1998 Saab 900 Consumer Reviews

Nice ride

Written by: Bud on 01/31/2009

Vehicle

1998 Saab 900 2 Dr SE Turbo Convertible

Review

Got it with 167K and I'm up to 212K now. Needed A/C hoses and front exhaust piece when I bought it, that's it. I replaced nothing but headlight bulbs (several of them), hazard switch, power antenna, tires and oil. Convertible top always works good for me. Very reliable daily driver.

Favorite Features

Ride comfort, tight body and handling, turbo acceleration when at or above 3000 rpm. Never let me down. A great used buy! Engine is still like new - powerful at 212K!

Suggested Improvements

Information display led pixels often going out sometimes returning. Headlight bulb life. Power antenna design.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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1998 Saab 900-SE Convertible 2.0LTurbo

Written by: Angela Carroll on 08/26/2008

Vehicle

1998 Saab 900 2 Dr SE Turbo Convertible

Review

Everything thing is so nice the leather seats and the car alarm and it is very very comfortable to sit in and the air conditioning is nice. It is a very fast car to drive fast as a Mustang. I would refer any to buy this car it is a great car to own!

Favorite Features

I love the convertible top when it works and I love the turbo fast engine and CD Disc changer and I love the traffic station and weather band on the radio features and the tire changing equipment it comes with.

Suggested Improvements

The only negative thing is the gas mileage and the motor of the convertible top was broke on it and I have heard about many people with the convertible top malfunctioning and it cost so much for the part to get fixed.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Mine has been great

Written by: joec on 08/07/2008

Vehicle

1998 Saab 900 2 Dr SE Turbo Convertible

Review

I've owned my 900 SE Turbo Conv for 7 years now and have loved every minute of it. Perhaps I've been lucky as I've experienced next to none of the quirky problems that other Saab owners appear to have. Other than routine maintenance, the only thing thats gone wrong was the top motor. At 10 years old I think that is certainly reasonable. I'm thinking seriously of replacing it with a new one, but with only 91K on it to date, it doesn't make much economic sense for me at the moment.

Favorite Features

The color - blood red is great, and of course, the drop top. And with the get up and go the turbo provides (even with the rather annoying lag) the gas mileage is surprisingly good.

Suggested Improvements

The turbo lag has always been my one and only complaint. And I do get loss of pixels on dash that seem to come and go.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Too Expensive

Written by: partjet on 05/24/2008

Vehicle

1998 Saab 900 4 Dr SE Turbo Hatchback

Review

I bought this car with 120,000 miles and I realize its not a new car but have had to replace a lot of parts. I have spent almost as much money to fix the car than what I bought it for and it still needs work. Its certainly a nice car but what a headache.

Favorite Features

I like the turbo when it doesn't hesitate on acceleration.

Suggested Improvements

There are no cup holders in this car. As expensive as it was new, I'm shocked there are no cup holders. And to buy one costs $50. each... Ridiculous!

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Flawless Mix of Luxury and Performance

Written by: A New Saab Lover on 06/01/2007

Vehicle

1998 Saab 900 4 Dr SE Turbo Hatchback

Review

Yes, the car's turbo system has an extremely minor lag, but other than that the car is such a wonderful vehicle. It's an energetic little car that makes shifting lanes, speeding, and handling supreme to any other in its class. I absolutely love my little Saab hatchback. The trunk space, the features, the size, everything is perfect.

Favorite Features

Black panel: it makes every other gauge and middle panel button and light go black. The only one that stays illuminated is the MPH gauge, good for eliminating distraction, not to mention it looks good at night.

