Saab is a Swedish car manufacturer that General Motors took over in 2000 until the brand went bankrupt in 2011.
If you’re thinking about buying a Saab, you’re probably wondering whether it’s reliable. So, how long do Saabs last?
Saabs usually last between 200,000 and 300,000 miles with careful maintenance and care. That means that based on an average annual mileage of 15,000 miles, you can expect 13 to 20 years of healthy life before significant repairs are needed.
Read on to find out how reliable Saabs are, how well they hold their value, and what you can do to make your Saab last longer.
How Many Miles Will A Saab Last?
With responsible maintenance, Saabs usually last anywhere from 200,000 to 300,000 miles.
One Saab owner even logged over a million miles on his vehicle!
That said, it’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule if you want your Saab to last this many miles.
How Many Years Does A Saab Last?
When driven an average of 15,0000 miles yearly, a Saab should last 13 to 20 years.
The oldest Saab on the road today is at least 69 years old as of 2021!
You must take care of your Saab if you hope to get many years out of it.
Pay special attention to the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions and drive safely.
Are Saabs Reliable?
When it comes to reliability, there are better options out there than Saab.
According to Consumer Reports, even though their reliability makes them a recommended choice, when compared to others, the scores are lower.
Repair Pal rates Saab a 4 out of 5 for reliability, but it didn’t make it onto the source’s list for 32 most reliable brands, confirming that at least 32 other brands are more reliable than Saab.
Do Saabs Have A Lot Of Problems?
Saabs have slightly fewer problems when compared to other vehicles across all brands.
According to Repair Pal, Saabs need repairs an estimated 3 times a year compared to the average 4 times a year for other cars across all brands.
The top three problems that Saabs have are issues with the electrical system, airbags, and engine/engine cooling, according to Car Problem Zoo.
If you’re looking for a Saab with the fewest problems, you should pursue a GM-manufactured Saab ( according to Saab owners.)
GM-manufactured Saabs are any model manufactured in 2003 or later.
Do Saabs Last As Long As Toyotas?
Toyotas last longer than Saabs.
Repair Pal ranks Toyota 8th out of 32 for reliability across all brands, while Saab’s reliability scores aren’t significant enough to place them anywhere on the list.
J.D. Power awarded Toyota with 33 dependability awards between 2002 and 2010; Saab didn’t win any.
Do Saabs Last As Long As Hondas?
Hondas last longer than Saabs.
Repair Pal ranks Honda #1 across 32 car brands for reliability, meaning there’s no car of any brand that lasts longer than Honda.
Consumer Reports consistently ranks Honda well above average.
On the other hand, Saab is often ranked average or below for reliability, which means you can count on Honda to last longer.
You might also like: How Long Do Hondas Last? (Explained)
Do Saabs Last As Long As Mercedes?
Mercedes lasts longer than Saabs.
Consumer Reports ranks Mercedes average or better when it comes to reliability.
Saab, on the other hand, generally ranks below average for dependability.
Users on CarTalk also confirm that Mercedes is a more reliable option when compared to Saab. They state Mercedes have fewer issues and that it can be trusted to last more miles than Saab before significant repairs are needed.
What Are The Most Reliable Saab Models?
The most reliable Saab models are the 2002 9-3 and Saab 900.
According to Saab owners, the 2002 9-3 is one of the most reliable models Saab offers.
Saab Planet also named the 9-3 the most reliable car in its class compared to other models across all brands.
When it comes to classic cars, you can count on the Saab 900 to be the most reliable.
One article on MSN named it #5 out of 25 on their list of the most reliable classic cars across all brands.
What Are The Least Reliable Saab Models?
The least reliable Saab models are the 2006 9-7x and Lancia 600.
According to Consumer Reports, the 2006 Saab 9-7x was recalled four times.
One of the most serious recalls involved electrical issues that caused a short circuit and put the car at risk for catching fire, even while parked, making it a poor choice for reliability.
