So long Saab...

[strupgolf]

I guess Saab is like Lotus. They both make great cars that are liked by a very few. The difference is Lotus is run by some car guys and SAAb is run by a conglomerate. Leave it to GM to ruin a good car.

[UconnTim97]

Originally Posted by strupgolf

Good point. but how many OTHER cars do the same thing, and look better doing it.

How about Porsche? 944/951/968?

Just a thought

[onewhippedpuppy]

Quote de strupgolf

Good point. but how many OTHER cars do the same thing, and look better doing it.

How about Porsche? 944/951/968?



Just a thought

No, because Saabs were reliable and cheap to fix when they broke. My 951 was neither.

[BGCarrera32]

They might be nice cars, but relative to the market, not so much.

Would you get a new Saab 9-3 or BMW 3 series?

I bet it would be like 5 to 1 in favor of BMW.

[Big Ed]

I guess so many of you here don't realize that Saab was screwing the pooch well before GM came into the picture. They would have been gone 10 years ago if GM hadn't bailed them out. The car line has been a money loser for a long time.

[Dave L]

I think there is a lesson here about bail outs, I just cant put my finger on it.

[strupgolf]

Gone 10 years ago------you're right. GM only kept them afloat until today. This was another failed GM move.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

No, because Saabs were reliable and cheap to fix when they broke. My 951 was neither.

Saabs are extremely reliable in my limited experience.

[dipso]

My wife drives one of these. I like it.
2.0 turbo convertible. It's nice with top down.

[jyl]

I like the 900. I've often thought of getting a used one as a daily driver. I've heard conflicting things about their reliability. How is parts availability for the 900, and how are they to DIY?

[Dantilla]

I drove a SAAB once. A 900 Turbo. I hope I never have to drive a SAAB again.

[dipso]

Originally Posted by jyl

I like the 900. I've often thought of getting a used one as a daily driver. I've heard conflicting things about their reliability. How is parts availability for the 900, and how are they to DIY?

Ours is a 2005. We bought it used a few months ago, from the dealer in Santa monica.
So far so good.

My wife researched the heck out of cars for months and wound up with this one. It must be O.K.
Everyone that she knows, that had one, loved it. I thought "had". I asked why they no longer drive a Saab and they all said "I wish I still did".

I like em.

[rick-l]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

Saabs are extremely reliable in my limited experience.

do an Internet search on Saab 9-5 oil sludge

On the plus side those are now real cheap

[Don Plumley]

I had an 84 900 Turbo. Great ski car - traction, amazing heater, tons of room inside. Ergonomics clearly influenced from their aircraft cockpits - didn't have to stretch to touch any lever/knob/switch. Loved the center console ignition key/transmission lock. Neat car.

[livi]

I grew up with SAAB, obviously. They made very durable and reliable cars, that at least up to the 900 series were IMO very good cars. Yes, they were brilliant for rally, particularly in snow and mud. I especially miss the 96 series. Excellent fun in snow!

Big national trauma if it goes extinct.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by jyl

I like the 900. I've often thought of getting a used one as a daily driver. I've heard conflicting things about their reliability. How is parts availability for the 900, and how are they to DIY?

If maintained they are reliable tanks, and super easy to DIY. Parts are as close as the internet, they're easy to find. Even the though the original 900 and 9000 are fairly old cars, they have a strong following so parts and forum support is good.

Here's a good 900 story: http://www.saabnet.com/tsn/press/060918.html

It's not mentioned in this article, but he made it 1 million miles without any internal engine and transmission work.

[TGTIW]

Playing and winning in the mud.

But again, there are plenty of other cars that do it better and with more style.

[jyl]

Saab messed up by not adopting AWD. Hurt their niche as the winter car. Subaru and Audi took that position.

[jyl]

I have a theory that GM hastened Saab's bankruptcy filing in the expectation that sales will rapidly collapse to zero. Then they can point to that as a reason why GM should not be placed into a pre-packaged BK. Too cynical?

[ruf-porsche]

Originally Posted by tgtiw

yeah, aside from weird ergonomics, what is saab know for? They really are a mediocre car line.

jet fighters