2000 SAAB 9-5 SE 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great long distance cruiser

Faults:

Condensation on drivers side read light cluster. Dealer replaced under warranty.

Engine warning light came on due to cir clip holding turbo shaft coming off. Dealer fixed under warranty. Had to be recovered by AA and taken to dealer. Disabled the car until fixed.

Replacement oil strainer due to squealing noise when started from cold. 5 days off road until fix made. Dealer fixed under warranty.

Rattles and squeaks beginning to appear after 30,000 miles.

General Comments:

Sports chip fitted makes huge improvement to acceleration - especially over 3000rpm.

Comfortable and quiet, fuel efficiency great on motorways - avg around 36mpg. Around town and daily commute avg 29mpg.

Quality materials inside and loads of rear legroom make this an excellent proposition as a family car.

Costly extras which I feel should be included as standard dent my enthusiasm however. £300 for a retractable cargo net seems too much.

Also, the solid parcel shelf seems like a great idea, but becomes a pain when you want to carry a bulky load. The shelf needs to come out completely. Would have been better to use a roller-blind type arrangement like other vehicles.

Costly spare parts and middle of the road servicing costs.

I found an excellent dealer (County Saab in Ayr) after disappointment with other Saab dealer (in Glasgow).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 20th February, 2003

2000 SAAB 9-5 SE Estate 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Incredible value for what I paid. (8,500 pounds)

Faults:

Front wheel bearing - Fixed reluctantly under warranty after an argument with warranty company and dealer.

Air bag warning light came on for 2 weeks then went off and no trouble since - weird.

General Comments:

Had a choice of a company car or take the monthly allowance. Took the money and bought this from Car Shop Northampton. Could not believe how much car for so little cash compared to similar age BMW, Mercedes or Lexus.

Had the SAAB tuning kit fitted. Takes it from 150 to 192 BHP. Cost 700 pounds. Absolutely worth it. It goes like a different car. Saab should make this standard. Economy suffered, but only for "spirited" driving on country roads.

Superb cruiser.

Effortless overtaking.

Averaging 35MPG (according to Computer.

Excellent sound system.

Parking Radar is brilliant.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th February, 2003

2000 SAAB 9-5 turbo from North America

Faults:

Oil Leak.

Computer keeps incorrectly indicated light failure.

Battery went dead after one year.

General Comments:

The car has very poor traction.

From a start on a rainy road it yanks to the left or right and front tires spin out.

Oil leak has been repaired four times.

Uses premium fuel only. Costly to run.

An overpriced car with good safety features and comfort, but needs all wheel drive.

It also needs to have its electrical and computer system reworked,

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th September, 2002

2nd Feb 2008, 15:43

I have the same car model, a 2000 9-5 automatic. Purchased at less than 50,000 miles, now about 110,000 miles. It does not use noticeable amount of oil between changes, I am still on the original water pump, etc.

I can't disagree more about the traction control. I park my car at a lower parking lot at work in New England. They don't always plow in time and with out snow tires the traction control works great up the hill to get out!! I would never buy a four-wheel vehicle since they require more weight, more gas and less interior space. Where I live, (it may be different if one lives in Alaska) I can't justify 4 wheel drive for the one or two days of the year that it would be beneficial. I would rather have an economical, safe, comfortable and versatile (seats fold down) front wheel drive car than a bulky and thirsty Explorer or the equivalent. I am guessing that there is some tire alignment issue which caused the tires to lose traction in the commenter's car.

Mine is not running on premium fuel either.