2001 Saab 9-5 Consumer Reviews

Never Again

Written by: MzKim on 10/15/2008

Vehicle

2001 Saab 9-5 SE V6t 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 4A)

Review

I purchased this car used. It was pretty to look at and clean, however one month after driving off the lot I began to had problems & it never stopped: fuel pump, electrical, water pump, timing chain, AC system, sunroof, turbo and the list goes on. 4 yrs later I refuse to spend another penny. I through a piston rod and need a new motor. I am done.

Favorite Features

When it was working, it had a new acceleration.

Suggested Improvements

Cup holder needs to be on the console, lack leg room for my 6 ft husband.

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It's pretty, it's fun, it's unreliable

Written by: Broke in RI on 09/25/2008

Vehicle

2001 Saab 9-5 2.3t 4dr Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I bought my Saab wagon used in 2005. I drive less than 12,000 miles a year, and it has spent way more time in the shop than I care to tally. Oil leak, timing belt pulley, water pump, gas line recall, turbo, wouldn't start when the seasons changed, hatchback handle, drivers side window, passenger window, broken shift cover, seriously too many to list. And the cost to fix is way more than anything I've ever owned! It was love at first drive, but I cross my fingers every time I go to start it, and every time I hear a rattle. I'm far too friendly with my local mechanic. He knows my voice when I call on the telephone before I even identify myself. Do not be lured in by the fun ride!

Favorite Features

It is a solid, fun ride and even at 85 mph, it feels great.

Suggested Improvements

See review above

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Love/hate relationship with my Saab 9-5

Written by: vtsaabowner on 08/18/2008

Vehicle

2001 Saab 9-5 2.3t 4dr Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I have a love/hate relationship with my Saab turbo 9-5 wagon. Comfy, lots of bells and whistles, roomy rear seat, nice cargo room. Very powerful engine. However I have had this car in the shop more often (and at a higher price) than any car I've ever owned. Gas guage stuck, lights dying frequently, sway bar, turbo replacement, ball bearings. That doesn't count the things that have broken that I haven't bothered to fix: broken cupholder, elect memory seat adjustment, theft-alarm battery. I know the Saab dealer serves great coffee but I've been there too much and now it is time to switch to a car that spend more time on the road and less in the shop. However I will miss the fun drive!

Favorite Features

Powerful engine. Great in snow. Leather interior, trip computer, great stereo sound, roomy cargo/drop down seats, roomy back seat. Kids feel like they are in a luxury car!

Suggested Improvements

Either include less electronics or make them more reliable so I'm spending less time in the shop over stupid things! Silly cupholder design...really?

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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My best car ever

Written by: kkits on 05/07/2008

Vehicle

2001 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I have owned my car for 8 months and is still a big smile each time i use it. It has an superb engine with more torque than most ever need, and its handling is sharp and precise. The only drawback is the fuel consumption which is to high at todays standards.

Favorite Features

Acceleration, handling, look of the wagon model, the car stereo and the smooth automatic gearbox.

Suggested Improvements

light bulb in brake lights goes out to often. Noises from the hydraulic systems. High wear and tear on the braking parts.

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A Good Safe Used Car Value

Written by: saabsrok on 05/02/2008

Vehicle

2001 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

5 Sp Aero; My 4th Saab, 3rd Aero. Bought used on ebay w/43K miles and saved big. Now at 110K, even came with a 3 yr warranty. Car has been trouble free for the most part, stranded me once when gas line broke which was later part of a recall. I can't suggest buying new as Saab's depreciate like a rock. Easily get +31 MPG & +500 per tank during mostly highway miles. In the winter these cars really rock especially with 16" Toyo winters. This is one of the best FWD Sport Utility Vehicles out there!

Favorite Features

How it looks w/oversized tires on 17" BBS wheels. Rides & handles great. Solid safe Swedish car (sorry GM). Awesome MPG for a car this size & weight.

Suggested Improvements

Get a new climate control supplier. Maybe the new ones come that way. Had to fix my Error Code 08 once and now need to take it apart again.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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No BMW

Written by: bayviewwilliams on 03/12/2008

Vehicle

2001 Saab 9-5 SE V6t 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 4A)

Review

My 9-5 was swift, not fast. Exceptionally comfortable. Interior packaging was great, trunk space awesome, even good gas mileage. But GM really let Saab go, and the performance, build quality or materials cannot hold a candle to contemporary BMW's.

Favorite Features

Handsome styling, thought now looking very dated. Great seats. great trunk space. Felt very safe, flawless in the snow.

Suggested Improvements

Needs much, much better build quality to meet its supposed competition. No match for anything BMW offers. A shame that Saab has fallen so far, I'll never buy another.

0 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great car

Written by: Scott on 02/12/2008

Vehicle

2001 Saab 9-5 2.3t 4dr Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

My first Saab and will (hopefully) not be my last. I have a lower back issue and do not ride in cars very well. However, I can ride long distances in this car in relative comfort. Kick the sport in and it goes!

Favorite Features

Safety, stereo, and general feel of car.

Suggested Improvements

Cupholders are incredibly poor. I'm disappointed in mpg. The pixels in the stereo/ac/sid gave out and are now unreadable.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Don't Do It

Written by: A Navarrete on 07/20/2007

Vehicle

2001 Saab 9-5 2.3t 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Great features for the money. They look great, are fun to drive and get good gas mileage but I've chewed gum that was more dependable. Two Saabs and over $4,000 in repairs not including the warranty recalls. I thought maybe my first one was a lemon so I got another. I was wrong. They are all lemons.

Favorite Features

Loaded for the money. Nice stereo and controls.

Suggested Improvements

Reliability.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Poor mans BMW?

Written by: pcguy74 on 04/09/2007

Vehicle

2001 Saab 9-5 2.3t 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Bought this one used, my first Saab. Warranty fixed the turbo and gasket (blue smoke is your indicator). Heater blower just went at 95K. I love this car, though the interior design still needs more thought. I'd buy another one, luxury without the pricetag, fun without the fuel bill. I've averaged 26mpg overall w/70 percent highway driving... pretty good for 70K+ miles, I have made 31-32 at times but I can't stay at the speed limit with this fun car! It even saved my life once in winter weather, avoided a head on because of ESP feature, fun AND safe? you bet!

Favorite Features

Sport mode, took me 2 months to realize I had it - doh! Parking next to other Saabs, it's an unwritten rule for the "club" of owners. Night mode for dash is great.

Suggested Improvements

Cup holder in armrest? Stupid! Armrests on front doors need to be raised a bit - drove a 2004 and its been fixed!

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Saab Story

Written by: jon_e_quest on 03/07/2007

Vehicle

2001 Saab 9-5 2.3t 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

This is my 7th Saab, 2nd 9-5. It will be my LAST! Bought with 37K miles. Replaced the Turbo, ACC control module, trip computer, & entire dash facia at 46K (all warrantied). Now with 68K miles, have a short in the no. 8 fuse circuit that nobody can find. Unless I drive with that fuse out, battery dies. Intermittent engine light due to a faulty coil pack (possibly under recall, but I had to purchase one for my last 9-5.). Intermittent oil light (replaced the sending unit, but now it looks like a $1K oil pump replacement). Replaced the left side ACC air dist. stepping motor which controls temp adjust. Replaced both fog lights. Needs left side ball joint. Sunroof rattles. I give up!

Favorite Features

Drives nice. Plenty of power.

Suggested Improvements

Saab has bitten off more than it can chew with respect to the electrical system... overly complicated and unreliable. (I want my 1978 Saab 99 GLE back! Drove it to 200K miles before selling and replaced only the timing chain!)

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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