Used 2009 Saab 9-5 Consumer Reviews

Personality

Great fuel mileage, smooth ride, lots of power, great stereo, comfortable seats, nice hvac system, superb in the snow, sunroof, handles great, looks great, excellent warranty, low insurance rates, 5 star crash rating, and very affordable.

A Very Safe and Reliable Sports Sedan

My 2007 Saab 9-5 2.3T Arc is a great car to own and really fun to drive. It's a great "everyday" driving car, and the turbocharged Inline-4 can make accelerating and passing folks a blast. Some people know about Saab's dedication to safety, and this car is no exception. It comes standard with plenty of airbags for everyone, very comfy seats with advanced seat belt restraints and safety systems, and a parking assist system that is optional on each 9-5 model. As for reliability, I have had no major issues (knock on wood), just a few normal maintenance items here and there. A list is provided below. (I would highly suggest only buying OEM replacement parts - 3rd Party Parts will generally last less than 1/3 of the time listed below) [*WARNING*: These are ONLY estimates and with NO labor included unless noted] FULL Synthetic Oil Changes (Every 6K Miles @ $40) Coolant Bypass Valve (Every 40K Miles @ $20) Gas Cap (Every 50K Miles @ $20) Automatic Transmission Fluid (3309 ATF) (Every 60K Miles @ $60) Direct Ignition Cassette and new Spark Plugs (Every 60-80K Miles @ $450) Crankshaft Postiion Sensor (Every 80K Miles @ $80) Throttle Body Assembly (Every 100K Miles @ $550) Tires are around $780 (alignment and labor included) for decent all-season tires (235/45R17) (Every 40K Miles) ESTIMATED TOTAL Maintenance Per 100K Miles = $3,420-$5,000 These are the replacements I've done myself so far but I know I will NEED to replace the fuel pump around 100K Miles ($900 plus labor). These replacements and the overall preventative maintenance for the 9-5 car are quite inexpensive in the long run compared to other automobiles (especially the German type). The most important thing to remember is that the Trionic 7 Engine Management System is one of the most advanced EMS ever developed, so you will know exactly what you need fixed if/when the Engine Light comes on. The instrument display and entire car also has few "Saabish" (neat) items to show off. I am proud to say that I own and drive a Saab, especially a Saab 9-5.

Hopefully the SECRET will live on...

I purchased my Saab after needing a sedan to mate with my Suburban that achieves a more corporate style, without going over the top. I have had my eye on the 9-5 for years. This is the best SECRET car buy out there. Like other reviewers, I was able to get mine at a great price and although it lacks some refinement, this is a great car. Highway driving I get 30mpg and in the curves it is a fun car to drive. My wife drives a Volvo XC70, which we love for its utility and space with two children and a dog, but the Saab has it beat! The Suburban is a living room on wheels with 4WD; great for trips and the outdoors. The Saab is just plain FUN and I get compliments all the time.

An outstanding Swede

I have had 17 Saabs of all variants since 1966. The Aero is the fastest safest and the most attractive of all. It has all the useful gadgets with out too much trendy clutter. audio is outstanding. The 235x17 tires, P6, are a bit noisy is a compromise for great performance. I am happy to get the final version of the 9000-95 evolution.I have had 2 of each. The orig. 86 9000T, a 91 9000T, a 01 95t Arc and now the 98 Aero. The 2.3 turbo remains a great motor, better than most 50% above its size. The Aero joins my 07 93, 74 Sonnett,73 96 v-4 and 68 96 v-4 in the driveway.

2007 Saab 95 Wagon

Love the 2.3 turbo engine, very brisk especially in Sport mode, but very economical too. Smooth ride, very comfortable seats, could drive this all day long. I had a 2001 95 wagon up to 112,000 miles and was still going strong. Saab made many improvements over the years, while keeping things that work well. Gone are the wanky Info panel and Climate panel with the disappearing numbers. They kept the stalwart 2.3 turbo and updated the styling just enough to make it modern but still look like a Saab. I will keep buying Saabs!

Poor man's luxury sport

For some reason there are a glut of these 9-5s off-lease and available at reasonable prices. I'm basically happy with mine, it's been reliable, a good and economical performer although mine is plagued with the same as others gripe about; harsh ride at slower speeds and a persistent rattle. The turbo provides abundant acceleration (sport mode is a blast) and the car is a dream to drive in tight x-way traffic. It has the best brakes I've ever experienced, very comfortable seats, excellent sound system, and it looks classy (IMO). My Saab dealer has also been responsive thus far. No real worries. Update Jan 2016. Bought new tires (Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus) to replace the older Firestones which were the source of all the noise. Once balanced properly, these new tires reduced the road noise and upgraded the ride and feel significantly. It was like getting a new car. This car is a wonder from 60 - 85 mph. Smooth and responsive. Now 96,500 miles, only regular service.

