2001 SAAB 9-5 aero estate from Switzerland

Summary:

Best value 'suped up' estate

Faults:

Needed new brake discs.

General Comments:

Really the best thing about the car is it's positioning in the market.

There's only a few fast estate cars out there worth bothering with.

The SAAB might sit below the Mercs/BMW/Audi, but it's above the Ford/GM/Japanese range. It's on par with the faster Passat/V70 but it's much better value for money.

At 3 years old, ours was half the new price. So for a 'reasonable' amountI've got a fully loaded (air conditioned seats!) extremely fast, big load carrier which is extremely comfortable to drive and as good on in the mountains as it is on the motorway.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th July, 2005

2001 SAAB 9-5 Aero 4 cylinder turbo from North America

Summary:

UGH!

Faults:

A/C has failed twice.

Engine has failed twice, the last time leaving me on the road waiting 3.5 hours for Roadside Assistance.

Wheel bearings in front had to be replaced at 21K miles.

Paint on rear bumper was peeling off.

3rd brake light had to be replaced.

SID (info display) had to be replaced.

General Comments:

This car is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. Not only am I disappointed in the vehicle quality and craftsmanship, I am even more disgusted with the lack of assistance I have received from SAAB customer service. If you are considering purchasing a SAAB, please know that no one at SAAB Corp. will assist with any issues/problems/questions you may have. When you break down out of town, you are on your own, even with Roadside Assistance. They will make no effort to assist with trip interruption.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th September, 2004

25th Oct 2004, 14:15

An update on the 2001 SAAB 9-5 Aero. SAAB was adamant about not reuniting a vehicle with its' owner, even though it broke down during a trip and was still under warranty. So, I fly from San Francisco to New Orleans and drive 6 hours to Shreveport to pick up the car. The dealer was 100% certain it had been repaired and was in fine working order. I even referenced the fact that I was driving the car back to California. I was assured that all was fine and it would make the trip with no problem.

After picking the car up mid morning I left the dealership, headed back to San Francisco. I DID NOT MAKE IT ONE MILE!!! It broke down again!!! This time it is a different issue and more parts needed to be ordered. I have tried contacting SAAB. No one will respond other than to tell me (for the most part, reading a script) I need to have it repaired (again) and come back to Shreveport. This is now the 3rd time this car has left me stranded again.

I realize that there are probably perfectly good SAABs out there. My main issue here is that people need to be aware of the lack of customer support/service this company has. The people I have encountered at SAAB Customer Service are apparently trained to be as abrasive as they can be. Not only are they unsympathetic, they are nasty, rude, and totally uninterested in helping.

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2001 SAAB 9-5 SE Wagon 2.3T from North America

Summary:

A very well thought out car and a great performer

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong in the first 11,500 miles.

General Comments:

The interior is very comfortable and well designed.

Even with the automatic, 0-60 MPH is quite nice and 60-100 MPH is outstanding.

When learning about this cars capabilities and features it constantly leaves you thinking "Wow, that's a good idea".

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th October, 2001

25th Jun 2007, 13:31

I bought a used 2001 9-5 wagon with 107,000 Kms and a V6,3ltr turbo engine in 2006.Almost immediately the climate control failed. Bought a new compressor and that failed.

Shortly afterward, failure of a crankcase sensor stranded my wife. A $400 repair. ($175 for the sensor)

Now the car is leaking oil.I, m afraid to take it in for repair because I know it will be another major expense.