Can A Used Saab Be Reliable? Yes, But It Will Take Some Work
Who doesn't miss Saab? Whether it came to its designs, engines, or driver controls, the quirky Swedish brand always did things just a bit differently than everyone else, which made it easy to love. And now that it's gone, no one would blame you for wanting one; Saabs are good-looking, interesting, and famously safe cars that are rich with cool features like the aviation-inspired "night panel" interior. You can even find older models for serious bargains. The problem with owning a Saab today is that the brand technically doesn't exist anymore.
Saab isn't a functioning automaker today, so its reliability is hard to judge. Its most recent car is a decade old, leaving anyone looking to buy a used Saab forced to get one that's already seen many days. That means reliability really comes down to how well cars have been maintained, how readily available parts are, and either how easy it is to wrench them yourself or how costly mechanics will be. It would also be wise to seek out the more famously reliable models, like the second-generation Saab 9-3 (1998-2003) or the Subaru WRX-based Saab 9-2X.
If you want to buy a Saab, here are a few you should consider
You could say that there are seven cars that killed Saab, but its final demise came about in 2011. General Motors took ownership of Saab in 1989, then sold it to Spyker in 2010. Spyker tried to sell Saab to Chinese manufacturers a year later, but GM blocked the sale because it didn't want to compete against its own tech that Saab was licensing. Thus, Saab went out with a fizzle and died.
However, since the final two decades of the brand's existence were under the General's umbrella, many of its cars share GM platforms and parts. For example, the Saab 9-7X is just a slightly-prettier Chevy Trailblazer. Granted, the Trailblazer doesn't get much good rep today, but parts for it are plentiful and almost any shop can work on it. Meanwhile, second-generation 9-3s, based on GM's Epsilon platform, are still loved by Saab enthusiasts for their reliability. The newer and seemingly forgotten 9-4X was based on the Cadillac SRX, too, and the third-generation 9-3 uses the Epsilon platform. That last model is also specifically known for being reliable.
Reliability can be a tricky thing to quantify, but you can get a good handle on things by looking at aggregate data from sites like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds. The overall consensus from owners seems to be that Saabs are robust cars that last decades with the proper maintenance, but parts like water pumps and sensors seem to give some owners grief. Regardless, many agree on the second-gen or third-gen 9-3s or the 9-2X as the best models to own. Luckily, you can find plenty of Saab parts online; there are even dedicated sites like Saab Parts Counter specifically for this brand's models.
Owing one won't be as tricky as you might think
No one would blame you for wanting an even older Saab, either. Cars like the '80s Saab 900 have a classic cool vibe that's hard to beat — but at that age, with likely higher mileage, reliability really comes down to how easy it is to fix. Since that was pre-GM, parts and mechanics might be a bit harder to find. If you're looking for a daily, that might not be the choice, but it can still make for a fine weekend car or a fun project. There are also plenty of independent shops that will work on your car if needed. But even if you prefer to fix the cars yourself, there are dedicated forums like SaabWorld and Saab Central that are filled with passionate enthusiasts offering great advice.
Looks are subjective, but Saab always had a unique style that it carried over to even its badge-engineered cars, and its interiors were usually understated but elegant. Plus, who doesn't love a console-mounted ignition? Saab's vibe isn't for everyone, but for those who do enjoy it, the brand has a coolness that's hard to replicate. That's part of why reliability is such a huge concern for its models, but even if something does go wrong, you'll have plenty of resources to get a used Saab back into working order. If you find one that you really like, and the price is right, don't be too afraid of how well it will hold up.