I'm going to be unloading one of the cars and am planning its eventual replacement. One of the candidates that comes to mind is the Saab 9-5, used. Most likely candidate will be a 2003-2004 model. I've driven the 9-3 model, but it is probably a little too small. I've always liked the Saab having driven someone else's 1979 99 EMS, but stayed away from them in the 80's and 90's because of that yuppie-ish image. Does anyone have any experience with that model, both good and bad comments are welcome.
Saab 9-5 - Any experiences ?
- Thread starter ediamiam
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JHZR2
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I LOVE my 04 9-3 2.0t MT... Ive NEVER gotten below 30 MPG, even in city and traffic filled driving!!! I can get as high as 40 MPG (real calculations, not a computer readout) on slower highway trips, keeping it around 50-55.
There is one fellow on here that has repeatedly gotten ~35-36 MPG in his 9-5 I recall.
I also recall that the 9-5 reliability has been excellent and that I think its one of the 'reccomended' cars...
The dash looks a little outdated, if you ask me... but its a nice, top-notch car.
You wont find anything similar for the price...
consider heading over to www.saabcentral.com
Id say try one and go for it!
JMH
There is one fellow on here that has repeatedly gotten ~35-36 MPG in his 9-5 I recall.
I also recall that the 9-5 reliability has been excellent and that I think its one of the 'reccomended' cars...
The dash looks a little outdated, if you ask me... but its a nice, top-notch car.
You wont find anything similar for the price...
consider heading over to www.saabcentral.com
Id say try one and go for it!
JMH
Thanks for the link. I like the technical help, as I couldn't find a Chilton/Haynes manual for the car. I think you are about the only poster who admits to having the SAAB and I know you love your 9-3. I did some research on autos.msn.com and checked out reliability and such. One of the nice things about the Saab is they are not all over the place, like BMWs are getting to be but for a reason, somewhat unique, but at the same time getting into a car that has that European type of handling. I suspect I won't be getting too many responses here.
JHZR2
Staff member
Youre right, even in New England, theyre not seen all that much. Though IMO parts are a bit harder to find at the wholesale online OE parts distributors, as compared to MB and BMW, I have found that dealerships are much more fair in their pricing structure, especially if youre buying parts to DIY. For example, they sold me a Mobil 1 0w-40 6-qt box, and oil filter and orings, etc., for less than Id be able to get just the oil for at wal mart!
If you go with a 4-cylinder model, maintenance should be relatively easy... Maybe BMW I-6 engines are easy to work on (the I4 in my 91 BMW E30 318i is), but the v6 engines in most cars are likely annoying and harder to access.
Another benefit is all-weather performance. Though my old 83 MB RWD turbodiesel was excellent in snow, most RWD vehicles arent. My BMW certainly isnt, and is but marginal with snow tires. SAAB designs excellent all-weather, snow-beating vehicles. I got a set of snow tires for my 9-3 (OE 16" wheels, same as what came on my car and goodyear eagle ultragrip tires from Europe, all for $750 at the dealer), but in reality, I drove through some storms with the OE tires on my 9-3, and the car did great! I was pleasantly suprised!
One last thing to consider is that historically, SAAB hasnt held resale value very well... Irrelevant if you buy your car and plan to keep it for a LONG time, or if you buy in the secondary market. As you appear to be going to do the latter, youll have an easy time finding a good deal, IMO. And, after all, good deal + good MPG + good safety = top notch car!
Good luck, and keep us posted as to what you decide!
JMH
If you go with a 4-cylinder model, maintenance should be relatively easy... Maybe BMW I-6 engines are easy to work on (the I4 in my 91 BMW E30 318i is), but the v6 engines in most cars are likely annoying and harder to access.
Another benefit is all-weather performance. Though my old 83 MB RWD turbodiesel was excellent in snow, most RWD vehicles arent. My BMW certainly isnt, and is but marginal with snow tires. SAAB designs excellent all-weather, snow-beating vehicles. I got a set of snow tires for my 9-3 (OE 16" wheels, same as what came on my car and goodyear eagle ultragrip tires from Europe, all for $750 at the dealer), but in reality, I drove through some storms with the OE tires on my 9-3, and the car did great! I was pleasantly suprised!
