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Date: Sat, 6 Mar 1999 11:12:55 +0000 From: Paul Appleyard <paul.appleyardnopsamslation.demon.co.uk> Subject: Re: Is Saab's Reliability a thing of the Past?
Subsequent to my message below, Saab UK have offered to pay for the clutch replacement. This is a good gesture, as an acknowledgement from them that I have had problems with the car, and as recognition of the fact that such things should not happen. End of story. In article <fdBCpGAJ7b32EwKHnopsamslation.demon.co.uk>, Paul Appleyard <paul.appleyardnopsamslation.demon.co.uk> writes >Saabs are no longer reliable. > >In 1994, I bought a second-hand G-registered 9000i. This was an >excellent car and when the time came to replace it, I decided to buy >another 9000. I bought another second-hand 9000 (a 1993 L-reg 9000 CSE) >in March 1997, from a Saab dealer, with full service history, warranty, >the works. The ACC didn't work. During the year there were a number of >other problems (for example, with the alarm). > >A number of times during 1997, the car went to the Saab dealer where >they attempted to investigate the fault. On one occasion, I was asked >if I actually knew how to use ACC since perhaps I had not understood its >operation correctly. Every time I got the car back they claimed they >had solved the problem and on my first long journey it would still be >there. > >As the end of the warranty period approached, I decided that the dealer >was incapable of solving the problem and decided (foolishly) to buy >another Saab 9000. Again, I chose a second-hand 9000 CSE (1994 L-reg) >from a Saab dealer and handed over my money in March 1998. > >This was delivered to me with (among other things) a warped wheel, a >hole in the exhaust, a cracked rear brake light, a nearly bald tyre and >an engine that spluttered. Remember - Saab advertising says that they >run all second-hand cars through a large number of checks, even the >courtesy lights. Guess what - the courtesy lights didn't work properly >either (and still don't!). > >The faults were repaired - I was happy. I had a car that was running >and actually kept me cool in the sunshine (although perhaps I had just >learnt how to use the ACC correctly). Then, when sitting in a traffic >jam in Paris in the middle of August, the ACC stopped working. >Completely. It was repaired. > >Since then, the headlights have failed, the radio has cut out, the >hazard lights stopped working, the back seat was ripped when the rear- >window was replaced (because it didn't work properly), and so on. (I >may have forgotten some, but these are the things that immediately >spring to mind). > >Undeterred, I was happy that at least all the problems were being sorted >out and I would have a reliable car (remember, Saab build their cars >like they build their aircraft, and we know how well built aircraft have >to be). > >Then on 24 Feb 1999, my car went to Reading Saab for a "routine" 60000 >mile service (12,000 miles after I bought it) and MOT. I asked them to >take a look at a noise (squeak) which happened upon pulling away, and a >leak in the boot. The routine service cost me over £800 because a >number of "wear and tear" items needed to be replaced (I accept that >tyres and break pads wear out, but question whether I had really worn >out so many items in 12000 miles). The bill would have been higher >still because a number of warranty items also needed to be replaced. >They didn't have time to investigate the problems I had reported. > >On 26 February, The car went back in for the problems to be investigated >(at least the squeak was covered under warranty). I was told the >gearbox needed to be removed and that the clutch ought to be replaced >because it would be cheaper for me in the long run. This may be true, >but if the car were reliable, it is quite possible that I wouldn't have >needed to think about the clutch for quite some time. Yet more money >down the drain. >I am convinced that I will have another problem soon - why should I stop >having problems now? > >The text above is similar to something I wrote to Saab UK. They haven't >answered yet - I can only assume they are too embarrassed to admit the >cars they sell are rubbish. > >So, to answer your question, Saabs are not reliable. However, when you >have had a good moan about it, take it out for a drive and put your foot >down. Very therapeutic! > > >In article <01be63ea$f075c660$1801a8c0nopsaman>, adrian c ><acolombininopsamcom> writes >>1989 Saab 900i >>Owned from 90 to 160,000 miles (7-10 years old) >>No problems other than replacing one brake caliper >> >>1995 Saab 900i >>Owned from 86 to current 102k miles >>Big end gone- engine now replaced with a 10k miler >>Gearbox oil seal leaking >>CV Boot leaking >>Heater resistance package blown >>Exhaust Blown >>(All since last SAAB dealer service 12k ago) >> >>Car has a full dealer service history, at considerable expense. >> >>I have driven Saabs for last 4 years and always swore I'd never drive >>anything else. >>I dont know if I'll still feel the same when its pay up time! >> >>Is my car a lemon? Should I get shot of it as soon as possible or should I >>take the view that I've had everything done now and should be safe enough? >> >> > *** There has been an error *** Paul Appleyard (paul.appleyardnopsamslation.demon.co.uk) has suffered a primary intelligence processor system failure. The system is undergoing essential repairs and will be restarted shortly.
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