Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
1) Why keep replacing the tires with Pirellis? There are plenty of other manufacturers out there. Check out tirerack.com for their reviews.
2) Why replace both wheels and tires? Going larger than the 17" wheels on your Aero would likely yield a harsh(er) ride, and make the (very expensive) wheels more susceptible to road damage due to the short sidewalls on the tires. Stick with the 17's, and head for something other than Pirelli.
SYJ
Pro: A lot of content for the money (try pricing a comparable Cadillac CTS or some of the imports), excellent safety ratings, a proven platform, excellent MPG for the power, a good local dealer (have to check on that some more), a unique vehicle.
Con: An obsolescent platform, GM policies for warranties, higher maintenance costs than I am used to, no rear side air bags.
Unknowns: how reliable now, build quality, is this a good buy for a guy who normally keeps a car eight years or more.
I would appreciate any thoughts on this.
Good luck...
the second set has 42,000 miles and not even 50% wear .
i have always had problems with pirelli in my other cars so i avoid them.they do not have the quality of the michelins.
http://www.mitt-eget.com/saab/faq_audio.shtml#as_manuf
You might also want to post this in our "No Start" Problems discussion while you're waiting to see if someone here can help.
It has been 13 years since my last car (a 1993 Mazda 626). And I had almost talked myself into buying another Japanese car--a Honda Accord (sensible, practical, and really quite nice.) It had the three things I really wanted this time--leather, heated seats, and stability control (with the EX V6).
But I just couldn't do it. And so I started looking for alternatives. And as I did, the infamous Saab depreciation became my friend. For 8k less than the sticker on a new Accord EX V-6, I bought a lease returned 2003 9-5 Linear with the luxury package (HK stereo, memory seat, etc).
First impressions from my first week: I love riding in it. I understand the "long in the tooth" comments about the interior, but my wife has a 96 Volvo wagon, so maybe I have grown accustomed to the look. But frankly, I like it. I have made the stereo adjustment described elsewhere in this forum, and it helped greatly. I love the field of view as I drive, and the sentronic is useful with the steep hills around here (and for the poseur/entertainment factor). And the low-end torque is impressive, even with this base model. I have yet to get up to speed in Seattle rush hour traffic, so my gas mileage has been around 20 (are you 34+ mpg folks screaming through Montana or something?)
Someone in this forum called the Saab a "Swedish Jaguar." By that, they meant it was stylish and unreliable. I agree with the first part of the assessment. Time will tell with regard to the second. But I am willing to bet that the inconvenience will be overshadowed by my change in outlook as I now look forward to the morning commute as an excuse to drive my new-to-me 9-5.
Also, is there any noticeable wind noise at highway speeds, i.e. 70-80 mph?
Thanks.
That year they improved safety, suspension, steering, brakes and other components. It has 42,000 on clock and 28 months left on warrenty. Pulled to L a little, they did an alighment, no charge.
With nice seats (ventilated), great sterio (did the suggested modificaions to get all the power, what a difference!) and stability control, this is a nice car for the $. I really like the Xenon lights and seats.
My other Saab, 2001 SE was a very reliable car at 80,000 miles with few problems and I expect the same with the '02.
I highly recommend the '02 and '03's over the earlier model, handles much, much better.
Jim Cape Elizabeth, Maine.
Ray
Replaced fuel sensor, still no good.
Drive all day, in and out.
Once in awhile it will not start, strong batt, turns over - just does not kick in.
I have located several 03 aeros with zennons/loaded with 30-45K miles all certified for approx 19500-21500.
Really liked the auto version of this car better than the stick. With the turbo, the sport mode auto had more pep than I could coax out of it with a stick.
02-03 aero owners, what had been your reliability experience?
Thanks for your help.
Jay
Maybe they are better now, but every time I look at new cars (sedans) I take the latest (affordable) Honda/Toyota/Nissan/Acura for a spin and they are just not for me.
So despite Toyota's rep, I have had a 100% failure rate with Toyota products.
And it's a boring vehicle to drive.
Most SUVs are, not just toyotas. That's why people drive Saabs
I get in my car and I'm ready to go and my battery light comes on. Ok.. I think.. Maybe I need a new battery.. I go to drive the car and the steering wheel will not turn it won't budge. After reading the manual I'm thinking the belt that goes around the alternator and the power steering pump has broken. It was late last night and I really couldn't see it. What do you SAAB heads think. I love the hell out of my SAAB so I'm not giving it up...
