Used 1999 Saab 9-5 Consumer Reviews
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Fun, Quick, Safe, Comfy Piece of Crap
So it's very safe, very comfortable, very fun to drive, pretty quick and all around enjoyable car to drive. However, it was designed poorly and is unreliable and puts a permanent pipeline from your wallet to the mechanic.
Sobbing over my SAAB
Thought I did enough research before purchasing, I was wrong. The car is wonderful when everything is working properly. Which was about 2 weeks! Have done more repairs than I can list here. Parts are often hard to come by and expensive! Unfortunately, Saab quit employing Aircraft engineers decades ago. I'm an aircraft mechanic and I have no doubt their early models held up best because of their aviation background. I'm convinced their partnership with GM was their ultimate downfall. If you already bought a 9-5, Four words: CHANGE THE OIL OFTEN! Change the ATF or manual GB oil often as well! Do maintenance yourself if possible. Mechanics hear "SAAB" and they see $$$$
2nd Saab.....Not my last
Sold my 9000 Aero with 155K miles and bought a 1999 9-5 2.3T wagon with 120K. Absolutely love it as my commuter car. All options still work and is still nice and quiet. I have however had lot of vacuum problems. Replaced the turbo bypass valve, vacuum hoses, and fixed brake booster lines(Did all the work myself with the help of a friend so very inexpensive). Other than that nothing beats this car on performance and gas mileage. I get a couple mpg's better than my 9000 Aero. My family is full of Saabs and thats for a reason. Fantastic cars if you keep up on maintenance. Hoping to get a newer 9-3 after this 9-5.
STAY AWAY
Listen to the warnings before purchasing this car! This car is not worth the headaches you will more then likely endure. I purchased this car with 85K miles in March of 2011. I was carpooling with a group of peers so I drove the car for ONE full week during that first month. On day 34, my engine seized. I replaced that engine. Since then, I have also replaced numerous belts, sensors, pumps. Every 3-4 weeks this car was in the shop and needed a new overpriced part that was impossible to find. Engine failure is a common problem with this year as I have learned the hard way. The engine I purchased to replace the original one seized on us recently as well. Please save your $$ and think twice!!
Fantastic 'in-betweener'
We've had our 95 for 5 years now and love it to bits, the whole family loves it. It is a great alternative to a Toyota Camry (or similar) as it is much nicer, has more style and 'feels' much better than the standard Japanese plastic box. It isn't at the same level as a BMW 5 or Audi A6 but neither is the price so what you get is a lovely solid car that does everything reasonably well at a great price. People moan about how it doesn't have the performance of a BMW 5 etc but it doesn't have the price either so! If you want a solid well performing comfortable car look no further. Mine has been reliable but like all cars you can find owners who disagree.
Paul's Review
Own a 99 black 9-5 Wagon. Great car. Rides like a sedan. Handles better than my BMW 5 series. Needs more storage, which could be accomplished by moving the ignition to the dash (Goes against Saab purists). Great handling, mediocre gas mileage..did not see 20+ until the car had 30,000 miles? Intermittent problem with the on-board computerized A/C (Goes blank, quits working, but eventually works) Dealer is poor (no licensed Saab mechanic) which lowers my rating. Love the turbo power when merging, passing. Would consider buying a new one, but Saab needs to drop pricing. It's not a BMW. Glad to see Saab addressing this on '03 9-3.
SAAB Story
This car when running is great. But it breaks at the drop of a hat and it is a thousand here and a thousand there. Luckily I can wrench on it myself and save some money. Expect to replace and engine and expect GM to flip you off unless you live in Europe. They honor the warranty there.
Beauty meets power
This car is fast, the sport button was always on for me, and you can tell when the turbo kicks in, giving you the rush of adrenaline. The interior is creamy and extremely comfortable, it is also the best looking wagon on the road. It is also the safest car on the road, I got hit at 60mph on the drivers side and nobody was even scratched! The only problem was the turbo not being cooled enough and breaking at around 70kmi.
What DOESN'T it do well??
WOW, my first adventure into Saabdom. I had wanted one since 1983, but for whatever reason I allowed others to make me think the car wasn't "practical". What a moron I was. Lots of room, lots of trunk, lots of performance, great music(Harmon Cardon), Lots of MPG, LOTS OF FUN!!! I am convinced, however that taking your Saab to a dealership is your ticket to expensive operation and unreliablility. I now have three Saab's and ONLY either do any work myself or take it to a local independant mechanic I trust.
