2004 Saab 9-5 Consumer Reviews

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Fuel Economy

21 - 22 mpg

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Extraordinarily fun car

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating 

Performance: 10 Fun-to-Drive: 10 Build Quality: 10
Comfort: 10 Interior Design: 10 Reliability: 6
Fuel Economy: 10 Exterior Design: 10

Vehicle

2004 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I too have owned several BMWs and this SAAB needs to offer no apologies for anything by comparison. Truly a fun car to drive. Superb acceleration, handling, sound system, styling, and comfort.

Favorite Features

Pick up at all speeds. Never, ever fails you. On ramps rock! Ignition switch is cool and quirky. Sound system.

Suggested Improvements

Cup holder is the worst in the car business, and there is really only one. If you break it, watch out for your wallet. if you round a curve your coffee is going all over. If your passenger wants a cup holder, they aint gittin one. Very dumb for such a smart car.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Shame on GM

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating 

Performance: 8 Fun-to-Drive: 9 Build Quality: 5
Comfort: 9 Interior Design: 9 Reliability: 1
Fuel Economy: 8 Exterior Design: 8

Vehicle

2004 Saab 9-5 Arc 2.3T 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

My initial love affair with this car has gone cold. I've had this car almost 1 year, bought it as Certified Pre Owned, and it is bordering on qualifying as a lemon. Ten trips to the dealership, mostly for brake related problems (noise, vibration, ABS/TCS lights coming on). My nearest dealership is 100+ miles away, so major inconvenience. Today, check engine light came on, a week after getting it back from the shop. Typical story. In the car's defense, a lot of the trips are due to dealership/mechanic incompetence, but isn't that part of the package? I only recommend a 9-5 if you live near a dealership and they supply loaners, and you get extended warranty.

Favorite Features

Seeing people straining to read the Saab badge and mouthing "What is that?" when they pull up behind you after you've blown them away between traffic lights.

Suggested Improvements

Better quality control.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great vehicle

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating 

Performance: 10 Fun-to-Drive: 10 Build Quality: 10
Comfort: 10 Interior Design: 10 Reliability: 10
Fuel Economy: 10 Exterior Design: 10

Vehicle

2004 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

The car has around 45,000 miles on it and there are no creaks from inside. The ride is very quiet. The performance of the Aero is great and it's a lot fun with the turbo. The 9-5 has a lot of neat features like park assist, pockets in the front seats, cooled glove box, etc. It is very AEROdynamic and is still quirky compared to a BMW or MB. It has been very reliable and was much less that the competitor's cars. Has more style and character than any Lexus.

Favorite Features

The turbo. A four cylinder that is very powerful but still gets great gas mileage. Unusual styling that stands out against the bland Asian style of Lexus, Infiniti, and Acura.

Suggested Improvements

Most say the cup holders, but there are 4 in the car and they work fine for me. The one in the dash looks cool, but won't hold a Big Gulp or anything similar.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Pleased with Saab 9-5 Aero wagon

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating 

Performance: 9 Fun-to-Drive: 9 Build Quality: 8
Comfort: 9 Interior Design: 8 Reliability: 9
Fuel Economy: 7 Exterior Design: 8

Vehicle

2004 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

The car has been very comfortable and fun to drive. This is the most horse power I have had, felt I had power to maneuver when needed in traffic. Gas economy is good for size of car it is. When I have had passengers with me they have always commented what a nice ride they are having. I agree that back seat is just about as comfortable as the front and plenty of leg room. I think you get a great value for the money. Have had 2 minor recall issues I have had to get fixed. One complaint is that covered maintenance is only at 5k, 15k, 30k and 45k. Oil changes between every 5k are not covered.

Favorite Features

Radio/CD controls on steering wheel, large back cargo area that one can hide contents with cover, reclining front seats, heated seats, seat comfort, onstar, park assist.

Suggested Improvements

Would like to see AWD vehicle similar to Volvo XC70 or XC90, but not SUV.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Fabulous

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating 

Performance: 9 Fun-to-Drive: 10 Build Quality: 9
Comfort: 9 Interior Design: 9 Reliability: 9
Fuel Economy: 9 Exterior Design: 9

Vehicle

2004 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I just love this car. It's the most comfortable and responsive car I've owned since my BMW 5 series about 10 years ago. I've owned many cars of many different shapes and sizes and am happy to get in it every morning and every evening. If you're considering an Aero and you can get a good price, grab it. You won't be sorry.

Favorite Features

Comfort and visibility, two very important features when you do a lot of driving.

Suggested Improvements

It could use more storage area and more convenient cupholders although the dash holder is hilarious and unique.

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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2004 9-5 aero wagon

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating 

Performance: 9 Fun-to-Drive: 9 Build Quality: 9
Comfort: 10 Interior Design: 9 Reliability: 9
Fuel Economy: 9 Exterior Design: 10

Vehicle

2004 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I was put-off by an older 9000 I owned before but was impressed the moment I got behind the wheel. Purchased this instead of a BMW wagon because of better interior space, much better mileage and impressive power.

Favorite Features

The aero engine is a rocket.

Suggested Improvements

None.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Awesome Car

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating 

Performance: 9 Fun-to-Drive: 10 Build Quality: 9
Comfort: 9 Interior Design: 8 Reliability: 9
Fuel Economy: 9 Exterior Design: 10

Vehicle

2004 Saab 9-5 Arc 2.3T 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I have owned a few BMWs and always thought they are the best cars on the road. This Saab compares - it rides just as well and is just as fast with much better gas mileage.

Favorite Features

Fun to drive.

Suggested Improvements

Additional cup holders, larger armrest.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Fabulous Aero

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating 

Performance: 9 Fun-to-Drive: 10 Build Quality: 10
Comfort: 9 Interior Design: 9 Reliability: 10
Fuel Economy: 9 Exterior Design: 8

Vehicle

2004 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

This 9-5 was our 7th Saab. We upgraded to this and have loved it from day ONE. The ventilated seats for the summer cooling are a great asset and my husband absolutely loves them.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Would like to see the weatherband back on the radio format like it was on previous Saabs.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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My Aero

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating 

Performance: 10 Fun-to-Drive: 10 Build Quality: 9
Comfort: 10 Interior Design: 10 Reliability: 10
Fuel Economy: 10 Exterior Design: 10

Vehicle

2004 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I have owned this Saab 9-5 Aero for three years and it has been working without any troubles. It's a dream around town and on the highway. It is 5 speed.

Favorite Features

Performance.

Suggested Improvements

Stiffer suspension.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Fun to drive luxury car !

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating 

Performance: 9 Fun-to-Drive: 10 Build Quality: 9
Comfort: 8 Interior Design: 10 Reliability: 9
Fuel Economy: 10 Exterior Design: 9

Vehicle

2004 Saab 9-5 Arc 2.3T 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

The car has been an excellent family "sports" sedan. Dashboard layout, comfortable seats, large trunk, xenon headlights and 5-speed auto transmission w/ paddle shifters on the steering wheel are features that make this car very enjoyable. The standard Pirelli tires are not the quietest or best performing but adequate for most driving styles.

Favorite Features

Sport mode for auto transmission is excellent! Turbo kicks in quickly. Most people say "WOW!!!" when they experience it. Hard to imagine 30+ MPG and that kind of acceleration. All of regular unleaded gas.

Suggested Improvements

If Saab would do more advertising, they would become a more recognizable brand name. Many people don't realize how good of a car it is. Increasing headlight range would be helpful and satellite radio connections as well.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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