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We now have our 4th Saab in the driveway, with 3 currently in daily operation. Had the first one for 20 years. FWIW, I'm a bit of a tightwad and I wouldn't drive Saabs if they were too expensive to keep. They cost a bit more to maintain than a Japanese car, but they work better in every way we use a car and that's worth the added cost. And we keep cars a long time so the added cost is really well-amortized.
1. Besides their unique look, what are Saabs known for? What do you like about Saabs?
> In no particular order: Styling, safety, turbo-performance, superb seats, decent fuel economy, comfort for long trips, capability on all roads in all weather, ride-handling-steering.
2. Do they tend to have certain problems I should look for when considering a pre-owned Saab?
> As others note there can be electrical issues, but this is NOT uncommon in many makes in recent years because there are so many computers and electrical accessories on cars. DI (Direct Ignition) units can be an issue, but it is really no biggie.
3. Are parts and service as expensive as BMW and Mercedes? Compared to Japanese cars?
> Priced parts for a Toyota lately? Or a Ford, for that matter? Some Saab parts are expensive, others are very average. Service costs are a function of where you do the work. Dealers ALL charge a lot. Indy shops are much better. There are affordable alternatives to parts, many of them sponsor this site. In 22 years of driving Saabs I have not found them to be particularly more expensive than, say, VWs, and less expensive than Volvos, which we had at the same time.
4. Do they have reliability problems? I've mostly driven Japanese cars.
> You've probably been spoiled from a reliability angle. European cars need to be fairly aggressively maintained. You have to do the oil when it is due, flush the coolant every couple years, keep on top of all scheduled maintenance. But the pay off is a car that can go 200K miles, still run well, and not be biodegrading into your driveway. Keep up with maintenance and Saabs tend to be very reliable. It helps to hang out on a place like SaabNet to learn about your particular model so you can anticipate things going south and be more educated when you talk to a tech about it.
It won't be like a Japanese car. But it WILL be a lot more fun to drive and more enjoyable long term. Saabs are automobiles. Japanese cars are appliances.
5. Gas is expensive. What kind of real world mileage can I expect with the 2.0T 210 hp engine assuming I drive sensibly? Does it require premium fuel?
> The '95 9000 automatic my daughter drives averages about 22 mpg, all local driving. (regular gas)
> My '96 9000 5 spd gets 22-24 local and 28-30 highway at 75-80. (mid-grade gas)
> Our new to us '03 9-5 wagon does 24 local and 32-34 highway. (mid-grade)
You should do fine running mid-grade unless you have an Aero model. The engine computer adjusts for the kind of gas you are running.
6. Any other advice or suggestions are welcome.
If you can afford it, get a car with a Certified Pre-Owned warranty. It gives you some protection as stuff does die. All car makers offer these and they are worthwhile.
If you can't spring for a CPO car be sure you have a prospective car thoroughly checked out by a good Saab indy tech. Research the model you are interested in here so you know what to look for and ask about. Then use the indy shop to help you keep the car running in top form. Saabs are reliable, but can be quirky, so you need someone trustworthy who knows their quirks.
I find I compare everything I drive to my Saabs. And no matter what the car is, it may be OK, but it wouldn't be something I'd make payments on to replace one of our Saabs.
Good luck. Let us know what you decide.
posted by 24.52.16...
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