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2. The adult could buckle in with the 2 car seats in
We used it during our vacation last summer instead of my Hugh Montero and had no regrets.
drew
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
1. Model Year & Total miles to date.
2. MPG & Driving habits. Any differences in mpg since you first purchase?
3. Any additional accessories & mods?
4. Maintenance issues to date.
5. Any interesting trips or cargo experiences?
6. Overall impressions pro/cons of your vehicle since you first purchased....
Share as much (or as little) information as you'd like. I'm sure other Saab 9-5 owners/shoppers passing through here, would find the information quite interesting, if not helpful.
Also, you can report back every 3-5k to update again. Who's game?
Thanks for your participation! ;-)
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
The savings examples they were citing were significant. Automakers openly admit the lower pricing is a Market Situation. Pricing is often as much as 40% lower!! I was amazed to read this. In retaliation, some manufacturers are NOT honoring warranties here. Some Canadian Dealers are offering Private Warranties to off set.
Drew
fine looking auto in steel gray.
like the multi memory seats.
stereo sounds good, but multi cd is extra.
feels solidly built.
not much interior storage; i. e. console.
gas mileage 24-25, 21-23 in winter.
dealer friendly, but not impressive.
like the sedan much better(loaner experience).
lots of brake dust in the front.
don't ever feel like i want to drive it hard.
kids like the heated rear seats.
front wheel drive with all season tires can't beat a dedicated 4 wheel drive system in the winter.
Overall impression; great looking vehicle, comfortable, reasonably efficient; want to love it, drive train not impressive, but ok. Sticker was overpriced, but had incentives. It's possible that dealer 'induced' some issues to collect warranty claims.
You know what they say - 'In for a penny, in for a pound!'
I have looked at Abbott Racing and Wigwam stuff, any other ideas.
I've only had my '03 wagon 2.3lpt (4-cyl) for a few months, but you may find the following helpful.
Overall my experience has been great
2 flaws have cropped up:
- audible but slight rattle in dash
- somwhat loose body panel
The 4-cyl engine has loosened up and the performance is improved so that I have no complaints on the low end (where it is weakest) and really enjoy the 3rd gear 30-70 acceleration.
Gas mileage on pure city short mileage driving (including the gas to start the car) is only ok at 18mpg. Highway driving is much better and gets up to 28mpg (engine is not yet broken in)
I drove the v6 and found it just a little better for highway and freeway.
A low-mileage used Saab 9-5 wagon is an incredible value - I personally would factor in an extended warranty for peace of mind.
That said, they're probably not as reliable as Toyotas and Lex-i. But how much soul is in a Camry? I drove a rental on the plains east of Austin, TX last year, wanting to love it, but almost slashed my wrists out of boredom. BTW, Aisin-Warner makes the tranny for the Saab as well as for Toy/Lexus.
I was all set to buy a nice Volvo 70 wagon after having driven all the permutations. My daughter talked me into driving the Saab, a Linear wagon.
Yee ha! (But told my wife how *safe* it is)
I snatched up the Polar White/beige Arc wagon (A blonde Swede...ahhh) off the floor of my dealer and have been putting some serious mileage on "Sigrid" in NJ/PA/NY state.
No problems. The car is *solid.* Most unexpected discovery is the utility of all the different shift modes. At first, I thought the manual mode with the paddles was a boy racer gimmick. But a nine mile stretch of PA highway 61 south of Frackville made a believer out of me: up, down, twisty roads, alternating between 3-4 gear, letting third handle the speed on the descents...car getting a nice aerobic workout uphill without straining.
At one point, I had the "opportunity" to avoid riding in a fast moving pack of descending cars presumably on their way home from Pocono raceway. All I had to do was get out far enough ahead of them, right? The Saab was amazing.I sincerely don't know why anyone wants those FUV's. Honestly. They can't get out of their own way (on the twisties). But I'm not going to make a habit out of 80mph descents on roads I don't know well.
With the vented seats and quiet interior, the car lets you do this stuff w/o fatigue.
The V6 in the Arc is allegedly more reliable than the lpt4. It's powerful enough for my needs. I'm afraid of how much fun the Aero would be. And it will haul your kayak and Golden Retriever.
You get 4 years/50000 miles of free maintenance and warranty. You can extend that by certifying it. If your near a dealer, what's the problem?
My $0.02: Drive the Volvo's so that you don't have buyers remorse. Ditto for the Audi and BMW 540. The Outback is nice, but too much plastic and tinny doors that vibrate when you close them. I *hate* that. Take the Murano out for a spin too, just for counterpoint, if you like trucks.
Then buy the one you want. They'll all work.
