Saab - The End of an Era

That Jekka Gal

That Jekka Gal

That Jekka Gal

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Joined
2 Oct 2019
Posts
335
Location
Castle Cary
My very first car, a 1973 Saab 96 estate that I inherited it from my grandfather in the early 1990s and I've been driving Saabs ever since - I've never owned another marque.

saab-95-1.jpg


Now that car was considered old school even back then & it was built like a tank. Power steering? It was a question of adopting the 10 to 2 position and feeding the wheel through your hands as you negotiated each tight corner. A pair of velcro cuffed driving gloves certainly helped.

Peak Saab for me was a 1987 Saab 900 turbo convertible - like being carried around everywhere on a Parker Knoll armchair - a wonderful drive.

In all, I've owned 12 different Saabs but my current 2010 9-3 2.0T now has 170k miles on the clock and is a source of some anxiety as I know she will have to be replaced but,what with, I haven't a clue.

I don't want a Volvo, too staid and as far as BMWs and Audis go, I just don't like the driver profile.

The only other car I've ever driven in anger was a Toyota Camry when I worked in Australia - nice car but again discontinued (I think) and besides they were never available here in the first place.

I'd be interested in hearing from any other ex Saab drivers about what you are driving now and how it compares with the Saab experience.
 
That Jekka Gal said:
My very first car, a 1973 Saab 96 estate that I inherited it from my grandfather in the early 1990s and I've been driving Saabs ever since - I've never owned another marque.

saab-95-1.jpg


Now that car was considered old school even back then & it was built like a tank. Power steering? It was a question of adopting the 10 to 2 position and feeding the wheel through your hands as you negotiated each tight corner. A pair of velcro cuffed driving gloves certainly helped.

Peak Saab for me was a 1987 Saab 900 turbo convertible - like being carried around everywhere on a Parker Knoll armchair - a wonderful drive.

In all, I've owned 12 different Saabs but my current 2010 9-3 2.0T now has 170k miles on the clock and is a source of some anxiety as I know she will have to be replaced but,what with, I haven't a clue.

I don't want a Volvo, too staid and as far as BMWs and Audis go, I just don't like the driver profile.

The only other car I've ever driven in anger was a Toyota Camry when I worked in Australia - nice car but again discontinued (I think) and besides they were never available here in the first place.

I'd be interested in hearing from any other ex Saab drivers about what you are driving now and how it compares with the Saab experience.
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Had a brief period of running around in an old 900 turbo when my car was in a garage, it was a courtesy car albeit a bit ropey, way north of 250k miles on the clock but, it never missed a beat during the couple of weeks I used and abused it for, it drove remarkably well and whilst being scruffy bodywork wise (more damage rather than corrosion) everything worked as it should.

I think peak SAAB was pre 1995 - when they split from Scania - who today still have a few SAAB influences on their trucks like the "fighter pilot" button that kills all dashboard illumination bar the speedometer, having known a few post 1995 cars such as a late 9000, they never seemed as well built as the earlier cars...

Whilst I don't own a SAAB nor would I ever be likely to get one now alas, I do very much like Scania's as my username may or may not imply... :D

As for replacing your SAAB, I wouldn't rule out a Volvo, probably as close as you'll get to SAAB DNA wise especially on older models, I bought my first V70 as a stop gap whilst I looked for another old ruinous BMW and I'm now in my second which I've ran for roughly 40k miles, it's over 220k on the clock and I've no plans to change it.
 
My two pence on my experience with the Saab 9‑3: it is a fantastic daily. I’ve had mine for a while now, it's so comfortable and seems very well built, built to last.

The driving position, handling, turbo, and the night panel are all really cool features, and there are loads of quirky, unique details that I love. For a car that’s not exactly new, it never fails to deliver. Maintenance is a little intense including fluids, belts, a few sensors here and there, but compared to some other marques, it’s been remarkably reliable.

If you're on the fence, do it and you won't regret it!
 
Scania said:
As for replacing your SAAB, I wouldn't rule out a Volvo, probably as close as you'll get to SAAB DNA wise especially on older models, I bought my first V70 as a stop gap whilst I looked for another old ruinous BMW and I'm now in my second which I've ran for roughly 40k miles, it's over 220k on the clock and I've no plans to change it.
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I have to confess, I loved the P1800 ES

Volvo-P1800ES-12.jpg


I remember quite liking the V40(?), or variant thereof, when it came out as it kind of shared some of the same lines.

Edit: It was the C30 - lovely looking car. I'd drive this any day of the week.

volvo-c30-2010-1280-48.jpg
 
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mrsegghat said:
My two pence on my experience with the Saab 9‑3: it is a fantastic daily. I’ve had mine for a while now, it's so comfortable and seems very well built, built to last.

