How Many Miles Do Saabs Usually Last? [ Here’s The Answer ]

Car enthusiasts often think of purchasing the Saab, which comes from an established Swedish manufacturer. Safe and tough, these cars are some of the most difficult vehicles to steal or break-in. In 2000, General Motors took over Saab, and produced the cars till 2011 before it went bankrupt. Well, if purchasing a Saab is on your mind, it’s natural to be inquisitive about the car’s mileage, performance, and reliability.

Interestingly, the Swedish brand competed against the likes of Audi and BMW with its Saab 900 model. Over the years, the brand has crafted for itself a reputation to build reliable cars. The manufacturers have incorporated the double-wishbone suspension system to enhance handling in these vehicles. Let’s explore the average mileage of Saabs, which would help you gain a detailed insight on the car.

How many miles do Saabs usually last?

With an assurance of careful and timely maintenance from the owner, Saabs can serve between 200K to 300K miles. Considering the annual mileage to be around 15K miles on average, you can expect a lifeline up to 20 years from your Saab. Following this, the car might need significant repairs.

In case you are weighing the option of purchasing a used car, it makes sense to know the high mileage for Saabs. This is somewhere between 100K to 125K miles. No wonder, Saabs have made their way in style into the High Mile Club. Experts reveal that the secret to optimizing the car’s performance is to carry out routine maintenance and use synthetic oil.

Now, the manufacturer hasn’t launched any new vehicles since 2012. The cars that are plying the roads have around 135K miles on their odometers. Under such circumstances, it would be logical to settle with one of these used vehicles only if you find the maintenance schedule perfect.

Are Saabs reliable cars?

Saabs are reliable, but not the most reliable cars around, considering their present mileage. On the road, drivers haven’t reported too many technical glitches with this car. However, you have better alternatives to a Saab when you check out similar vehicles. As per Consumer Reports, Saabs score lower than other cars. However, they are somewhat reliable, thanks to the quality of the build that the manufacturers had taken care of.

In terms of reliability, Saab bags 4/5 as per RepairPal. However, this platform didn’t count in Saab while preparing its list of the top 32 most reliable automobile brands. This naturally denotes that you have as many as 32 more reliable brands than Saab.

Are Saabs worth buying?

If you have a fascination for Saabs, purchasing a used model would be worth it only if you are ready to take care of its repairs and maintenance. However, Saabs do not last as long as Mercedes, Hondas, or Toyotas. In terms of dependability, Saab fares average. Therefore, you have several other choices within the same price range to narrow down your options from. Some of the Saab competitors also reported to have fewer issues in the long run.

When it comes to depreciation, Saabs continue to be one of the worst vehicles. This explains why you would find used cars so cheap. Currently, one can purchase these cars at around 35% of their original cost, as they depreciate by 65% in the first three years.

Considering these statistics, it makes sense to purchase a used Saab if you can take care of it. Of course, you can get these cars dirt cheap!

Is it expensive to maintain a Saab?

At an annual cost of $908, maintaining a Saab would be an expensive affair. The average maintenance charge for other brands comes to around $652. Therefore, purchasing a used Saab would require you to shell out around 1.5 times the average maintenance cost.

• On average, the tires would last for three to four years before you need to get them replaced. To make these tires last longer, make sure to inspect them for foreign objects, bulges, and damages regularly. Saab expects the owners to check the pressure in tires frequently. You also need to go for every 10K miles for tire rotation to get the maximum value.
• As for the batteries, you need to replace them every six years on average. The battery might not deliver optimal performance if you live in a humid, cold, or hot area. Particularly, after the car crosses 70,000 miles, Saab wants the owners to inspect the battery. Periodically, you need to carry out battery checks once every 10K miles. Watch out for loose cables as well, which can lead to premature battery failure in these cars.
• A well-maintained Saab engine can last more than 200K miles before any significant glitch starts bothering you. So, as long as you keep caring for these engines, they would deliver optimal performance. Frequent inspection of the fluid levels and regular oil changes would enhance the life of the engine.
• You need to repair the transmissions after 150K to 200K miles. Once you fix the initial problems in transmissions, these cars would serve you another 100K miles. Make sure to keep the fluid levels up and drive carefully. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations while maintaining the vehicle.

 Is the Saab 9-3 a reliable car?

Of course, the Saab 9-3 is a reliable car. Owners of Saab 9-3 are satisfied with their cars’ performance. The JD Power survey reported positively about this car. Although faults are inevitable, fixing them won’t be an issue.

Particularly, the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan Aero has got the V-6 Turbo. This is among the fastest accelerating models that the brand has ever produced. It has impressive pulling power, and generates more torque than other gasoline engines with six cylinders.

Most Reliable Saab Models?

The Saab 900 and the Saab 2002 9-3 are the best models that the brand ever launched. The Saab Planet (9-3) has an edge over other models in terms of reliability. Among classic cars, the Saab 900 would be the best pick.

 Are Saabs Expensive To Maintain?

At $908, Saabs are undoubtedly expensive to maintain. Even if you manage to get a used car at a lower price, you need to ensure timely repairs and maintenance to keep the car properly functional.

Ways to keep your Saabs for a longer duration?

The manufacturer recommends the following measures to enhance the lifeline of these cars.

• Every 10K miles, inspect the filter and engine oil
• Every 30K miles, change spark plugs and flush the engine coolant
• Every 60K miles, change the transmission fluid

Conclusion

You can expect a Saab to serve you 20 years, with the odometer reading somewhere close to the 300K mark. However, it pays to consider the high maintenance charges and moderate reliability of this car. Of course, there are other models promising better performance, but you can get a used Saab really cheap. Now, you can use your discretion to weigh your decision whether you should settle for a car that the manufacturer last produced more than a decade back.