Best,
Greg
PS: Give us a report on the Saturn LW300 while you're at it. It uses the same V6 as the Arc, only not turbo charged.
If you can wait until fall you might consider the revamped Subaru Legacy. It is going to be awesome, we couldn't wait otherwise that would be my choice.
Old time Saabers will stand behind the I4, and why not?
Since I live in the most densely populated state in the country, I didn't investigate a stick. It's just too dangerous for a latte lovin' java hound to handle our traffic and a Starbucks at the same time. However, whenever the subject comes up on other BB's, the consensus seems to be that it's really hard to criticize all the possible modes of the slushbox on the 9-5. It even has a "winter" setting. You really don't lose all that much by not doing everything yourself.
My daughter has a '93 Audi 90 5-speed manual. It's a blast. But the romance dims when stuck in summer traffic around here. Good character builder for Kristen, though.
Well, I'm jealous as h**l of the sport seats in the Aero. It's sort of a yin/yang thing between that car and the Arc. I really like keeping the sunroof and windows open on a sunny day, yet not get a sweaty back. It's almost a guilty pleasure because nobody around you knows why you don't look hot and bothered. Not that we've had that many days like that this year...
Best,
Greg
People who have the V6 seem to be happy with it but in the long run, I hear it will cost much more in repairs. An indepedant Saab Shop talked me out of buying our new Wagon with the V6, he insists that it is extremely difficult to service.
As a Leased car I wasn't too concerned but we may want to purchase this Saab after the lease. This is our 3rd Saab.. Second 9-5.
Drew
What I don't like: the appalling lack of storage space, i.e. the cupholders, places to put change, trash, etc. I shouldn't have to lose my armrest and storage bin so my husband and I can use the second cupholder on family outings. Argh! Door pockets need to be expanded, and give me someplace to put change besides 6 coinslots. The storage under the cargo floor is difficult to access unless you have nothing in the back (who does that?)
The other thing is they need to do is put door locks and window controls in a more practical location, like oh I donno, the doors! Very awkward to reach and use.
Finally, they could do something to reduce the amount of vibration that comes into the front of the cabin and the steering wheel (I bought a leather cover for my steering wheel and it helps but I still feel every single bump in the road!)
It's a nice car, but the designers need to balance cool with practical, just a little bit, for we unrefined, soda-slurping, stuff-hauling American drivers!
The loss of cupholder space is troubling, but otherwise I think that your pros far outweigh your cons. Now if I could just figure out whether they will be adding Subaru's AWD to the 9-5's anytime soon . . .
With regard to wear, certainly a highly stressed 4 cylinder (e. g., the Aero) is going to wear out a lot sooner than a six. The six will cost more to repair however in some cases (to redo the cylinder head for example, because of the greater number of parts involved).
Incidentally, a vee six sacrifices compactness for some of the rigidity and resulting bullet proofness that the in line design offers. (Think about all the bullet proof engines, beginning with say the Chrysler Industrial 30 and going up to the CAT 3406, they are all in line sixes.)
IMHO, the Saab product planners were asleep when Volvo replaced them as THE winter FWD car of choice. Now late in the 8th inning they are playing catchup with the under-engined AERO. (And the General is getting restless in the bullpen, to continue the analogy.) If SAAB gave a California engine tuner a half dozen pallet loads of Opel V6 engines, instructions to hang a PAIR, yes, one per bank, of turbos on the engine, and a 90 day deadline to pass emissions, Saab would have something that could go head to head with the Audi 2.7 twin turbo engine and the BMW six. This would broaden the market and the dealers could sell the car not the "deal". Instead today Saab has the four banger Aero engine that is tweaked within an inch of its life and giveaway lease programs.
The original Aero 9000 was a WONDERFUL car. The engine in the 9-5 is just an updated version.
Drew
Are you kidding ? The whole 9-5 family are better engineered than the competing Volvo V70 lineup. The new 2002+ 9-5 is safer, has more features, equal in room, better gas mileage, faster, better handling, there is no comparison in looks. It is by far a better driving car and great value. SAAB is lacking in the AWD, area, but a Subaru AWD will fix that.
As far as your opinion that the Aero 2.3 4-Cyl is tweaked. Sure it is, it's been refined up to 250 HP but it still has more available HP and torque on tap. Nordic, Hirsch, Abbott perfoamance all have products that take it up to 300HP, and Hirsch and Nordic are warrantied.
