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Saab 9-5 Wagon

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Comments

  • bmwjoebmwjoe Member Posts: 136
    We had the same situation. We ended up with the Saab and love it. Saab gave you much more bang for the buck when it came down to comprable equipment. At the time (a year ago) Volvo had very few 5-speeds in the US due to the model change over. They have started to bring them back in from what I hear. We wanted a stick.

    Drive Safe,

    Joe
  • bulkleycorpbulkleycorp Member Posts: 21
    trdb999,

    Also considering a 9-5. Did you buy or lease? Looking to buy.

    What was your price? I live in Fairfield county and would try the dealer in Greenwich. Did you try any dealers in Westchester???

    thx.
  • pshiaopshiao Member Posts: 2
    I am thinking about getting the roof bars for my 9-5 wagon. I plan put a roof box, surfboards, and skis on it. Has anyone had good/bad experiences with "Sport Rack Bars" vs "Multi-Purpose Roof Rail Bars" ?

    Thanks.

    Paul
  • vigorous1vigorous1 Member Posts: 15
    The very best board on which to discuss this car is the Saabnet.com board, where you're right on top of all the news with people who know and discuss Saabs every day; not just once in awhile.


    Find out all about the Nordic-tuned Saab 9-5 Aero wagon which outruns even the formidable M5 Bimmer in some speed ranges (that's right, BMW has no wagon match for this chipped, tuned, tweaked Swedish hauler).


    Check out Nordic-tune at http://wigwamsaab.com/specials.cgi?ad_id=119028&ix=511

  • bmwjoebmwjoe Member Posts: 136
    Hi,

    I was wondering where to get a small spray can of touch up paint for my 2000 Imola Red wagon. Duplicolor and Plasticote can't help.

    Drive Safe,

    Joe
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    ...but I'm here to announce the new Saab Owners Club now available on Edmunds.com Owner's Club board. Please stop by and introduce yourself in Meet the Members and let me know how I can help build your club.

    I have linked this discussion into that folder, but it will always reside here in Station Wagons.

    Looking forward to meeting everyone!

    KarenS
    Host
    Owner's Clubs
  • niel39niel39 Member Posts: 20
    all my research shows the Volvo to have higher repairs and cost of ownership then it's competitors. It's too bad because I think they are very cool otherwise and very comfortable. For reliability and lower cost you should look at the Subaru. Also the Volvo did not fare well in a AWD test against the Subie if you are interested in AWD. Unfortunately the I found the Subaru not up to my comfort standards.
  • wagonbyrwagonbyr Member Posts: 26
    I received a mailing from Saab touting their new after market performance kit. The kit consists of a new electronics module and platinum spark plugs. They say it will add a bunch more HP (I think they said it was a 17% boost) Anyway I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this system.

    Jim
  • rworrellrworrell Member Posts: 149
    Jim, you should visit the Saab network (www.saabnet.com) and go to the Bulletin Boards, then the 9-5 board. Quite a few people have gotten the upgrade and the reviews are uniformly positive. It apparently makes the 4-cyl 9-5 a better buy and a better performer than the 6-cyl SE.

    It still won't touch my Aero wagon, of course... :)

    Sounds like a good buy--if I had a base, I'd get the upgrade for sure.
  • kentceekentcee Member Posts: 3
    I've been negotiating with several saab dealerships on a new 2001 9-5 Wagon, SE V6. I have one with a car used as a loaner that has 11,000 miles on it and the balance of the factory warranty and scheduled maintenance. The dealer is willing to sell for $28,000 + taxes and tags. I think this is a deal but I am wondering what everyone else thinks? I would really strech my budget right now, but I feel like it is too good to pass up. any thoughts? also, how hard do you think the loaner cars are used? I feel safe w/ the factory warranty and all, but still have doubts.
  • keenckeenc Member Posts: 2
    I am currently driving a 99 V70 and am serious considering a 01-02 Saab 9-5 2.3T Wagon. Unfortunately, upon reviewing the residual values of both cars, the 01-02 V70 is approximately 3-4K higher. Invaribly, this affects the monthly payments of the Saab making it higher. Would anyone be able to verify if they have encountered the same situation regarding excessive depreciation.

