1993 SAAB 900 Turbo review from North America
"Unique but very reliable"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
A lot of electrical issues. None of the dashboard gauges work especially the odometer and speedometer. It has much more than 72,000; I put that down because that what it reads, but it has not worked for years. There is no heat and air conditioning, and the passenger side power window does not open.
One of the seals had to be replaced.
General comments?
I have always loved Saabs (I may be considering the 9-3) If they ever go out of business and stop making them I will be very angry. The electrics absolutely suck, but mechanic wise it's solid like a rock. When I got the car the odometer lasted 12,000 more miles but the engine probably has close to around 170,000 miles on it. I have got this car up to very high speeds because it has a turbo engine. I use to have another 900 but that was a regular engine, a 2.1. but just like this car, no engine problems.
Saabs are very unique, not that it's bad because I still love them, but most people may not like them. I had some cases when people would just walk towards the car and just say "Why the hell are you driving this ugly thing???!!!"
It has perfect handling. Not so great on rough roads, but fun to drive on winding roads. Despite with turbo performance is not quite exciting, but still above poor. It can still be raceable.
Saab had designed real comfortable seats, it's like sitting on a couch on long trips.
It's funny the dealer has gone from dishonest to the best dealer around with reasonable prices. A seal from there on cost me $52, however the taillights are expensive. They probably cost the same as Mercedes brands. There are other makers that have much cheaper parts and other makers with much more expensive, but when it comes to Saabs they are quite reasonable.
I strongly suggest to anyone who has not yet ever had a 900, go buy one, just beware of electrical problems and rust. Get one before they extinct, They are rare to find since they came out with the 9-3. They were hard to find when I got mine in 2001.
It really isn't a good looking car, but thrilling and reliable maybe because they are foreign cars. The Saab 900 will not blow away all your money if something goes wrong. They are stand up cars, maybe unique, but these cars are the first real design that Saab made than when those first Saab cars came out. So that makes this very interesting.
On my closing sentence I'm getting the 9-3 turbo but I'm still keeping this one.
Recommended reviews
| 1993 - 900 S 2-Door Hatchback 2.1L 140hp I-4 This, my first car, is a uniques, beautiful, and classy auto; and it is a pleasure to drive and own |
| 1993 - 900 S 2.1L DOHC 16v Inline-4 It runs well, is a blast to drive, and turns heads! |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1993 |
| Year of manufacture | 1993 |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2008 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 8 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 9 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 60000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 72000 miles |
| Previous car | SAAB 900 |
| Date of Entry | 22nd April, 2008 |