You make the comparison to the Audi 2.7-T, like in the Allroad. Nice car, beautiful interior and design. We almost bought it over are Aero but for the reliability concerns. The other issue was gas mileage and the Allroad suffers bad from Turbo lag from standing starts. Aero will eat an Allroad for lunch 7 days a week in acceleration. Part of that is weight difference with Audi AWD. And aside from the BMW 540 or M3 the Saab is as smooth and powerful as the 5 series in a roll-on power situation from 50-100+. A 530 will not keep up in the 50-70, 80-100 run.
Can you set it up?
Also, for future reference, anyone here can start up a new discusions if they'd like. Click on the "Add Discussion" button on the upper/right side of any of our main message boards.
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
Totally agree on the cupholder scandal. Where are the kids going to put their super-duper-sized electric pink strawberry "shakes?" All over the carpet so the dog can slurp up the goo! My Sheltie misses his own cup holder. Really. Now I have to lift the center console to let him sip.
The Volvo has the front storage competition locked up. But if I want closet space, I'll go to IKEA. Plus, I was dubious about all the little nets on the seats and side pillars in the Saab. But, you know, net storage means you don't have to deal with cleaning all the GRUNGE that builds up in car storage bins. Also, remember that Saab uses an airplane analogy in their cars (right down to the map light that is identical to those in their jets like the 340B I flew down to Lynchburg last month). In airplanes, stuff that can end up floating around at zero G (including Shelties) is not allowed. Perhaps they're carrying the analogy a bit far. Maybe it's just safer to keep a neat cockpit.
Use of space in a finite environment would be a great topic here. Anyone found a classy aftermarket cupholder or tiny trash bin?
Also, one thing I noticed first thing: The car is pretty darn tight and quiet. Anything loose will rattle, and you'll notice it. I hate that. You can't store CD's in the door bins: rattles.
Under floor in back: I'm using this area for breakdown stuff: towing strap, flares, tire pump, flash light, jumper cables and a good book.
BlockIslandGuy: Good news is that there IS a choice in AWD wagons. But the overwhelming choice seems to be the Subaru Outback, not the Volvo. I've been in three major "weather" cities this month: Portland, ME, Rochester, NY, and Reno, NV (Sierra passes). It's no contest, especially in snow belt Rochester. Most Saab wagons: Maine. Least (none) Reno.
Aside: As if you didn't know the target audience for Volvos, take a listen to Everclear's new song, "Volvo-Driving Soccer Mom."
If Volvo owns the right lane. Saab owns the left. "The Wall Street Journal" (6/6/03) reviewed the Volvo S60 ("A Fast Car for the Tweedy Set") and it seems they still have work to do. The reviewer wasn't bowled over with the car. A bit unrefined for all the horses.
Also, read my profile for some favorite websites.
Best,
Greg (retired and long winded. Sorry.)
Totally agree on the cupholder scandal. Where are the kids going to put their super-duper-sized electric pink strawberry "shakes?" All over the carpet so the dog can slurp up the goo! My Sheltie misses his own cup holder. Really. Now I have to lift the center console to let him sip.
The Volvo has the front storage competition locked up. But if I want closet space, I'll go to IKEA. Plus, I was dubious about all the little nets on the seats and side pillars in the Saab. But, you know, net storage means you don't have to deal with cleaning all the GRUNGE that builds up in car storage bins. Also, remember that Saab uses an airplane analogy in their cars (right down to the map light that is identical to those in their jets like the 340B I flew down to Lynchburg last month). In airplanes, stuff that can end up floating around at zero G (including Shelties) is not allowed. Perhaps they're carrying the analogy a bit far. Maybe it's just safer to keep a neat cockpit.
Use of space in a finite environment would be a great topic here. Anyone found a classy aftermarket cupholder or tiny trash bin?
Also, one thing I noticed first thing: The car is pretty darn tight and quiet. Anything loose will rattle, and you'll notice it. I hate that. You can't store CD's in the door bins: rattles.
Under floor in back: I'm using this area for breakdown stuff: towing strap, flares, tire pump, flash light, jumper cables and a good book.
BlockIslandGuy: Good news is that there IS a choice in AWD wagons. But the overwhelming choice seems to be the Subaru Outback, not the Volvo. I've been in three major "weather" cities this month: Portland, ME, Rochester, NY, and Reno, NV (Sierra passes). It's no contest, especially in snow belt Rochester. Most Saab wagons: Maine. Least (none) Reno.
Aside: As if you didn't know the target audience for Volvos, take a listen to Everclear's new song, "Volvo-Driving Soccer Mom."
If Volvo owns the right lane. Saab owns the left. "The Wall Street Journal" (6/6/03) reviewed the Volvo S60 ("A Fast Car for the Tweedy Set") and it seems they still have work to do. The reviewer wasn't bowled over with the car. A bit unrefined for all the horses.
Also, read my profile for some favorite websites.