    Another disturbing point was when I encountered a 99 Saab 9-5 2.3T sedan on a non-Saab dealer's lot for $24,500 Canadian dollars. This vehicle had 52,500 Kilometers (30K miles ) and was in excellent condition. This seems to confirm the rapid depreciation that the Saabs MAY have. Thank you in advance for confirming this detail with me.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Go over to a forum titled "Real World Trade In Values"

    Brentwood Bill has expressed his opinion regarding Saabs and the rapid depreciation on them.
  • laedlaed Member Posts: 1
    I've got a 2000 9-3 and I was hit on the drivers side and the side impact air bag did NOT deploy. Instead my head got knocked against the side window, driving my glasses into my forehead. Now I've got a 2" scar across my forehead that will require plastic surgery. Damage to the door was severe enough to warrant replacement--yet the airbag did not go off. Has anyone else experienced airbag problems? if so, email me at SaabAirbagProblems@yahoo.com.
    regards
    ed
  • bmwjoebmwjoe Member Posts: 136
    The front airbags should only go off with a front colision. I believe the 9-5 has side airbags too. I would think these would go off with a side hit. I would call or e-mail Saab about this. They have gotten back to me when I have e-mailed them.

    Drive Safe,

    Joe
  • wagonbyrwagonbyr Member Posts: 26
    Hi all,

    We seem to have a problem with our parked 2000 9-5 Wagon rolling - ignition off, tranny in reverse, and the parking brake applied at 75%. (My wife's not strong enough to pull the brake the last few clicks) Our driveway has a slight incline. A few weeks ago we found our wagon about 50' behind where it was parked the night before. Took it to the dealer. First time they realigned the gear shift - That may be bunk because I don't know how that could be done. Whatever they did, it did not fix it. When we brought it back the second time, they said we need to pull the parking brake to the last click - a problem for my wife - and it's her car. Has anyone had a similar experience? How was it resolved? Any input is appreciated.

    Jim
    Chester, CT, USA -
  • mstsscmstssc Member Posts: 89
    I just leased a 9.5 sedan and I looked long at the depreciation issue prior to leasing. The residuals were lower than all other competitors It was about 41% after 4 yrs compared to 46% for Volvo. The Japanese (TL, IS300) were in the 53% range, the Germans (MB, BMW) were in the 50% range. What knocked me off the fence was the cash back for leasing and 1.9% rate (Volvo was 6.5%, Lexus 6.9%, BMW, MB were around 10%). For similar valued cars (45k) the monthly payment was close to being the same. If I decide to keep the car, I paid little interest to GMAC (in fact the cash back paid the 1.9%). If I give it back, I lose no more than I would have if I leased one of the others as the lease payment is the same. 5% points makes a big difference when leasing a 45k car with zero down.

    BTW, I seen a 99 9.5 manual, with leather and s/r about 6 months ago at Saab dealer, only 500 km in dealer inventory - asking $33,000 cdn. Seen a 2001 with auto, leather and s/r with 16,000 km at Saab dealer for $36,000. However, was a rental car and had serious stone chips indicating hard miles to me. Finally, a 99 9.5 at a second Saab dealer for $29,000, I think it had about 60,000 km. All were sedans. The residual on mine after 3 yrs is $21,000 (ouch) compared with a similarly priced Lexus at $26,500.

    Steve
  • rworrellrworrell Member Posts: 149
    I have a 2000 9-5 Aero wagon with the 5-speed. This is my third Saab, second with a manual
    tranny. On both my previous 900 and this one, setting the parking brake is very difficult and my wife really has a hard time of it.

    I tried to have the 900 adjusted, but it never worked to her satisfaction. I haven't done anything with the Aero yet. I suspect they just aren't all that well designed, but I don't know that for certain.

    "How was it resolved?" I finally talked my wife into using both hands to pull the parking brake up--that seems to work.

