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2003 Saab 9-5

 
enciscojuarbez enciscojuarbez
New User | Posts: 2 | Joined: 06/07
Posted: 06/06/07
10:32 AM

I'm looking for some info on this vehicle. There is one for sale, with 76k miles on it for 9,500. What are things I should look for in a Saab? (good and bad). How many miles total can I expect to get from this car. Anything info you can give is appreciated.

Thanks.  

 
speedracer1407 speedracer1407
User | Posts: 151 | Joined: 03/07
Posted: 06/06/07
08:37 PM

Firstly, I checked average retail prices on a number of sites and a 2003 9-5 in "average" condition without any fancy options should be in the $12-15K range.  The fact that you can find that car with that mileage for that price suggests to me that you either live in a unique area where such cars are, for whatever reason, devalued, or there's something the seller isn't telling you.  

Secondly, Saabs are very decent cars when new, but have a generally below average reliability rating.  Add to that the fact that they are expensive to fix, and it seems as though if you're in the market for a $10K car, you're not in the market for a car that's expensive to maintain.  

Thirdly, the Saab 9-5 may be "decent," but only just.  I've not owned one, but I have friends who have.  They liked them, despite reliability problems, because of the car's unique approach to various driving and ergonomic solutions.  The key ignition is on the floor next to the shifter, the interior has a "cockpit" feel with controls and buttons in easy reach to the driver, and the styling is certainly unique.


But these cars cost in the neighborhood of $40K when new, and to me, fall WELL short of pretty much everything else in that premium price and performance bracket, despite a few excellent details.  The seats are spectacular; by far the best thing about it.  The 4 Cyl turbo engine is punchy enough, and the Turbo V6, although not rated at a particularly high HP, is very torquey and feels fast.  But the car also feels generally cheap.  the dash, although somewhat uniquely styled, is also essentially a great wall of matt-grey plastic with occasinally ill-fitting buttons that would be at home in a GM rental car (no surprise that Saab is owned by GM, then).  The car I drove also had a surprising amound off squeaks and rattles unbecomming of even a $20K car.  Dynamically, it was relatively boring as well.  It rode and handled acceptably, but was neither particularly cushy nor particularly fun to drive.  

In my opinion, it offers nothing, from performance to handling to luxury to style, that a far less expensive Honda, toyota, Nissan, Volkswagen (espeically VW) does.  

Thus, while a $9500 2003 9-5 might be a decent buy, it's both suspiciously cheap, and realistically, no better than far more reliable models from the above manufacturers.  In fact, I find absolutely everything about a 2003 VW Passat, for example, to be superior.  And when loaded, the VW offers all the luxury and safety items that the 9-5 does.  But then, you couldn't find loaded 2003 Passat for $9500 either.  So if you're open to other options, I'd consider them.  

 

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