Richard
Jazzysaab
Starting with key problems I still remember I had with my 2003 SAAB Linear.
I picked up the car in the afternoon, and the nightmare began in the evening.
- Malfunction light ON the same evening I picked the brand new SAAB with less than 100 miles on it)
- Interior light OUT (this I would not blame GM/SAAB 100%, but definitely blamed the dealer in Acton, MA which obviously did not check the car thoroughly before they gave me the key)
- Noise from roof (a part was loosen)
- Hand Brake could not be released (This is VERY serious. SAAB knew about this and did NOT proactively recall my car because it had automatic transmission. They wanted to fix the cars with manual transmission first. How could SAAB assume that people with auto transmission do not use hand brakes??? I almost could not get to work one day. Luckily, I was not alone trying to get home in a snow storm!)
- Brake noise (come on! This was a NEW car!!)
- Front passenger side seatbelt did not retract appropriately (SERIOUS safety issue!)
- Malfunction light was on almost on a bi-weekly basis for same or different reasons (= going to the dealer on a bi-weekly basis), etc, etc.
Within 5 months I had the car, I knew I had to do something about it BEFORE the lemon law protection on my car expired (you need to find out the lemon law of your OWN state. Lemon Law varies by state and it DOES EXPIRE after certain miles and months ).
HOW? Couple tips here. The key is to be VERY proactive and organized. I do not have a law degree and did not hire a lawyer thru the process but I took this matter very seriously like doing a part time job. The good thing is a lot of resources are avail on line and I got what I wanted at the end.
- Gather ALL related info: All details are necessary. The date and mile when your car break down in every single incidence, all receipts, invoice, etc. All the evidence.
- Put things on paper in a formal manner: Write a formal letter to SAAB (templates specific to lemon cars are avail on a lot of websites) indicating explicitly that you car is a "lemon" under the Massachusetts (in my case, it’s MA, check out the law in your own state) Lemon Law with reasons of course.
- CERTIFY EVERYTHING you mail: Do not be cheap on the postage, make sure ALL letters sent to SAAB are CERTIFIED mail. You need to know someone at SAAB has received your mail. They HAVE to return your letter if it's lemon related.
- Follow Up by phone Regularly: SAAB will assign your case with a case number if it's qualified case for repurchase or replace. Call them at least on a WEEKLY basis to follow up. I called them so often that the receptionist recognized me and I recognized them. Do NOT lose temper to the people including the receptionists who are handling your car though it could be hard some time. You need people to be willing to work with you on your case.
- WRITE EVERYTHING down: the time you make the call, the receptionist's name who takes your call, everyone you speak with, the date you send the letters, everything that's related to your case.
- Know what you are asking for: Want $ or another SAAB which can potentially breakdown again? You can certainly take the risk of having another SAAB but I did not.
---A: Considerations on another new SAAB: The newer model SAAB actually has fewer options than the 2003 one even though new models are more expensive. Since the car you want to return has depreciated, it means you will need to pay more (depends on the mileage that's already on your car) to have a car with fewer options (putting aside that it could be another lemon after all). That math did not work for me.
---B: Considerations on getting money back: You will not be getting the total you have paid for but you really have used the car for couple months after all. In my case, the option was clear. I did not want another SAAB ever again. The experience and inconveniences was way too unpleasant.
-IMPORTANT: DO YOUR MATH RIGHT even after you get the check: Good that can I am pretty good in math. When SAAB cut me the check, it was missing the couple $K I put down as down payment. Had I not double check the math EVEN AFTER I receive the check, I would have missed couple $K.
The whole process took about 2-3 months. Be PERSISTENT. NO ONE else cares if you can return your car for cash except for yourself. I got the impression that my car dealer and SAAB certainly wanted me to give up perusing the refund.
The SAAB dealer in Acton, MA provided absolutely NO support to me which added pain to my experience. I asked them to proof that I had made X $K on the down payment and they refused. Luckily I paid by credit card and ended up sending SAAB (again, certified mail!) the proof of payment. Even when I picked up the car from them the interior was dirty (finger prints on ceiling) with small paint chip on the rear bumper. Anyway, all’s water under the bridge now.
