2002 SAAB 9-5 Reviews

Nothing at all.

Only done an overall check after purchase, and replaced one radiator hose, engine oil, transmission oil, coolant fluid and associated filters, pollen filter, one engine support.

Best car for the price. At one stage, I looked for a 2003-2005 Mazda 6 to replace the 626, and didn't really find any difference in comfort, handling and noise level. So, I wouldn't invest just to have a newer look but the same car basically. I continued with the 626, and later started looking for something else. I paid for this Saab exactly the same amount I would for a 2004 Mazda 6. For the same price, the Saab is a far better car. Not only because of the turbo engine, but for everything such as suspension and seat comfort, handling, noise level, smoothness and effortless driving.

I haven't owned or driven the car long enough to comment on long term reliability. But the one I bought is a really problem free one for a ten year old and 140000 kms car. No pixel loss on the displays, no Xmas tree on the cluster, everything works perfect.

Some downsides, although of minor importance exist:

Relatively small interior space, lack of storage space, front bumper is too low, striking everywhere. Also, some maintenance is really more complicated. For example, to change the pollen filter, which is a 20 second operation in a Mazda and doesn't require any tool, you need to take the whole glove box out, and take out some other part to reach the filter in the Saab.

I have moved to 2 places with my 2002 9-5 Aero, and each place I have really gotten to know the Saab Service Centers. I can't express enough how this car has ruined my impression of Saabs forever.

In the last 6 months, I have had it towed 8 times. Each time, it has put me or my husband in a dangerous position where it shuts off completely while driving, and the steering wheel locks up. To the point where you can barely steer it off the road.

I have been to one Saab dealership, where #1 they charge you $115 just to look at it, and #2 they can't seem to figure this out. My regular mechanic has been so nice and patient with us bringing it in every other week, he sometimes doesn't charge for the labor. I really think we probably put his first child through a couple years of college. Unfortunately, he has tried everything, and as soon as we get it back, it dies again.

Looking back on the maintenance records, I saw that since I bought the car (almost 5 years ago) I have taken it to be serviced 28 times (or possibly more), which is about once every 2 months. Ridiculous. Luckily the first few years my costs were covered by the warranty.

I will never buy a Saab, and will make sure that I tell anyone considering it to stay far far away, unless of course they love to watch thousands of dollars disappear quickly.

I never was one to express my feelings on picket signs, but I have considered the thought now to do so in front of a dealership. Better yet, maybe I will start a bumper sticker business and the first one will state "Saabs born from jets: let's hope more thought went into creating the jet"