2003 SAAB 9-5 Linear review from North America
"A great car with too many vices sometimes"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Second day after the purchase, Ceck ENGINE came out, something was wrong with turbo charger, repaired under warranty.
After few months, noise like driving with winter tires, car was at garage for 5 weeks, the culprit was rear right wheel bearing. I find that a way too early - all of my previous cars/trucks went way over 200000kms without any wheel bearing failure.
Constant rattle (drives me crazy) inside cabin - might be a rear window shelf or something, could not figure it out.
When windows are down (front doors), they rattle when doors are opened or closed. I was told by dealership that this is "design fault".
Cooling hose punctured, awaiting for a part to come, was told that it will cost over 300 CAD to repair... never in my life I have seen a hose with such a price tag... it should last a 100 years then, not only 4...
Wheel bolts very very rusted... for comparison the wheel bolts on my Isuzu 1995 are still like new, and the car was not treated any better.
The SAAB ensign on the front hood (bonnet) chipped and peeled-of...
The paint on the trim around outside mirrors is peeling of and it looks as corroded aluminum...
General comments?
All together this is a nice car to drive... I had few other Saabs in my life, first one from 1971 model 99EMS.
I feel that quality of components that are used to put the car together is in a constant decline... not sure if this is the result of trying to cut cost down, or influence of GM ownership, or... it does paint a bad picture and contributes to ever declining value of the car.
As most of the people agree, this car is a pleasure to drive, but it could be a very costly 'love' affair...
This could be very easily my last Saab, if these annoying problems keep appearing.
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| 2003 - 9-5 Aero 2.3 High Output turbo Fghter jet - hold on, keep up if you can!!! |
|
| A very sweet ride! |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Model year | 2003 |
| Year of manufacture | 2002 |
| First year of ownership | 2007 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2007 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.3 t Manual |
| Performance marks | 10 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 2 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 4 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 80000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 98000 kilometres |
| Previous car | SAAB 9-5 |
| Date of Entry | 4th September, 2007 |