1995 SAAB 900 Convertible from UK and Ireland - Comments

Before purchase I was aware that Saab made aeroplanes too, but after driving the 900 convertible it appears they also do a mean line in boats. Driving the 900 reminds me of the 80's VISA card advert: "your flexible friend" although there isn't much friendly about a car whose boat-like handling forces me to select first gear at every roundabout and watch Reliant Robins and Merc A-Classes pass me on bends.

Note for Saab: why not replace the existing speedometer with one that displays knots. I actually feel seasick on my drive to work such is the wallowing characteristics of the drive.

Saab drivers are rightly seen as the brave, and as a turbo-charged convertible owner, I can see why!

Firstly to take the insults and derisive sneers from German and Japanese car driving colleagues, and secondly to risk your life every time a corner approaches. Distinctive looks help it to sit apart from other cars, while its atrocious handling often has it sitting off the road. Small consolation is the powerful engine as it powers you helplessly out of control whenever a course alteration is required, and a turbo-charged engine that gets through bearings like a hungry sheep through a bale of hay (both of which you'll often see as you spin off into countryside fields).

The trademark Saab "heads-up" dashboard is very good, however. Very good at informing me of the obscene amounts of fuel I'm burning and how shortly it will be before I pull into another garage. All in all, a great car to talk about, a great car to look at (if you like its odd design) but not a car you'd ever want to drive.

I don't really understand what this user is talking about. I often get praise from Japanese and German driving companions.

Handling is fine.

2L fuel burning?

Take a drive and decide for yourself.

I echo the previous writer's comments. As far as my experience goes, the only cabriolets that don't suffer flexibility/handling problems cost twice that of the 900/9-3 convertible. All of the problems outlined would be highlighted on any test drive so the question that I find in the back of my head is, "why buy it in the first place?"

Gotta say that I miss my 1987 16v turbo convertible like mad. I had it for 12 months and loved it. Never felt wallowy and a new hood made the whole car look like new. The downside was the array of things that needed repairing/replacing. I budgeted around £400 per annum for servicing every 6k and had a great warranty from a brilliant specialist, but it still crippled me each time I got the bill (three in total) and mine had an FSH! oddly enough, I'd buy another, especially at the prices they are now!!

I have never driven the convertible, but my 5 door Family hatch handles like a Ferrari compared to what you describe.

Are you sure you're driving a Saab?

SAAB cars require experienced drivers. Voted as top 10 drivers car, for 10 years in a row, by Car and Driver magazine! All the ones I drove were very impressive.