2nd Jun 2017, 14:56
I still have the car and it looks like I will keep it for a long time...
However, the future replacement for Saab is now Alfa Romeo. Already bought a 2008 159. I will switch to a Guilia in the future.
The 9-5? It will be with me as long as it is reasonable (expense wise) to keep it running and I am OK with the idea of being its last owner. Another 5 years, if not more...
24th Mar 2018, 05:18
180000 km now. Everything works as planned. That means that, once a big and serious maintenance is done, you can just drive it for years, just changing oil, filters and tires.
4th Nov 2018, 11:40
Slight bad news this time. At 185000km, the water pump (that was previously changed at approx. 140000) bearing went bad and its pulley started scratching the cover of the timing mechanism and made a cut into it. I wasn't driving when that happened; if such was the case, I think I could have spotted it before it went that far. We took the engine out to change the cover and water pump of course. While doing these, we took the opportunity for replacing the radiator, all bushings in the front (I had them sitting at home for a long time), refurbishing the starter motor and alternator, fitting a new exhaust silencer, replacing a few hoses that are difficult to reach otherwise and other minor stuff. The next step will be to install a 2004 front bumper and replace the headlights (too yellowish now!).
The car is in better shape than ever and progressing. Even though I have more recent cars also (from 2008 and 2018), that's the one I will never be able to let go!
4th Nov 2018, 11:57
OOPS... Forgot to add that I also changed the timing chain and related parts while the engine was out and the cover off.
13th Jul 2019, 13:16
Original Poster:
I had a round trip, total of approximate 2500 km and was able to pull off an average gas consumption of 7,5 lt/100km. This needed obeying speed legislation (most of the time) and anticipating red lights, roundabouts, pay tolls etc. and accelerating gently out of them. Also, I didn't push too much when driving uphill, just cruising between 2000-3000 RPM, still with good climb speeds. Average speed was 75km/hour.
Just to prove that you can still consume reasonably when you do not make use of the high performance end of the car.
26th Sep 2019, 12:56
Original poster: I changed the two front struts and the 4 spark plug.
The front of the car is now sitting 1,5 cm higher after the struts change (also the orange rubbers, they were only half the size because of being worn out).
Now, 195 000 km.
22nd Jan 2021, 08:00
Original poster:
I do not have the car anymore. The reason is that having a car was becoming more and more nonsense for me, and the COVID was also adding to the conjuncture. The car did less than 3000 km during its last year and a half. Otherwise, I was happy with it. But then, why to keep a car if you can't drive it... and pay tax, insurance and all the other things?
7th May 2016, 15:36
Here is the author of the initial review and the 1st comment.
The vehicle is running strong, now at 170000 km.
The car is running perfect, no faults. I did some other parts changes as prevention and others for comfort (rear suspension trailing arm changed because they were noisy etc.).
The only faults (really minor and next to nonexistent) are a leaky oil cover gasket despite replacement, airbag light coming on now and then (diagnosed as a faulty sensor in the right front door, but changing it didn't cure the problem, if we may dare calling that a problem), CEL coming on and off on its own (diagnosed as a faulty signal to/from O2 sensor, again new sensor doesn't cure, however it's good to know why)... and that's it. I learned to live with these and don't bother about them, nor trying to cure them.
Otherwise, the car is perfect. 250 BHP, relaxed motoring, comfort. Again, for the investment that I did, I am more than happy.
Sometimes, I thing about changing my car. Then I see that no car of same price offers that much (specially the 250 HP turbo engine + 5 auto gears) nor the same interior space. Instead of having a car with less power, less room, harsher seats, but maybe with more in cabin electronic toys, I am extremely happy to keep my Saab... until around 2020/21 and then switch to a... Volvo S60 I guess.