SimonD

Just got off the phone with our Saab dealer having heard that our 9-5 will need a new turbo in the near future. The list of problems with this car so far reads:

1. Alarm sensor failed - meant you couldn't lock the car!
2. Climate control flap motor - unable to turn off hot air to the driver.
3. burnt out coil - stranded, had to call out AA
4. Boot remote release failed
5. Main beam failure - faulty relay
6. rear shock absorbers failed at 30k miles.
7. Head gasket failed
8. Power steering pump failed
9. Water pump failed
10. and now the turbo appears to be on its way out.

.....and this on a car that we bought new in 2001, has covered 45k miles and has been main dealer serviced from new. Trade in value is less than 25% of what it cost new.

Anyone else had this kind of experience or are my expectations too high?

I think that we have come to the stage where we'll cut our losses and replace it. Maybe a Legacy to go with the Impreza..........

skinters

That seems very harsh and unlucky:

I've got a '96 9k Aero and replacements shown at mileage (All non-service so excludes brakes and tyres etc) since new are:

Waterpump leaky: (110k)
Clutch (125k) - Stage3 upgrade (320ftlbs) was likely demise though.
Direct Ignition Cartidge (95K)
Clutch Hose (70K)
1 ABS sensor (65K)
Engine mount bushes (110K)
Top Strut mount (110K)
Rear shocks 90k (service item)?

Thats the sum total of all parts in 130K miles and 9 years and I think that's pretty good. The 9-5 shouldnt really be much different I'd say - maybe a little less reliable but I'd have thought there should be nothing in it??

SimonD

The direct ignition cartridge seems to go rather frequently and without any warning. The rear shocks are a generic 9-5 problem - I've heard of many failures at similarly low mileages.
These don't bother me as much as the things like head gaskets, water pumps and turbos. What makes these things fail at such a low mileage on a modern car?

carl

The GM Saabs don't seem to be anywhere near as reliable as the "proper" ones.

SimonD

You're right. The 9000 seems to be the last of the well built Saabs. Those built on the Cavalier floorpan have never matched the quality of the older models. It's a shame because the 9-5 is the best family sized long distance car I've driven - just as long as you don't try to go around corners!

Should I worry about Subaru now........ when will GM get their teeth in to the Legacy and screw up it's reliability?

skinters

Simon - you may have done this but it's also worth putting a post here:
http://www.saabscene.co.uk/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi? in the 9-5 section. There is loads of info. too.
May help prevent you getting stiffed for non-warranty stuff if its a well know issue(s).
I'm always suspicious with the old 'Yes sir, your turbo is on its way out..' chat.

One line of thought it some sort of contamination issue that is linking the head gasket failure with the water pump and turbo. - i.e. 1 root cause.

Hope you get it resolved OK.

DBY

Known in the trade as Scabs for obvious reasons

Blackscooby

Yikes that's a little scary to say the least....
I've heard of DI cassette failures and turbo failures, oh and of course the rear shockers

Fingers crossed for my 2002 9-5 Aero with 52K on it !

fatscoobyfella

My 2001 9-3 turbo now has 129k,its been serviced on the button and has only ever had,pads and discs on the front at 110k,and on its 3rd set of tyres.Never even had a bulb.All exhaust,suspension and electric rotating parts are all original..Only thing i can really pull it on is,the pixilation on the odd letter in the OBD display,fades in and out..
Fantastic car and can achieve 40mpg on a run..

Think youve had some really bad luck with ya 9-5...

SimonD

Yes.... we had just stumped up £2.3k for the last service that included the head gasket/pumps + pads/discs and a few other odds and sods...... when I noticed some oil smoke from the exhaust on a cold startup.

The trade in value is only about £5k these days for a 2.0t SE.

Thanks for the link skinters - I have registered and will give it a go.

kammy

WTF is up with new cars/technology these days, Why carn't anything these days fooking last, we pay enough for it. Whats happened to Levi jeans that last, cars that last etc.

Im buying old, second hand goods from now on, or Hondas.
Kam