One last thing to consider is that historically, SAAB hasnt held resale value very well... Irrelevant if you buy your car and plan to keep it for a LONG time, or if you buy in the secondary market. As you appear to be going to do the latter, youll have an easy time finding a good deal, IMO. And, after all, good deal + good MPG + good safety = top notch car!
Good luck, and keep us posted as to what you decide!
JMH
JHZR2
Staff member
Out of curiosity, how did the 9-5 fare? I think consumer reports and consumerguide rates it very well??
JMH
2004/2003-excellent. pre-2003 issues w/ ignition cassette and hvac. safety-good, better than the 9-3. Lower resale value isn't an issue as I tend to hold onto cars for a long while, however as a buyer of a pre-own Saab, that is a major plus for me. I'm not anywhere close to buying another car. Strangely enough, I've seen 2 in the last couple of days, yet have never really noticed them on the road before. Most likely candidate will be the Linear w/ the 4 cyl.
JHZR2
Staff member
Must be better than the old 9-3... the new 9-3SS got the highest marks in the european safety tests ever!
They test saabs against dummy moose amongst other things... safety is a very big plus with their cars. Also, I read somewhere that MB and SAAB are the only two car companes that send engineers t examine destroyed cars, and look at accident sites, to determine how to make cars better. I think saab and MB cars even have had 'black boxes' built into them (cant confirm this though) to give engineers data regarding the accidents.
JMH
I had a '00 9-5 V6 for a few years and thought it was a terrific car. I did have in-warranty issues with a leaking oil cooler and the System Info Display (SID) in the dash losing its pixels. Both were handled by my competent local dealer.
I came to Saab from Infiniti and while the 9-5 wasn't screwed together as well as my QX4 (I know, different types of vehicles), the car was a blast to drive, very roomy and practical, and had a lot of little features that made it enjoyable to own.
Of all the new cars I've owned, it's the only one I miss and wish I kept after the lease ended. Saab's have a lot of personality and a unique style. I'd say if you have a good local mechanic or can do some maintenance yourself, go for the 9-5.
I came to Saab from Infiniti and while the 9-5 wasn't screwed together as well as my QX4 (I know, different types of vehicles), the car was a blast to drive, very roomy and practical, and had a lot of little features that made it enjoyable to own.
Of all the new cars I've owned, it's the only one I miss and wish I kept after the lease ended. Saab's have a lot of personality and a unique style. I'd say if you have a good local mechanic or can do some maintenance yourself, go for the 9-5.
Well, count me in! I'm another happy 9-5 (2000 4cyl Sedan) owner. Bought it used in 2002 with 45k miles, currently have 102k with very few problems. The SID is a high failure electronic in all Saabs. I tend to use the Night Mode which shuts the SID and most of the dash gauges off. I had a 99 9-3 convertible which was fun too, but always had something wrong with it.
Not so with the 9-5. It's the fun (torque) factor that I love most about Saabs. They are just so darn fun to drive that you won't find yourself bored in a couple of years. The trunk is HUGE (Station Wagon even bigger).
IF I was forced to trade it in today, a new 9-3 Aero would be my choice. The refinement is terrific. Saab plans to redo the 9-5 in 2007, I think, since it received minor tweaks since it introduction in 1999. My favorite Saab sight is saabnet.com. Those guys have been able to walk me through all maintenance/repairs for my former 9-3 and my 9-5. I strongly suggest you post your question their in the 9-5 forum. They will tell you exactly what to look for in a used model.
They are to Saab as BITOG is to oil.
Not so with the 9-5. It's the fun (torque) factor that I love most about Saabs. They are just so darn fun to drive that you won't find yourself bored in a couple of years. The trunk is HUGE (Station Wagon even bigger).
IF I was forced to trade it in today, a new 9-3 Aero would be my choice. The refinement is terrific. Saab plans to redo the 9-5 in 2007, I think, since it received minor tweaks since it introduction in 1999. My favorite Saab sight is saabnet.com. Those guys have been able to walk me through all maintenance/repairs for my former 9-3 and my 9-5. I strongly suggest you post your question their in the 9-5 forum. They will tell you exactly what to look for in a used model.
They are to Saab as BITOG is to oil.
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