Used 2003 Saab 9-5 Wagon Consumer Reviews
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Better than the best!
thecarguy112, 01/16/2013
2003 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
25 of 27 people found this review helpful
This is one of the best cars out there! I have the automatic transmission, and this car flys down the road!! it is very fast and has excellent handling. On the exterior, there is a very sleek and modern design (Black) that looks fantastic! The interior even though its old looks well done and seems to wear very little. let me talk a little about comfort, THIS CAR IS COMFY! The front seats are very high quality and are very supportive and hug you in. (drove non stop from my town to a town near by, which is a 100 mile round trip, 4 times in a row!) the seats have held up very well! Also, the cargo room is very impressive! (moved into a 2 bedroom with this car only.) So obviously I luv this car!
They Don't Make 'Em Like This Anymore!
Larry Twitchell, 07/10/2016
updated 07/14/2020
2003 Saab 9-5 Linear 2.3t 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
24 of 26 people found this review helpful
Get the maintenance records if at all possible before purchasing. If satisfactory to you, buy and prepare to enjoy yourself in a very good car. Operating costs are reasonable. It is a great, safe road car that eats up the miles in comfort. The only better seats would be in a Volvo but these provide great support. Living in New England provides a great variety of road conditions that are easily met by this Saab. It loves snow and can handle it as well as a lot of AWD cars today. Its ability to carry enormous loads is so surprising as many people think of Saab as a small car. After 13 and a half years I still look forward to driving this great car. July 2018 - 145,000 miles. Still going strong as our second car. MPG averages 25 overall. Replaced original exhaust system in ‘17 and did rear brakes. Worth next to nothing as a trade but worth thousands to me. Bought this Saab new in Sept. 2003. January 2019 - 152,000 miles and still loving it. Replaced a couple of tires and the others need new shoes, too. Really a great car! July 2020- 155k, Original finishes still great. Runs like a top.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2003 Saab 9-5 for sale near you
Showing 2 of 2 listings
- Aero SedanMSRP: $2,900983 mi away
- Linear 2.3T SedanMSRP: N/A533 mi away
Great ride!
saabinvt, 04/21/2012
2003 Saab 9-5 Linear 2.3t 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought my Linear with 81,000 miles in '09. It's had some problems, but not outside what you'd expect with a car approaching 100K miles. Yes, repairs can be expensive, but I've done much of them myself, and parts can be found on eBay and junk yards for cheap. This car has a very smooth ride, is very quiet, the stereo is very good, the climate system is great and the controls are well laid out. The dash cupholder is useless, but I just put aftermarket ones on the doors. The acceleration is great, and I installed a high pressure turbo from an Aero, so now it really hauls! While not cheap to maintain, 9-5s can be found used for far less than competitive cars, and they look better too.
Give it its due
scalpel1000, 08/17/2003
2003 Saab 9-5 Linear 2.3t 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The Saab 9-5 Linear wagon is the best car that I have owned. Its performance in and around the city along with its entrance ramp power make it fun to drive. The 185hp is not excessive and provides a good medium between ultimate performance and gas consumption. Buying this car has made me a Saab fan and I would purchase one again.
Don't Do It
Wyatt Ryan, 10/25/2016
2003 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I've had this car for less than a year. Bought it for $4200 and have spent around $3000 on repairs. I absolutely love the car, but the repairs have taken their toll on my wallet. I would say the car has nickel and dimed me, but each repair has cost me $300 to $600 every time. The parts typically have to be shipped in from other states (I'm from Minnesota) since Saab stopped production in 2010. I have been left on multiple occasions without a vehicle for days at a time waiting for the parts to come in. If you're looking for a reliable car that is cheap to fix, please avoid this car. If you have the money and an extra car to drive around while this one spends the time at the autoshop, go ahead and get it. I would love to keep this car, but as I am a college student, I simply cannot afford to keep up with the repair costs. I had the turbo go out on me in March, the PCV Valve needed to be replaced about a week ago. The rear right suspension started leaking hydraulic fluid horribly as soon as I got it after putting it up on a lift to get new tires. The list goes on and on. The heating element in the front driver seat eventually burnt through the seat while I was using it, so I cannot use it anymore unless I want to burn my leg. The front passenger seat's leather ripped open slightly in February, too expensive to fix. Finding replacement windshield wipers for the front and back are impossible to find, as the connectors are vastly different from the normal ones on the market today. The front right headlight flickers a lot due to a faulty connection. The chipped key doesn't always work, so I am not able to lock the car some days, but it typically starts to work about 30 minutes after the ordeal begins. The front instrument panel was burnt out when I got the car, an easy fix, but not worth it at this point. Now onto the good things. It drives great, when it isn't getting fixed in the shop. I get excellent gas mileage (about 28) on the highway. Turbo response is great. Very comfortable to drive in. Heated and cooled seats are super nice to have. A/C and heat work really well. Back seats are also heated. Sunroof is a nice addition. Traction control works phenomenally, as does the ABS. It rides pretty nice, but expect to feel every bump and crack in the road. Overall, I'll miss Susie the Saab. If Saab was still in production today, I would probably keep the car, but the expenses are far too great for me to keep the car. Steer clear of this vehicle.
