RE: SOTW: Saab 9-5 Aero HOT
Discussion
dukebox9reg said:
I'm probably going to get shot as I just can't fall in love with the Saabs. I have driven plenty of different models and where they are fine in a straight line and I have to agree with a previous comment about how comfy the seats are but the rest of the package is so below par.
The ride and handling are appalling and genuinely scary down twisty back roads, the highest mileage example of either 93/95 iv'e driven had 70k on the clock and all of them had missing trim, rattled, squeaked and felt like a poor man's product. The ergonomics and quality of the interior I feel is particularly poor as well.
They are truly rapid and on a run the auto's are actually alright on fuel but town work really shows up the old design Tq Convertor. Even driving a 170bhp 2t auto on a run would creep towards 40mpg but through a bit of town work in and you'll be struggling for mid 20s overall.
Not sure I'd agree with that.. being a 9-5 Aero HOT owner myself. My last one was trashed while parked up - someone came round a corner too fast in the wet and wrote it off, completely. I couldn't wait to get my hands on another one with the exact same spec and travelled to Slough to get a second, from Edinburgh.The ride and handling are appalling and genuinely scary down twisty back roads, the highest mileage example of either 93/95 iv'e driven had 70k on the clock and all of them had missing trim, rattled, squeaked and felt like a poor man's product. The ergonomics and quality of the interior I feel is particularly poor as well.
They are truly rapid and on a run the auto's are actually alright on fuel but town work really shows up the old design Tq Convertor. Even driving a 170bhp 2t auto on a run would creep towards 40mpg but through a bit of town work in and you'll be struggling for mid 20s overall.
A standard 9-5 isn't necessarily anything to write home about but an Aero is a different animal. I'm very much up for a good hoon in mine and it's never let me down yet. Good tyres will see you fine in all the twisties. You can drive around in a well equipped comfortable sofa that handles well for any less money.
Mr E said:
Oh, I have one correction. 9-5 is a GM2902 platform.
It's based on a cavalier/calibra GM2900 platform (1988 baby). The Vectra also uses it, but it was in the Cav first.
Im going to be wrong here so forgive me but I always thought that underneath the 9-5 was a development of the 9000 which was a joint 1980s project with Alfa for the 164 the Fiat Croma and Lancia something or other? It's based on a cavalier/calibra GM2900 platform (1988 baby). The Vectra also uses it, but it was in the Cav first.
Nope, it's basically a stretched and stiffened Vectra floorpan (including multilink rear, not the Cavalier torsion beam as per 900/9-3) underneath.
Strengely and contary to popular opinion, to me the 9-5s always seemed tauter and less barge-like to drive than the hallowed German opposition of the time (even the RWD ones
.
Strengely and contary to popular opinion, to me the 9-5s always seemed tauter and less barge-like to drive than the hallowed German opposition of the time (even the RWD ones
. Great shed. I had a 2.3t 170 for a couple of years as a pseudo-shed (£1400) and it was a great workhorse. Oil change history is really important but since this one says that the PCV upgrade has been done, you should have nothing to worry about if you stick to the recommended oil and intervals.
I am almost tempted...
I am almost tempted...
Twoshoe said:
There's no such thing as a 9-5 convertible. I think you're thinking of the 9-3?
Good point! Had always assumed that they did, guess the 9-3 convertible was a bigger car than I'd realised.Anyway, Saab one of those odd brands I've got a soft spot for for no real reason - certainly in my car buying lifetime they've never been anything special or class leading. Feel free to quote some old AutoExpress road tests or the like proclaiming the 9-5 as better than the equivalent Beemer!
I see these as one of those cars you'd never have considered buying new because there were better alternatives (unless you loved the brand ethos). Seem to make much more sense once heavy depreciation kicked in and moved it away from premium (better?) rivals.
Or is that harsh?
dukebox9reg said:
The ride and handling are appalling and genuinely scary down twisty back roads, the highest mileage example of either 93/95 iv'e driven had 70k on the clock and all of them had missing trim, rattled, squeaked and felt like a poor man's product. The ergonomics and quality of the interior I feel is particularly poor as well.
Completely contary to my experiance.Both my saabs have/had over 100k miles (first 9-5, a 2001 estate, was sold when it hit 185k miles and my current one a 2004 Aero estate has 147k)
My dad had a similar highmiler a few years ago.
Interior trim on all remained as good as new - to rattles what so ever. Did hear a rattle the otherday... but that turned out the missus had put a pen in the passenger door pocket, and it was vibrating against her sunglasses with the music i was playing.
Terms of fuel, our Aero is an Auto - but we're getting about 27-29mpg for the weekly commute.
A lot of car for the money. love em.
I love these, although I'm not entirely sure why. A few years ago I had a 9-5 Aero HOT manual estate on loan for a week. I averaged about 25mpg on Super Unleaded but I was more interested in exploring the performance than seeing how much economy I could get. Brilliant seats - I did 600 miles in a day without suffering - but also surprisingly good fun away from the motorway. Ok you can't hang the tail out under power but it changes direction keenly and has great body control for a big car. Can't say I had any complaints about torque steer or massive understeer.
Great shed and nice write-up.
Great shed and nice write-up.
lordturns said:
A return to form for SOTW, rather than the 'Citroen Sexo' featured before. This is a nice shed - a family friend of mine has a 9-5 3 litre V6 turbo...don't know how quick it is or what bhp. The cabin is lovely and full of leather goodness with a huge chunk of wood for the dash.
That would be the diesel and widely thought to be the most problematic in the range (overheating issues, I think?)I have no experience, I'm just repeating hearsay, as a disclaimer. It's also around 180bhp I believe.
Anyway. I'm an enormous fan of these cars and I've never understood the criticism. In my experience they're much better than the reputation.
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