1996 Saab 900 Review

Work horse

Written by: lou on 08/09/2009

Vehicle

1996 Saab 900 4 Dr SE Turbo Hatchback

Review

I have purchased this car from a private seller in Feb of 2008 for 2400.00, had 150000 miles on it, all I can say is this was the best used car I ever bought, I fill the tank and get about 425 miles at about 15 gallons, do the math, great on gas. I drive to work 75 miles round trip and the only thing I need to replace is the tires. My friends always say the car is so quiet when I idle at a red light. I am on the market for another one for my son.

Favorite Features

Gas Mileage, Engine, Pickup on the turbo. I put in an aftermarket radio but the stock radio is great, I wanted a CD player.

Suggested Improvements

Can't turn off lights, they are always on unless remove the fuse, but why would you do that. The AC/Heater turns on by default when the car starts.

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For being "different," it's too ordinary.

Written by: fitzgerald.e on 07/09/2009

Vehicle

1996 Saab 900 4 Dr SE Turbo Hatchback

Review

I bought this car as my 21st birthday present. I moved on from a 9000 S to the proper turbo 900. Since I bought it, it has slowly fallen apart. Little things break, and it just adds up. The performance is nothing special (especially today), and the turbo takes FOREVER to build any meaningful boost. Also, the clutch is stiff and there aren't ANY cup holders! You need at least one, especially with a manual. The climate control irritates me. Why is it always on? Its default setting should be "off." I don't want it blowing hot air when I get in at noon in July! I think I'd be happier with an S70 T5 of similar vintage.

Favorite Features

The way the turbo blows hard (relatively) past 3k, the wastegate "psssh", the way you can cram everything you own in the hatch, the cutesy headlamp wipers, it came with everything standard (heated seats, moonroof, auto climate control), decent gear ratios, and the cute guys who buy them...

Suggested Improvements

You have to turn off the auto climate control EVERY TIME you start the car, the glacial boost lag, the ropey shifter and stiff clutch. It shimmies over expansion joints, subpar fuel economy for a 4-pot, NO CUP HOLDERS, and the little things seem to break (like the rear wiper).

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Saab 900s basic

Written by: Alex on 07/06/2008

Vehicle

1996 Saab 900 2 Dr S Hatchback

Review

I've owned many Saabs. I picked up a basic 900s (no leather, no moon roof, non-turbo 4 cylinder) for a good price and it's very reliable and economical. The huge cargo capacity beats any compact car.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

The turbo models also get very good gas mileage if you don't push the car too hard. Leather and a moon roof is also nice. So if you're looking for that extra stuff get an SE model.

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Best car I ever owned

Written by: danb on 04/17/2008

Vehicle

1996 Saab 900 2 Dr S Convertible

Review

I bought my car new it was a demo model with 3490miles on it. As of 4/17/08 I have 148,000 on this car. The car has been garage kept and only driven from April to Early October. I get approx 24mpg city and as high of 31mpg highway. The best advice i can give people to maintian this car is oil changes every 3000miles, trans fluid chages every 7500.( The trans was not one of their best) I change plugs every year. Recently I have had to change the transmission module. ( Sent it out for rebuild $120 and reinstalled.

Favorite Features

Great 4cyl with the turbo. Very nice car for pleasure and long trips.

Suggested Improvements

The computer set up could be easier to trouble shoot. But with the correct computer its not that hard.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Loved the Car, Hated the Reliability

Written by: Andrew K on 01/13/2008

Vehicle

1996 Saab 900 4 Dr SE Turbo Hatchback

Review

This car was a sheer to drive and handled like a dream. However once the car hit 90,000 miles it was pretty much all downhill from there. Repairs went through the roof, headgasket, clutch cable (3 times), reverse sychro gear which made a horrible grinding sound, the turbo went, the water pump and alternator went, the drivers side window frame broke on its own, the tires cost 500 dollars every year and not to mention electronic issues every now and again. The car was a complete disaster, the amount of repairs that i had could have paid for a new saab, every time the car went it it would be at least 400 - 700 dollars to fix. I would buy another if it was more reliable!

Favorite Features

turbocharged DOHC 2 Liter engine, factory suspension was great, gear ratios were awesome, big trunk, great styling outside and inside, still have dreams about driving it and nightmares about fixing it.

Suggested Improvements

Horrible reliability, no cupholders or storage inside (except trunk), sound system stinks, wheels were kinda ugly and took way too expensive low profile tires, foglights and headlights always burnt out.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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