24th May 2002, 12:21
Disagree. The late (especially 1995-1998) SAAB 9000 cars are very well designed, high quality and reliable. I am talking about the 2.3 liter cars only -- the V6 cars are known for trouble. But with proper maintenance and care, the 9000 can be a durable, solid car. Not to mention lots of people love them for their great handling, speed, cargo capacity, comfort, efficiency, and style.
For what it's worth, we used to have what I consider the greatest SAAB of all time - the 1995 9000 Aero, in silver, with a 5 speed manual. It was a beautiful car. It ran reliably and it ran fast. It routinely got better than 30 MPG on the highway, still considered impossible for large 150MPH cars. The seats and the stereo were about the best of any car I've yet seen. I miss that thing. 112,000 miles and two repairs - a water pump and a turbo fastener. It was perfect when we traded it for an A6 2.7T, a much less elegant car in my view. Burns way more gas, and looks boring, and steers like a Buick compared to the delightful SAAB. But it's got AWD.
Lots of people love these cars. And rest assured, there are plenty of SAAB 9000 cars with 250,000+ miles on them. Visit www.saabnet.com for more info.
30th Oct 2003, 18:37
Disagree, I am on my fourth 9000 now. The lineage has gone 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993. The consecutive years are totally coincidental. I drove the first one mercilessly and everyone who drove with me was surprised that a 250,000ml car lasted a further 50,000 mls under the conditions. Timing chain broke at 200,000 mls on the 90 and so the first one's engine was put into it. My brother still drives this car, now well over 300,000 mls. The 91 and 93 are currently in use by me and my father and have been faultless to date.
I have replaced one alternator, one power-steering pump, one fuel pump and some bulbs over 4 cars and approx 350,000mls. If this is not reliability, nothing is.
When I get older and insurance allows I will put an 88 900i 2-door I have on the road, they are supposed to be even better!
24th Jul 2006, 07:28
I LOVE THE SAAB 9000. I purchased a 1985 Saab in 1987. I drove this car until 1997. The only repair I had was the air conditioner in 1997. I then purchased a 1996 Saab CSE which I still drive. It looks and acts like a new car. We have traveled the country many times in this car and it never ceases to amaze us. It is comfortable, gets 30 mpg on the road, and performs fantastically. There have been no repairs to this car except we recently had to replace the motor in the antenna. My only regret is that there are no newer 9000's.
8th Aug 2006, 15:23
Disagree too.
I am from Europe and my 9000 2.0 Turbo 1993 has 260000 on the clock (and counting) ;-)
I have no problems. I´m not going to the dealer for maintenance... and that is only to prove how good this cars are!
Solid built, they are fast when needed.
The gear box never give me any troubles and the parts that were changed was within normal parameters (for a car with 260000!)
20th Feb 2007, 06:09
Hi All.
I have just purchased a saab 9000 cs,111000mls any good?. Is was a friends friends car, 1 owner... will it be good as you all say it is apparently chain driven so must be a good sign of things to come hopefully!!!I shall keep you all posted... cheers keep up the forum!! Jags.
24th Jun 2007, 17:12
I bought a Saab 9000 CS, and I just have to say that was one of the worst mistakes I've ever made!
What I've had to replace in 1 year:
Fuel pump (x2)
Speakers (all)
Gas cap actuator
Radiator + both hoses
Oil drain plug
Driver's side front door actuator
Headlight relay
And more
Good god, I've spent almost 4000 on the thing by now, and it's only been 1 year; not to mention the 20.6 mpg I've been getting driving as economically as possible.
THIS CAR SUCKS. I'm getting a Civic.
8th Jul 2007, 15:42
Yes, I bought a Saab 9000. It's an awesome choice for a European car. I have no idea what my friend was thinking when he sold it to me! By far it's been the best car I've had. It's got everything you would want in a car. American and Asian cars have nothing on a European car, hands down.
7th Sep 2007, 23:38
I have owned 3 SAABs. an 84 900 8-valve N/A 2.0L auto 2DR Hatch, a 97 900SE Turbo Convertible auto, and a 97 9000 CSE 2.3L FPT.
My 84 was running when I sold it for parts to a friend who'd wrecked their 900 as I had another vehicle. It had over 300,000 miles on the stock gearbox and engine. =)
My 97 900SE Turbo Convertible got totalled when I got cocky and took a left turn over a small bump at a pretty quick speed. Lost traction and slid into the curb, bounced up and into the fire hydrant, destroying the hydrant and took out a retainer wall.
My 9000CSE was T-boned on the 4th of July this year. Body work is the only problem. It has 155k on the stock motor and gearbox. =) Gunna sell it for parts and get another SAAB Turbo. I've never been scratched in an accident in a SAAB. I blow Trans Ams away off the line and especially once we get going. Honda isn't even worth a race. =)
4th Nov 2007, 01:28
How is the 9000 a "horrible" car? It got awesome consumer reports marks, particularly the 94-98 models. It is faster than any factory 900 and is substantially easier to service.
I agree that the 900 was a good car. However, the evidence you provide to validate this claim is that gearbox is so strong. Excuse me? The (manual) gearbox is the absolute weakest part of the 900. The often times stick in gear, a gear stops working, the pinion eats itself... I mean, it's chain-driven, fwd and longitudinal. The balky shifter was vague even from the factory, and the auto mags back it up. Any 900 owner who takes his car to a quarter mile strip is most worried about his transmission. I recall a recent 900 Turbo rally team who has pulled out every race because of gearbox failure.
I've owned five manual 9000s: 1990 9000S, 1988 9000T, 1987 9000T (248k miles when sold still running), 1994 9000 CSE non-turbo (264k miles when sold still running), and 1997 9000 CSE (300hp, 189k miles, current daily driver). They've all been great to me. I also had a 1988 900T. I service them all myself, including major work like clutch replacement and suspension overhaul.
Check service records, or at least bring someone who knows car mechanics well when you're looking to purchase ANY car.
4th Mar 2001, 06:27
Don't buy a 9000, they're horrible cars. Buy a '91, '92 or '93 old shape 900i 16 valve or a 900S. Without a doubt they are the best, the very best cars SAAB ever made. Unbreakable gearboxes, bomb proof engines and a build quality to make a German weep. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about, I service them and I don't get rich putting them right.