Date: 16 Sep 2006 01:46:38 -0700 From: "Charly" <charly.vanmassenhovenospaml.com> Subject: Re: 2000-2002 Saab 9-3 5-Door Reliability
bry.andrew.pikenospamast.net schreef: > I'm currently in the market for my first car, and my dad has tasked me > with finding a vehicle that fits my needs, is affordable, and will last > a long time. I've become interested in the hatchback design because I > want to optomize the amount of space I have while at the same time > keeping the car relatively small (after a year of driving my mother's > GMC Yukon, I've grown to detest large vehicles). > > >From what I've seen, the model year 2000-2002 Saab 9-3s seem to be a > good choice--they have lots of space, preform well enough, and I can> fit my 6'-2" frame inside without any problems. In fact, I've seen a > few in my school's parking lot. The one issue that sticks in my craw, > however, is reliability. I have read review after review saying that, > though the owners loved their cars, they were frequently in the shop > for expensive maintenence. The J.D. Power and Associates ratings on the > subject cast a similar pall on things. > > As whatever car I get will be my car for a long time, both I and my > parents are primarily interested in getting one that will hold up for a > good long time--say at minimum five years. As Saabs in general seem to > have a poor reputation for reliablity (the first thing both my parents > said when I told them about this model was "Is is reliable?"), my > questions to you are this: > > I used to own a Saab 900S, my first Saab when I was 21. Later I had a 9000CSE and now a 9-5SE. The 900S is just a little older but looks quite the same as a 9-3. I've never had trouble with this one. Even when I failed to do the maintenance regularly (I was at least 30000km overdue), the engine never made a problem and when I sold it to the dealer to buy the 9000CSE, he just gave it its maintenance and sold it again right away. My 900S was not turbo charged so you can't get any turbo problems and those are expensive (my 9-5 is in the shop now for that very reason). My 9000CSE never had any turbo problems. All the Saabs that I've had, however, had problems with exhaust corrosion. Anyway, I drove my Saab 9000CSE for over 3 years without any serious problems, my 900S would not have been sold at all if someone had not scratched the hood from top to bottom. If I were you, I'd buy a 900S or 900SE not turbocharged. You'll have 136HP and it uses about 9 to 10L/100km max 11L/100km (about the same as the turbo charged versions). My first was a VW Golf II 1300cc, learned to drive with second was a 1991 bmw 520i, had accident with third again VW Golf II 1800cc, couldn't affoard more then by then I was 21 and bought my first Saab: 900S a year later I bought my 9000CSE and had an economic full option car (leather etc.) 3 years later, about 2 months ago, bought my 9-5 full option, I sure hope he'll last a long time :-p Please forgive my English, I'm Belgian so I speak/write Dutch normally. Good luck with your Saab, I'm 25 now and wouldn't have any other car. PS, don't let the km's scare you. The 2000cc engine was built for about 225HP, the same engine in the 900S without turbo has 136HP, you cannot possibly hurt that engine! The LPT (light pressure tubo - like my 9000CSE and 9-5SE) has 150HP and a full turbo charged Saab 2000cc has about 185HP. Don't worry, your engine will last longer than your car will.
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