1998-2000 Saab 9-5

[Mr. Jinx]

Hey guys,

Im considering purchasing a 1998-2000 Saab 9-5 as a first car. I'm wondering if you guys have any advice for me about this car. I'm from Australia, so info about the model that we get would be awesome. Stuff like reviews, what I should look out for, what i should stay away from etc etc is what I was wondering you guys could help me with.

I've found a few examples starting at AU$9 500 with about 150 000km on the clock.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

$9,500? Holy crap dude.

a mates family own one, from experience the interior is pretty cheap, and it's a bit slow, but it'd certainly be dependable, justa little more expensive to insure and repair.

[Mr. Jinx]

Damn, the reviews I found said it had a good interior

I was pretty shocked at the depreciation as well, but here it is!
http://carpoint.ninemsn.com.au/Deskt...ias=carpointau

$490 more than what i said, but 23000 less kms than what i said too

[clutch-monkey]

a friend has a saab from the 90's and it used to cost him $800 for a service i don't know how it would be for that model, but its something you might want to check up on all the same...

[IBrake4Rainbows]

That model there is pretty well the splitting image of what my Friends parents drive.

the beige under the dash looks atrocious......

[PerfAdv]

Why not go with the 900 instead...if you like Saab, the 900 exudes Saabness. Just get a pre-'93 model as the newer 900/9-3 had a GM platform.
I looked into Saabs at one time and a local specialist would install a rebuilt engine in a 900 for $1,500 (USD). The 900 Turbo is a nice catch too...

http://autoweb.drive.com.au/cms/used...er_/index.html

More Saab character and save you money!!

[SPN:DOC]

that is a gerat deal, you get a whole lot of a car for that much.... servicing expensive, thats rubbish, i mean its not a toyota, but compare this car to its competitors say, Mercedes-Benz E-class and a BMW 5 series, the servicing would be just as much... im mean what can you get for 10k 1999 model... a corolla, Astra...

[Cyco]

The non-turbo cars are not fast, and the standard suspension a bit wallowy (american tune). The turbos and Aeros (bigger turbo) are quicker, and have better suspension tune.

As you have noticed the original owner takes a huge hit on resale, so your depreciation won't be too bad, and a car that new shouldn't have any major issuses any time soon.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

It'll certainly be a solid investment, and it's great buying for the price.

My Sisters B/F bought a 98 Verada for that money, so go for it!

[scottie300z]

My friend has a 9-5 not sure what year but it would be around a 98 or so. His has a turbo v6 that is pretty fast, the interior is pretty nice w/ leather and power windows etc. all around.

This is the american model so i dunno what the differences would be, but still it is a pretty nice car. It has a sport mode that stiffens the springs and turns the traction control off, at which point the car has plenty of power to burn through your tires. And i would say the interior is pretty nice, leather seats nice cloth type bits on the door, sunroof. etc.

And who said buy a 900 instead is a bit loopy, not saying the 900 is a bad investment, but come on a 9-5 vs a 900? get the top of the line model.

[PerfAdv]

...

And who said buy a 900 instead is a bit loopy, not saying the 900 is a bad investment, but come on a 9-5 vs a 900? get the top of the line model.

The 9000/9-5 series cars are Saabs top of the line but I don't see the sense in the 9-5 personally. Why buy a Saab? Because it's different. The 900 epitomizes this type of different design that's inspired from their airplane background. When the 9-3 came about a lot of Saab enthusiasts (Saabisti) left the fold. As the newer Saabs aren't true to what they once were and don't quite imitate the better selling BMWs well enough. My point being, if you're buying a used Saab why not get the model that displays Saab design at its best, IMHO. If you're in search of a better/best car, why buy SAAB?

[Piacki_117]

Why a Saab?

[Mr. Jinx]

Thx for the advice/info fellas! Appreciate it!

[scottie300z]

The 9000/9-5 series cars are Saabs top of the line but I don't see the sense in the 9-5 personally. Why buy a Saab? Because it's different. The 900 epitomizes this type of different design that's inspired from their airplane background. When the 9-3 came about a lot of Saab enthusiasts (Saabisti) left the fold. As the newer Saabs aren't true to what they once were and don't quite imitate the better selling BMWs well enough. My point being, if you're buying a used Saab why not get the model that displays Saab design at its best, IMHO. If you're in search of a better/best car, why buy SAAB?

sure the the 9-5 may not have as much of the personality of the 900 but it hasnt been completely toned out. Maybe a driver wants the paronality that the 9-5 has left in it mixed w/ what it has become. the fact that it still has some of that personality is why it doesnt imitate the better selling bmw's well enough, b/c its more of a bridge between then an imitation. and personally id take the 9-5 over a non m-badge 3 series. which for the price would be the comparison i believe.