1999 Saab 9-5 Review

Love the ride - expensive to repair

Written by: bc on 02/19/2009

Vehicle

1999 Saab 9-5 4 Dr STD Turbo Wagon

Review

I drove this car from NY to Ohio the month it came off the showroom floor and loved the car. 8 yrs later, I bought it from my friend at 96000 mi. still rode great and I was on top of the world. Then the warning lights came. I spent $2000 in repairs with a Saab dealer and it looks like it might come to that in repairs again this year. Love the looks and the ride, but...

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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Better Know a Good Mechanic

Written by: BrianM on 01/28/2009

Vehicle

1999 Saab 9-5 4 Dr SE Turbo Sedan

Review

Engine has been torn apart 3 times for misc oil leaks, turbo has been replaced, muffler replaced. Misc sensor and electrical systems failures. We are on a first name basis with our mechanic. We spend at least $1000-$1500 per year on maintenance. Much more than any other vehicle we've owned. Every part is amazingly proprietary and expensive. $300 plastic turn signal lights... $900 mufflers... etc. It was just crazy. The best thing that ever happened to us was that car getting nearly totally in an accident (and of course that no one was hurt) so that we can take the insurance money and run.

Favorite Features

The car does have a lot of fancy features. Cup holder, sun roof, nice audio, heated seat. Lock up you checkbook should any of them fail.

Suggested Improvements

In my opinion DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!!! I have never spent so much time with a mechanic. A visit to the shop for any repair is at least $700 and the car has a very low resale value. Perhaps this is related to GM taking SAAB over? We are done with SAAB for sure!

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Runs like a champ

Written by: johnd on 06/13/2008

Vehicle

1999 Saab 9-5 4 Dr SE Turbo Sedan

Review

Bought my 4- cyl turbo se special edition with BBS wheels brand new. Fun to drive, a great value for the money if you buy used. My 9-5 has 125,000 miles on it and I plan on going to 200k. Change oil with synthetic or semi- synthetic and only have had minor problems with electrical system. The panel goes bonkers sometimes but overall would buy again. Need to buy the Aero next time or Saab should make other models sportier with lowered suspension. Out handles many a surprised BMW, Audi and M-B drivers. Shock value is high.

Favorite Features

Understated luxury...

Suggested Improvements

Better seats ( sportier) non - Aero Make all 9-5's Aero models

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Dont Do it

Written by: Dont do it on 04/30/2008

Vehicle

1999 Saab 9-5 4 Dr V6 Turbo Wagon

Review

Don't Do it! Fun to drive when not driving to the shop. Water pump (twice) alternator, ignition, alarm, struts and Ive lost count of what else in two years. This is my wife's 5th and last SAAB. I was sold on asian vehicles a number of years ago, even my Hyundai was more reliable. Im glad we have AAA towing with SAABs. Since I met my wife, I am familar to the SAAB Store due to our what seems like quarterly visits. Its not a matter of if something breaks, but when. Whats that SAAB stands for Something Always Again Broken? With a new baby we had better things to do, so I bought a Toyota, and am forcing a SAAB sale. Any buyers? Please take this clunker off our backs!

Favorite Features

nice riding

Suggested Improvements

relability would be nice, so we could confidantly drive more than a few miles from the repair shop

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SAAB 9-5

Written by: Kevin on 04/22/2008

Vehicle

1999 Saab 9-5 4 Dr SE Turbo Sedan

Review

Had to put in rebuilt trans at 92K, had to rebuild engine at 129K. Performed maintenance as scheduled. Very expensive car to own.

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