1999 SAAB 9-5 SE from North America - Comments

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!!!

Don't blame Saab. You shouldn't buy a car with 130,000 miles on it without having it checked out first.

I think your title should be, Don't buy a car from craigslist. Seriously, did you not take it to a mechanic before you bought it??? A 99' 9-5 bought privately for $3,500 must have a lot a lot of miles on it to begin with. Next time, do more research on the vehicle before you buy it, and not just because it has leather, a sunroof, and a sister with an older model. The 99' model is even better than the '95.

You should have researched more before your purchase. If you had taken the car to a mechanic before purchasing, you would have likely unearthed some of your problems.

Next time stick with honda.

The trouble with the 95 is there is a lot of crap GM parts in it, which lets the Saab build down a lot.

Sorry to hear of your problems.

In response to 16th Mar 2009, 10:35 -

Please don't even attempt to compare a Honda to a Saab.

Yes Honda builds some very nice and very reliable vehicles, but a Saab is a premium automobile. Yes Saabs may be quirky, and buying one this old isn't the best idea, but just because Saab is now owned by GM doesn't make them bad vehicles.

They are comfortable, luxurious and quite sporting.

I suspect that if you ever actually drove a late model Saab, you wouldn't look at your Honda quite the same again.

Car is a machinery, it will break or work depending on the user. If the user followed the servicing plan, replaced the parts on time (many if you add it up over the years) even if still look OK or good, your car will run good like my 1995 9000 CSE is still running 120+ mph in 2009!!! (large(st) hatchback around).

If you put in a new engine and some new parts, your Saab 95 can run for many years.

You can buy a small car like a Honda, but I would rather drive a old Saab in big open country, no fear of not enough power, no fear of not enough protection, and most of all the fun of driving everywhere you go, the damn leather seats are good, even at 18+ years old. In long run you save money and the car still looks great.

You bought an abused car - clearly. I have a 1999 SAAB 9-5 with 410,000 miles on it and it still runs perfectly. Sure, I changed my fuel pump and a few other things but I'm not sour about it at all.

I'm currently looking at a 99' Saab SE 95 with 4 cylinder turbo. It has 91,000 miles. It has regular service records, replacements and maintenance records every 2,000-4,000 miles. This was a private lease vehicle for 10 years. Only 1 owner.

There was a minor/moderate accident reported... only physical damages which include scratches, and a minor dent on the corner or the lid of the trunk.

Engine was inspected and appeared to be fine except for a possible sensor for the fuel-to-oxygen ratio to be lean on the fuel burning.

A new water pump was installed at the beginning of 2007 and all the drive belts replaced mid 2007.

Interior is in perfect condition, and they are asking $5,500. Is this a good idea to buy?

I work on Saabs for a living. The reason your engine failed is a clogged pick-up screen. The pickup screen in the oil pan gets clogged and can't pickup oil. If you had brought it to someone who knows Saabs, you would still be driving around. The pickup screen should be cleaned every 80 k to be safe. That is the first thing I tell my new customers. I also sell used Saabs, and the first thing I do is clean the pickup screen in the oil pan.

If you see a Saab (or any luxury car) for a low price, the first question should always be "what's wrong with it?"

Buying from a private seller is usually a poor choice, especially if you do not have engine repair experience. You cannot blame Saab. Buying a car off craigslist is never a good idea unless you are willing to spend thousands in repairs.

The smart way to buy a car is through a reputable dealer, with a 30-90 day warranty. Spending money to get it looked at by a mechanic first can save thousands on repairs. Always get a carfax before buying.