Used 1999 Saab 9-5 Sedan Consumer Reviews
Used 9-5 for sale
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Fun, Quick, Safe, Comfy Piece of Crap
Purveyor of Vehicles, 09/22/2010
1999 Saab 9-5 SE 2.3t Turbo 4dr Sedan
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
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
roland11, 01/01/2011
1999 Saab 9-5 2.3t 4dr Sedan
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
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 $$$$
STAY AWAY
tiffm, 12/14/2011
1999 Saab 9-5 SE V6t 4dr Sedan
12 of 15 people found this review helpful
Listen to the warnings before purchasing this car! This car is not worth the headaches you will more then likely endure. I purchased this car with 85K miles in March of 2011. I was carpooling with a group of peers so I drove the car for ONE full week during that first month. On day 34, my engine seized. I replaced that engine. Since then, I have also replaced numerous belts, sensors, pumps. Every 3-4 weeks this car was in the shop and needed a new overpriced part that was impossible to find. Engine failure is a common problem with this year as I have learned the hard way. The engine I purchased to replace the original one seized on us recently as well. Please save your $$ and think twice!!
Fantastic 'in-betweener'
Kiwidude, 07/05/2010
1999 Saab 9-5 SE 2.3t Turbo 4dr Sedan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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.
What DOESN'T it do well??
Horseman13, 01/25/2007
1999 Saab 9-5 SE V6t 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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.
SAAB Story
Kevin, 08/30/2010
1999 Saab 9-5 SE 2.3t Turbo 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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.
Love my 9-5, when its running!
Jessica Gochee, 09/25/2015
1999 Saab 9-5 SE 2.3t Turbo 4dr Sedan
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
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
Lucked out.
Austin , 08/14/2010
1999 Saab 9-5 2.3t 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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.
SAAB 9-5
Kevin, 04/22/2008
1999 Saab 9-5 SE 2.3t Turbo 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Had to put in rebuilt trans at 92K, had to rebuild engine at 129K. Performed maintenance as scheduled. Very expensive car to own.
Horrible Vehicle
Anna, 09/24/2007
1999 Saab 9-5 SE 2.3t Turbo 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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.
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