Fast, spacious, classy

After driving several fleet Saab 9-5s in Norway, we bought one when moving to Canada. It's roomy, has great pace on the highway and (from the Norway experience) good dynamics on hard pack snow, despite not being 4WD. Comes with lots of great gadgets (for the price) which fortunately do not lead to a profusion of switches and clutter. Only gripe is the easily marked interior plastic surfaces.

My favorite car of all time!

I've had this car for nearly a year and I love it! It's powerful, comfortable and gets very good gas mileage. The car is loaded with features and is designed with safety in mind. This car offers so much value for the dollar. I traded-in a Jaguar XK8 for this Aero and I have never regretted the decision. This car is great in the snow and hauls five passengers quite comfortably. The trunk is very large and the interior is well laid out. This is my favorite car I've ever owned.

Money Pit

We purchased the car used at 85,000 miles (only 1 previous owner listed on the car facts, and all maintenance up to date.) We thought the car would be a good value for the price ($8999 before taxes.) The dealer told us up front that SAAB went under and that any new parts would have to be purchased out of the country, and he also told us of a couple of SAAB dealerships that were still operating in our area. Great! We test drove it, and fell in love with the luxury of the seats, the sun roof, the Boise surround sound system (super awesome sound system,) and the Turbo pick up and go. We loved it! After our purchase, things started falling apart. The headlights started going out, the circuit to the headlights started separating from the circuit board and had to be re-soldered on. By 98,000 miles, the car started idling rough. No sooner did that occur, then the car completely died while my husband was driving on the freeway!! He was able to eventually get the car to start again and drive off of the freeway, only to have it die again on the street. We called AAA, and by the time the tow truck arrived, the battery completely died out. We got it to a mechanic, who recommended a new transmission. Our dealer was able to locate a refurbished transmission with a 6 month warranty, and $1600 later, the car's check engine light pops back on. Oh, and the loaner car that our awesome dealer let us borrow during the transmission fix was a 2007 Saab 9-5 which also had check lights flashing on it's display. "Check Headlights," "Check oil," "Check Tire Pressure." Needless to say, we aren't very impressed with the durability of the SAAB engine, transmission or electronics.

Hidden Secret

This is a great car that no one knows about. I've owned BMW, Audi and VW, and the Saab, for the money, beats them all! GM should leverage this company for more of its designs in this fuel conscious age. After incentives, etc., this car is nearly $17,000 less than a BMW or Audi! Plus it has a GREAT warranty and nice options. If you want a nameplate, look elsewhere, but anyone that wants a solid and practical car should look at SAAB. I just wish GM would market them better!!

Still a Head-Turner!

Fourth Saab. Very happy with the car overall. I like the old dashboard better from 1999-2005 (Seems more classic Saab than GM). Nice ownership experience from Saab, bought me back from Subaru.

Saab -> Better than the best

One of the best vehicles, no bull. I am a mechanic shop owner and dealership. Yes, there are some quirks but who is perfect? My best advise it to use fully synthetic oil and best gasoline possible. Otherwise, reliable and fun. It's like Honda but wih European behavior.

Best Bang for Buck

People too often make the mistake of comparing the 9-5 with top luxury car makers (BMW, Audi, Lex, etc). The only problem is that such a comparison doesn't take into consideration that those cars cost at least $20-30k more when you start factoring comparable extras. In its price class the Saab 9-5 is simply the best value offering sporty power and handling, great comfort (seats + interior roominess), decent gas mileage and a unique design. Really this car is equal parts fun and functional. While the 2.3L turbo takes you 0-60mph in 6.7s, what is really impressive is how it performs in its unique power band (40-70mph). In that range you are accelerating faster than a Porsche 911 Carrera.

Underrated

Had the car for 2 months now. Live in a snowy area, and there's just something about solid driving in snow while rear-wheel drive BMWs are sliding all around you. To me, there's something about a saab where it can be a driver's car and a passenger's car at the same time. I think that's a unique quality. A blast to drive, but doesn't make my passengers get headaches like in cars with really stiff suspensions.