Best,
Greg (retired and long winded. Sorry.)
saab vs. volvo wagons... what took so long?
it will be just like soccer games.
I'm not surprised at the number of Saab wagons you saw in ME. There is a huge infrastructure of good, independent Saab shops. So many so that there are even TWO in China, ME! Mainers really got into Saabs years ago before there were other FWD let alone AWD cars. Now Suburus seem to have taken over especially for the under 40 crowd and those on fixed incomes. (Maine is a poor state, despite the new McMansions you see from Kittery to Portland. When you control for cost of living, ME is as poor as Mississippi with a similar economy-farming/fishing/Gov't shipbuilding.)
Anyone else who has compared the two, I would be interested in your feedback.
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
You're mocking me, aren't you??????
Hey, don't get me wrong, I appreciate the pluses of my car, really. But my last car was a Sable wagon, and while it lacked in build quality, it had storage galore, I didn't feel quite so cramped and it was much smoother sailing.
Now I have a well-built car (Arc v6 wagon) but I feel a tad cramped cramped, espcially on family trips.
What's a girl to do? On the list of major life comaplaints, I grant you it's minor. But our lovely host asked us for our feedback and I gave it.
I'd go for the v6.
Sorry I haven't replied. Board has shown no new messages. Then I noticed 30 on the S v V thread. Plus all the new ones, including yours here. Weird.
Oh, no, there was no ad hominem attack intended, implicit or explicit. You drive an Arc wagon. That makes you A-OK in my book (as if you could care). You could have bought some honking SUV. No doubt you considered other Swedish cars. Aero drivers scoff at us Arc folks. We know we're the sensible sort. Low profile tires on the NJ Tpk/Goethals Bridge? I don't think so. 200 turbo'd horses get me into triple digits quickly enough. I need 250? Not according to my insurance agent.
No, it *is* annoying to make my daughter hold her latte while mine rests in a space age holder. And yes, my little Sheltie used to have his own cup, right next to mine, up front in the Caravan (company car). Now, when I come back to the car after picking up the newspaper at the Quickie Mart, half my latte's "missing."
My kids are grown. I've been through the melted crayons on the carpet stuff. I..."identify." Now it's nice to keep things nice and simple, all Swedish modern-like. Time to give an extra coat of wax. I miss the kids. But how 'bout that center channel on the Harmon Kardon sound system?
BTW, word *is* out on the changes to the Saab lineup for '04. Linear only in wagon form. V6 will be dropped in the Arc, to be replaced with a 2.3L 220hp t, and down the road with the "GM Global 6," an aluminum number they're going to use in Cadillacs, Saabs, et. al..
Best,
Greg
PS: To view the normal inhabitants of my car: http://www.pbase.com/fauxpaws/nikon_880
http://media.gm.com/division/2004_prodinfo/saab/9-5/index.html
Most notably, the Arc will be dropping the V-6 and switching to the same 2.3t 4-cylinder engine used by the other two designs. However, it produces 220hp, which is apparently the "Goldilocks" amount of turbo charging between the Linear and the Aero.
The new version Arc with 220hp and now available 5-Speed will be the best package available IMO. Perfect compormise from the Aero with a more livable suspension and useful tires for everyday and every season. Yayy.. now I have a clear choice if we should go for a 3rd 9-5 in a couple of years! Too bad my wife won't drive a 5-Speed.
Drew
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk
Saab 9-5 V8
-have ways of making you torque! That's the message from GM, which has recently unveiled an all-new lightweight V8 petrol engine that is set to find its way into Saabs and Vauxhalls from 2004.
The new 4.3-litre unit, here in development form in a Saab 9-5, produces 300bhp and nearly 400Nm of pulling power, making it one of the most tractable units in its class. Yet the all-alloy construction and plastic components mean it will weigh little more than a four-cylinder powerplant.
An innovative throttle-by-wire system does away with the usual accelerator cable to use a fully automated set-up. It proves quick yet predictable, with the feel of a conventional unit.
The engine is a keen performer, with its huge torque applied through a six-speed automatic gearbox. Yet even with the self-shifter, the V8 powerplant proves a handful in the current 9-5, with plenty of wheelspin and torque steer. Saab points out that these traits will be ironed out before production, while insiders hint the engine will be mated to a secret new 4WD system.
If so, Saab and Vauxhall's future looks exciting. The new unit is already earmarked for flagship versions of the Vectra Signum, and will also appear in the next-generation 9-5 and Vauxhall Omega - both due in 2005. Juergen Zoellter
Comments: 0 Article from: Auto Express
Enjoy!!
I think I'm going to lease an ARC tonight...damn is it nice....