    This is about my only complaint with the car, though--I just love this vehicle.
  • wagonbyrwagonbyr Member Posts: 26
    Thanks for the reply, but don't you agree that this rolling is something that should not be happening? None of our other manual transmission cars have ever rolled when turned off. We regarded the emergency brake as a backup system, not THE system to keep the car from rolling. This seems like a safety issue, never mind the liability if the car rolls in a parking lot. The dealer is telling us this is "normal" for the car. How can that be?
  • bmwjoebmwjoe Member Posts: 136
    We have a 2000 wagon with manual and a driveway on a hill. The parking brake is wimpy. I improved it a bit by adjusting the shoes. It seems to work adequatley now. A few comments...

    When you leave the car in reverse it is not like park in an automatic. The car must turn the engine over to move. This is difficult, but still possible. (With an automatic it is impossible) It must one heck of a hill to get the car to move while it is in gear. I would do a couple of things.

    See if the car moves in gear. Turn the car off in reverse and don't set the brake. See if it moves. (Stay in the car) If this is the case the hill is steep enough to overcome the compression of the engine. You need the parking brake to stop the car on this hill. If the car does not move then the engine is strong enough to hold the car.

    Second, make sure the car stays in gear when it is off. Stop the car and remove the key. See if you can get the car to pop out of reverse. The key should lock the shift into reverse. If you can get it out of reverse go to the dealer! There should be no way you should be able to get the car out of reverse with out the key. This needs to be fixed.

    Third, put the car on the hill and park it with the brake. Push the cluthc in and see if it rolls. You should be able to see how hard the brake has to be pulled to hold the car. If it takes excessive force have the brake adjusted.

    It may be a good idea to get in the habit of pushing the clutch in when you park the car to test if the parking brake is applied hard enough for the hill.

    Drive Safe,

    Joe
  • wagonbyrwagonbyr Member Posts: 26
    Thanks Joe,

    I tried your suggestions. Looks like I have a heck of a hill.

    The gear does not pop out of reverse without a key.

    The car does roll when parked, tranny in reverse, parking brake off. The vehicle weight is sufficient to overcome engine compression.

    There are 8 clicks of the parking brake from zero to full application. 7 Clicks are needed to plant the car firmly with the clutch applied. I guess I need to follow rworrell's suggestion and tell my wife to use both hands to set the brake.

    Jim
  • rworrellrworrell Member Posts: 149
    Jim, I agree this is a flaw in the car--don't get me wrong. I hate to sound stupid, but I wonder if parking in reverse is less effective than parking in first gear (which is what I do with any other manual car) in terms of keeping the car from rolling backwards--is there less effort required to overcome a rearward gear if gravity is pulling to the rear (all the benefits of locking the tranny aside)? I don't know, but I know that both of my Saab manuals have sucked at hill-holding. It really makes my wife nervous, too, that the car is going to roll on her.

    7/8 application sounds about right from my experience--sorry!
  • bmwjoebmwjoe Member Posts: 136
    Jim,

    I would see about adjusting the parking brake a bit. If more slack is taken out the brake will be set when the handle is lower, say 5-6 clicks. Your wife will have better leverage on the handle at this point. I think it is worth a try.

    Drive Safe,

    Joe
  • jwajackjwajack Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2001 9-5 Aero Wagon, 5 spd, and had the same problem as the rest of you with a roll-back. I did what BMW Joe did -- had the parking brake adjusted so that it engages when pulled approximately half-way up. This seems to have solved the problem, though I admit I have not tested it on a steep hill. Best of luck.

    JWAJack
  • wagonbyrwagonbyr Member Posts: 26
    Great ideas!
    I'll have the parking cable tightened so it can be applied with less pull.

    Thanks again to rworrell, bmwjoe & JWAJack. This is the kind of stuff that makes Edmunds Bulletin Boards great.

    Jim
    Chester, CT, USA
  • saabiesaabie Member Posts: 2
    Hey gang! (especially bmw joe!)Have not been in the Hall for months. Still loving my 2000 9.5 wagon. Almost 40k and no problems. Love it! I have to turn it in Jan '02. Going to get another 9.5 wagon. Need an automatic (wife says so!) Joe, what's new for 2001 and what do I need?

