Used 1998 Saab 900

Type:

Pros & Cons

Comfortable interior, cool exterior shape, pleasing ergonomics.
Turbo-lag can be a real problem in SE models. All 900s suffer from excessive torque steer.

1998

Saab 900 for Sale

List Price Estimate

$2,714 - $6,546

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Edmunds' Expert Review

Vehicle overview

Saab has faced some pretty tough times lately. An inconsiderate parent company, General Motors, tries to make Saab fit into GM's large corporate game plan, which has been a longstanding sore spot with Saab defenders. They claim that the giant multi-national does not understand the Saab audience and the appeal of these cars. Lately, and more importantly, Saab has been faced with the difficulties associated with having only a two car lineup. The much-loved 9000 line has been a favorite of Saabophiles and the press corps, but has been showing its age of late. The Saab 900, a beautiful and comfortable car, was a hit upon introduction in 1994, but sales have slowed because of increased competition from BMW, Mercedes and Lexus, in addition to nagging consumer concerns about the 900's build quality.

Despite some obvious difficulties and shortcomings, we still like Saab and the cars that they make. The Saab 900 is a comfortable, equipment-laden, near-luxury car that competes against entries from Volvo, BMW and Mercedes. Prices start around $25,000 for the 900 S three-door model, and climb all the way to $42,500 for the Saab 900 SE convertible.

The 900 is fun to drive with either of the car's engine choices. The turbocharged 2.0-liter unit, however, produces rocket-like acceleration that will char the front tires into oblivion if the driver is not careful. Torque steer is also a problem for cars equipped with the turbocharged engine. Handling feels a bit light in the 900 because the car is so upright and the seats are high off the floor. This gives the car a wallowy feeling through some turns, and can make weak-stomached passengers plead for Dramamine. The reality, however, is that the Saab 900 can hold its own with most imports from Germany and Japan when the road turns curvy.

The 900 is a good car. Unfortunately for Saab, there are plenty of good cars in the 900's price class. If your tastes run to the eccentric, however, this may be a better choice for you than a BMW 323is or Mercedes C280. You'll certainly stand out more in a crowd.

1998 Highlights

The Saab 900 three-door hatchback gets the same turbocharged engine as the SE models this year. Other changes include the addition of body-color front and rear bumpers.

Scorecard

Overall	undefined / 5

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the 1998 Saab 900.

Average user rating: 4.4 stars

38 total reviews

Write a review

See all 38 reviews

5 star reviews: 55%

4 star reviews: 37%

3 star reviews: 5%

2 star reviews: 3%

1 star reviews: 0%

Most helpful consumer reviews

4.5/5 stars, I love my Saab

My Saab Story, 11/19/2010

S 4dr Hatchback

Bought my Saab in 1998, and have refused to replace it, no matter how dinged up it has gotten. I feel incredibly safe in it... it is built like a truck. And, for all its battle scars getting me around all these years. it is still my beautiful, copper-colored Saab. It has needed very few repairs, and when they have been needed I learned early it is best NOT to take it a Saab

4.75/5 stars, Reliable, fun and even practical

GoDucks, 07/03/2009

SE Turbo 2dr Convertible

I've never had any engine and/or related mechanical problems. The car, even though it's a convertible, has a quieter interior than my Chevy Blazer. I like the four seats, and the back even folds-down to expose a cargo hole into the truck. Much more practical than a miata, S2000, etc. I have carried skis, and 8' pieces of lumber inside my convertible! The bad: the automatic climate

5/5 stars, 4th saab

michaelst, 12/16/2010

S 4dr Hatchback

its a great car i had a 20th avn ed 900s T n now i hava 2.3 900s great cars 86 on the 2.0lt turbo was so powerful 80-130 was fun too drive

4.75/5 stars, 1998 Saab 900-SE Convertible 2.0LTurbo

Angela Carroll, 08/26/2008

SE Turbo 2dr Convertible

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!

