SAAB 9-5 2.3 AERO ESTATE - please talk to me...

[treetops]

I'm now dithering over buying the low mile laguna - I heard the scare stories before and those that replied to my previous thread put me off even more.

So having a Volvo Estate for many years (9!) I was thinking of a V70 T5 Phase 2 replacement - can't find a decent manual for circa £2k.

The other thought is the above Saab.

I'd really like your experiences if you have owned one or even have one for sale?

Auto v's Manual? Would prefer a manual.

And so on.

Breather, synth oil must be used etc..

I'm aiming for £1600.00'ish...or less for a 100k car - is this feasable?

A left field choice as they are not made anymore - how easy are parts to get etc...?

I have to get buying soon.

Thanks everyone.

[AZZLES]

what year of 9-5? Saabs are good cars, they will last for ever and are as safe as tanks.

[treetops]

Sorry 2002 - 2004

[Allblackdup]

I have one and it's a great car. It's a manual estate in black 2002.

Parts are not a problem and I've used a local Saab Specialist for everything who have been great! I also had them do the sump drop not long after I had the car and I've always ensured its been run on the correct oil. It's a brilliantly practical and comfortable car.

2 months ago a chance for us to move back to Cardiff came up so I've been planning to possibly sell it as I'm not gonna need a car realistically and it'll be a waste to leave it on my drive all day but I've also wanted an E39 530 for ages so this could also mean getting the chance to buy one if I was to sell the Aero.

Feel free to pm any queries or just post up here

Edited by Allblackdup on Sunday 12th August 09:49

[Dangermouse58]

Go for it, just consider an engine flush and sump removal to desludge/clean oil pickup. Much better than the laguna!

[dave_s13]

They are good for the money

Gearbox is not great though, a bit notchy and indirect. Stonking engine but mine was seriously down on power using anything less than v power etc. Flew on the good stuff.

They are very understeery when pushed but generally well planted. Xenons were excellent and mine didn't go wrong in the 18months I had it. Oh and very heavy on front tyres and mine averaged 23mpg.

On my phone hence post a bit disjointed,

In summary, for that budget, if you can find a good one then go for it.

Oh mine was a 54 plate manual.

[Paul Dishman]

Dangermouse58 said:

Go for it, just consider an engine flush and sump removal to desludge/clean oil pickup. Much better than the laguna!

This is a must-do, we lost my wifes 9-5 because of this. Ironically I'd read of the problem on here and had in mind to get the sump flushed at the next service, but too late

[Rovinghawk]

Mine's a 52 plate- I have no regrets & will buy another if ever I wear this one out.

Regular oil changes with full-synth are important (I'd say the same for any car) and check the vacuum hoses as they can perish (replace with silicone & forget about them).

RH

[surveyor]

Fuel consumption can be much better than 23.

From what I gather slush-box and town drive are fuel consumption killers.

[T16OLE]

Another vote for a 9-5 unbelievable value. I almost went for one a while ago.
I am not anti Renault, I had a 182 which was reasonably reliable, but I would
Never buy a laguna, my old man had one as a company car, luckily it was a company car. It was rediculously unreliable, with things breaking which just shouldn't break, absolute crap built quality. Saab everytime for me

[treetops]

Thanks everyone.

Every review I have read rates them most highly, every Laguna review is awful.

That should be enough of a hint for me!

[Phil Dicky]

I've had two, neither cost me any real money and both were top cars, lovely place to sit, under steer if pushed, but a very relaxing cruiser....last one got to 170k when it left me.

Would get another but no real need for a large car now.

[bint]

I've had both. Laguna was a company car, Saab is my current car. The Laguna was unbelievably bad for such a new car when I had it, oil issues, electrics, and that damn key card (do they still have that?).

I've had the Saab since January and I love her to bits - surprisingly economical (compared to previous Alfa v6) when on super (which is all she gets), fast enough for me, and an extremely comfortable place to be for long journeys both or driver and passengers.

[ODJ]

Fantastic VFM, quick and well screwed together if not quite E39/W124 quality. I only had mine a short while but would buy another if I found myself looking for a rapid dog lugger sub 2k. Allblackdup who posted earlier bought mine - if your looking for a well sorted example with proper history you could do worse than drop him a pm if he's looking to move it on.

[Rammy76]

Don't forget these are good VFM these days too, and like the SAAB still have a good spares network.

If the cambelts have been changed and it's been looked after then they are a good car to drive and a nice place to sit with plenty of kit.

Just another option to think about

[TTmonkey]

Fancy a trip to Spain? My Mum has one in her garage, she doesnt like driving it anymore. It was my Dads, he passed in 2005. Since then its done less than 20k more miles and is pretty well looked after. Its a 51 plate and has arounf 58k miles on it from new, think its a 2.2 LPT estate in red.

She'd accept just about any offer on it. It wont be driven again as she has bought a lhd suzuki as she finds the saab too big.

A fine car, such a waste.

[Bonefish Blues]

We love ours - same vintage as you're looking for, but with the autobox (which suits it very well). Consumption OK on a run, but doesn't like towns and stop-start. Takes well to LPG conversion which dulls the pain

Get the sump dropped soonest - Aeros do sludge, as we found when we dropped ours.

We've found the local ex main dealer to be more than competitive on pricing with the Indys, interestingly, so don't discount them.

[otolith]

We bought one in December. Spent a few quid on it since then - had the sump dropped, rear bushes done, full service at the Saab dealer, replaced a leaking water pump and fitted four new Goodyear F1As. It won't be going back to a main dealer again, too pricey, but I wanted it checked out by a dealer or independent specialist, and the nearest Indy is Bristol way.

Comfy seats, decent ride quality, quiet, well equipped, very spacious, I like the interior, quick enough, very grippy on good rubber, will do close to 40mpg on the motorway, high twenties day to day. Front wheel drive, turbocharged and only 4 cylinders, but I'm not that bothered by those things in a barge.

[h4muf]

hora said:

Tick. Right Im looking for one of these.

Yesterday I bounced off the limitor in 2nd when the Audi TT decided suddenly that they didnt want a C1 overtaking them.

msl:

[Mr E]

hora said:

Tick. Right Im looking for one of these.

Yesterday I bounced off the limitor in 2nd when the Audi TT decided suddenly that they didnt want a C1 overtaking them.

2nd gear in an aero will be a little more effective I think?