Reliability of the auto box ?
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I bought an autobox 9K Anniversary (2L Eco) last December with 88k, intending to buy a manual. The auto box was so impresively smooth, and I don't drive my Saab for performance much more than 10% of the time, so decided why go for the auto instead. So, in answer to your questions:
The auto box should be v-smooth on the changes, with any distinct jerk to the change only noticable under hard accelleration. My local Saab maindealer (S-Wales) rekons that the auto-boxes are good for 150k miles. The technical guy at the Saab Owners Club (SOC) of GB, (who specialises in answering questions on faulty Saabs, and runs a Saab workshop), rekons they are v-reliable and good for 200k. In contrast, older 9000 manuals suffered master cylinder failure, and even newer ones are stilled plagued with pinion gear failure at milages much less than 150k - so an auto-box will avoid both of these pitfalls! Having said that, the auto-box is much more expensive to overhaul (but a 2nd hand unit is a cheaper option) should the need arise.
You will loose about a second off 0-60mph for the equivalent manual, and I find a drop in 2mpg typicall on 80mph motorway commutes. (I get around 30mpg). But if you do lots of town work, expect a lot less mpg - as is most torque converter power transfer loss occurs in 1st, 2nd & 3rd gears!
The cleaver thing is, 3rd gear has 75% torque lock, and 4th gear 100% torque lock, so no loss of transmission power occurs in 4th gear, hence 4th gear economy should be virtually equivalent to a manual.
The auto box should be v-smooth on the changes, with any distinct jerk to the change only noticable under hard accelleration. My local Saab maindealer (S-Wales) rekons that the auto-boxes are good for 150k miles. The technical guy at the Saab Owners Club (SOC) of GB, (who specialises in answering questions on faulty Saabs, and runs a Saab workshop), rekons they are v-reliable and good for 200k. In contrast, older 9000 manuals suffered master cylinder failure, and even newer ones are stilled plagued with pinion gear failure at milages much less than 150k - so an auto-box will avoid both of these pitfalls! Having said that, the auto-box is much more expensive to overhaul (but a 2nd hand unit is a cheaper option) should the need arise.
You will loose about a second off 0-60mph for the equivalent manual, and I find a drop in 2mpg typicall on 80mph motorway commutes. (I get around 30mpg). But if you do lots of town work, expect a lot less mpg - as is most torque converter power transfer loss occurs in 1st, 2nd & 3rd gears!
The cleaver thing is, 3rd gear has 75% torque lock, and 4th gear 100% torque lock, so no loss of transmission power occurs in 4th gear, hence 4th gear economy should be virtually equivalent to a manual.
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2,277 Posts
Hi, A friend has had both a 2.0 and 2.3 9000 with auto boxes. The 2.3 seems much more suited to the auto box, with far better (read at least some) engine braking. All boxes will sooner or later require overhaul/ replacment. Around 110-130k miles seem like the mark if driven with spirit occasionally. As little as 80k if a full pressure turbo with little respect given...
Totally agree with the sentiments about the manual gearbox though, pinion bearings are a bind.
Totally agree with the sentiments about the manual gearbox though, pinion bearings are a bind.
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4 Posts
Hope you can help with this issue, I recently purchased 91,9000 I Auto, like you all I am finding the car very nice to drive. I have ambitions of driving through Europe next year so would like to fix it if viable.
Recently experienced what I first thought was loss of engine compression, flat spots with a vibration, but no issues with oil loss or water, only occurs after about 2 hrs of driving both times when encounting medium traffic. Close to changing gears!Top of the gears were normal. Now think it is the gear box, feels like a slipping clutch but its Auto. When it last happened I started changing gears manually avoiding the in between gears, if I did it at the right time I avoided the vibration. There were no issues therefore going in an out of gear just when it was on the edge.
The car cools down and the next day everything is ok. Have checked the auto fluid it seems ok if anything over full.
Can this be a problem?
Anyone with similiar stories?
Any advice on getting a transmission service?
I'd appreciate any help, poor Aussie in London.
PS. The Holden's are great reliable cars. Engines very strong, and fuel not too bad on the open roads, stay away from the V8 though..very thirsty
Recently experienced what I first thought was loss of engine compression, flat spots with a vibration, but no issues with oil loss or water, only occurs after about 2 hrs of driving both times when encounting medium traffic. Close to changing gears!Top of the gears were normal. Now think it is the gear box, feels like a slipping clutch but its Auto. When it last happened I started changing gears manually avoiding the in between gears, if I did it at the right time I avoided the vibration. There were no issues therefore going in an out of gear just when it was on the edge.
The car cools down and the next day everything is ok. Have checked the auto fluid it seems ok if anything over full.
Can this be a problem?
Anyone with similiar stories?
Any advice on getting a transmission service?
I'd appreciate any help, poor Aussie in London.
PS. The Holden's are great reliable cars. Engines very strong, and fuel not too bad on the open roads, stay away from the V8 though..very thirsty
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