Suggested Improvements

Turbo-lag, speaker system.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Good Car but expensive to maintain

Written by: Harold Pardo on 08/29/2006

Vehicle

1998 Saab 900 2 Dr S Convertible

Review

I have had this car for over 2 years now. I love all the quirks it has and the fact that they are a rare sight where I live is and added bonus for me. I have to say it's not the fastest but it's fun to drive. It's not the cheapest to maintain but it's very reliable. My personal opinion is that as far as maintanance I have spent a bit over 4000 dollar these last 2 years including the standard 95,000 service wich costs 550 dollars. Replacement of the top motor with labor $770 (was replaced 3 years ago) and certain other repairs which can be traced back to foul weather (snow, salt). As I mentioned, I purchased mine used and has never let me down. I'll keep it until it blows up.

Favorite Features

The styling, uniqueness, reliability, safety and fun!!

Suggested Improvements

Convertible motor issues (hear it all the time), weak rust proofing (engine bay), repair costs and the pixels in the SI disappear (model issue)

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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my SAAB brings all the girls home!

Written by: shane on 04/26/2006

Vehicle

1998 Saab 900 4 Dr SE Turbo Hatchback

Review

I just bought a 1998 900 SE Turbo 4 dr. in boston and drove it to Virginia! I LOVE the car! It has 167777 miles and it drives better than my dads 1995 lincoln town car! i would love to have 2 just to do so!

Favorite Features

the moon roof the, Well all the power features and well yeah i have every option that came with the 98's and i love all of them! I just Love A SAAB

Suggested Improvements

the pick up is slow could be a lot faster and mirrors need to be a little bigger big blind spot!

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Fast Fun Car

Written by: Zac on 03/15/2006

Vehicle

1998 Saab 900 2 Dr SE Turbo Convertible

Review

Awesome car to own. I bought it in the middle of summer, had a blast with the top down pretty much everyday. Engine Mods are expensive as well as OEM parts replaced. Something to really consider before buying one with high miles. Saab generally cost at least twice as much to fix than other cars. But if you got a big wallet then go for it, you won't regret the quick spooling of the turbo charger and super fast take offs from stop lights. This car handles amazing around corners, and with the right set of tires it can take'em fast.

Favorite Features

Love the Turbo. and the drop top. With a maptune ECU and a few engine mods this thing is a great summer ride.

Suggested Improvements

Def. open up the exhaust and get rid of the resonators and put a performance muffler on it. Also open the air intake by putting on a short ram air system. The stock rims are ugly so but some 18" and wrap'em with Kumhos. Check out Maptune Performance ECU's. that'll give you the edge your looking for.

8 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Don't BUY Last Original SAAB

Written by: Steven on 12/12/2005

Vehicle

1998 Saab 900 4 Dr S Hatchback

Review

I had bought the car at 60,000 miles and for the last 3 years I had spent ~$4.500 in repairs including Check Engine Light problem which trigger a lot of sensors replacement and even expensive CPU replacement. The Ventilation system always blows warm air if the A/C is off because the air comes near the engine. The original front brakes disks are so soft that it required replacement at 70,000 miles. Almost constantly there was always something to fix since I have it. I also have SAAB 93 which is completely redesign after GM bought SAAB and now I understand the Add GM had that they had fixed more than 100 things in the car. Now this makes sense -> Don't buy it. Steve

Favorite Features

Saab has very good reputation for Safety

Suggested Improvements

Complete redesign of the Car which luckily GM did in 1999

1 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Expensive to Repair

Written by: Secor on 11/17/2005

Vehicle

1998 Saab 900 2 Dr SE Turbo Convertible

Review

Purchased my 9.3 turbo SE convert in 2000 with 40k miles on it. Just a word to the wise: over the last 5 years I have put about $11- $15k into it for a new automatic transmission, new motor for convertible top, new brake pads & rotors (2x), oil changes and major and minor services. While I really enjoyed *having* this car, I don't think I would make this decision again. I had a Honda before and I like the cheap maintenance and regular unleaded fuel. I will go back to that soon, I'm almost over the need for a convertible. I have to admit though, if you don't mind shelling out more than the usual amount of $$ for service, it's the coolest convertible out there.

Favorite Features

Cool and unique

Suggested Improvements

Costs an arm and a leg to maintain and repair.

15 out 15 people found this review helpful

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