2000 SAAB 9-5 SE review from UK and Ireland

Rubber door protector slipped off very early on in its life (fixed under warranty).

Turbo waste-gate problem occurred around 25,000 miles (fixed under warranty).

The cruise control system "slipped" at about 10,000 miles (fixed under warranty).

Pixels on the computer display broke up at around 38,000 miles; the unit required replacement.

Generally I have been pleased with the car. The faults above have never made it undriveable and its advantages outweigh any disadvantages.

The car accelerates impressively and its seats are superb. This is very important to me as a back sufferer.

It is a saloon and the boot has never let us down and is in fact more voluminous than the Estate below the glass-line.

It is still on its original tyres at 44k and its fuel consumption has been surprisingly good, e. g regularly achieving 40-42 mpg on busy motorways, about 36-37 mpg on faster runs. It does about 26-28mpg around town.

It is very well equipped e. g with all leather seats, cruise control, climate control, leather door inserts, wood dash, CD (one slot) full computer, ABS, puddle lights, and switchable traction control.

You cannot throw it around corners, but as a long distance cruiser I'd find it hard to beat. An old car ran into the back of it and stoved in its front leaving the Saab just slightly scratched. Consequently I feel very safe in it, underlined by the ABS working superbly last winter in an enforced emergency stop in the snow where I was able to steer round an intruding vehicle that pulled out of minor side road without warning.

The local dealership has been excellent for 11 years of driving a Saab.