I quite fancy some open top motoring....

Hoof_Hearted

for the summer. I have spotted this and I am tempted. I've never had a Saab before. Are they expensive to maintain? Any negatives?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201605063698841?page=1&sort=locasc&searchcontext=default&onesearchad=new,nearlynew,used&make=saab&search-target=usedcars&radius=1500&postcode=sl98pn&logcode=p

Nobbie1967

It's only done 3K in the last 4 years and it's a 13 year old car with high parts prices. Could easily turn into a money pit. Plenty of cheap decent MX5s out there.

khcomp

Always had a soft spot for Saabs, but the later GM ones like this have a terrible reliability reputation - especially the automatics. Roofs are also prone to expensive problems. I too would seriously recommend a Mazda MX-5 or a BMW Z3, although of course you're looking at two seaters there rather than four. For cheap four seater convertible motoring, I'd look at the older shape Renault Megane convertible (pre 2003) - unusually for Renault, they are very sound both mechanically & body wise. The Mazdas do suffer from rotten sills due to poor maintenance of the drainage holes around the roof, but are otherwise incredibly reliable & great fun to drive. I source used cars for people to order, and there are some excellent buys to be had - as with any 'older' car, make sure you take a mechanic with you when viewing.

dcouponzzzz

If you think about it, you'll save a lot of money by renting a soft top car for the sunny days you fancy having the wind blow through your hair. for the other 320+ days of the year any other is more practical, and you'd spend less.

EssexExile

Convertibles are great. I've had a few & I used them all year round with no problems.

dcouponzzzz

I'm not suggesting there's a problem using them all year round, but you pay more for a convertible and you get reduced back seat and boot space, more parts to fail, and reduced fuel efficiency. I'd have to be recently released from the madhouse to buy one in the UK. If I was in Aus or on the Costa Del Sol on the other hand....

dcouponzzzz

Ah just to note Hoof Hearted, change your URL to one that doesn't link to your postcode. Currently advertising your street

BeenThroughItAll

I would ignore the nay-sayers above. I've had a number of Saabs, including one exactly like the one you've seen. They're comfortable, quiet, and generally reliable (especially the petrols).


If it has reasonable history, and everything works that's a good start. Poster above is correct that some of the automatic boxes give problems, but as long as it engages D from P smoothly without a delay, doesn't 'stutter' in reverse, and changes up and down smoothly (although the occasional hard shift from 3-2 on hard deceleration is normal) then it should be fine - but I'd advise a fluid change as they boxes are not 'sealed for life' as the manufacturer suggests.


Roof problems are pretty rare on the SS convertible unless the roof has been very rarely used. If it opens smoothly without stopping at any point, and takes under 30s to fold completely, that's a good sign. I think Saab quote 20s to fold, but mine never managed that - and it worked 100% reliably opened and closed several times almost every day (when it isn't raining, I have the roof down).


They're generally pleasant to drive, but do tend to eat their way through front ARB drop links - clunks over bumps are 90% of the time due to this. They're only about £20 a pop and take 10minutes to fit, so no major concern.

Electrically, they're reliable enough, but the earlier ones use a fibre-optic interconnect for the stereo which precludes you from replacing it with an aftermarket unit without considerable work and expense. The factory stereo isn't brilliant, but it's OK.


They're not difficult to work on either, and are generally well-built. Most of the scare stories of reliability problems date back to the previous GM900 model, which wasn't brilliant. The SS is much better - it's a Vectra underneath and contrary to the propagated myth that Saab changed every single thing to make their car better, many parts *are* interchangeable.


Parts are not difficult to get, neither are they hugely expensive - there is often a Vauxhall equivalent for less money; and there are a number of excellent aftermarket suppliers like Neo Bros. who specialise in the marque and offer good service and prices (e.g. complete 3-piece clutch kit, and DMF, genuine Saab, delivered, cost me £310).


If the car looks good, drives well and there are none of the usual red flags, go for it. It's a much nicer place to be and nicer drive than most of the other options at that price range.

suki1964

I had a focus convertible a few years back, loved it, only the depreciation on it was horrendous. Was lovely to drive and the speed of putting the lid up and down was second to none ( needed to be fast with our weather lol )

Picked up 12 year old MR2 with 30k miles on it a couple of years ago. Had to replace discs and pads on it last year and that's about it


Been lucky this year that we have had good weather to use it as it really is a summer car, dire in the winter with condensation and poor visibility and murder on snow and ice

We just have a convertible because we live in such a beautiful area with no traffic. I'd hate to be sat in city traffic in one

Rain_Shadow

dcouponzzzz wrote: »

Ah just to note Hoof Hearted, change your URL to one that doesn't link to your postcode. Currently advertising your street

And jolly pleasant it looks too.

onomatopoeia99

My mother used to work on that street 40 years ago and growing up I went to the cinema there many times!

I like Saabs, but I'd always say buy a car designed to be a convertible rather than a saloon with the roof chopped off, unless you really need the back row of seats.