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- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Huge disappointment
Andrea29, 09/10/2009
2003 Saab 9-5 Linear 2.3t 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Bought the car with 44,000 miles on it, thinking SAAB was a quality brand and would last for years. Unfortunately, I had not heard that repairs on a SAAB are extremely expensive. The car was initially fun, lots of bells and whistles. After 2 months, things started going wrong. The computer that controlled the temperature panel went out. The module controlling the high beams failed. The plastic panel under the driver's seat broke. Power locks did not work correctly. Other small items broke or stopped working. The final straw was at 96,000 miles when the throttle assembly went out. After a repair cost of over $1000, I traded in the car. I will not buy another SAAB.
Good!
Alexxx, 11/30/2003
2003 Saab 9-5 Linear 2.3t 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My other choices were the Audi A6, the new E60 BMW 5-series, E220cdi and Volvo v70. However, I just fell in love with this vehicle. I tried it in May, but I decided to keep my old car. Now that I saw it as a 2004 model I decided to go for it.
Entry-level luxury, real sport & utility
Aerocraft67, 08/13/2005
2003 Saab 9-5 Linear 2.3t 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I upgraded from a Chevy Cavalier, so I am very happy with this vehicle. Imperfections are legitimate trade-offs. It feels large for the engine size. From a stop, the transmission and turbo feel confused unless you throttle very gently or heavily. Acceleration improves at high speeds (passing), and overall high-speed performance is excellent. This is a great highway car, but less nimble in dense traffic and tight spots. Otherwise handles well and feels safe, especially with stability control. The seats are very comfortable, and the controls are nice. Storage areas are inefficient. Underappreciated feature: towing capacity. Excellent value. Refined, safe, comfortable, practical, and economical
Beats SUV Hands Down
goblue, 03/27/2004
2003 Saab 9-5 Linear 2.3t 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Having come from Arizona to Michigan, I've been driving SUVs for winter roads since I got here 10 years ago. I decided it was time for a change and researched the market. The Saab wagon was the best looking, most fun to drive, safest and still offered enough interior room to displace the SUV. To my surprise, it also went through the winter weather with ease. I wasn't surprised when I learned the Aspen police all drive Saabs.
What a car
Michel Jefferson, 08/24/2002
2003 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
What a car, 250 hp, really great torque, a real mile eater but also great fun to race around town with. If your looking for greate wagon for the hole family: Check out the 9-5!
ECO Power !
buddhabman, 12/23/2002
2003 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We just purchased the 2003 Saab Aero Wagon as my wifes car. We got a great hassle free deal from Saab of Santa Ana. The car is loaded and georgeous. Decided on it versus great deals on new 2002 Audi Allroads or A6 Wagons. The others are beautiful also, but the hinging factors were reliability concerns and gas mileage. The Aero wagon is just like any nice sports sedan. It feels connected, smooth and powerful. For the price and features, it matches well with the other luxury makes. The audi's are a bit nicer inside and have AWD advantage, but you have to shell out alot more cash to beat it perfomance wise.
Best car for the money!
Paul Hughes, 12/24/2002
2003 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The Aero wagon could be the most balanced car on the market, if you look at price, performance, comfort, fuel economy and cargo space. The car is has no torque steer like my old Viggen did. The automatic transmission shifts seamlessly, and for a wagon, it corners with minimal body lean. Vented and heated seats are fantastic, and the auto dimming interior and outside mirrors should become the de facto standard on all cars. The Harmon Kardon stereo sounds incredible. This is my second Saab and I still remain a convert to this unique and wonderful car!
Outstanding Vehicle
wfoote, 12/30/2002
2003 Saab 9-5 Linear 2.3t 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The 2002 model has a much better tuned suspension and is a pleasure to drive in all conditions. The gear shift is much improved over previous years. The HK stereo is also outstanding. We got the wood steering wheel and gear shift added and they look great.
Third time is the charm
santasaab, 08/05/2003
2003 Saab 9-5 Linear 2.3t 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is my third Saab and definitely the best. My other two, a '78 EMS and '84 900s both had their strengths but the 9-5 wagon has it all. This car offers an incredibly smooth ride. More low-end power than our '98 Maxima and features that are usually found only in cars at least $10,000 more than we paid. We also love the sporty styling and handling. My wife originally wanted and SUV but fell in love with the Saab during a test drive and has been happy ever since.