    Fly safe!
    Rick
  • bmwjoebmwjoe Member Posts: 136
    Rick,

    I believe the 2001 is almost the same as the 2000. There is 15 more HP under the hood and Onstar is standard.

    Drive Safe,

    Joe
  • tgif888tgif888 Member Posts: 351
    Maybe you want to get the $5000 certificate that I got yesterday. =)
  • rworrellrworrell Member Posts: 149
    Rick, I also think there's another improvement in the new 9-5s that should be a major help for you--they now have a 5-speed automatic instead of a 4-speed. If you have to get one (per your wife), that's got to be a plus.

    Good luck (p.s. get an Aero!).
  • brightnessbrightness Member Posts: 40
    What kind of discount does Saab give to dealers on a loaner/demo vehicle, e.g. a Saab 9-5 Wagon LPT, premium package, heated seats, 3 mos. old, less than 5 to 10 K miles? In addition to the 5K discount offered on new vehicles.

    Also, What is the money factor/interest rate on a 9-5 wagon from Saab financial or GMAC?
  • saabiesaabie Member Posts: 2
    Thanks for the advice. I will look into the 5 sp. auto. I am thinking about the Aero version. That may be a bit over the budget. What's up with the 5k certificate? Some sort of Saab loyalty program? My mailbox is calling out for one! The new (just got it)"Nines" magazine said they improved the ride (stiffened) and put a new grill on the nose for 2002. Also, better brakes and new headlights.
  • maneesh1maneesh1 Member Posts: 39
    Hello SAABies,

    SAAB is offering the GMAC financing of 0% for 3 years. However, this is valid till 10/31. I'm planning on the 2001 Aero Wagon. If I can't get a good deal, I'll try to get a good price on a 2k Aero wagon.

    Do most of you lease or buy? Am not sure. Based on the depreciation that I've seen, am wondering if it's really worth it.

    Thanks,
    Maneesh
  • wagonbyrwagonbyr Member Posts: 26
    I think the group is about half & half on the lease/buy option. We leased our '91 Saab 9000 when new, then kept it for 9 years and 211,000 miles. We traded it for our 2000 9-5 wagon which we bought outright.

    Your lease/buy decision should be based on how long you plan to keep it. If you want a new car every 3-4 years, leasing is the only way to go. If you like to hold a car for 10 years or so, buy it.

    If you're going to hang on to the car, a discounted 2k Aero will be the better value.
  • sdcollinsdcollin Member Posts: 2
    I am in the market to replace a Dodge Durango, and while we have liked the truck (and particularly the third seat), neither my wife nor I feel like we can justify driving that big thing around for the 360 days a year that it's just her and the two little kids.

    I started leaning towards a wagon, and particularly the Passat, esp. since the new body style came out. However, my neighbor across the street came home with a 2000 9-5 SE wagon, and I think I might have changed my mind. He paid about 29.5k for a car with 8000 miles on it, and the out the door price I was looking at for Passat GLX's have been in that range.

    So...I started searching Autotrader.com, cars.com, etc, and also reading up on the 9-5. My questions are these:

    1) What is reasonable price range for low mileage (less than 20K miles) 9-5 wagons, either SE or base (or Aero, for that matter). In online ads, most cars seem to be between 33 (SE with less than 10K miles) to 25 (base with 30K miles)

    2) What differences are there in the various trim levels that a) Cannot be made up by "loading up" a base model, or b) Are really worthwhile, c) For those who looked carefully at the SE vs. base, is it worth the extra dough, esp the engine

    3) Anybody carefully compare Passat GLX with 9-5?

    Answers to these questions or any other input appreciated...lease ends in a month, need to move quickly.
  • mstsscmstssc Member Posts: 89
    First of all, it is good to see another convert from the SUV side. We converted to wagons/sedans after two SUVs and one mini-van - no regrets. I don't have a 9.5 wagon. Have a 9.5 sedan (2001) and V70 wagon.