The Saab Lancia 600 was named one of the worst cars ever made. These vehicles were known for unreliability, especially in cold winters, due to Italian electricals and bodywork.
What Is High Mileage For A Saab?
Saabs are considered high mileage around 100,000 to 125,000 miles.
That said, many Saabs have made it into The High Mile Club, which includes vehicles with over 100,000 miles on the odometer.
Peter Gilbert, famous for driving his Saab more than a million miles before donating it to a museum, says the secret to keeping a high-mileage Saab on the road is to use synthetic oil and perform routine maintenance.
Since Saab vehicles haven’t been around since 2012, any Saab on the market will likely have at least 135,000 miles on it if it was driven by the average yearly mileage of 15,0000 miles.
As long as the vehicle’s service records show Saab’s maintenance schedule was followed in the past, you should be safe to purchase the car.
Do Saabs Hold Their Value?
Saabs are among the worst vehicles across all brands when it comes to holding their value.
According to The Money Calculator, Saab vehicles have an average depreciation rate of 65% of their original value today.
Similar vehicles with depreciation rates in the 60-69% range are considered the worst for depreciation, with five out of ten of the worst cars for depreciation across all brands falling in the sixties.
Related Article: How Long Do Volvos Last? (Explained)
Are Saabs Expensive To Maintain?
Saabs are more expensive to maintain when compared to similar models across all brands.
According to Repair Pal, the average annual cost to maintain a Saab is $908 compared to $652 yearly to maintain other cars across all brands.
How Long Do Saab Tires Last?
Saab tires should last around three to four years before replacements are needed.
That said, it’s essential to thoroughly check your tires for damage, bulges, or foreign objects, which could mean you need to replace them sooner.
Saab recommends checking tire pressure frequently and rotating tires at least every 10,000 miles to get the most life out of them.
How Long Do Saab Batteries Last?
Saab batteries should last around six years before needing to be replaced.
That said, if you live someplace extremely hot, cold, or humid, your battery could die sooner.
According to Saab, the best way to extend the life of your battery is to perform battery checks every 10,000 miles and at the 70,000-mile mark especially.
It’s also a good idea to perform frequent visual inspections to look for corrosion of battery terminals or loose cables, which could make Saab batteries fail prematurely.
Related Article: How Long Do Hyundai’s Last? (Explained)
How Long Do Saab Engines Last?
A well-maintained Saab engine should last anywhere from 200,000 to 300,000 miles before major repairs are necessary.
The longest-lasting Saab, which drove for more than one million miles, still had its original engine when the vehicle was donated to a museum.
Saab engines will last as long as you take care of them.
Be sure to perform regular oil changes and frequently check fluid levels to keep your engine running as long as possible.
How Long Do Saab Transmissions Last?
Saab transmissions usually last about 150,000 to 200,000 miles before repairs are needed.
That said, according to Saab owners, once the initial transmission issues are fixed, the vehicle should go 100,000 additional miles or more.
Making a transmission last is as simple as driving carefully, keeping fluids topped up, and maintaining the vehicle precisely according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
How To Make A Saab Last Longer
The most effective way to make a Saab last longer is simple: take care of it.
Saab’s maintenance schedule states that the following can help extend the life lifespan of your vehicle:
- Check engine oil and filter every 10,000 miles
- Flush engine coolant and change spark plugs every 30,000 miles
- Change transmission fluid every 60,000 miles
Final Thoughts – Saab Life Expectancy
Saabs can last up to 300,000 miles or 20 years with proper maintenance and care.
However, some models lack reliability, and the cost to maintain a Saab is high compared to other brands.
If you want to extend the lifespan of your Saab, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintenance closely.
Article Sources:
- consumerreports.org/cro/news/2009/12/should-i-buy-a-saab/index.htm
- saabshops.com/saab-maintenance-2000-2004-9.3-9.5