Date: Wed, 25 Sep 2002 22:35:32 -0400 From: "Kenneth S." <nimrodnopsams.com> Subject: Re: Thinking of buying my first saab - what to look for?
I think that various forms of rattling from Saabs are common -- to judge from my experience, from what I have seen in this news group, and what I have seen elsewhere. (This evening I had occasion to travel in a taxicab that was a Mercury Grand Marquis, similar to the car that I owned before the Saab. I was reminded of how quiet and rattle-free the Mercury is, by comparison with the Saab). I have not had the kind of rattling you describe from the rear wheels of my 1996SE. However, I have had various squeaking and groaning noises from the rear hatch, which I try to control by periodically squirting silicone spray over the various surfaces there. The cause of the rattling that I had from the front left hand side could not be diagnosed by the repair shop that I have used for years for various kinds of cars. However, it was immediately diagnosed by the Saab dealer, which leads me to think it is characteristic of the model. I now have a similar kind of rattling developing on the right hand side, and I expect I will get that strut rebuilt also. In addition, there is an odd "clocking" noise that comes from the front of the car when it is being driven over rough roads -- also as if a golf ball were rattling around inside a space in the front bumper. If I were you, I'd first check the Alldata site, to see if a technical advice memorandum was issued by Saab about your problem. Then I'd take it to the Saab dealer. It's entirely possible that they are well-acquainted with the problem, and know how to fix it. My strut rebuild wasn't particularly expensive -- about $150, as far as I can remember -- but, of course, these rattles detract from the impression of quality that Saab is trying to project. Ian wrote: > > Kenneth, > > I have a rattling problem from one of the rear wheels on my 97 900S whenever > I drive on a slightly uneven surface/bumpy road, that has been puzzling me > for months. It sounds like it may be similar to the problem you had with > your front strut. Do you know if this is a common problem? What exactly was > the nature of the rattling from the strut? Would appreciate any advice. > > Regards, > Ian > > "Kenneth S." <nimrodnopsams.com> wrote in message > news:3D91A942.7089nopsams.com... > > Geoff J wrote: > > > > > > Hi saab lovers. > > > > > > I'm new to this particular news group but have lurked and contributed > > > to alt.fan.landrover for quite a while now (proud owner of a 1987 110 > > > 2.5l Petrol). > > > > > > Anyway back to the point - I'm thinking of buying a 1997 Saab 900 S > > > (2.0i) in black with 5 doors with 57,000 miles on the clock. I want it > > > primarily as a motorway car and was wondering what are the known > > > problems/things to look for etc. with this model. > > > > > > Thanks in advance > > > > > > Geoff > > > > > > I have a 1996 900SE, which I bought almost two years ago. (As some in > > this news group will know) this car has been a major disappointment to > > me. It has been far more trouble than other cars I have owned, and > > getting it fixed is expensive, as well as entailing trips to a not > > particularly convenient Saab dealer. > > > > During the time I have owned this car, I have: > > (1) had to have one of the front struts rebuilt to eliminate a rattling > > noise; > > (2) had persistent problems with the check engine light coming on for no > > apparent reason, entailing having the car in the dealers three times, > > and ultimately having it cured (I hope!) by some fix to the wiring > > harness; > > (3) had several trips back to the dealer because of a slow leak -- > > origin still not discovered -- in the air conditioning system; > > (4) found that the steering pulled to the right and was far too > > sensitive to road camber and grooves in the road (the first problem > > cured by a realignment, and the second (I hope) going to be cured as a > > result of advice in this news group); > > (5) found the climate control system unsatisfactory (maybe this system > > is only in SEs); > > (6) found the heated seats don't work; and > > (7) had the low coolant warning come on periodically, even though the > > coolant level is fine. > > > > Prior to buying the Saab, I had a succession of large American V-8s, > > which I found reliable, comfortable, and cheap to fix. In addition, > > several years ago I bought a Mazda Miata (MX-5), for something more > > agile. After a series of vacations in Europe, during which I rented > > four-door hatchbacks, I decided that one of these was really what I > > should have, to replace my Mercury Grand Marquis (an excellent car, but > > too large for my daughter's tastes). The Saab is one of the very few > > four-door hatchbacks on the U.S. market, and in any case I'd always been > > interested in owning one. > > > > You appear to be based in Britain. If so, you have alternatives to the > > Saab, which will give you its advantages, without some of the Saab's > > shortcomings. There are many four-door hatchbacks on the European > > market. During a recent trip to France I rented a Peugeot 307, which I > > thought had everything the Saab has, plus being quieter and riding much > > more comfortably. > > > > Now, you lucky man, you can sit back and watch all the spectacular > > flames that will be directed my way from elsewhere in this newsgroup!
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