Saab 95 Aero Wagon
Ownerh, 08/17/2003
2003 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We have been so impressed with our ownership of this first Saab that we bought a used Saab for our son's first car. The dealership's customer care and service has truely been outstanding. I have owned several vehicles through the years and the most I have ordered I can only state so far this has been the best.
Rattle here, buzz there, but...
jgoebel, 08/17/2003
2003 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is an excellent car; bigger than the allroad and less expensive, and less better performing than the Volvo XC. My only problems have been rattles and buzzes from the stickshift and door. Both where taken car of by the dealer. On a whole, it's great.
fun and comfortable, rock steady build
Joseph, 01/01/2006
2003 Saab 9-5 Linear 2.3t 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have driven this car for over 60,000 miles now, and still love it. I am a Saab fan from way back, but this one is the best. I did have some minor throttle part problem that was a back- ordered part, but was covered under warranty. Even then, the vehicle was drivable on "limp" mode, so it has never stranded me. I did not like the original tires, but replaced them with Turanzas at 40,000 miles and am very pleased with the added quiet and drive.
Fun & Functional
MHM, 03/12/2004
2003 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This car is a near optimal blend of functionality (I recently fit in 4 large suitcases, 4 smaller bags, 4 adults, and a snowboard on top) and performance (0 to 60 mph in under 7 sec.) It is not as flamboyant as some of the competitors, yet dollar for dollar, it is a better car than any other one I can think of. I stand by every penny I paid for it!
i love my car!
jardin107, 03/13/2003
2003 Saab 9-5 Linear 2.3t 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I love my saab! It has surprising oomph and handles so much more responsively than my 2 previous SUVs, I cannot imagine ever owning one again. The trunk is roomy, the sound system terrific, and my bottom doesn't stay frozen for long in the mornings! I am not a "car fanatic" but I must say, I have never been so pleased with an automobile in my life. Thank you Saab.
Feel Safe -- Buy This Car
1stTimeSaabOwner, 04/17/2003
2003 Saab 9-5 Linear 2.3t 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We wanted a crash-worthy vehicle for my wife to drive. The highways around here are packed with treacherous drivers. (Why didn't we get an SUV? Too big for my wife, a relatively inexperienced driver, and inconsistent with our philosophy and fuel economy wishes.) This is a perfect family car for us. It's pricey, but compared with other cars in its price class, it gives us what we need: safety, room, comfort. If you want a real performer, I'm sure you'll be happier with a BMW or Audi. You may read of turbo lag, and I can feel this especially in 2nd & 3rd gear.
Best sporty Saab
Saab lover, 08/28/2002
2003 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Saab has an excellent warranty and also includes free scheduled maintenance. I love to take my friends for a ride and see their faces when they notice the acceleration on this 250 hp little rocket. Handling and ridde confort are superb.
Amazing Wagon
NJ SAAB, 09/29/2002
2003 Saab 9-5 Arc 3.0t 4dr Sport Wagon (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
OK, I fell for the tag line- I test drove a SAAB and bought a SAAB- no prior experience with the brand.After a few weeks my conclusion is it is an amazing automobile. Everything you could ask for and a lot you didn't know you needed! The car is a blast to drive, has more interior room than most car like SUV's (except for cargo height). Best of all you don't see one at every light-Test drive it and judge for yourself!
Outstanding
pattyB, 10/26/2002
2003 Saab 9-5 Arc 3.0t 4dr Sport Wagon (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I find it hard to believe that there is an entire wagon behind me when I drive! It is so much fun and tons of space! I have had NO problems at all in any way with this car...LOVE IT!
Love my Saab
terryswims, 12/26/2002
2003 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Absolutely the best machine I've ever owned and everyone who borrows it to drive agrees.
Went from a Sable to a Saab
nelsoncm, 01/22/2003
2003 Saab 9-5 Arc 3.0t 4dr Sport Wagon (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I spent my first 2 months in major buyers remorse, mainly because the ride is so jittery compared to my Sable wagon. I bought one of those cheesy vinyl steering wheel covers to reduce vibration on the wheel. It helps a lot. But I've gotten fairly used to it. Seats are awesome and I like the rear cargo shelf, which gives you extra room in back. The HK stereo ROCKS! The cupholders, as everyone will agree, suck. Supposed to have decent reliability, but I've already had it in the shop once, so this remains to be seen. Am I a Saab convert? Don't know, but there is something about these cars on a test drive that grabs you.
Saab AERO price point is tops
jimmy22, 08/28/2003
2003 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've driven this car for the summer ow and am still in "like". I couldn't affortd the BMW 5 wagon and the 3 series was too small and cost the same. I truly have to agree that this car much like the Audi A6 is more a high way car rather than a stop light to stop light stormer, but that's where I drive most. If I was living in a major urban center I'd take a taxi .
solid and very fast
piod, 09/12/2003
2003 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Strong acceleration without feel of turbo delay, very roomy cargo area, very fuel officient on highway, not so good in the city. Very solid and luxurious interior, unique ventilated seats. Excellent sound system. A little bit odd outside, but all together I am very glad to owe one.
