1995 Saab 900 Review

6 or 8 cyl. - It Makes a Difference

Written by: Oregonjim on 07/05/2009

Vehicle

1995 Saab 900 2 Dr S Convertible

Review

I have driven SAABs more or less steadily since the 1970's. I love the feel of the car, and the used ones are cheap compared to the quality. But when I went to buy one a couple of years ago, I was warned not to buy the V6. And from the reviews here, I would say that was right advice. My 4-cyl. convertible at 120,000 miles just lost its clutch cable. Other than that, it has been a champion. I love how it corners and how it feels on the road, and I love the mileage: I get over 32 mpg on road trips and 26-7 in town. I spent $400 to get the top adjusted, and it works without a hitch now. Only problems: shift lever knob came apart, glove compartment lock failed, and seat lever cables broke.

Favorite Features

Steering, handling, automatic top, seat comfort, reliability and pep of engine.

Suggested Improvements

Interior lighting, single cup holder, seat locks and cables, clutch cable, top mechanism. I think most of these have been addressed in succeeding models.

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Good, but Expensive

Written by: zachrikature on 03/26/2009

Vehicle

1995 Saab 900 4 Dr SE Hatchback

Review

I bought this car with 82K, with all the maintenance records since new. It was beautiful, but thanks to an ignorant previous owner, he didn't replace the timing belt at 60K. The engine blew, after the engine was replaced for $2200 the clutch cable went shortly after. Other than that it has been reliable for the past eight months with no problems.

Favorite Features

Torque, smooth 5 speed tranny, good compromise of comfort and sport suspension, nice engine sound.

Suggested Improvements

too much torque spin in the snow: understeer, MORE CUP HOLDERS, make the parts in America!

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Don't buy this car.

Written by: Sad SAAB Owner on 02/28/2009

Vehicle

1995 Saab 900 4 Dr S Hatchback

Review

This has been a miserable vehicle from day one. 3 water pumps in the first 40,000 miles. Incredibly expensive repair parts. Wheels bend when you run over a penny. Something breaks on a monthly basis. Sunroof leaks, but the part costs twice what the car is worth. Engine pulleys fly off at random periods. Let us pray that GM lets this miserable mark die a quick death.

Favorite Features

Uses regular gas.

Suggested Improvements

Engineer a better car from the START. Poor design, poor build quality, poor dealer service/attitude. No one will miss Saab.

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Not happy

Written by: muonionalusta on 01/05/2009

Vehicle

1995 Saab 900 4 Dr S Hatchback

Review

I've had this car since new. The only reason I've kept it so long is that it is sort of a challenging game now to keep it alive. Everything, I mean everything breaks on these things. Just as soon as I think nothing else can break, something does. Just 130K miles. But every suspension piece has been replaced, including the rear axle which is easily bent. Radiator, window regulators, power steering pump, rear main seal, headliner, head gasket, clutch cable. AC compressor, fuel pump. Even the steering wheel fell apart. New parts from Saab are ridiculously expensive ($250 dollars for the headlight wiper motor). You've got to be absolutely crazy to even think about owning one of these

Favorite Features

The hatch is useful. No problem finding nice parts in the wrecking yards for them -- huge numbers of low-mile dead V6's because of their stupid timing belt.

Suggested Improvements

Saab should really go out of business and spare new customers the misery of owning their stuff.

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First Love

Written by: dcpumpkin on 12/11/2008

Vehicle

1995 Saab 900 2 Dr SE Convertible

Review

I thought it was about time I share my love for my car with the rest of the world. I never want to drive anything else again. I am the third owner. My car has 160k miles on it and the only problem with the performance I have ever had is that sometimes the car hesitates when I drive it gently. I still haven't figured out why. The convertible top is finicky and sometimes just won't go down. And the leather on the front seats is cracked. I don't notice that when sitting in them though :) The engine gives me as much power as I could want whenever I ask for it. I get about 26mpg. I do a bit of every kind of driving; city, highway, country roads. I would drive this car forever.

Favorite Features

The steering wheel and the analog clock are my two favorite aspects of the interior.

Suggested Improvements

Not sure how one would fix it but when it rains and I leave my window open a crack water is funneled into the car, usually right onto me.

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