Great performer but lots of noises

This is my 5th Saab. Very comfortable, fun to drive. Just completed a 300 mile trip and got an honest 32 mpg. The only problem are the various rattles and chirps which come and go. Dealer can't seem to fix them. Had the same issue with my 2006 95. If little rattles annoy you, you'd better go elsewhere. otherwise a lot of car for the money.

The BEAST

It’s sad to see so many people crying about Saab going bankrupt when it was communist GM who ran one of the great European auto makers into the ground. Got mine used with 40k and it’s been a blast. Reliable with a few quirks, but unbelievably fun at high speeds on winding roads. Good looking. Beats a mean wife by a thousand miles...

Fun and practical vehicle

I traded in my 2007 Honda Pilot for this wagon in Jan 2010 - vehicle only had 15k miles on it. I haven't been disappointed. Although I did lose a lot of room, this car is just so much more practical and convenient. It was a pain to load my bikes onto the SUV, but this roof-line is lower and easier to do; I also have a canoe (yeah, you don't see many Saab owners driving around with canoes!) - also much easier to load. The car is solid, fun to drive, and comes standard with so many features. I also have a 2007 Acura (and have always had Honda), so it's a new experience to drive the Saab. It's extremely fast, great styling, and many of the features seem a-ha (like the dual sunshades).

Do Not Buy Unless You're Rich!

I have a 2007 Saab 9-5 Aero with Automatic Transmission. It has 93,000km. Do Not Buy This Car Unless Money Grows On Trees For You! If the car is working, it's a joy to drive, extremely comfortable, nice and responsive, with just enough power. However, this car is known for Ignition Coil Issues and Fuel Pump Issues, among other things. Normally, these parts are readily available and relatively inexpensive to replace, however, Saab just had to be like BMW, Benz and Audi and the cost to replace parts are ridiculously Expensive and Only the OEM parts will work! I had to replace the Igntion Coils ($500), the MAF Sensor ($250) and Fuel Pump ($500). And the car still doesn't work properly!

Combi is well named

I like this wagon. It offers a ton of space for trips to the recycling center or the boat or 2 dogs and a blast around town, back roads, and the highway. If you're in the market for a mid-size wagon, and you like european brands, you'll find a huge price variance between this and and a BMW, MB or Audi wagon. My wife has a 2.5T V70, very similar but a bore to drive. She loves driving the Aero, wants to swap cars. The engine is plenty powerful and it corners flat as my buddies 2001 530 Bimmer. I would recommend this car for someone needing a combination sport sedan/SUV. Tried 9.3 Combi, too small but nice wagon too.

Great Car and Value

I went from a large SUV to the 2007 9-5 Aero Sport Wagon roughly four weeks ago. Great decision on my part. I thoroughly checked out all the so-called competition and I felt the Saab wagon 9-5 won hands down. The lower cost vehicles just didn't compare and the higher cost vehicles didn't have anywhere near enough added value in order to justify the substantial extra cost. One might say that all wheel drive is a must, but I find the front wheel drive is just fine and you benefit from added gas mileage as well. I'm extremely pleased with the car overall. I don't live at the gas station anymore. Comfort is great and it handles like a sports car. The cargo area is bigger than anything in its class.

My 5th Saab Is A Real Winner

After owning four Saab 900 through 9-3 convertibles, I thought (actually my kids thought) it was time for a change. Something about no rear legroom. My new 9-5 is a gem and as rare as can be equipped with a smooth shifting five speed manual transmission. It's the perfect combination with the powerful 2.3L turbo. I love to drive this vehicle! I test drove a BMW 5 series and was very unhappy with the feel of the manual transmission and the amount of room inside. For the price I paid, I could not have done better. I smile every time I open the door. If you are looking at a near luxury vehicle - do yourself a favor and test drive the Saab 9-5 sedan or wagon.

Excellent car

This is a great car I got one with 5 spd manual and it is a blast to drive. Aero package is awesome while twisting and turning at speeds. Turbo is great, turbo lug almost non-existent. It is the best value for a station wagon under 40K.

Swedish Beauty!!!!!

It's an awesome vehicle. Comfort and safety are most important to me and the Swedes combine this with gorgeous functional design and class. As soon as I sat I the sublime leather seats, I new it was THE car. And the sound system is to die for! I don't drive it in nasty Wisconsin weather---save that for the Camry. Wish it took regular or mid-grade GASOLINE. ---- although I never use ethanol in ANY car...(corn syrup in your gas tank---REALLY!?!?.....thank the farmers lobby..))....This is the car for long trips or just showing off in the city. Replaced tires with the Michelin-recommended tires (USA Rubberworkers made)...and the ride is great. Best car I have ever purchased. My big dog drools at it but is stuck riding in the Camry. lol .... Shame this great car production was halted. I have friends that still drive 20 year-old Saabs. Hope I can say that one day :)

SaaB 9-5 Great while it lasted...