Love The Saab
baddi, 10/28/2003
2003 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The car is a dream to drive ask for power the turbo kicks and it is there in an instant. Ours is the Auto with Sport Mode, awesome and manual shift on the wheel, screams give me more. trhe car corners like a cat on carpet, no body roll, and torque steer is almost non-existant, quite a trick in a front whell drive. Sitting on a 3 hour drive is no problem, the seats cradle you like baby. The instruments and controls are easy to reach, and driver friendly.
Saab Aerowagon Rocks!
Diane Davis, 03/12/2003
2003 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
So pleased with my Aerowagon - Coming from an 8 cylinder Lexus I was concerned about power and pickup - no problem here. Great accelaration, sporty, fun to drive - and practicle! I figure if I'm going to have a stationwagon, I'd like to have one that can move around those teen punks without any effort... And so much better mileage than a SUV. I'm doing my part to reduce dependence on Middle Eastern Oil... Great Car!
Who Thought A Wagon Could Be Such Fun
Partha Mohanram, 05/25/2005
2003 Saab 9-5 Arc 3.0t 4dr Sport Wagon (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We were looking for a Wagon in 2003. Our initial choices were the Audi A6 and Volvo XC 70. Didn't think of Saab as we wanted AWD. However, with all its safety features, electronic stability protection, Traction control etc, we don't miss not having AWD. We chose the Saab, and I think we made a great choice. This car is great fun to drive, reliable, spacious and comfortable. Fuel Economy is terrific, we get close to 25 mpg for city/highway combo driving. The seats are very comfortable, and the console display reminds you of a cockpit. Love the "cooled" seats - no need to sweat with leather seats in summer.
saabaerowner
Mike Stack, 05/26/2006
2003 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great car!!! Have had it for 2 years, works great, very sturdy great horsepower, all around an amazing car
Saab makes great cars
baco99, 03/09/2007
2003 Saab 9-5 Arc 3.0t 4dr Sport Wagon (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Our 2003 Saab 9-5 Arc wagon is a superb car to own and drive. Yes, there are a few Saab quirks to get over, but the pleasure of driving it far outweighs any minor nuisances. Ours is equipped with the Sentronic automatic transmission and performs very well. In "Sport" mode the transmission responds very quickly, especially out of 1st gear and is like IRL's "push to pass" button. The interior is quiet and comfortable. The wagon has great cargo room and our 2 dogs love it back there. With a baby on the way, it's a very sensible and responsible purchase, with much better gas mileage than our neighbors' SUVs. This is our 4th Saab, and we'll be back to the well again in a few years.
A real SPORTwagon
Bromo33333, 04/11/2003
2003 Saab 9-5 Aero 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This wagon has generous interior room, and very comfortable seating. The back seats folds flat giving a large useable space to haul a lot of stuff. The seats are very comfortable. This thing can move if you want to, and if you want to overtake at 60mph, you will have more than enough power to do so safely. If you want a car that can haul a lot of stuff, and handle like a dream, go really fast, and large and copious cupholders don't matter to you, the Saab 9-5 Aero Sportwagon will fit the bill nicely.
Not worth the money
shellEy, 11/15/2007
2003 Saab 9-5 Linear 2.3t 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
For a car that costs as much as this did, I expected much higher quality. The engineers did a poor job of ergonomic design, parts break (and when they do, it's *very* expensive to fix), and there are known bugs which Saab doesn't seem to care about fixing. (Repairs on my car in 100,000 miles: fuel pump, brakes (twice!), rear-hatch-closed sensor, engine-temp gauge...) My pet peeve is if you set the interior temperature, I expect the car to maintain that temp. Instead, it'll either be too hot or too cold.
reflections of the 900
saab9000, 05/29/2003
2003 Saab 9-5 Linear 2.3t 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
while this car looks large, the interior does not match the promise of size one would expect. the exterior styling seems to be reflective of the early 90's 900 and not the last of the 9000's. the car is comfortable to drive and the seats are heaven but interior storage is very limited.
our saab rocks
dr. j, 06/20/2003
2003 Saab 9-5 Linear 2.3t 4dr Sport Wagon (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We needed a wagon to haul our 2 unruly basset hounds and our stuff. Suv's were not an option as they seem unsafe and a puffed up vestige of 90's consumerism. We test drove subaru, volvo, audi and bmw. As previous saab owners, we weren't going to look at saab due to the lack of an AWD option. The minute we sat in this wagon, and then drove it, the search was over.