The driving position, handling, turbo, and the night panel are all really cool features, and there are loads of quirky, unique details that I love. For a car that’s not exactly new, it never fails to deliver. Maintenance is a little intense including fluids, belts, a few sensors here and there, but compared to some other marques, it’s been remarkably reliable.

If you're on the fence, do it and you won't regret it!
Click to expand...
Yes, I've had mine since 2012 and it has 170k miles on the clock. Who knows, it may be good for another 50k but my maintenance bills are ever creeping upwards
 
Back in 2008, I drove a 93 Turbo as it was my manager's company vehicle which I was insured on and we would break up long journeys by taking it in turns.

I remember it being an absolute pleasure to drive and the clutch was really smooth. I don't know too much about them but I know the brand was owned by someone else at some point (was it GM?) and some models were basically rebadged cars from the stable of other cars. I think that was post 2008 though?
 
That Jekka Gal said:
I have to confess, I loved the P1800 ES

Volvo-P1800ES-12.jpg


I remember quite liking the V40(?), or variant thereof, when it came out as it kind of shared some of the same lines.

Edit: It was the C30 - lovely looking car. I'd drive this any day of the week.

volvo-c30-2010-1280-48.jpg
Click to expand...
The C30 used the Ford P1/Volvo P1 platform which in essence means it's based on the Mk1 & 2 Focus (which are far from poor cars) so I wouldn't rule either of those out as an avenue to explore, especially if you like the C30 which from memory wasn't as well received as its Ford stablemates....
 
My dad had Saabs when I was growing up.
He had a 900 Turbo, 900 Turbo coupe, and then 3 9000s. I remember when he test drove a 9-5 as a replacement for the 9000 in 1997 but it just wasn't very good so he went with an E39, and he's had BMWs every since. Although he did have a E21 320i so I guess it went full circle :p

Shame, as they were epic machines. Like most things, money talks :(
 
Derbyshire, 3am, some time October-ish 1980. Picked up by my boss in his Saab99 Turbo to be driven to serve petrol to the overnight rally cars that were passing through his Esso station. No Police. Empty roads. No speed cameras.

We arrived... quickly. Smoothly. Exhilarated! :D

I never did learn to drive, but if I win the Lottery in my dotage and can afford the insurance for being a monumentally lousy (I'm sure!) driver, I still secretly yearn to repeat that experience. Then spend six months in hospital, or jail, obvs.

Edit: for important turbo-charged detail.
 
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I have only been in two Saab's, the first being my old Sergeant's car when I was based at RAF St.Mawgan in 1990. We had to work late because a bloody yank F111 ripped the RHAG out of the ground by landing too fast and too heavy. I had missed the bus to married quarters at St.Columb Minor so he gave me a lift in his mint early 80's 900. It was very comfortable and I loved the way the centre console curved around so the driver could easily access everything. The second was a 9000 taxi which again was very comfortable and everything was driver orientated. They always struck me as a car that felt like you were sitting in and not on like most other cars, if you see what I mean.
 
I look at a Saab 73 cab but I'd read that if you start the car, then accelerate hard the engine cuts out leaving little breaking or steering capacity. I tried it straight out of the dealership and sure enough.. it went straight back. They then went into problems a few months later - I considered myself lucky.

I then tried a Alfa Romeo GT.. loved the drive but a 6'4" mate ripped the door seals off the show room car getting in and out.. That was really a sexy car.

I then settled for a Mk2 focus 1.8 TDCI, 1 year old and all the dealer demo bits on it.. really good car.. sold it on after 12+ years, and the new owner has kept that running over 8 years.

Love Volvos.. they're like the refined European model, not track-tarty as BMW, and more reliable than ze Peugeot etc.. although my 3008 is fine.. is lovely to drive..
 
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Me and my best friend, once absolutely ragged a 9-3 Viggen back in the day when it was new. Was my friends bosses car. We explored the a303 at night with the cluster button engaged, dimming everything and we realised why they named it after the jet. Proper rapid.
 
I still own a 2004 9-5 Aero Estate manual. We have had it over a decade now.
185k miles. I have just had to send the ABS module off for repair as it has bit the ghost. Not really a problem of the car however. Bodywork is a bit tatty in places and the tailgate is starting to bubble but I keep up with the mechanical side of things. It drives well for what it is. Used daily 24/7.

Saab-9-5.jpg


I keep looking out for a replacement and the main thing that I like the look of is the Volvo V90 but It just seems like an awful lot of money to spend on something when the Saab just keeps on going. I did Manchester and back in it last Wednesday. 240 miles round trip no issues and 37MPG. The great thing about the Saab is because it is worth nothing I can park it anywhere, chuck the kids in and go to the sea side without worrying about sand, Chuck the dog in the back and simply hose off the rubber boot mat when done. Our newer cars we always look where we park etc to avoid dings etc.
 
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