A distinct vehicle

Totally enjoy the vehicle after going through two BMWs. The handling is terrific and I am totally surprised at the mileage - 21 city and 30 to 33 on highway. It has more than adequate power and rides nicely. Could improve on the cup holder. Add one. A distinct looking vehicle, particularly in black.

If you like quirky this is it!

I bought a 2007 Saab 9-5 after losing my 300K Mercedes E300D due to a flooded street. It was difficult to choose a car other than another Mercedes, but let's face it... if you want a M-B diesel the minimum price is $60K! So, I chose to go with something else unusual, and the Saab fit the bill. What a great car! The acceleration is thrilling, the build seems great, the interior is comfortable and well thought out, and I LOVE the fact that the parchment seats are combined with black interior colors. Very modern. The car has had one warranty claim already which is why I rated it 9 instead of 10... but it was a simple squeak in the wood trim. It took the dealer 10 min to fix.

My fifth one, and the best one

This is my fifth 9-5 and I think it's the best one I've owned. I have always loved the comfortable seats, the well-designed dash and the rather eccentric turbo engine, but the new one finally has satellite radio, a cd changer, and tons of power. It's comfortable on long drives and still has room for four or five people and their luggage. And while newer designs may offer more toys, they come at a price.

Value

This is my 3rd Saab 9-5 and they continue to impress with strong performance, very reliable, and excellent fuel mileage. Seats are extremely supportive and build quality has been very good. It's always interesting when you read the automotive reviews the Saab 9-5 is rated significantly below the competition. But when you drive the car it proves to be quite comfortable and with 260 HP certainly competitive with today's competition. The turbo is a completely different driving experience and makes the vehicle fun to drive. Fuel mileage at 22 mpg around town and 32+ on the highways makes the 4 cylinder an excellent choice with today's high cost of fuel.

9-5, nice

The 9-5 is a roomy sedan, with a comfortable ride. A lot of the features of a much more expensive car. Silver snow metallic paint in conjunction with wheels looks sharp. Nice car.

Excellent car, great time to buy!

I am extremely pleased with my new 2008 Saab 9-5. With all of the rebates that GM is currently offering on new 2008's and a little negotiation, I was able to snag mine for under $24k, which is a STEAL for a car like this. After driving this car for a month, I couldn't be happier. The 260hp turbo engine makes highway driving a blast, and the car handles very nicely in town. I can understand the harsh reviews given a $40k msrp and the quality of interior materials for a car in this price range, but for $24k I think you'd be hard-pressed to find fault.

I'm a real wannabe Saab guy

I love my Saab. I don't care much about stuff, but my Saab has captured my heart and won't let go. I'm writing this review today because I just crashed my Saab and it's at the body shop being assessed. It's possible my Saab won't make it. Prayers accepted.

Aero Wagon

I have had every car and wagon imaginable and nothing comes close to this. It is fast, fuel efficient, safe, roomy, comfortable and has every convenience possible. Very surprised how well it handles. Saab truly has put a lot of engineering in this car! This car is a real secret.

Third Saab

Nice car! Runs better on Super fuel. The front seat very cozy, back seats nice but not as much room as older models. Pretty sweet to look at in black.

SAAB Turbo blows Porche OFF road!!

Always Maintained, Mobile1 oil changed every 5-6k miles. New tires, alignment, oil chg, new brakes (all within last 2k miles). Always parked in garage. Sad to sell - relative illness needs easier 'in / out'

A fun machine

My first non-US car. I found great quality in the workmanship and material. All leather is not created equal and this is the tops. Love the look and the sunroof. 3 different transmission settings allow for a fun and responsive drive. So far, I'm sold on a SAAB. Free 36 month maintenance sure is nice. As said in manual, gas mileage improves as car is broken in. I've gone from 23 to 26 now. Mobile One and 93 Octane is used.

A surprisingly good car

People who drive a BMW, Audi, or Mercedes will probably not be amazed by the Saab 9-5. No, it doesn't have a high-tech computer in it that merely complicates simple tasks, and no it doesn't have "active steering" or anything like that. But it's a hugely comfortable and powerful car that will haul a ton of stuff in the wagon model. It is actually comfortable for five people, and is well built and attractive in an odd way. Most importantly, it's far cheaper than the German and Japanese opposition. It's a car you'll want to keep in the family for years. Think of it as an old Volvo wagon, but far more stylish and cool.

