1999 SAAB 9-5 Reviews - Page 4 of 9

I bought the car 4 months ago off of craigslist. It was my first car, I'm 16. It took me a year to save 3500.00 for my first car. I was so happy I bought this car.

Then the first week I had it the fill coolant light came on, so we filled it up and then 2 days later it happened again. My dad looked under the hood and I had a major radiator leak. I had to replace that for 600.00.

While the car was there, my mechanic told me my pistons were going bad and I would probably have to eventually get a new engine. Then about 3 weeks later, one cold morning my car wouldn't start. Fuel pump 400.00.

Then about a month later, it was starting weird and my check engine light was on. Spark plugs 60.00.

Then just two days ago, I was driving to work and I was coming to a light, and I went to stop and a strange noise came from my car, then it was really hard to use the brakes. My emergency warning lights came on and I turned off the car, worried I would ruin the engine. I have it towed to the shop to find out the engine blew. They quoted me 5,000 for a new engine.

I'm just a 16 year old girl with horrible luck?

Or I just picked the wrong car?

My older sister has a '95 Saab 9000 with 200,000 miles on it and it's ran to this day with no problems.

Don't BUY A 99 SAAB 95!!!

Head gasket at 104k.

Headlight module around 102k.

Driver's side window around 100k.

Seats have worn badly (but wow are they comfortable).

Some other engine related module (modules are pricey, it appears).

Security system has started going hay-wire at 100k.

Like many others making posts on this list who have owned Saab's -- it's a love/hate relationship. I drive my car and all I think is, wow, I just love driving this car. But, since July 08, and after this head gasket fix (if I decide to do it), I will have spent $490/month on repairs on a car with a trade-in value of around 2k (according to Edmunds). I could be driving a brand new car.

Today, in the news, GM is saying they are selling Saab. Saab is saying they may have to file for bankruptcy - and I grow increasingly sad. My 9-5 was my second Saab; and Saab's, as I've proclaimed many times until this summer, would be the type of car I would own for all my driving days.

No more. I love them, but the repair bills are monsters. I am reading these comments to see if I should trade her in or spend the 1600$ for a new head gasket. My head says get rid of her. My hearts says NOOOOOOO. Any advice out there???