the meantime, call Saab US at 1-800-955-9007. You will get a customer service rep and tell them you believe your car should be covered under the Extended Warranty for Sludge damage. If you have any problem, ask to speak to the Customer Service Supervisor - Steve Joyner.
Good luck!
I purchased a 1999 Saab 9-5 with 94,000 miles on it around 6 months ago and absolutely love it, apart from the SID fading in and out and the smell of crayons sometimes it has been nothing, but great and I have no complaints. It drives and handles well, as aged well and looks new. Its just an all around excellent car that has lived up to its name so far.
The sludge problem occurs in Saab engines even with regular oil changes. This problem also appears in Volkswagen, Toyota, Audi, and Chrysler engines. It is because sludge occurs even with proper synthetic oil changes that these manufacturers have decided to extend the warranty on the engine, with the exception of Chrysler. To have your sludge damaged Saab covered under the extended warranty you must show receipts that you have had your oil changed approximately every 7500 miles... they don't insist on the oil being changed every 3000 miles.
In the Saab, I think the sludge is the result of the turbo's high temperatures. A solution might be the purchase of a Turbo Porsche.
Some of us prefer the comfort & practicality of a Saab over the raw power & razor-sharp handling of a Porsche.
Plus, we'd like to leave a little money in the bank!
I have heard of car companies doing some off-warranty work free of charge as a gesture of goodwill. I called GM about having my faulty SID display replaced and the manager declined. Anyone here have success at getting GM to replace a malfunctioning SID display without charge on a out-of-warranty Saab?
Like most Saab owners, I'll never buy another.
How can you say most Saab owners will never buy another? That's a ridiculous statement. I know many Saab owners that are very loyal to the make. Most love their Saabs. Mine is a wonderful car. I'll certainly buy another. Please speak for yourself and not for all Saab owners (or the disgruntled ones that post on this site).
When you say most love their Saabs, that is false. The majority of Saab owners are unsatisfied with their car and do not buy another.
If Saab owners were a satisfied bunch then Saab would be doing much better. Saab has almost left Canada, only to be found in major cities. My Saab dealer closed due to lack of sales as did the next closest and the next. I now must drive over 200 miles to get to the closest Saab dealer! Clearly, they ain't doing a great job of getting repeat customers. Things like leaky sunroofs, broken transmissions, failed electronics, etc. tend to discourage repeat business.
Jerome York a member of GM's board of directors has repeatedly called the purchase of Saab a huge mistake, has called it a dog, and has called for its sale. Buying anything Saab, the car or the company, is a huge mistake.
That is your opinion, which I totally discount.
If GM considers Saabs "dogs" it is due to their mishandling the marque (the 9-2 for example).
Saabs were and still are in my opinion fine premium automobiles.
"Jerome York a member of GM's board of directors has repeatedly called the purchase of Saab a huge mistake, has called it a dog, and has called for its sale. Buying anything Saab, the car or the company, is a huge mistake"
I agree in its entirety. According to GM's annual report which filed with SEC, Saab continues to lose money year after year after year. Second, Consumer report has an avoid to buy Saab. Personally, I made a mistake of buying a Saab.
To balance it here a bit, I have to write here that since 1985 I have my 5th Saab, now it's 2000 95 aero and I am happy with the car just as much as I was with my previous Saabs. In the future I will buy another Saab again. I'm sorry for the poor people that run into some, maybe bad pieces, maybe only badly serviced pieces of Saab 95, but all I know about 95s is that most of people I know that own them are very happy and purchase Saabs again and again. It's only a machine and things can get broken, especially when the car doesn't receive the care it deserves, but it's still one of the most reliable cars around. The key is to give it the right service. I live in Europe and again, with proper oil changes and good care I had no serious problem with any Saab so far... in 21 years...
I'll stand by my statement that I know plenty of Saab owners who love their cars and buy them (Saabs) again & again.
I am one such satisfied customer (and I am not easily satisfied!)
Every car has its adherents. Scan the Internet and you'll find fanatic owners of Yugos, Ford Festivas (and I'm one of them!), and other cars the rest of the automotive world dismisses.
But Saabs aren't really Saabs anymore. They are just platform-shared vehicles that happen to be built in Sweden. And the core Saab buyer these days doesn't even care about the brand - the bestselling Saab in America is the idiotic 9-7 SUV that is a warmed over Chevy Trailblazer. I doubt any real Saab fanatic would go near such a piece of junk.
Saabs are brilliant cars in concept, but the execution leaves much to be desired.
That said, I still believe Saab has a unique place in the market and it simply is not exploiting it. This "born from jets' campaign rings hollow.
I have a 1999 Saab 95. The services show the oils changed each 5000 kms, and oil is clean and gauge shows oil in engine, however a warning alarm buzzer now stays on when car is started - would the sludge stop oil getting around in the motor??. Mind you I am going to a mechanic 2kms away in the morning. Thanks.