See all 38 reviews

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Features & Specs

S Turbo 2dr HatchbackN/A
MPG	18 city / 25 hwy
	Seats 0
	5-speed manual
	Gas
	185 hp @ 5500 rpm

S 4dr HatchbackN/A
MPG	N/A city / N/A hwy
	Seats 0
	5-speed manual
	Gas
	150 hp @ 5700 rpm

SE Turbo 2dr HatchbackN/A
MPG	18 city / 24 hwy
	Seats 0
	5-speed manual
	Gas
	185 hp @ 5500 rpm

SE Turbo 4dr HatchbackN/A
MPG	18 city / 24 hwy
	Seats 0
	5-speed manual
	Gas
	185 hp @ 5500 rpm

See all Used 1998 Saab 900 specs & features

Safety

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Side Impact Test	Not Tested
Roof Strength Test	Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint	Not Tested
IIHS Small Overlap Front Test	Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test	Marginal

FAQ

Is the Saab 900 a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 1998 900 both on the road and at the track. You probably care about Saab 900 fuel economy, so it's important to know that the 900 gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the 900 has 24.0 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Saab 900. Learn more

Is the Saab 900 reliable?

To determine whether the Saab 900 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the 900. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the 900's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 1998 Saab 900 a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 1998 Saab 900 is a good car. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 1998 900 is a good car for you. Check back soon for the official Edmunds Rating from our expert testing team Learn more

How much should I pay for a 1998 Saab 900?

The least-expensive 1998 Saab 900 is the 1998 Saab 900 SE Turbo 4dr Hatchback. Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $0.

Other versions include:

Learn more

What are the different models of Saab 900?

If you're interested in the Saab 900, the next question is, which 900 model is right for you? 900 variants include S Turbo 2dr Hatchback, S 4dr Hatchback, SE Turbo 2dr Hatchback, and SE Turbo 4dr Hatchback. For a full list of 900 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

More about the 1998 Saab 900

Used 1998 Saab 900 Overview

The Used 1998 Saab 900 is offered in the following submodels: 900 Hatchback, 900 Convertible. Available styles include S Turbo 2dr Hatchback, S 4dr Hatchback, SE Turbo 2dr Hatchback, SE Turbo 4dr Hatchback, S 2dr Convertible, and SE Turbo 2dr Convertible.

What do people think of the 1998 Saab 900?

Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 1998 Saab 900 and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 1998 900 4.4 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 1998 900.

Edmunds Expert Reviews

Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 1998 Saab 900 and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 1998 900 featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.

Our Review Process

This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.

We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.

What's a good price for a New 1998 Saab 900?

1998 Saab 900 SE Turbo 2dr Hatchback

The 1998 Saab 900 SE Turbo 2dr Hatchback can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $31,545. The average price paid for a new 1998 Saab 900 SE Turbo 2dr Hatchback is trending $29,302 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.

Edmunds members save an average of $29,302 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $2,243.

The average savings for the 1998 Saab 900 SE Turbo 2dr Hatchback is 92.9% below the MSRP.

1998 Saab 900 S Turbo 2dr Hatchback

The 1998 Saab 900 S Turbo 2dr Hatchback can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $25,050. The average price paid for a new 1998 Saab 900 S Turbo 2dr Hatchback is trending $22,782 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.

Edmunds members save an average of $22,782 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $2,268.

The average savings for the 1998 Saab 900 S Turbo 2dr Hatchback is 90.9% below the MSRP.

Which 1998 Saab 900s are available in my area?

Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 1998 Saab 900 for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 1998 Saab 900.

Can't find a new 1998 Saab 900s you want in your area? Consider a broader search.

Find a new Saab for sale - 12 great deals out of 13 listings starting at $20,170.

Why trust Edmunds?

Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.

Should I lease or buy a 1998 Saab 900?

Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.

Check out Saab lease specials