    I can't comment on your price question as prices are different in Canada - my sedan was just under $30k US new (base with leather, sunroof). Comparing the SE with the base, the SE gives a 6cyl but I think the 4cyl base turbo is more than adequate. The Saab purists (see Saabnet.com) prefer the 4 cyl. No manual option on the SE. Adds an automatic rear mirror dimmer, dual switch rear seat heaters (base has single switch), 5 spoke alloys vs 10 spoke (same size), leather inserts on door panels, memory on the power seats, maybe some other odds and ends but I think thats about it. Leather is standard as is sunroof.

    In Canada this adds about $6000 US to what I paid for my car. I think a base with the leather/sun roof options added is better value. If I was going to go with the SE, I would probably spend the few thousand more and get the Aero.

    Steve
  • darandalldarandall Member Posts: 57
    I did a serious comparison 2+ years ago and have been delighted with the Saab. I got the base with manual and it goes plenty fast. Here's what swayed me. More room in the Saab, particularly rear seats. Rear seats in the Passat tilt you outside i.e. away from the center. It's disconcerting. VW had a boxy feel and handling like the older Volvo wagons. Saab had a better sound system(get the H-K upgrade now - it was standard then). Saab safety is better. My 2 cents.
  • bmwjoebmwjoe Member Posts: 136
    I agree 100% with darandall. The Saab was larger inside and had plenty of power. 18 months later we still love it. We will enjoy this car for years and years.

    Drive Safe,

    Joe
  • halfmoonhalfmoon Member Posts: 3
    I have a 1999 9-5 wagon that has been nothing but trouble. With less than 24k miles I have had to replace the main computer, the heat/ac computer, the battery, the front brakes, key batteries ,4 headlights and 3 tires. I have had problems with alignment, upholstery coming apart, internal screws coming loose and incorrect error messages. I have been treated with the utmost disrespect by the service manager at Beck Volvo Saab and corporate customer service. It sounds like most everyone out there is thrilled with this car. Do I have a lemon?? Am I the only one?? Would like to hear of any other negative Saab 9-5 wagon experiences.
    Thanks
  • bmwjoebmwjoe Member Posts: 136
    Halfmoon,

    Sorry to hear you are having a hard time with your 9-5. Mine is a 200 model year and we ahve had no problems. We love the car and plan to keep it for a long time.

    Drive Safe,

    Joe
  • amenezesamenezes Member Posts: 2
    We've had our Saab for a year now, and love it. However the standard 16 inch Michelin MXV4 tires that come with it seem to have horrible wet-pavement grip. I can feel the wheels spin and TCS kick in on even the mildest of wet pavement conditions. It has done this since day-1. Anyone else had similar experiences? Any suggestions for replacements? I'm not looking for a winter tire. Just an all-weather tire that actually grips wet pavement. On both previous cars (not Saabs) I've had Michelin X-One tires (which happen to be Consumer Report's top-rated all-season tire) and loved them. Anyone had any experience using them on a Saab? One catch is I'd have to downsize to 15-inch wheels as they don't seem to come in an appropriate 16inch size.
  • amenezesamenezes Member Posts: 2
    Has anyone with kids had the following experience? You're in the passenger seat, the kids start screeming for something, you turn around to tend to them. You need to reach something fairly far back on the back seat. Since you're rotated so far back your knee hits the ignition key in the center console, and the engine cuts off. This has happened several times to us. It is truly frightening. You're rolling along at 65mph in the middle of a multi-lane freeway and your car has gone completely dead. The only way to restart the engine (on an automatic) is to pull over (no easy feat across several lanes of freeway with no power), put the car in "park" & restart [presumably on manual transmission cars this is not as big a deal if they don't have the same interlocks that only allow the car to be started in "park"].

    We have now fashioned a clunky wooden board barrier that sits between the passenger seat and the console, that will hopefully prevent this happening again, but doesn't this strike anyone as completely insane? We asked the dealer to help and only got the canned spiel about the key in the steering column being unsafe in crashes blah, blah. But even with the key in the center console there are so many things they could do -- add an interlock so that the ignition simply cannot cut out while the car is in motion. Or allow the ignition to come back on without requiring the car to go back into "park".