Love the ride - expensive to repair
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...
Love my 9-5, when its running!
I bought this car in April 2015 with 131k miles. It ran GREAT for about 2k miles then one day I hopped in it while it was parked in my driveway and wouldnt start. I had no previous issues and the breakdown came as a total surprise. Turns out the starter had gone out due to an underlying key ignition issue. I have to physically turn they key back to the "on" position immediately after starting. I believe the previous owner did not know the importance of this issue. The starter had probably alot of stress on it due to the key not always being turned back and the starter constantly turning and grinding on other things in the car. After I replaced the starter which I got pretty cheap from eeuroparts.com, it ran good for about another thousand miles. Then while I was on the interstate the car just shut off completely while I was driving with no warning signs and was stuck on the side of the road. Turns out the fuel pump went out at 132k. My dad is a certified mechanic and does all my car repairs and he has consistently been very impressed with the overall mechanical design of the car. Replacing the fuel pump was a breeze because it is located right under the back seat! Nice and easy fix. I have had other issues with a squeaky serpentine belt. But the biggest problem so far has been the oil. I do not suggest running 10W-40 like the car initially recommends. 10 weight is entirely too thick for that car and caused some clogging problems. I kept getting an oil alert warning light and couldnt figure out why because my dip stick read that the oil level was fine. Then the lifters started to tick very loudly. Luckily my dad figured out the issue before it was too late. It ended up being a simple fix with cleaning out the oil pan and drilling some bigger holes in the screen to allow oil to pass through much easier. We plan to switch to synthetic at the next oil change, which is what everyone else recommends too. Still havent fixed the ignition switch but it will be fine if you just turn the key like it is supposed to be. Overall, I couldnt have asked for a better used car! I bought it for $3250 and have put about $800 and most likely will not need to spend much more. It is so fun to drive. Stylish and unique! I get compliments everywhere I go and the turbo is so nice. The manual transmission truly makes me feel like I own a jet. The interior is far ahead of its time in terms of its technology and design. Despite these problems, I love it and want to keep it forever. I have not minded putting out the money for these repairs because my father and I are convinced that as long as we keep up the maintenance that it will run till the wheels fall off. I would tell anyone to get a saab that has been taken car of.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Junk
Beware of the lousy GM powertrain - it will suck your bank account dry! One thing after another and always very pricey. Timing belt replaced at 58K but the timing belt tensioner went out at 64K causing valve damage and a $4000 repair bill, both ignition cassettes went out, headlights burn out every 2-3 months, too many minor repairs to fit here, transmission now shot and it's a $5000 repair - enough!!! Will never buy a Saab or GM product again!
Dont Do it
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!
Like the car very much but...
Second SAAB purchased. First a 1995 900s. I like it so much I thought I will buy another. The 1999 95 is a sweet machine!!! Fast, comfortable, safe, quiet with a lot of storage and it looks good sitting in the garage which is usually where it is cause it hardly ever runs. Before 100,000 miles 2 turbos, water pump, alternator, crank sensor, battery, engine temp sensor, transmission safety switch. Check engine goes on and off so does transmission light. Nobody knows why. I researched web taken to repair centers. I am a certified mechanic. It is stuck out front of the house useless as usual. Spent over $3000 in last 20,000mi and still broke again.
SAAB 9-5
Had to put in rebuilt trans at 92K, had to rebuild engine at 129K. Performed maintenance as scheduled. Very expensive car to own.
Brand Loyal No More
After three previous Saab purchases, the 1999 wagon will be my last. While I love the feel and look of the car, the repair record vs. the price point of the car has led me away from the Brand for any future purposes. All the following repairs occurred before 55,000 miles: 2 headlamps replaced along with the computer chip that controls high beams.2 water pumps - one at 37,000 miles and the other at 55,000 miles.Turbo Assist failure - the shaft of the turbo mechanism sheared off at 55,000 miles and had to replace the entire turbo unit ($1500). Countless light bulbs!
My last Saab
We bought our 9.5 wagon new and drove it approximately 10,000m per year. After a very short period, we began to experience a broad range of mechanical issues and failures. This was in spite of the fact that we brought the car back to the dealer for every scheduled maintenance item. The list of failures is very long and the costs have been very high. The final straw was when, after replacing the timing belt as required, the bearing in the timing belt assembly failed and the engine was destroyed. Do not buy this car under any circumstances unless you are ready to pay for many repair bills and want to become best friends with a mechanic.
