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Used 1999 Saab 9-5 Sedan Consumer Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
70 reviews

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5 out of 5 stars

Best car I've owned

donkle, 03/25/2004
1999 Saab 9-5 SE V6t 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Not only is this the best car I've ever owned, SAAB's warranty is AWESOME. Example: The decal peeled away from the front emblem... they replaced free, no questions asked. The dual zone climate control flaked out on me twice, but it righted itself within minutes... they replaced it even though the couldn't duplicate the problem. I drove this front-wheel drive beauty in a Noreaster in 2002 from NY, through the mountains of PA, to OH and it performed like a CHAMP. I want another.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

It's a Love - Hate Relationship

CommuterMobile, 04/13/2004
1999 Saab 9-5 2.3t 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Love this SAAB. The wife convinced me to buy it. After putting 200K on my 1992 900, I thought it was time to upgrade. I forgot how much the dealership charges for small repairs - and Maintenance. That's where the hate comes in. They are really nice, and smile when they hand you the bill. Overall very satisfying experience - but the advertised loaner is never available.. for $37,000 your car should come with a trunk mounted scooter. The engine runs on air, everything from acceleration to braking is superb. Love the Stereo and climate controls. The Ride is awesome too. Hint - get winter wheels and tires - all seasons won't cut it.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Fun to drive all year round

Mark17171, 05/04/2004
1999 Saab 9-5 SE V6t 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I purchased this vehicle used, with about 80,000 KM and have logged about 15,000 KM over the past year. I also purchased a 3 year bumper to bumper warrentee to cover off any incidental breakdowns. Zero so far. Did the brakes at a local discount shop and will do the plugs myself. Overall I am very pleased with this vehicle, and consider it a great used purchase @ 40% of original sticker price. However I also have piece of mind with the 3 year war. and would not go without one, as I suspect repair costs would be through the roof.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Strong Car built to last

kemosaabe, 05/19/2004
1999 Saab 9-5 SE V6t 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Very reliable, good dealership support, nothing has failed in 80,000 miles (usual wear items excepted). Very strong engine and excellent acceleration. Good winter car

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Need optional towtruck

polo, 05/24/2004
1999 Saab 9-5 SE 2.3t Turbo 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This car when running has been great. It has been towed in four times. The battery had been replaced three times, once because it blew up damaging under components, another time excessive corrison caused damage to transmission external areas. if this is not a lemon I don't know what is. It has been in the shop now for two + weeks. I can't afford to kep it much longer based on dependability. Its a nice car but the quality is terrible.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

my 6th Saab

TMJ, 09/29/2004
1999 Saab 9-5 SE V6t 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I have owned a Saab since 1970. The vehicle that I drive now is my 6th Saab and have been thoroughly satisfied with its performance. The only criticism I have pertains to the on board computer which malfunctions now and again especially on humid days. I have encountered this problem on previous models too! I also enjoy the sound system, probably the best in the field.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

The best vehicle I've ever driven!

Jim, 12/07/2004
1999 Saab 9-5 SE 2.3t Turbo 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This is the most comfortable and spacious car I have ever owned (far more so than our SUV). I am 6'3" and 220 lbs and I can put the seat so far back I can't reach the clutch and my head isn't close to hitting the ceiling even with the sunroof. Extremely comfortable seats and incredible gas mileage -- I average about 29 mpg in town, and 35 on the highway.I have had to replace some parts: belt pulleys, wheel bearing, light bulbs, brakes, tires, but certainly not excessive for 95,000 miles. Parts do tend to be expensive, however.

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5 out of 5 stars

Love My Saab

Budlet, 01/05/2005
1999 Saab 9-5 2.3t 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This is my second Saab.....I love the car, the way it handles, the safety record, and the overall look...(although I really preferred the old style to the current style). I really like the quirkiness of the car, I think you either love Saabs or hate them. I've also been very happy with the service I receive from my dealer....they've been terrific over the years.

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Hot Swedish Piece of Junk

Scott, 03/04/2006
1999 Saab 9-5 SE 2.3t Turbo 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I'm in a love/hate relationship with this car. We bought it used two years ago and haven't gone six week without it being towed or in the shop, at an average repair cost of $300/month. In the first thirty days we had to spend $1200! I lost my patience when we topped $7,000 and resolved to buy a new car, but after two months of test drives and research I couldn't find a car at any price that I loved more. That changed last week when we got an estimate for yet another $3,000 of repairs. We've replaced the display system, the environmental control system, the emergency blinker button, seat heaters, wiper motor, driver's window motor, air bag light, water pump, blower and tires THREE times!

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Great car until 100k miles!

Donna B, 07/31/2006
1999 Saab 9-5 SE V6t 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I loved my Saab until the warranty ran out. Great space, comfortable and the size of the trunk is unmatched! After the 100k warranty was up, major mechanical problems... ABS brakes, gas tank corrosion, leaking gaskets, serpentine belt... trade before it's too late!

