Topic: CD Article: 1998-2000 Volvo S70 and V70

[Bullet Blue]

Recent Saabs are pure junk.  Take a look at Saab's own admission to engine sludge in a quite a few 99 to 2002 models.  Maybe a few 2003. Voluntary extented warranty. Good luck collecting a new motor. Pure junk and resale values reflect it.

Is this true of the 9-5's? I was under the impression that they were quite an improvement over other models of Saabs

[gta_driver]

Recent Saabs are pure junk.  Take a look at Saab's own admission to engine sludge in a quite a few 99 to 2002 models.  Maybe a few 2003. Voluntary extented warranty. Good luck collecting a new motor.  Pure  junk and resale values reflect it.

Good luck collecting any engine sludge related repairs on any Toyota or Lexus even with the so called extended warranty as a colleague found out recently. They want proof of every oil change done as well as prescribed maintenance service over the ownership period. If you bought a vehicle used or are bad at keeping records, you're basically out of luck.

For whatever its worth, 2002 and newer Saab's are a best buy according to Consumer Reports.

[articsteve]

Recent Saabs are pure junk.  Take a look at Saab's own admission to engine sludge in a quite a few 99 to 2002 models.  Maybe a few 2003. Voluntary extented warranty. Good luck collecting a new motor.  Pure  junk and resale values reflect it.

Good luck collecting any engine sludge related repairs on any Toyota or Lexus even with the so called extended warranty as a colleague found out recently. They want proof of every oil change done as well as prescribed maintenance service over the ownership period. If you bought a vehicle used or are bad at keeping records, you're basically out of luck.

For whatever its worth, 2002 and newer Saab's are a best buy according to Consumer Reports.

Toyota Canada require proof of only one oil change per year to qualify.

[articsteve]

Recent Saabs are pure junk.  Take a look at Saab's own admission to engine sludge in a quite a few 99 to 2002 models.  Maybe a few 2003. Voluntary extented warranty. Good luck collecting a new motor. Pure junk and resale values reflect it.

Is this true of the 9-5's? I was under the impression that they were quite an improvement over other models of Saabs

Engines in question
Makes
 Engine
 Models and years
 U.S. engine population* New-engine warranty

Audi/Volkswagen
 1.8L 4 turbo 1997-2004 Audi A4,
Volkswagen Passat

 447,000 8 years/unlimited mileage


Chrysler/Dodge
 2.7L V-6 1998-2002 Chrysler Concorde, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Intrepid, Dodge Stratus
 797,000 None. Chrysler will handle on a case-by-case basis   

Lexus/Toyota
 3.0L V-6 1997-2001 Lexus ES300,
Toyota Camry, Toyota Avalon, Toyota Sienna;
1999-2001 Lexus RX300,
Toyota Camry Solara;
2001 Toyota Highlander

 1,577,000 8 years/unlimited mileage
 
2.2L 4 1997-2001 Toyota Camry,
1996-99 Toyota Celica,br>1999-2001 Toyota Camry Solara

 1,757,000 8 years/unlimited mileage

Saab
 2.0L 4 turbo 2000-02 9-3 hatchback,
2000-03 9-3 convertible

 82,000 8 years/unlimited mileage

2.3L 4 turbo 1999-2003 Saab 9-5,
1999 9-3 Viggen

 68,000 8 years/unlimited mileage
* Source: Analysis from Ward's Auto Info Bank (approximate).

For whatever its worth, 2002 and newer Saab's are a best buy according to Consumer Reports.
 

So much for Consumer Reports.  They should stick to kettles.

[AVToller]

For whatever its worth, 2002 and newer Saab's are a best buy according to Consumer Reports.
 

So much for Consumer Reports.  They should stick to kettles.

I don't know what your source is, but I have a current copy of Consumer Reports in my hand. The 9-3 is not recommended (predicted reliability black circle). The 9-5 is recommended (not a Best Buy though) (reliability half red). No other models are currently reviewed.

[skypoint]

My understanding is that bulb eating is a problem affected all Volvos until 2002. I read that on a Volvo forum, and I believe it. My 2002 Volvo has needed one $4 sidelight bulb replaced in 9 months / 11,000 kms since I bought in in January this year. Fortunately the bulb blew 1 day before my service appointment...

[articsteve]

On the 1998 S70 I had the wiring was replaced to the headlights, nothing else I think.

When it comes to vehicles that have all their lights on 27/4 like the Volvos and BMWs running light bulbs are going to burn out once and a while.

[Howswedeitis]

I dont quite agree that recent Saab's are "pure junk". The sludge issue has to do with
dealers not advising clients to use synthetic oil. VW and Audi have had similar problems
with the 1.8t and have put out a service bulletin to advise dealers to use only synthetic oil.
The problem is not the car but the dealer network who should know better than to
put a $1.75 mineral based oil in a turbo charged engine. None of my Saab turbos ever had
any major service issues but of course I had them maintained by an independent Saab mechanic
(1990 Saab 900T 450,000kms (still going today well over 600k) 1995 Saab 900S n 1999 Saab 9-5)
I do agree that the AC system on the Volvo could be better and yes if the compressor goes
it is indeed expensive but find me one car that isn't when it comes to replacing AC components.

[Scaerio]

I recall Phil Edmonston once writing that SAABs were well engineered, well-built cars let down by a woefully inadequate dealer and service network.

[gta_driver]

For whatever its worth, 2002 and newer Saab's are a best buy according to Consumer Reports.
 

So much for Consumer Reports.  They should stick to kettles.

I don't know what your source is, but I have a current copy of Consumer Reports in my hand. The 9-3 is not recommended (predicted reliability black circle). The 9-5 is recommended (not a Best Buy though) (reliability half red). No other models are currently reviewed.

Meant the 9-5. I believe it is the only euro based make with a "recommended" rating even though in subsequengt issue of CR, they talk about the engine sludge issue, what a hypocritical magazine.

[Howswedeitis]

It should also be mentioned that the new gen Saab 9-3 topped JD Power & Associates
European import in terms of least reported problems when new...beating BMW, Mercedes (can you
say electrical problems!), Audi, VW, Porsche not to mention Volvo.

The problem with Saab is definately the dealers who should stick to selling Saturns!
The US dealer network for Saab is better as they have stand alone stores and are
staffed by Saab people who know their product well. They should have done this in Canada as well.

There is a reason why Saab has never sold well in Canada and it has nothing to
do with the product. All GM needs to do is hire me and I can assure them I can
help them move more than the 2500 Saabs they sell here a year (pathetic to say the
least) which reflects on resale as the buying public gets a negative impression of
the brand as being "weak" but that definately bodes well for those like me who like to buy em
used!

[a4_tom]

Sludge problem has nothing to do with engine itself, more with ppl's infrequent oil change.

[gta_driver]

In the Canadian Customer Commitment Survey by JD Power which is essentially a customer satisfaction survey,

Saab ranked higher than the industry average, so did Volvo.

Link is here:

http://jdpower.com/awards/industry/pressrelease.asp?StudyID=1008

[Howswedeitis]

Sludge problem has nothing to do with engine itself, more with ppl's infrequent oil change.

I agree infrequent oil changes is a problem but so is using meineral based oil in these engines.
In Europe they run on 5w40 10w40 or latest 0w40 synthetic oil for the most part. Hardly
the 10w30 Castrol special of the week stuff.

I have found that Agip Synthetic 10w40 to be very good indeed but recently found
5w40 Castrol syntec (made in Belgium) which is a European formulation which works
very well in European cars (very good winter grade)