Horrible Vehicle
This vehicle by far is one of the worst made of all time. Bought for 6700 and have put just about the same into it. Engine had sludge buildup even with regular oil changes and all scheduled maintenance. Problem after problem after problem. Truly lives up to its Saab acronym of Something Almost Always Broken... buyers beware of any Saab.
We love it!!
When our 91 Saab 900 bit the dust, we were very happy to find this beautiful 95 wagon. We are fans of the Saab design style, so many of the comon complaints (center ignition) are lost on us. The car is deceptively smooth driving, but can really move when pushed hard, and can handle swift manuevering with ease. I can't tell you how many times I've "accidently" smoked the tires pulling away from a stop lioght, and with a 4 cyl no less. Overall very pleased.
Lucked out.
I bought mine in 2008 with 100k and now have 190k. Biggest expense was fuel pump at about 150k. I still have the clutch I bought it with and have had no prob with turbo yet. Change oil every 3 to 5k at the cheap places but sometimes my independent SAAB Tech or the SAAB dealer. I have a back up Ig. cass. but still haven't had to use it. Even the pixels on the SID aren't too bad either. I did have some belts break and that broke open an oil line ($1,000 fix). Not as reliable or as trouble free as our 2000 Camry but much more fun though.
Best Seat on the Highway
This is the best seat in any car made.No problems with car after 80ooo miles.They should bring the turbo diesel over from Europe to better the fuel mileage.
Broke after buying a 9-5
Just like many of these reviewers, I have owned a 9-5 and had to deal with a myriad of problems. I purchased the car in January 2013 and it ran well for about 6 months. Then the fuel pump exploded twice and the carborater needed replacing. And this was just the beginning.... $4000 later (over a period of 8 months), the car ran well for about 4 months, before the engine gave up and the mechanics couldn't determine the underlying issue.
So disappointed
I love the comfort, styling and drive in the Saab 9-5. But the quality and therefore reliability of this car is terrible. Yes, it's the electrical system - head/tail lights burn out too quickly, the entire key/ignition system had to be replaced (by me, after the warranty expired), the climate control periodically goes on the fritz; even the digital display loses pixels on a regular basis. A real disappointment on my first and last Saab.
Never thought I would love it but I do!
This car is amazing. I love it. I never liked the way saabs looked and never thought I would buy one. But when I sat in it ... I fell in love with it. I love the leather and all the extras! I'm thrilled with it, and my next car will probably be a saab.
great fun in a functional package
Bought used at 78,000 miles. No major problems though small things tend to go wrong sometimes - nothing serious though. Still, definitely excellent value because of depreciation. Smooth ride, some body roll but handling is excellent and steering well-weighted. Turbo is awesome on the highway! Huge trunk. Heated seats wonderful in winter. Love the steering wheel audio controls. Four speed auto shifts smoothly, includes sport and winter modes. Nifty details like cornering lights illuminate turns with blinkers engaged. Overall great car: nimble, powerful, and upscale.
best Saab I've owned
I've owned 3 other Saabs, this is built the best and most solid and easily the most reliable of all. I miss the odd quirkiness of the older models, but this is great for driving long distances. Set cruise at 73 and get 33 mpg, even in mountains. Nice enough to entertain clients. Huge trunk. Can also fit 3 car seats across the back seat!
saab 9/5
very solid car over the past 4 years. The car does need more power though. Other than that it is a fine automobile.
this car is great
The 9-5 is great for the roadtrip. Handles and responds excellent. Seats are comfortable, leg room sufficient. Sporty ride combined with luxury features and comfort.
Different, but in a good way...
I bought this car with 52K mile in 02/2002. The car came with leather and winter pkg. 5-spd is the way to get the most out of the engine. I have over 130K miles now and still on the original clutch. Turbo started to go at around 90K, but it's still boosting just fine (makes noise). I've had several problems with A/C heater core (they have a $200 fix now), ignition, direct ignition. I've found a good mechanic which is the only reason I've kept the car. Car handles well, looks great, and offers a unique alternative to Lexus, Infiniti, Volvo. Overall a very satisfying experience, but only since I've found an alternative to the dealership. This is an extremely comfortable, practical car.
Best Car I've Owned
I've owned my Saab 9-5 SE 2.3 for five years, and I'm still waiting for it to show some signs of wear. It still drives like the day I bought it. This is the best used car value on the market by far. This is a large, roomy sedan, and I get 30mpg on the highway cruising at 90mph. The car pulls strongly through 100mph (top speed is over 140) and is rock solid at that speed. It has incredibly comfortable seats and the best stereo in any car in this class.
Great car, doesn't get enough credit
I've owned my 9-5 for 5 years and look forward top getting behind the wheel every time. I log 30,000 miles/year so I spend a lot of time behind the wheel. This car is great on long trips and the seats are the best I've ever experienced. The other great feature is the huge trunk, it will haul a LOT of stuff! The gas mileage is good too, I've gotten around 35 mpg on the hwy, not bad! For a car in this price class, the ride is noisey on the open hwy. The sheet metal is strong and I feel safe behind the wheel. This is a very underrated car and makes a KILLER deal for a used car. I suggest you try one of these. Overall, LOVE my 9-5.
A real gem...
This has been a great car, although once it hit 150,000 miles I sunk $4500 into repairs. Long trips go very fast - very comfortable. I loved the car so much I purchased another 9-5 (Aero).
You want to buy a what? Accord? NO WAY!!
I've owned this car 4 years and have put 120,000 on it. With a demanding travel schedule, I couldn't ask for a better and more comfortable ride. I've had a few minor problems with computer screens going bad on the dash, which aren't cheap to repair, by the way - but no major mechanical problems. When I wear this one out, I'll buy another one. Don't waste your time with an overrated and inferior Honda Accord or Camry, there's no comparison (for you die hard Honda Toyota fans). I also own an Accord, my 2nd one. The only reason it's sitting in my drive way is because it's a company car and I have to drive it. I cringe whenever I have to get behind the wheel
SAAB Rocks
I've owned four other SAAB models and they just keep getting better. The General (GM) is adding some nice touches and improvements - better climate control system, braking, quiet interior. Superb Harmon Kardon sound system, sport car handling, room, comfort and nearly 30 mpg! The best Saab model to date.
Not a perfect car but fun to drive
Bought it with some warranty still in effect. Good thing, needed a whole new heating system and a turbo almost immediately. But looks great, drives very well and doesn't drink a lot of gas! Best part is driving curvy hills - sticks to the road like a sports car. And I do that almost every day to get to work.
Fantastic Car
This has been a fantastic automoblie. It had fairly high milage when I purchased it (60K) but it feels like it was just getting broken in. It is tons of fun to drive in sport mode and gets excellent mileage in normal mode. All around - very quiet and smooth. Took it on a cross country road trip this summer and loved every minute. I will definitely be looking at another Saab when it comes time to purchase another.
Awesome car
Awesome car!!! Very powerful and sharp handling. Great cargo storage, very quiet at highway speeds. Waterpump & alternator at 80,000 miles. One of the safest & most comfortable cars ever built. Excellent fuel economy for size & performance. After owning this I will continue to buy Saab. This is my second Saab. Better than my BMW 735i.
First Car & $4,500 Loss
I bought my 1999 9-5 as my first car from a sleazy car dealer with 132k miles. It looked great and was unique. I loved it at first. First week I had to replace the emission tubes. About 2 weeks later as I was getting dressed for work it died in the driveway. I rolled into the street, blocking traffic and looked like an idiot pushing my car back into my driveway. I ran a stop sign because it stalled and luckily avoided a collision. It cost me tons to fix fuel pump, spark plugs, and carburetor. Weeks after that the timing belt broke on my way to work. On the busiest street possible of course. About $3000 to fix. Sold it for $800. Had it for 4 months, made 3 payments. Lost 4k. Own a 9-3 now.
all around fun
really enjoy this car! definitely a unique experience...had lexus and audi in the past. Extremely comfortable! Great seats (ventilation system is awesome) I can't wait to see what saab's next 9-5 will be like!
Over Engineered and Poorly Built
This has been a very unreliable car. Lots of things have gone wrong and have been replaced. Have become good friends with mechanics since I see them very regularly i.e. at scheduled maintenances and many times in between. Bad electrical system - head lights burn out regularly; climate control system that dictates to you. Very expensive to repair. Noisy when travelling. Still have original brakes but not much else original. High roof line so I can see out the front and my head does not hit the roof. There is no sunroof!!! Great cruise control and good mileage: 29.1 mpg for 95000 miles. In summary most expensive and worst new car that I have ever owned.
I love my Saab
I purchased the very first Saab 9-5 to be sold by the dealer in 1998. I compared it to the BMW, Audi, Lexus, and Volvo and found that I got more for the money with the Saab. I haven't had major problems, just normal wear and tear, although, the center display is starting to become unreadable after 7 years. The car still drives great, especially in sports mode. It's quite a smooth ride. If I could afford it, I would definitely purchase another 9-5.
Saab Story
I liked the car when I bought it but my 45k miles of ownership has been painfull. First just some 1st model year build quality problems fit, AC drain leaking on my foot, musty smell from the AC. I almost got past this, then it died on the highway, dealer replaced the electronic module. Next it started leaking oil dealer replaced almost every gasket in the engine, then the rear suspension went. All was covered under warranty, but who wants this much pain from a new car ... not me
amazing car
This car is so fun to drive!! THe handling and acceleration make it a great car for traffic-the interor is so driver friendly-would love mnore cupholders_that is my only complaint! I love my car-you should get them from a saab dealer-and let them maintain them carmx is not all that it is cracked up to be!!
Worst Excuse for a car!
Where do I begin? My friend and I were both looking for cars back in '99. I wound up with this piece of crap and he bought Volvo's S80 T6 (twin turbo). The Saab has been so upsetting! His car has been great! My Saab, or should I say slob has had so many repairs. Having just over 65k miles I can remember the following: Engine leaks,transmission, electrical (sensors,computers,power windows twice,display blanked out), worst a/c of any car I've owned- list goes on. My friends Volvo S80 T6 has been virtually trouble free and he's got over 80,000 miles now! His car is so much nicer to drive too and leaves my Saab in the dust! I'll never buy a Saab again!
Constant Repairs
The car is really fun to drive when it is drivable. We have only had the car for about a year and have only been able to drive it for half of that amount of time. It spends most of it's time in a repair shop. Our friends have started to call our situation the Saab story. It really is a fun sporty little car but I just don't have the hundreds and hudreds of dollers to fix it every month.
Buy Different
Basically, this car offers you much more than a BMW 3 series or a base Lexus. It is distinctive, the interior is WAY better equiped, the pick-up is respectable (especially for the stick or the V6) and best of all... you don't see yourself coming and going. These cars depreciate fast when new, and so you can find awesome deals is you buy a nearly new model.
Disappointed in the Saab
I purchased my Saab 9-5 based on it's exterior looks. I should have done more research. The best thing I did was purchase the extended warranty. It has been in the shop for 2 major repairs in the past 12 months. Minor problems also have plaqued the car. (Winshield wiper motars, brake lights, daytime running lights, etc). I expected more from a name like Saab.
Okay At First But Then......
When I first bought this car I did like it. I bought it used with just 11,000 miles. I just hit the 50,000 mile mark and I have dumped so much money into this car already. When it runs, it's very nice to drive. The trouble is this car breaks down way too much. This is my first Saab and certainly my last. For a better vehicle, look to Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, or Audi. The Saab is not a good choice!
Can a Family Sedan be Fun to Drive Too?
The 9-5 is a good sedan, maybe even a very good sedan. Depending on what you are looking for in a sedan. If your looking for fun, it is just is not there. The turbo might as well not be there for all of the power is puts out. I had a Saab SPG and that car moved. Even my 10 year old Volvo 960 has more power. However, as a family sedan you just can beat it. Fits a family of five and everything they need for a trip to the beach (and my family need to bring alot along). It looks nice, gets you complements (from the family crowd), but it just doesn't have the power to make it a fun car on the road.
Least reliable car, Ever!
Bought this car used in 2003 with 60k miles on it. Initially enjoyed its comfort, style and all that, but in 2.5 years have spent $10,000 (more than it is even worth now!) on repairs - DI unit, transmission (at 80k miles), and other, smaller but still spendy flaws too numerous to mention. Now the ABS has gone, and we stand to spend another thousand, and that is if my mechanic finds a used part. Had I known the car consumed money instead of gasoline, would have gone with another make. Could have bought two of something more reliable . . .