Faults:

Ordered new key. Old key had bent shaft. 84898 miles cost 32.00.

New key failed to work in ignition. Previous owner had changed the lock cylinder and door locks, but not through a SAAB dealership. Dealer put new lock cylinder in with matching keys. Used remaining old key to open doors. 88576 miles, cost 211.39.

Battery replaced at 91694 miles. cost 123.45 Saab battery from dealership.

Direct ignition cassette (for cylinders 1-3-5) fails at 92489 miles. Cost 500.92 (dealer).

AC service at 94249, cost. 91.55 (independent).

Key transponder fails at 96148, cost 112.77 (dealer).

AC service at 120696, cost 164.81 (independent).

Water pump leaks at 120,821, cost 126.94 (independent-done as part of 120,000 mile service).

General Comments:

The 90,000 mile service performed at the dealership cost 738.04 cents.

The 120,000 mile service performed on July 28, 2009 cost 1,362.42. This service was performed by an independent. Cost of this service was higher because water pump needed to be replaced, as well as the timing belt. Serpentine belt also was replaced.

Oil used has either been polysynthetic or full synthetic. Oil changes have been made between 3000 to 4000 miles.

Since purchasing the car in 2006 I have spent a grand total of 3337.35 on problems and general maintenance.

The history of the car shows that prior to my ownership:

The battery was replaced at 5 miles.

The microprocessor at 10 miles.

The central locking switch at 1887.

The Sport switch at 1887.

Generator assembly at 43054.

Macpherson Strut Rear at 50105.

I have the original sticker for the car: Total amount 38,325.00

Engine parts: United Kingdom.

Transmission parts: Japan

Final assembly point. Trollhatten, Sweden.

The 9-5 SE is a very responsive car that holds the road very well. It is not as quiet as I expected it to be, but that doesn't particularly bother me.

Faults:

I bought the car and it was not maintained well.

I had to do all the major services that the previous owner did not do.

I spent about $2k bringing the car up to standards.

Afterwards it drove nice.

The ignition unit went out and was expensive from the dealer.

The turbo went out at 100k miles. Typical sludge problem.

I bought a rebuilt turbo on eBay $425 and had the engine flushed.

Now I use only synthetic oil.

Drives great, no issues. Now that it is up to date in maintenance, I plan to drive it another 60k before I sell it.

General Comments:

I have had over 20 Saab's as a used car dealer.

If you maintain them properly, they are reliable for the most part.

There are certain quirks and weaknesses that Saab's have, (turbo, sludge, ignition, etc) but overall they are good cars.

I love how they drive and feel.

I have seen them go over 300k miles.

Faults:

The PCV valve was never replaced by the previous owner and it was not a cheap fix for a tiny piece of plastic.

The turbo components have gone, causing blue smoke to be forced out of my exhaust (gasket, lines, etc.) but that was a relatively cheap fix, all done for under $200.

The trans bushing went out, but was a $30 fix and an upgrade to a polyurethane one.

General Comments:

The car is a absolute dream to drive, even with the excessive body roll.

It is a car that is extremely under estimated, which makes it good for a teenager like me with a heavy foot.

The gears are somewhat hard to change, but after the polyurethane bushing upgrade, they are much easier.

One big problem for me was the lack of aftermarket performance parts; they have them, but the good ones are extremely expensive, which puts me behind my friends in modding, but the car is fast enough to blow away almost any teenagers car.

All in all, this is a comfortable, fast, easy to drive car.

Great first car to drive, cheap (to buy) and fun!