1999 SAAB 9-5 review from North America

The environmental control vents failed at 58,000 miles causing loss of temperature control. Although it was past the warranty period, SAAB kicked in $1000 toward the repair.

The informational display was replaced at 48,000 miles. It has since failed to the point the display is unreadable (since the 65,000 mile mark), but I'm unwilling to have it replaced again.

Power window switch failed.

Rear brake calipers and rotors were replaced at 98,000 miles after the rear driver side set failed by locking up.

I've been a long time SAAB fan, this was the fifth SAAB we've owned since 1980. In general, they have been long time reliable performers with an occasional, rather expensive, problem.

This car, however, has turned me off to the new line of SAAB's for the foreseeable future. The technological complexities have made the cars unreliable and costly to repair. When problems appear in parts of the car that shouldn't be a problem until they've reached a ripe old age, it becomes too big of a nuisance to enjoy.

From an operational standpoint, it feels like a big powerful luxury car with sport-like responsiveness. Highway driving is comfortable and stable, all while getting better than 30 MPG at standard freeway speeds. Driving fatigue is never an issue. There is some delay in acceleration, but once it gets powered up, it smoothly ramps up in speed. I don't know how many times I've felt like I was going 65 MPH and looked to see I was actually going 85 MPH. In town, the car maneuvers well, but the gas mileage drags the average down a bunch.

If SAAB would offer a 120,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty, I'd buy another one, but otherwise, I can't afford the downtime or repairs.