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Re: Transmission Reliability
Posted by volvop1900 (more from volvop1900) on Sun, 12 Aug 2001 17:04:17
In Reply to: , Kok Chen, Sat, 17 Dec 1988 12:00:00 

i have thought a fair amount about the SAAB transmission problems too.  The 
manual in my 86 9000 T went at 113,000.  The best transmission performance 
in a SAAB I have ever come across is a 1986 900 with 168,000 miles and no 
trans or clutch work.

My feeling is that transmission replacement is just a part of the SAAB 
ownership experience if you are going to own one either for a long time or 
own one around the 100,000 - 150,000 mile period.  I have also been inclined 
to feel that I would never again buy another SAAB, because it disappointed 
me so...this has in turn made me inclined to hang on to the one I currently 
own, which has othrewise been a car of superior execution and design.

I have had friends whose Honda automatic transmissions destructed like clock 
work every 50,000 miles. On the other hand, we have had volvos-- manuals and 
sticks-- with as much as 300,000 miles without any trans problems.  
(although, the Zahnradfabrik transmissions in some volvos could destruct 
around 110,000 miles too, though not not all of them.  i heard the same of 
BMW's with those units.  Is that not also the auto box that went bad in so 
many SAABS ?)  I know the german cars have a few models that are extremely 
good in reliability terms, but more generally, they are not up to swedish 
standards, in part because they have to update technologically ever few 
years, reducing parts commonality, which means higher prices for scarcer 
parts, which no aftermarket supplier makes because there isnt a big enough 
market (e.g. of opposite: volvo air filter, in six models for more that 14 
years; i think the swedes traditionally have a greater tendancy to leave 
well enough alone, especially when well enough was a simple , time tested-- 
even time worn-- design)...

It does seem kind ridiculous that the problem went on and on for so many 
years, and may still.  When my own went in 1994, I wrote a letter of 
incredulity to the CEO's of SAAB USA and SAAB Aktiebolaget.  The American 
guy said sorry, wish it werent so, but it is.  The super CEO said, well, 
since you put it that way (along the lines of, 'dad told me to stick with 
the volvos, which have never needed more than an alternator over nearly 
1,000,000 miles cumulatively, but i tild dad that longevity was a swedish 
virtue, not a volvo one...'), OK, we can work out some sort of post warranty 
assistance as long as you have the original service records from dealer 
work...

Even though i really strongly dislike front wheel drive, I have a terribly 
hard time thinking of parting with my 9000 (because ots so good in so many 
ways...what other car has doors that open that wide ? ), but I cant see 
myself buying another SAAB and paying for a fifth transmission (in two 
cars!)...maybe i'd buy one after a rebuild, but it may well still need 
another one...

Its a damned good thing that airplanes dont have tranmissions, or the SAAB 
company would probably not have survived long enough to evolve to making 
cars.

jay
whose best car is the 9000 -- det ar sa-net !
whose most trouble free car was a Peugeot
whose best car in the snow was also a peugeot (1750 lbs over the REAR drive 
wheels with a torsen dif.)
whose allegaince is to volvo
whose automotive passion is with SAAB

Posts in this Thread:
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