1992 SAAB 9000 CS from Germany - Comments

We have had many problems with this car, practically from the first week we bought it. There are so many, I doubt if I could list them all.

First off, the light bulbs in the back did not work. Although they were replaced right away, one simply did not function at all.

Second, the brakes began to squeal unmercifully within a few weeks after buying the car. We took it back to the dealer, but he claimed there was nothing wrong with them. "They just squeal," he said. This developed into another story, later.

The indicator lights began randomly flashing about a month after we'd bought the car. The dealer said there might be a short somewhere, but that it was not significant.

About a month later, the radio stopped working entirely. The dealer took the radio out. It was not replaced. We now have a gaping hole where the radio once was. It used to be a nice radio. We are afraid to replace it, because we are worried that another radio will blow the entire electrical system, which is yet another story.

At the same time the dealer took out the radio, he replaced the battery, saying that a new battery should help the electrical system. It didn't.

We changed dealers. The new dealer was more helpful, but still our car has not been reliable.

Although the new dealer has replaced a small part made of carbon that was quite worn down, it has not really helped the problem with the electrical system.

The new dealer also checked into the brakes, but said there was nothing wrong. However, the car did not pass inspection, and we were forced to return to the dealer and insist that he repair the brakes. The brakes were repaired at a cost of 1000 Euros (!!!). By the way, they still squeal.

The electrical system is still going insane. Indicator lights go on and off without warning. When signaling to switch lanes on the highway, the needle on the tachometer jumps suddenly. If we are traveling over 100 km per hour, then the entire car shudders. We are afraid to drive fast in this car, since we don't know what will happen next.

We have an appointment to have this looked at now, but are terrified of what it will cost. This car has been a lemon since we bought it.

We originally bought the car because we had heard many songs of praise from SAAB owners who thought that they were good value for the money.

Not a day goes by that we do not regret this decision.

9000's have nothing to do with Vectras at all. 9-3's certainly do. Dismal dealership services are to blame for most problems not being sorted, and I would like to think that no Saab franchises in the UK are like this - they appear to know their cars very well.

I have nothing but praise for the Saabs I have owned - they have proven to be very reliable indeed so long as they are treated to a service regularly. I would choose one again and again.

What about the dodgy revese gear?

Surely this must be the achilles heel of all Saabs?

I bought a 9000CSE with 55,000 miles, 2000 miles later the car would not go into reverse.

The oil seal on reverse gear blew, burning out reverse.

This happens on many many Saabs according to a gearbox specialst.It's an inherent fault.

I had new clutch put in at the same time, then the clutch slave blew because of the new clutch assy.

Gearbox had to come out again to sort because the slave was inside the box!

BE WARNED ABOUT THE SAABS!

I totally agree with you!! I bought my Saab 9000 because I thought it was such a cute car with so many exciting features (leather seats, sunroof, CD player, heated seats, standard, the list goes on).

Almost two years later I have spent more money fixing it then I originally did in order to buy it. The head gasket, transmission, Axel, leaking hoses, and so many other problems have occured. I started driving this car my senior year of high school and it caused me so many embarrassing, broken down moments.

I have nothing against Saab, they are most definitely good cars. If I ever buy a Saab again though, it will have to be new and I will have a good paying job (Saab makes good cars but they are so expensive to fix)!