1997 Saab 9000 Review
Fuel Economy
19 - 21 mpg
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Best Car Ever
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Saab 9000 4 Dr CS Turbo Hatchback
Review
With a few miles short of 270,000 I can safely say this is the best car I have ever owned. I bought this Saab new and have driven it 80-85% highway. Highway mileage driving at 75+ MPH is 28/29, well beyond original rating. I have put tires on it every 60-80K, oil every 5-6K, and exhaust systems every 70-90K. Beyond these, only a fuel pump and two clutches and scheduled maintenance. The best and still running like a top.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
97 saab
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Saab 9000 4 Dr CSE Turbo Hatchback
Review
This has been one of the best cars that I've ever owned. Heavy enough to be safe on highways, steady enough to not even bounce when side-swiped, reasonable on fuel and the hatch back has been indispensable. I've loved this car. The 1st transmission failed at 49K, but it was replaced (free) with a re-built and we've had no problems. The gasket heads got a little leaky last year but we've got everything under control. I've made a few major repairs thru Saab which is costly but we wanted to be sure we weren't using poor replacement parts. We finished all minor repairs and tune ups at a good local service garage.
Favorite Features
flexibility of the interior, sun roof, fun to drive and a solid car.
Suggested Improvements
1997 CS Automatic (modified) - Amazing!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Saab 9000 4 Dr CS Turbo Hatchback
Review
I bought this car 1 yr ago for $2.5k. Since then I have put $3k into it: new motor mounts, Bilstein HD shocks, front bushings, new CV boots, a 3" downpipe, 7" wide wheels with 225/15 Dunlops, a Stage 3 ECU which converted the LPT to FPT and remapped the computer software. The car was 170 Hp and handled well. Now it screams at 270 Hp, spins the wheels off the line and in 2d, goes from 50-85 mph in a snap, and can blow past any BMW, Lexus, etc, on the road. I can throw it into corners like a sports car, and it never slips. BUY THIS CAR! It can be turned into a monster! The 2.3l turbo can be tuned to over 400 Hp. It is a wolf in sheep's clothing
Favorite Features
1. Ability to upgrade and bolt-on extra horsepower anytime you want. The engine is truly as marvel, and can blow away 6 and 8 cyl engines. The car and will go 80-110 in 3 seconds and still gets over 30 mpg highway. 2. Interior space. I can lie down and sleep in this car with the seats down.
Suggested Improvements
1. Blower fan chirps like a small bird is stuck in there. 2. Hatch and hood shocks don't last. 3. Windshield fluid reservoir is poorly designed and leaks. Common on 9000's 4. They stopped making the 9000. Why? I'll never know. This car is THE best combination of power, comfort, safety, and space
Multi-use Monster
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Saab 9000 4 Dr Aero Turbo Hatchback
Review
To preface, let me state that I am a young male with strong inclinations for driving at a spirited pace on mountain roads at night. Knowing this, you may better relate my values to yours. The handling is fantastic. Everytime I test its limits, I'm always surprised. The acceleration is quick, and solid uphill. Repairs have been minimal. Comfortable for distances.The cargo space is more than enough. I've fit all of my camping equipment in this car (tent too). I can also comfortably fit my upright bass. As for aesthetics, the interior is dated, though still nice. No glovebox, but door pockets + pouch in passenger leg area are ample. Exterior is old, but I happen to like 80s design.
Favorite Features
An wonderful budget-driver's car. Refinement and practicality are all gravy.
Suggested Improvements
Design has moved a long way inside and out from '97. While reliability is good, be smarter than me and avoid auctions. The initial surprises were rough.
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
Solid
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Saab 9000 4 Dr CSE Turbo Hatchback
Review
I went from a Porsche 911 into this car, so I was a bit dismayed at the boat-like handling at first. But I have owned it now for almost 2 yrs and haven't had to do anything other than change fluids. Saab has built a vault- like car here, and it has more space than most of my friend's SUVs with much better fuel economy. I'm not crazy about the styling and handling, but it has plenty of power, especially down low in the torque band. The car does 0-30 faster than my girlfriend's Subaru WRX. These cars are just incredible value for the dollar. The car cost more than 40K new in 1997, and I bought it for 5K in 2005.
Favorite Features
Power/auto everything. Heated seats. Great sound system. 200 hp. Decent mileage. Fantastic reliability.
Suggested Improvements
Handles like a town car. Looks like a UFO.
View Pricing for Other Years
- 1998 Saab 9000
- 1997 Saab 9000
- 1996 Saab 9000
- 1995 Saab 9000
- 1994 Saab 9000
- 1993 Saab 9000
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