    Anyone experienced this? Any ideas on how to fix this deathtrap?
  • lenfreedlenfreed Member Posts: 8
    Sounds like you have abusing your SAAB
  • hiflyerhiflyer Member Posts: 79
    Here's a question that could be readily overlooked since it's a little out of place with the current discussion, but I'll give it a try anyway.

    Any word about Saab offering AWD in any upcoming models? I like the car overall, but I kinda promised myself that the next car I buy would have this feature. (The ESP feature is a good step forward in the 2002 models, but it's not quite the same.)
  • bmwjoebmwjoe Member Posts: 136
    Hi,

    I just completed a 700 mile round trip to the sister-in-law's complete with the wife, 2 kids and father-in-law and labrador. Everyone fit and had a comfortable ride. We did have a roof rack for our stuff. Still, I got 27.5 mpg.

    This car is the road king!

    Drive Safe,

    Joe
  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    Well, don't downsize to 15" tires & wheels, is my advice, for a no. of reasons. There have to be good wet-weather tires in the 16" size you need. The Tire Rack could be one source of info. & good prices.

    Good luck!
  • bmwjoebmwjoe Member Posts: 136
    The MXV4 tires are poor at zero speed. That is, when I pull away from a stop and get a little happy with the clutch the tires will spin. I don't have a problem with the high speed handling in the wet.

    Drive Safe,

    Joe
  • sdcollinsdcollin Member Posts: 2
    2001 SE Wagon, Blue/Tan (Man is it hard to find the tan interior). No options except for heated seats. 8k miles, 29k dollars. NOT Saab Certified, being sold by a Nissan Dealership.

    Is this reasonable? I'm having a heck of a time finding one that fits the bill, and have got a lease ending mid December. Also, this car is about 200 miles away, so I am going to either have to ride the train up or buy it sight unseeno-neither option appeals to me much.
  • darandalldarandall Member Posts: 57
    Saab had (and may still have) a lease deal on the 9-5 wagon. Base model with three years at 12000 miles per, total payments of $15,000 and residual of $14,500. that means you can buy one new for less than $30,000 total while making lower dollar lease payments up front. What's not to like? Also includes free service for 36,000 miles - worth $1000. Good luck, and shop around!
  • roxrepsroxreps Member Posts: 35
    Saw your board and just had to comment. I've got a 99' 9-5 SE sedan and have just moved to Westchester, so I deceided to give Beck service a shot. Went back twice, and called it a day. Not very customer oriented to Saab/Volvo owners because their Chey business is so much bigger. Stay away from there. Also, stay away from Saab of Westchester in Briar Cliff Manor. Equally as bad, and guess what, they're owned by Beck. Coincidence? Saab of Greenwich is very good, and they give you a loaner, but it's in the wrong direction for me. Surprisingly, I bring my car to Zumbach in NYC. These guys are really on top of it, and the service is very professional. I've had nothing but very good experiences there, and they listen. If you work in Manhattan, it's actually cost effective to go there. Bring the car in the am. and once they're finished with it, they'll give you 12 free hours of parking until you pick it up on 51 st.(bet. 10-11 ave), and it's a 24 hr. garage. You might have heard discouraging words about Zumbach, but it's all on the Audi side, trust me.

    jb
  • sradicesradice Member Posts: 1
    Was Previously looking at Volvo XC 1998, I mean come on, It is a volvo. What could be bad about it? Everything from what I read on the posts and consumer reports.
    Went to tell the Saab dealer, where the used Volvo was, and there was the 2001 SE wagon. $28,000 with 18K. Without even a chance to deal, the owner said 25,500. With research on every website, newsletter, and report I could get my hands on, and two test drives later (Fiance and self) it was over.
    More Size, Faster engine, More Luxury, Better Handling, and Comfort than Volvo XC and Passat Wagon GLX. What more could I ask for.
    Looking forward to continued posts of happiness!

    sar
  • revkarevka Member Posts: 1,750
    and congratulations on your new Saab 9-5 wagon! Sounds like you had a good purchase experience. Thanks for sharing the details. We look forward to hearing more about your ownership experience. If you have a chance, please stop by our Saab Owners club and say hello to the other members. Happy Motoring! ;-)

    Revka
    Host
    Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
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