Sleeper car

This car is a Q ship. It has more power than a lot of other cars in the same price range, handles like a dream, and is very reliable. Who cares if it hasn't had a major restyling in nine years? They got it right then. Very solid, quiet, great stereo, and pretty good on gas too, not to mention crashworthier than a lot of coveted Japanese cars.

Wagon? yes, but it's a sport's car, too

Could not love driving a car more than this! The manual transmission is fun to drive. The Aero is agile & responsive. While there are cars on the highway that are attractive style-wise, I bought the Aero wagon because I wanted a manual. Not too many manuals out there in cars this size. And not too many wagons.

Fun to Drive

I decided to buy this car (a 2007 w/ 45,000 miles)- over the 2007 Honda Accord & 2007 Toyota Camry -after test driving all three. This car is the best ride of all three - by a long shot. It's the most fun I've ever had driving a vehicle - it has great power - 260 HP w/ turbo- and a smooth, quiet ride. Better ride than my wife's Mercedes- Benz ML 340. Long live SAAB !

Never been more disappointed

It's my 39th new car. I've owned most all types. This car is my biggest disappointment since purchasing GM's & Fords in the 80's. Owned 2 days and the side "memory seat" lower seat wrap around and buttons have broken off the drivers seat and just hanging, parts on order. Low gas mileage for such a tiny tiny engine...if 2.3L were in a Honda it would get 45 MPG, not 18. So with what's happened in day 2 of owning it, I look forward each morning to what will break next. Other cars offer greater value, quality, at lower costs. Don't buy a SAAB!!! Big mistake.

Saab Air Gulper

Brisk acceleration and very fun to drive especially on the highway. Spacious midsize sedan that seats four adults comfortably with a huge trunk, sporty design and feel, and thumping sounding stereo system. When the transmission is shifted to the "sport" mode, the fun meter goes up. With the large oversized gripping Pirelli's, the front end steering torque is definitely noticeable.

Value sport

Great highway cruiser and the new suspension is very adept in corners. Compares in price to the 300 bmw series, but is larger. I've enjoyed the sport-tuned suspension. Saab owners are used to the higher power band, so no biggie that first gear isn't much. It's a thriller to drive and own. I've enjoyed it and it's surprisingly practical. I have lots of warranty protection, but this build quality is much better than my 96 900SE. No hint of any probs yet. Realistically to get a car 4 people could fit in would cost me $45,000- 50,000 after options.

Love the Saab!

Haven't had the car long but it sure is impressive so far. I am so tired of the heavy feeling in many vehicles and I love the way this car combines power with a light feeling. This car doesn't need a long runway. It is difficult to find a vehicle that is fun to drive around town but also is a pleasure as a touring sedan. This car appears to be good at both. I will have a better idea when I take a 1600 mile road trip in a couple of weeks.

Not just another car.

This is the second Saab in my family. It's a 2007 sedan and son drives it at college. I feel like this is a perfect car for him. Saab is well known for safety and he is proud to drive something different from everybody else. We found it used with 78k miles for $3800. Not bad at all. I refreshed it with a long list of things that need to be replaced with age and I feel confident he will get many years out of it. It is important to know parts are getting hard to find and always get high quality parts (original). You should expect to order everything online. Don't expect a local place to even have simple things like hoses. You should also be the type of person who can do your own repairs otherwise this could cost you a fortune at a shop. They aren't hard to work on and the internet is full of help.

It's all about the turbo

07 Saab 95 Aero. I've had it for a year, fixed the little issues that it came with and so far so good. It's all about the maintenance. Pleasure to drive especially on winding roads, handles like a sports car, tight and precise. Would recommend and become part of the Saab world.

Saab a thing of the past Too bad

Drove these babys since 1986 Too bad GM got ahold of them I finally got rid of my last 08 and bought a Mercedes Its nice and all but not a Saab I enjoyed there cars for a long time and will miss them

Was nice until Saab went bankrupt

40k MSRP new, its lost $27k trade in value in 4 years. Thanks for going bankrupt SAAB, now our car is near worthless and we're upside down on the loan! There are no replacement parts, there are no authorized service dealerships in the USA anymore, and there's nobody who is willing to buy this car off us at a reasonable price (because it's unreasonable to want a car that you won't be able to fix when something breaks). It drove fine, has quite a few features but it's become an antique in just 4 years. All the new cars out now have nice touchscreens and bluetooth and backup cameras.