In-depth reviews

Saab 9-5 (1997-2011) owner reviews

"Giant Swedish saloon represents a value for money alternative to the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class."

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by Richard Ingram

28 Jun 2013

.polaris__post-meta--date { display: none; } .polaris__post-meta--date.no-script { display: block; padding-left: 45px } 28 Jun 2013

Carbuyer Rating

2.2 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.3 out of 5

Reviews

Owner Reviews

5 out of 5
4 out of 5
3 out of 5
2 out of 5
1 out of 5

66%of people would recommend this car to a friend

Common Problems

Other (4 cases)
Suspension (3 cases)
Electrics, Engine (2 cases)
Electrics (20 cases)
Engine (8 cases)
Gearbox / clutch (1 case)
Suspension, Other (1 case)
Brakes (1 case)
Gearbox / clutch, Other (2 cases)
Brakes, Electrics, Engine (1 case)
Electrics, Suspension (2 cases)
Engine, Gearbox / clutch (1 case)

Review 1 of 100

Tell us what you think about your car?

An excellent good performance car. Now somewhat dated but still looks good.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Very reliable. Manufacturer parts are expensive, but they dont go wrong that often, so probably the cheapest car i have ever had to run..

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Good car but showing signs that it is a very old design.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Very good considering it's age and the mileage i've covered in it.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Comfortable, well-designed, practical, reliable.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Good to drive, sufficiently economical, excellent comfort, 2.2 tid is noisier than previous saab petrol but cheaper

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Excellent vehicle; great m'way cruiser; comfortable and reliable but now relatively expensive to run and too large for my needs

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Very well built, comfortable and completely reliable.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Practical family car

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

I like it. It gets me from a to b in comfort. Relaxing to drive feels safe and the family like it. I would buy another one.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

My current car was a compromise and a very happy one as it turns out. Its reliability and ease of day to day use coupled with above average performance has been a general joy. Early depreciation would prevent this being a brand new purchase, but, i would certainly consider one again.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Very reliable work horse

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Excellent reliabilty, performance and comfort.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Its my favourite toy never lets me down and i always feel safe whilst driving it .

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

A good solid comfortable car that deals with distance driving effortlessly

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

This is my second saab 95, i feel that saabs are brilliant cars and i shall buy another one next year. Saabs have proved to be the most reliable and most comfortable cars i have ever owned.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Very comfortable place to be, as well as safe and quick when it needs to be. Great for four adults and luggage, and great on motorway journeys. A bit big for tight car parks, but park assist helps.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Reliable except for boot electrical problems which is arepoted designe fault

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Comfortable economical practical - excellent all round workhorse with style and safe build quality

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Fantastic car with both comfort and performance at an affordable price

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Excellent

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Practical, easy to drive, good performance and quite good looking.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Comfortable,safe,but not realy economical

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Very comfortable

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Saab is special, for drivers who like driving, sporty and comfortable.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Safety is paramount, especially as it's carry my otherhalf and my 2 kids about 90% of the time so a euroncap 5 rated car came first and everything else, like mpg, gadgets came after.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Awesome. My second saab and definitely not my last.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Great practicality, easy to drive. Poor build, road noise a major problem from front-wheel drive.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

To start the car normally requires several attempts buy operating the clutch. The heated front drivers seat has never worked, even with the car going back to the dealer so many times lost count, now given up. The flywheel became detached, taking out the clutch and slave cylinder, took over a week to get parts. The front headlight bulbs blow on average every 2000 miles (I do have them on all the time). On board warning of attempted theft whist driving on the motorway very common. Equipment level quite high, surprisingly comfortable, but too many issues. Has to go.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Intermittent loss of turbo power.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Can't think of a better family car for the money. Got it cheaper than average, but had to meet the seller halfway in aberdeen as he was from the shetland isles!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Bit different. Solid safe and reliable

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Love it on the whole but ride over bumps could be a little less harsh.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Love it

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Apart from minor niggles which were corected (but not without some back and forth) it has been fabulous value for money - up their with friends bmws and audis for less money!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Lovely car to own in that it is extremely comfortable and practical but let down by unreliability of electrics, specifically the ignition cartridge, and the turbo which blew just after 100k miles. The car has always been regularly serviced initially by main dealer and latterly by saab specialist.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Class

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Great car, great to drive

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Best saab yet. The xwd 4wheel drive was terrific in the snow and very reassuring in torrential rain on the motorways. Acres of room in the back and a great car for long journeys.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

I have had 7 previous saabs and have always been satisfied. The current vehicle is the best i have had.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Practical (estate), easy to drive, road noise intrusive (front-wheel drive)

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Very satisfied. Excellent car, a little heavy on fuel.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

It does exactly what i expected it to do as i had another one previously, except this one is more economical and with more extras included

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Extremely good performance and reliability but one pays for it in the fuel consumption figures which is now looking to become a major problem.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Quick, quiet comfy barge that does exactly what it was designed to do - eat up the miles

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Best car i've ever driven

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I bought a 1999, 2nd hand saab 9-5 estate with low mileage for £1400.00 absolute bargain! Fantastic condition superb drive and all rounder for the recent arrival of twins! I'd love to buy a new car as there are many great options on the market at present but to get a great car with good styling and all round equipment you'd be mad to spend £££££' s on a new one when their are great deals to be had on the second hand market. I have noticed new cars keep going up in price irrespective of inflation and are more expensive than they have been for somewhile unless you're in the market for a cheap town run around - what about families? When you live in a city you should be using commuter transport to be environmantally friendly or getting on a bike / bicycle not using a car to go to the shops! Walk / bus / train or bike if you're that bothered about it. Yes my latest car isn't the most economical beast but until practical costs make buying a newer more efficient vehicle more realistic for those on a budget then my latest purchase has done more for recycling than paying for a new car to be built. my previous two vehicles were a brand new mini @ £16,000 + with all mod cons which i had for 5 yrs (lost in floods!) And most recently a toyota carina e auto which i paid £400.00 for, which i had for 18 months with no problems and re-sold for £350.00! Cheers to cheap motoring!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Have had over 49mpg on a run. Very impressive for such a large car. Nothing has gone wrong at all in the 7000 miles i've had the car. Just wish i'd gone for a higher specced car with more goodies. Price i paid for the car would have only got me a similar aged mondeo. Same age bmw 5 series would have been at least £7000 more. Very impressed so far.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Safe, comfortable and reliable

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

The well documented problem with the manual gearbox, where reverse is almost impossible to engage is very annoying as the3 cost to repair is prohibitive. I also have very serious problems finding 5th and it is only because i have a 'feel' for the gears that i am able to find it. To get the car in reverse such that the key can be taken out and the car locked securely more often than not requires the clutch to be tried repeatedly, followed by trying to get the car in reverse until it eventually does. The car is amazingly solid - very impressive. Just let down by the gearbox issues.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

I have two saab's and they are both very good. They have been in the family for all most 40 years and in that time we have only had two break downs, i think that says it all. I am in the saab owners club and would bay any thing if it had the saab brand.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Comfort, economy, towing ability, load carrying, reliability and general joy of ownership are all very high.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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