The Saab 9-5. I've never thought about one before, until now

[v8will]

dave stew said:

Get a T5 Volvo. Scandi style and comfort - still get the bits and no engine slushing issues!

True, but my gawd the thirst!! Although the 5cyl warble makes it worthwhile. Just!

The oil sludge is no worse than some issues that the Volvo can throw up IMHO and is easily dealt with.

[AnnuityAdviser]

Get an Aero, you know you want to, black with black leather, manual.

[dave stew]

v8will said:

True, but my gawd the thirst!! Although the 5cyl warble makes it worthwhile. Just!

The oil sludge is no worse than some issues that the Volvo can throw up IMHO and is easily dealt with.

I get about 25 MPG and no nasty diesel fumes! Good tough old tank without the rock hard seats and ride of a VAG product.

[v8will]

dave stew said:

I get about 25 MPG and no nasty diesel fumes! Good tough old tank without the rock hard seats and ride of a VAG product.

S60 or 850?

I must say the Saab is the only car that has come close to the overall comfort (seats) of my old 850 T5

[dave stew]

P2 V70. Get an Ikea in, too!

[Mr E]

Bought one for peanuts. Appears to be built like a tank, good seats. Cheap to buy. Likes super u.

Doesn't handle.

[slippery]

I had an S60 D5 courtesy car years ago when I had a T5. It too had a reasonable 5 cylinder warble, plenty of torque and a turn of speed that was more than adequate in return for the economy on offer. The T5 was a pretty bland car to be honest, just not exciting enough to justify the thirst.

[Fun Bus]

slippery said:

Without wishing to send things off topic, the Volvo S60 or S80 D5 would be a far better proposition.

I have to say I agree. Might have a bit of an Autotrader search before sleeping on the idea.

[slippery]

Fun Bus said:

I have to say I agree. Might have a bit of an Autotrader search before sleeping on the idea.

Is there a finer way to spend the evening?

[dave stew]

I was on Autotrader. Wifey walks in dressed as Cat Woman and says
"Come to bed, there's a magnum of champagne chilling and no work tomorrow"
"Not on your nelly, my sweet - I've got to find a 2006 facelift diesel..."

[carlove]

I used to have a 'T' reg 9-5 2.0, was a good car only a couple of minor things went wrong. I got rid of it at nearly 200k miles, highest miles I've ever had a car with!
The cupholders are brilliant too!

[slippery]

dave stew said:

I was on Autotrader. Wifey walks in dressed as Cat Woman and says
"Come to bed, there's a magnum of champagne chilling and no work tomorrow"
"Not on your nelly, my sweet - I've got to find a 2006 facelift diesel..."

So sad and so true!

[ajb85]

For anybody seriously interested in buying a 9-5 Aero; today I have just bought such a car from a Vauxhall main agent. Not my usual thing (I play it safe and tend to buy and sell the bread and butter stuff) but this car caught my eye. Took it for a spin, and, not having driven before one before, was very impressed by the way it went. It certainly doesn't do corners like a BM, but is a pleasing car to drive, if not overly sporty. They do however drive a million times better than the creaky old 9-3 of the same vintage; the 9-5 Aero should not be tarred with the same torque-steer brush as the 9-3s.

Let me know of any interested parties before I market it, I think PH is probably a good place to start.

Details:
04/04 250ps manual, with the slightly face lifted front end. Steel grey metallic with Obsidian black leather electric adjustable seats. All the usual Aero kit. 49,000 miles only, with a full and proper service history, last service carried out in March 1,000 miles ago along with the M.o.T. The only imperfection is a shallow dent to the o/s/r door, otherwise a very straight car in the best colour combination. All tyres very good or new. 2 owners, current since 2007 and meticulously maintained and serviced every year, with accompanying stamped book. Can't comment on cam belt as yet, when I have the car physically I'll get the cam cover removed and have a look.

I will be looking for circa £2,600. A real bargain I think, there are plenty of dealers out there asking the same amount for X and Y plate cars done north of 120k. Stunning value, an awful lot of car for the price and lots of go, especially when you consider what kind of money a comparable 04 plate Audi, BMW or Mercedes would command with 250bhp. I don't think such a car exists.

Apologies if this is an inappropriate place to plug one of my cars, just though it was worth a mention as we're on topic!

[bakerstreet]

ajb85 said:

They do however drive a million times better than the creaky old 9-3 of the same vintage; the 9-5 Aero should not be tarred with the same torque-steer brush as the 9-3s.

Creaky and old?? The last generation 9-3s weren't that bad!

[ajb85]

bakerstreet said:

ajb85 said:

They do however drive a million times better than the creaky old 9-3 of the same vintage; the 9-5 Aero should not be tarred with the same torque-steer brush as the 9-3s.

Creaky and old?? The last generation 9-3s weren't that bad!

I'm referring to the 900 generation 9-3, that coincided with the 9-5. Cira 1998 - 2004. Apologies, should have made that a bit clearer. Had one once briefly, admittedly it was one of the shaky convertibles, but have to say I thought it was one of the worst cars I've ever experienced. The 9-5 is a different car altogether I think, a much better one.

[Mr E]

I'm sure the mods will jump on the ad, but that's not a bad price.

ajb85 said:

Can't comment on cam belt as yet, when I have the car physically I'll get the cam cover removed and have a look.

It's a chain I think.

[900T-R]

Can confirm it's a chain - as with all Saab 4 in line engines.

[mjb1]

Parts can be a nightmare for these (obviously some stuff is nickable from GM). I know a bloke who needed a new wing mirror casing 12 months ago. He's still looking for one now.

[bakerstreet]

900T-R said:

Can confirm it's a chain - as with all Saab 4 in line engines.

The 2.2TID 120bhp is not a Saab engine. I believe its an FSA engine which was a joint colaboration with Fiat and GM. I'm happy to be corrected though. I've driven the 2.2 and it was alright in a 05 9-3, but obvioulsy the 9-5 is heavier.

The 1.9TID 150 is much nicer engine than the 2.2, but its a cambelt jobby. I think the belts have to be changed at 70k intervals.

[quote]Parts can be a nightmare for these (obviously some stuff is nickable from GM). I know a bloke who needed a new wing mirror casing 12 months ago. He's still looking for one now.

Try SaabTech. They have a massive range of used Saab parts bioth new and used.

[otolith]

I could believe that for the new models, but I thought we were talking about the models in production from '97-2010?