One more note. Definitely, I had to return my lemon SAAB to a dealer (I did not go back to Acton then) in order to pick up the check. I KNEW that the dealer was RESELLING the lemon I returned
I got a Japanese car and moved on...
Hope this is helpful.
###
99 9-3 base auto 93k miles running great. Some warranty work over the years. Little since warrranty expired
04 9-3 linear one or two minor things under warranty. Runs great 21,000 miles.
Great overtaking power. Excellent fuel economy. Good handling. Safest cars on the road.
My next car will be either a 9-3 sportcombi or the end of the line 9-5 sportcombi
I now try to reduce as much monetary risk as I can when leasing and have a couple of rules I live by.
- no downpayment, no security fees, I will walk first.
- lease through the dealer (ie GMAC) this keeps the organization financially interested.
- remind the dealer when you need to that it is 'their' car and 'their' problem - your just borrowing it.
- be prepared to park it at the dealer and stop payment on the lease - it usually gets their attention - but of couse has consequences.
Try to always keep the ledger in your favor - sometimes, thats the only way they will listen.
Saab owners have high expectations and somewhat quirky personalities. Thats OK. But lets be business-like. If you feel that the dealer is nor performing as contracted, sue him. Don't futz around by leaving your 35K car at his dealership thinking that he will lie awake in his McMansion thinking about it. What he is lying awake at night pondering is how he can get out of such a loser brand and into a Bimmer franchise before he loses any more money on these sleds.
Dave P
1. Being 'business like' requires two parties and the dealer/manufacturer does not always cooperate with this - sorry 'your' problem.
2. Sueing costs me more money.
3. On a lease - It's not 'my' 35k car, on a loan - it is.
4. The house is 'my' house.
1) One party to a relationship can be business-like without necessitating that the other side is business-like.
2) Sueing a merchant especially in states with consumer protection laws offerring treble damages (such as MA) can be very profitable with negligible up front filing fees.
3) People who lease often have a very limiited idea of their exposure and the need for GAP insurance. I don't think it is a good idea to leave a car that one has responsibility for in a hostile environment. Maybe you do.
4)Sure, with a house you have a title albeit with a lien holder and with a leased car you aren't the "owner". In both situations you have responsibilies, obligations, and exposure to risk and liabilities.
My main point which you haven't addressed is that the local Saab dealer and Saab/GM could care less what you do with your leased vehicle. They no longer have an economic interest in it. If you leave it on the dealer's property you stand a good chance of someone using a screwdriver to add pin stripes to your paint job. Flaws that you will have to repair at the end of the lease. After a couple of days parked on his lot, the dealer-principal will have it towed away. He will then go back to his five year business plan to get into a German franchise with what little money he has left, all the while muttering about the over-educated nerds who drive Saabs.
Your'e right - we don't.
This car was nicely cared off from what it seems, possibly elderly previously owned it since there are no signs of city traffic.
I would appreciate anybodys feedback.
Joe
Apparently, Saab dropped the Aero model for 2006 and replaced it with a "sport" option (tuned chassis, special wheels, special interior trim, and 10mm lower body). The MSRP on a 9-5 with this package is about 35K. Supposedly it is the same as the Aero of yesteryear. It does seem though that the front spoiler is the same as the regular 9-5 and not a chin dragger as the old Aero was. This is good news for a Mainiac.
So, what is going to happen to all the people who ponied up 42K (at MSRP) last year for an Aero when this year's version is only 35K? What could a used '05 Aero be possibly worth now? Maybe an '05 Aero at 29K would be the way to go? Come on, there must be some way to work this arbitrage.
I am trying to help a friend out. She has a '02 9-5 Aero w/ 63,000 miles and is having a stalling issue when the engine is cold. She says it doesnt happen when its warm out. But now that the weather is getting colder the problem is happening more. The car either hesitates or just stalls out completely. If it hesitates she basically floors the gas to keep it going. Once the engine is warm, the problem goes away. She hasnt had the car long and this will be her first winter with it. My assumption is the problem will get worse as the weather gets colder.
I see from prior post # 1785 that someone had a similar issue and the fix was to Decarbonize the engine and replace the throttle body. Is this the normal fix? The post also mentions something about having the updated software version. Is this something that must be done at the dealer? I dont know much about Saabs and neither does she. Any help is appreciated.