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5 out of 5 stars

A ton of car for the money

Martay, 11/30/2006
1999 Saab 9-5 2.3t 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

When I bought it, it was five years old and had 75,000 miles. I paid $7,500. All my friends thought I had spent $40,000 on a brand new car. The thing looks great, is extremely comfortable, and has a smooth ride. It is so nice to be able to drive 300+ miles and feel like you've been lounging in a recliner for five hours. Great power AND fuel economy! I've put about 50,000 miles on it. Had to replace: fuel pump, fuel pressure sensor (expensive), a relay of some sort, a wiring harness in trunk -- parts are expensive, but given the number of miles I put on the vehicle, I am quite happy with its reliability. Am extremely happy with purchase, and would strongly recommend.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Great Car

nmsaabowner, 12/10/2006
1999 Saab 9-5 SE 2.3t Turbo 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Bought my car with 57,000 miles on it in 2004. I love this car--It's comfortable, has classy good looks, and gets great gas mileage (32 mpg consistently). Since purchased, I've had to replace the DI cassette and throttle body ($900). Repairs can be costly, but the tradeoffs are worth it.

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5 out of 5 stars

BG SAABer "mainichka"

Uri Papouktchiev, 04/08/2003
1999 Saab 9-5 2.3t 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

To all who hesitate whether to get SAAB or other European premium car: I bought the car on 58000milles. An year later I am at 95000milles. On the highway am getting easily 33- 35milles/gal. Changed the air filter with K&N and increased the basic pressure from 4psi to 12psi. Now I am having 210+ hp and the car is simply amazing. I was involved in single car accident once and survived with minor damages. The car very reliable and very stable on the road. In US these car are easy to find below TMV. Do not hesitate to get one when is 2-3year old.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Great Saab Travels

Saab Guy, 03/22/2007
1999 Saab 9-5 SE 2.3t Turbo 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I used to drive 20,000+ / yr and this car has been a great car. I handles like a champ and corners great. I have had to do a few costly repairs but when speaking with my friends who own BMW, Volvo and Mercedes, this car is much cheaper. On own highway the car glides on the road. If you are mechanically inclined the car is easy to work on. I started doing my own repairs and service about a year ago for fun. I can change out the spark plugs in less than 15 min. Mind you I was used to working on VW Bugs with their pancake engines, which was a hard spot to get to the cylinders. The road noise can be a little louder than competition though.

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2.5 out of 5 stars

Never again

sadsaab, 04/12/2003
1999 Saab 9-5 SE 2.3t Turbo 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I bought a Saab after a drunk driver pushed me off the road in my old car and I did a rollover. I had a Subaru- which saved my life- but decided to go for an even safer car-according to reviews. HUGE MISTAKE! I have owned the car almost 9 months and I have had the car in for repair 7 times. I wait for 3 things to go wrong before bringing it inThey advertise having a loaner car avialable but even with 3 weeks notice no car. I am looking this month to trade it in. This is the WORST excuse for a car and the service is embarrassing. I wrote Saab USA and they basically told me buyer beware. Well, new potential buyer- BEWARE! Shame on you Saab.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Still Love It

ek, 04/14/2003
1999 Saab 9-5 SE 2.3t Turbo 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I have had the car for nearly a year now and 11,000 miles and still enjoy driving it every day. It is spacious, comfortable, and handles very well. The only part of the car that leaves something to be desired is the climate control. It is not intuitive, but I have gotten used to it. It is unique and gets good gas mileage. I would recommend it to anyone.

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4.38 out of 5 stars

Awesome car after depreciation

rb676, 11/15/2007
1999 Saab 9-5 SE 2.3t Turbo 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I bought one two years ago with 91k miles. I have put on a little over 30k. I paid $7k and had to spend about $900 after the first month (all new belts). It's been great ever since. The headlamps burn out a little too frequently and my Theft Alarm has an annoying error. But that's fine, the harmon-kardon stereo is fantastic, the seats are as comfortable as can be, and the car just feels very smart and Scandanavian. I have one of the last Saab-Scanias. Hey... don't buy new! What can I say?

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Solid Car

MAGICO, 05/29/2003
1999 Saab 9-5 SE 2.3t Turbo 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This is a fun car to drive, its safe and has respecable performace from a 4 cylinder.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

155,000 miles

Great Car, 12/03/2007
1999 Saab 9-5 SE 2.3t Turbo 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I've owned BMWs, Fords, Mitsubishis, an Audi and an Acura, but I'm most impressed with the SAAB. These are truly under rated cars. Mine has 155K miles. It's quick (in sport mode) great ride/handling combination. Paint and interior look nearly new. Reliability has been much better than expected. 25K MPG average is icing on the cake. Even with my miles the car feels solid and has no rattles. I change oil every 3-5K miles and change transmission oil every 30K. I've had the head bolts tightened (apparently important with 4 cylinder). Only unscheduled fix was a turbo at 140K. If SAAB would change the body style, I would buy another.

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3.5 out of 5 stars

Falling apart

Irfan, 06/26/2003
1999 Saab 9-5 SE V6t 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

When i got the car, it was wonderful. VERY comfortable seats, easy to drive. drove it 16 hours straight from florida to ohio once. seats are great, power is good, sport mode is fun. handling is too soft. all of that still makes for a decent car... except the reliability.. in the 10months ive owned the car since mile 46000, ive had: sunroof rails problems, speakers, oil leak, fog light, electical system and starting troubles. this is in LESS than a year.. the first guy had shocks/info display covered under warranty. smooth ride, jsut not too fun, and its falling apart on me.

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