1992 SAAB 900 Base review from North America

Headliner sagging and falling apart.

Minor electrical issues like bulbs and fuses.

Horn repaired.

CV boots on passenger side replaced.

One of the bulbs on dash is out (is it easy to replace a dash bulb without taking apart the dashboard?)

This Saab, like other Saabs I have had in the past, comes with its joys and pains.

For the design of the car, I like the design because it is an unusual car. I like the windshield being curved and upright. It give a panoramic view. I like how the windshield wipers work in unison to cover the entire window. I like that when I open the hood on her, it opens backwards. The layout of the engine seems to have its own place. Basic things on the car like fuses and light bulbs are easy to maintain.

Other design applauds are the lights. I like how the car lights up on the side door when I am about to turn. When reversing, the front corners light up. Since I use my turn signals when I reverse, the whole car lights up, especially at night.

Onto the interior of the car. The ignition is cool being DEEP in between the front seats. The cloth seats are a little tough to keep clean, so I am considering seat covers. I like when you put the back seats down, you gain so much more trunk space. The dashboard and instrument panel is friendly because it has everything you need right there. Even when you are in a certain gear too long, the car tells you when to shift up. When I am in fifth gear, it will still tell you to shift up. One thing I noticed is that when you open the glove box, it has a place for cups, but that is poor design because cups won't fit.

With the radio, I had to get an aftermarket one because the Clarion radio in the car kept asking for the code. I guess someone disconnected the battery without getting the code first. If the radio is electronically disconnected from the car and you don't have the security code for the radio, it will never work again.

Let's talk about the ride. It is a 900 base with a 16 valve engine. No turbo, so I am not getting real acceleration. I move the car up to 3000 rpms before I shift up. By the time its in 5th gear, the rpms rest at 2500 at 63 mph. She runs 3000 rpm between 70-75 mph. I was afraid of doing over 3000rpm because I was not sure if she could take it. The car is generally quiet, but the exhaust has a rough sound to that might make you think you got a pack on your car.

Its not the most comfortable ride, but she handles well for a heavy car. You would not think cars that size would be heavy but they are. On roads that are not smooth, you feel the bumps. The car is not as aerodynamic as other cars. Feels like riding in a truck, but lower to the ground. Again, on a turn, I don't have to slow down to take a corner. She flows with it.

All in all, Saabs can be temperamental, if I can say that about a car. If you don't treat it right, it will tell you. When it comes to repairs, they can be expensive, so get to know your car. An ignition coil (the little horizontal can in the front of your engine compartment) cost about $300. You can't let them sit too long without taking her for some exercises. I love having a SAAB again. It is unfortunate that eventually I may have to get a newer on like 1994 and up because I like the vintage look of the pre-GM Saab's. Guess I gotta grin and bear it.