Advice on the 9-5 aero estate
Discussion
Phil Dicky said:
I've had two and both fantastic cars..expect mid twenties for economy, but 30+ achievable. Aim for a 2003 or newer car as reverse Sensors and electric seats were standard. Slight visual revision from 2005. And Dame Edna lights for the final versions
Thanks Phil, that explains 'Dame Edna' references during my research! Not so keen on those Silver headlight surround, would prefer an earlier model but definitely the fully specked model with electric heated seats. I'm also definitely after a manual as I've never owned an auto and can't seem to see myself in one! Economy doesn't sound to bad to be honest, especially as another option is a legacy spec b which isn't likely to see 30mpg!
Great cars, never tired of them. Nothing went wrong on mine (Dame Edna 56 plate) but I thought the interior felt decidedly cheaper than my previous 52 plater. That was offset by not having a SID display! I achieved 26.4mpg over about 70-80k in mine with some fairly heavy footed driving. I do recall it being sensitive to tyre brands and got markedly more "lively" once the fronts were more than half worn.
I've got a 2003 Aero Estate.
Good
Amazing seats
Very relaxing to drive
All the toys (are possible!)
It's fast
Bad
24mpg (worth it)
Handling could be described as "safe"
Various Saab-esque issues like:
Often reluctant to go into reverse (very common)
Issues with xenons not self-levelling (very common)
Leaks some oil (very common)
Most of the things that have gone wrong with it have been minor and easy to fix. It's avery chilled out car to drive. Lovely to be able to whoosh past folk without even needing to knock it down a gear. It's totally stealth and unpretentious, but you won't be mistaken for a
so long as it's in decent nick. They don't seem to rust much either. Make sure it's had the sump dropped (unless it's a later car) and be aware that various hoses become brittle and have a tendency to pop off!
I love mine, warts and all. I paid 1400 (too much) because I liked the colour so much! My car has done 171500 miles and for the most part, it's in very good condition. I have no idea how long it will go on, but so long as it's not mega bucks, I'll be quite happy to keep it running!
Good
Amazing seats
Very relaxing to drive
All the toys (are possible!)
It's fast
Bad
24mpg (worth it)
Handling could be described as "safe"
Various Saab-esque issues like:
Often reluctant to go into reverse (very common)
Issues with xenons not self-levelling (very common)
Leaks some oil (very common)
Most of the things that have gone wrong with it have been minor and easy to fix. It's avery chilled out car to drive. Lovely to be able to whoosh past folk without even needing to knock it down a gear. It's totally stealth and unpretentious, but you won't be mistaken for a
so long as it's in decent nick. They don't seem to rust much either. Make sure it's had the sump dropped (unless it's a later car) and be aware that various hoses become brittle and have a tendency to pop off!I love mine, warts and all. I paid 1400 (too much) because I liked the colour so much! My car has done 171500 miles and for the most part, it's in very good condition. I have no idea how long it will go on, but so long as it's not mega bucks, I'll be quite happy to keep it running!
I have had mine since Aug 2013. Mine is a 53 plate, 108 k and manual.
Only options I don't have is the heated rear seats and memory fronts.
Quick enough for me, super comfy, mid 20 ' s round town, easily mid 30's on a decent run.
Front discs and pads just cost me £250, recommended fully synthetic oil for service little bit more expensive but needed so check history.
Di cassette / direct injection bit of and weak spot, £200 ish from neo brothers.
Would I recommend one ? All day long. I'm a fully converted saab nut now !
Only options I don't have is the heated rear seats and memory fronts.
Quick enough for me, super comfy, mid 20 ' s round town, easily mid 30's on a decent run.
Front discs and pads just cost me £250, recommended fully synthetic oil for service little bit more expensive but needed so check history.
Di cassette / direct injection bit of and weak spot, £200 ish from neo brothers.
Would I recommend one ? All day long. I'm a fully converted saab nut now !
exhaust manifold bolts snapped off on mine. cost about £300 to fix
turbo broke- cost me over £500 for recon one
intercooler- £400
brake pipe -£90
fuel pump is common failure- cost me about £120, located under the back seats
discs and pads- about £250
they go through front tyres
mine is manual, sometimes have trouble selecting reverse
pixels on trip computer sometimes go
comfy seats/harmon kardon stereo, roomy in the back
28mpg on mway
17mpg in city
they are easy cars to tune up, quite inexpensive to get 300bhp and 330lbt torque for around £300
they use oil a lot, full synthetic
but as said before amazing value for money, and faster than quite a lot of modern machinery
turbo broke- cost me over £500 for recon one
intercooler- £400
brake pipe -£90
fuel pump is common failure- cost me about £120, located under the back seats
discs and pads- about £250
they go through front tyres
mine is manual, sometimes have trouble selecting reverse
pixels on trip computer sometimes go
comfy seats/harmon kardon stereo, roomy in the back
28mpg on mway
17mpg in city
they are easy cars to tune up, quite inexpensive to get 300bhp and 330lbt torque for around £300
they use oil a lot, full synthetic
but as said before amazing value for money, and faster than quite a lot of modern machinery
2004 9-5 aero auto Estate. Did everything with gusto, including taking an entire kitchen to the tip in one load and countless camping and kayaking trips. Once moving, very quick indeed for a 2 tonne 4 pot. 25mpg didn't really hurt the pocket as much as you might think. 60k faultless miles. Best car I ever sold. I'd have another in a heartbeat.
I've been using my 9-5 Aero Estate (Auto) 2004 for my weekly 600 mile commute to Aberdeen and back, 300 miles each way.
Cars never missed a beat through winters & summers, I do the journeys without stop as the time and miles fly by in isolated comfort.
Seeing mid thirties mpg for the runs which are normally spent at 70ish (give or take 15mph
), the cars totally under my skin now and if ever needed would be replaced with a like for like. A very subtle, comfy barge with modern day hot hatch power.
Cars never missed a beat through winters & summers, I do the journeys without stop as the time and miles fly by in isolated comfort.
Seeing mid thirties mpg for the runs which are normally spent at 70ish (give or take 15mph
), the cars totally under my skin now and if ever needed would be replaced with a like for like. A very subtle, comfy barge with modern day hot hatch power. Wow loving the comments and info thanks folks, nice to see so many happy Saab owners.
Definitely set on finding one now, just got to be patient. I'm after a manual, which will be slightly harder to find and really want a 2004/2005 model with the lux pack (xenons, harmon kardon stereo, electric seats etc). Not so fussed on colour as long as it isn't silver. I'm in no rush, as my Passat just keeps plodding along.
Definitely set on finding one now, just got to be patient. I'm after a manual, which will be slightly harder to find and really want a 2004/2005 model with the lux pack (xenons, harmon kardon stereo, electric seats etc). Not so fussed on colour as long as it isn't silver. I'm in no rush, as my Passat just keeps plodding along.
Gassing Station | Saab | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff