1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
I put 153k on my 94-900 SE Imola Red 5 speed coupe over a 10.5 year period. I have 134k on my 00 9-3 SE Black 5 speed 5 dr. over the last 8 years. I can tell you this, the reliability of these two cars are not even close.
With my 94 900 SE every other Saturday was spent fixing SOMETHING on that car once I passed 50k on the clock, most of the stuff was inexpensive, but still irritating. And the damn cable clutch was always a source of irritation. Broken cables without warning left me stranded in the middle of nowhere a couple of times. The front suspension design on the 94-96 models was total crap as was the shift linkage, ABS module, and the A/C never did work very well once the temp was more than 90 degrees. And the car had trunk leaks, sunroof leaks, leaks around the fixed back windows at the body which caused the headliner to fail before 100k. The C pillar interior trim never did fit right. Gas mileage was 2 mpg worse than on the newer car. The car had more turbo lag and less power than the newer one. Lots of little things failed that shouldnt have. It was also plagued with bad hoses, engine oil leaks and lots of creaks and groans from the poorly designed suspension. I spent my weeknights on Saabnet seeking help and providing it though my extensive repairing of things on this car. SID and ACC displays both went south. Stitching on the leather seats came undone. Two water pumps. Plusses? There were a couple. The red T-5 DIs lasted twice as long as those on the newer cars, the stereo sounded better, and I liked the little round analog faced clock beside the radio. I liked the 2 door styling better. But out of six Saabs I have had, this was the worst one.
The 00 9-3 on the other hand has been Honda like as far as reliability with the exception of three failed DIs. The car runs and handles as good as the day I got it with the original suspension, does not use or leak any fluids. It is quicker and has a more usable powerband. It gets better mileage, has better A/C and rides better. I like the front seats lumbar supports. I have replaced the A/C compressor, the clutch, brakes and a couple of batteries as well as routine belt and pulley changeouts. I did have to replace the B and C pillar black tape exterior trim and wood dash panel. I did have to retorque the head bolts, and replace the sorry PCV vent system with fix # 6. The car is still a joy to drive every day. I dont spend Saturdays fixing things on the car, and much less time on Saabnet than I used to. More offering help than seeking it these days.
My wifes 04 9-5 Aero has been more troublesome to 45k than my 00 9-3 has to almost 3x the mileage. I think I will regret buying that car, glad it is CPO, because it looks like a royal pain to work on.
They really did make a lot of little improvements to the 00-02 9-3's, a couple of steps backward but mostly forward. The 94-95 900 was an especially bad car with lots of bugs, poor materials and hosed up designs.
posted by 24.236.99...
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