Are Saabs really "bad" cars?

Question

I am looking to buy a used car soon, and I was particularly looking at the 9-3 or 9-5 Saab sedans. Probably 2006-2008 models. I've looked them up on consumer reports.com and they are rated pretty good all around. I've heard they are expensive to maintain but if they're good cars in the first place, they wont have to be maintained often, right? My dad is skeptical about them and just flat says no to the idea of me getting one. He just says they're bad cars, and parts are expensive. What do you think about Saabs, specifically if you've owned a 9-3 or 9-5 and what counter examples do i have to my father's answer of "no"?

Answer 1

Saab quality has improved over the years. They used to be known as a "quirky" car, odd looking and odd to work on. (Ask anyone who drained their transmission during a routine oil change) But they are still expensive to repair. Parts are expensive and depending on where you live, you may have trouble finding a good Saab mechanic. If you still want a counter to your fathers' well advised "No", just say, "Dad, never again will I be young enough to recover from such a bad decision." You might learn something from it.  

Answer 2

I have the 9-5 wagon and I enjoy it. My only complaint is the price of fixing things and that some places will not even touch you for an oil change. But those places are usually like walmart.

If you do decide to get one be sure to join some saab clubs as you can usually get parts for next to nothing or for free incase you get in a fender bender :)

Answer 3

A car is only as good as it's reputation and used cars have too many variables. The OVERWHELMING reputation of Saab isn't good, it's excellent. but your father knew this guy in '64 who bought one that was trashed. They are made in Swedin so they know cold and snow. The newer aver age of cars on the road is cloe to 8 years now, Saabs are 11.

Answer 4

I worked at an import car dealership that included the Saab brand and in general Saabs are no worse if not better than most cars. The parts are expensive to replace and are specialized. You will not find many aftermarket replacements for them.(Autozone, Pepboys ect..) Also if you are buying a used vehicle finding a GOOD mechanic to work on a Saab may be difficult. The dealership is an option but will usually cost you an arm and a leg. Most mechanics would rather not work on them just be cause of the differences in the engineering of the vehicle. Depending on where you live there might be a few reliable shops that will work on them and are familiar with them. But if you don't live in a major city it might be like looking for a needle in a haystack to find a mechanic that knows what he is doing. Generally I wouldn't say Saab is any worse than any other vehicle on average. But overall you will pay more for upkeep and maintenance on the vehicle.

Answer 5

I live in CT too and I am on my 4th Saab. They are extremely safe! I was in a major collision where a Chevy Impala hit me three inches in front of my driver door going 50mph+ (according to the police report) and I walked away from the accident.

They are quirky cars no doubt about it, but I love them. They are expensive to repair, but what car isn't these days? Remember after 2000 Saab was bought by GM so maybe the parts have come down. I have a 99 so I can't speak to that too much. If you live in Fairfield County I strongly, strongly urge you NOT to go to Saab of Greenwich. They are liars and rip off artists. The one in Westport, although owned by the same company is much better.

I stopped going to the dealership once I decided that I was going to keep mine until it died. Currently I have 102,000 miles on her and she is running great. Connecticut seems to be one of the top states of Saab owners, with Vermont probably being the highest. (no facts to back this up, just me driving around and noticing) The point being that most mechanics in the area can work on Saabs with no trouble. When it comes to Saab specific items (convertible top, certain transmission issues, etc) you need to go to the dealership.

One smart move I made was I convinced the dealer to make the car a certified Saab when I bought her used in '02. He didn't want to as it cost him money so we split it. Good thing too because the engine cracked about six months later and it was all covered. Good lesson there.

All in all I think Saabs are great cars. A lot of us won't go for the new GM models because the car went mainstream with the interior. As you're not a previous Saab owner this has no impact on you, but the more info the better.

Oh, one more thing - with the 4cyl turbo engine you have to put high octane fuel in the car. Even though it will cost you more at the pump my car is almost 10 years old now and I still get 25mpg average between highway and city driving. That's impressive in my book.

I hope I answered your question and if you'd like to talk more about it, feel free to email me. Take care.

Answer 6

First, maintaining a car and fixing a car are two different things.  You MAINTAIN a car so you don't have to FIX (or repair)the car.  Maintaining means changing fluids, filters,etc. at the recommended times.

Saabs are more expensive to fix when they break then some other cars, but most imported cars are.   They are very comfortable cars and relatively quick with good handling. It's not quite a BMW, but you're not quite paying BMW prices either.  The years you are talking are all turbocharged 4 cylinder engines. They get decent mileage, but do require premium fuel.

What everyone else above has said is true. They can be expensive to fix, it can be tough to find a Saab dealer, let alone a Saab mechanic.  

Good luck.

Answer 7

Any Saab 9-3 or 9-5 from 2006 to 2008 would be a very good choice. Yes, Saab has always had some reliability issues with their cars, but by 2004 for the 9-5 and 2005 for the 9-3, reliability improved dramatically. I have a 2001 9-5 which has been pretty "bad" as you put it. It's been pretty expensive to maintain. I've spent more maintaining it than I paid for the car two years ago. But. Mine has 180k miles on it so problems are expected. I do know a ton of other people who have owned older (pre-2004) Saabs and have been left with quite a bitter taste. I can understand why your father would have these impressions. After my car my father says Saabs are the biggest money toilets around and when I talk bout getting another he says he won't contribute to anything but a Corolla. h**l will freeze over before I drive a Corolla. Look at edmunds.com. I think this is a perfect illustration at how much the 9-5 improved in 2004, anyway. Look at the "Consumer Reviews" for 1999-2002 Saab 9-5's. They average like 6.xx out of 10. But look at the 2004 and up and the reviews average something like 9.1. People with the earlier models complain about it being in the shop all the time and how expensive they are, while 2004+ people just rave about how much of an awesome car it is. Keep in mind if you get a 2006-2008 you're going to have some factory warranty left over too. I would really work on your father with the whole safety thing too. That's always important for their kids. Definitely put some effort into convincing your father. Saabs are great, and I will definitely be buying another if mine ever dies for good. Good luck!

Answer 8

Saabs are good cars, plain and simple. They are quick, good on gas, extremely safe, and reliable. You would have to take special care of the turbo as they had changed suppliers after 2001 I think and the quality isn't quite as good as it once was, not saying it's bad, but it just isn't quite as solid. Since it is Swedish, the parts and labor will be more expensive than a domestic car or an import from Japan. If you do your own oil changes, learn how to prime the turbo, this will help keep it lasting longer. Do research into caring for the turbo and you'll be set for years upon years.

They are a premium car so they are more expensive. But you get what you pay for.