1996 SAAB 900 SE review from Australia and New Zealand

In the short period of time I owned the car, quite a lot!!

- Shortly after buying the car, the engine developed a starting issue. Numerous turns of the key and it would finally fire. This only happened on frosty mornings or after hot running - tedious but I learnt to live with it.

- Almost every seal in the engine was leaking oil (even the oil filler cap!!!), engine was removed from the car and it spent a week in the shop having them replaced.

- Passenger sunvisor won't fold up properly.

- The alarm system. PROBABLY THE MOST FRUSTRATING THING IN THE CAR!!! A thief definitely won't be able to steal this car, and given the car's mood, you probably won't be able to drive it either.

Eventually I gave up using the key fob to lock the doors, because the amount of times it never switched off the alarm, was more than what it was worth for the embarrassment of having the security guards and public in mall carparks looking at you funny, as you sheepishly try to shut it up.

- After the engine was put back in, the engine temp. gauge needed numerous trips to the shop to be re-activated (kept reading cold). And eventually a new coolant temp sensor was required.

- Pirelli tyres had a fault in them, which made a thud sound, didn't replace them though as they were new when I bought the car.

- The hatch. Worked perfectly when ever I put small loads in the boot. Until the one day when I am taking the dog to the kennels and the stupid thing jams shut. It takes an hour of yelling and swearing to get the stupid thing open. It wouldn't have been so bad if the seat tilt release wasn't jammed also. *Sigh*

- The driver side headlamp wiper assembly. The rod connecting the arm to the motor bent, so I took the headlight out and unplugged the motor. Easy to do if you have the same problem.

Well on the plus side this was a fun and enjoyable car to drive. But I am glad it's not my everyday car. What a character this car had!! Far more exciting than the BMW it replaced!!

I bought the car privately as a well maintained example, I maintained it well myself, but sadly I don't think it was helping it.

It was nimble fast and quirky. The center console ignition makes the whole car special.

My 900 SE had climate control, which was great but confusing with its different labels, the A/C switch was labeled Eco. etc...

Cruise control was good, but you never really get to use it in Auckland.

The stereo system was excellent. As good as the one in my Volvo S80!!!

The engine, although problematic, was reliable and was excellent on the motorway, push the sport mode button and put your foot down hard and this thing flies!!! You get so lost in the growling it makes that you don't realise you are well over 130kmh.

Was good at the traffic lights, you can easily put the other guys in their done up Subarus in their place with your stock standard Saab!!

Heated seats!! Front and rear, nice and toasty and on really cold mornings they made the interior feel like it was heated by a open fire.

The rear seats had two built in child seats, would have been great if I had kids, but I'm only 19.

Although sadly this car cost me a lot of money in repairs, and in frustration of more impending repairs I sold it for well under what I paid for it. It owes me more money than what I paid for it. However, I was taking the car to an independent specialist, so the cost of repairs were a lot cheaper than they could have been, the distance to mechanic (well over 40km from my home) would have well been worth it.

I'd have to say I would defiantly buy another 900 SE V6. It was a great car to own, just sadly not as reliable as the Volvo, so out it had to go. I think next time I buy a Saab though I will hold out for the 3.0 V6 9000CDE.