Saab cars... pros and cons?

Question

Can anyone give some list of pros and cons when it comes to Saab cars (like used coupes and sedans??)

Something about reliability, gas mileage, longevity, driving, braking, turning, engine, interior, looks (although I know Saabs are not "eye candy head turning vehicles", maintenance (as in finding new parts and mechanics), and anything else...

Answer 1

saab its born from jets

Answer 2

every thing that the other responses cover are true. A few things to add:

Make sure that when buying a Saab you check the service records that the previous owner has. I know that for each Saab there are some main issues (99'-03") that the car will have no matter what. SID display, heater core, engine sludge, and so on. Estimate on replacing a heater core is 2100$ at the dealer. SID is 500$. Engine sludge = new engine. Also a Saab that runs fully synthetic is always gonna be better. Most of the engine sludge problems have been regular oil and not maintained very well.

I would suggest going to http://www.saabcentral.com/index.htm and reading up before you buy the car you look at.

If you didn't get the point.. Saab's are expensive to fix. Your looking at 130 per hour shop rate.

Answer 3

Pros for used Saabs include:
depreciation. Since they depreciate far faster than comparable BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes, you can get a used one relatively inexpensive.

Fuel economy. Most Saabs are 4-cylinder turbocharged engines, so they average about 30 MPG overall; not bad for a luxury car.

Uniqueness. In most major cities, you see plenty of Lexuses, Infinitis, BMWs, Audis, and Benzes. Saabs and Volvos are far less common and therefore more unique.

Safety. Saab has an excellent safety reputation.

Cons:

Turbocharged Engines. The turbocharged engines in Saabs are more complex, and therefore more expensive to repair. They also tend to require premium fuel.

Repair costs. Repair costs on Saabs can be astronomically high compared with a Honda or Toyota. Before buying a used one, I recommend finding a competent independent Saab mechanic that you trust.

And that's pretty much all I can think of. used Saabs are excellent deals, provided you find one with an impeccable maintenance record that has had a loving owner.

Answer 4

Just a few words: The Saab automobile company of Sweden was started after the World War 2. In a short time it got an excellent reputation. As a small factory they were in the long run not able to compete on price, and unhappily it ended up as a GM car. There is not much back of the first class reputation, and has ended up - by now - as an more ordinary American car.

Answer 5

New saab are GM cars you can buy a Saturn or Holden or Opel. Older SAAB cars are quirky almost german in some ways and english in others. The best way I can describe front wheel drive motor company that started out with two stroke motor cars in the early 60's.

Answer 6

driving---great

reliability---spotty, average, mediocre at best

gas mileage--decent

longevity -- not so good. It's a great car to ditch at 80K

maintenance -- depends on what you're doing yourself. Most mechanics hate these cars and wont' work on them, so you are dependent on specialists alone, not your corner mechanic.

other things-- very bad depreciation.

Verdict? If you can buy one off lease for cheap, and plan to get rid of it before 100K miles, it can be a good deal; otherwise, if you can't meet those criteria (low price, trade in at 80K), then it's a risky car.

Saabs earned a reputation from their eccentricity and basic toughness, but the name is much over-rated and it has never been a particularly reliable automobile.

Answer 7

The few cons are the repair costs and the fact a Volvo will last longer and has simular Swedeness stiff head restraints odd placement of controls especially locks does not give you the option of All Wheel drive outside of that their apearence isn't for everyone.