Would you buy a 2007 Saab 9-5 Aero for $10k?

[BLK9GEN]

Lets say you are in the market for a roomy, comfortable, quasi-luxurious car for around $10k. Would you consider the 9-5?

I know Saabs aren't generally regarded as being ultra reliable, but the latter model years of the 9-5 should have had all the major bugs worked out, and considering your can get a 5-6 year old one with fairly low miles in excellent shape for around $10k, that seems like a lot of car for the money. I just wonder about parts availability. Any thoughts?

[VR6boi65]

Not in an automatic. I do, however, love that car.

[IronJoe]

Yep.


Late model 9-5 Aeros are kind of hard to find, at least from what I saw. $10k is a good deal.

The B235R motor is fantastic, lots of usable power and the later 5-spd autos got pretty decent mileage. Nice car!

[01tj]

double post

[01tj]

Not in an automatic. I do, however, love that car.

Same here, give me another pedal and some over boost. I almost did it a few years ago. The newer (raccoon) 9-5's are some of Saabs most reliable

[redsoxreturns]

Not in an automatic. I do, however, love that car.

The autos in those cars are pretty much bullet proof. I've done more work on manual transmissions than autos in 9-5's.

[BLK9GEN]

The autos in those cars are pretty much bullet proof. I've done more work on manual transmissions than autos in 9-5's.

That's what I seem to be finding in my research as well. And while I haven't driven them back to back, I hear the auto is more refined in it's power delivery (less torque steer/noticeable turbo lag).

[BattleRabbit]

The Saab community calls those "Dame Edna" 9-5s.

They're good cars. Not a huge fan of the auto, but they're good cars.

[baljet]

Typical ****ty GM quality throughout and it's FWD. $10k though is a good price, better than a domestic or Korean econobox.

[BostonB6]

How's parts availability these days?

[IronJoe]

How's parts availability these days?

Really good - 95%+ parts availability in North America.

http://www.saab.com/en-us/usa/produc...-availability/

[BLK9GEN]

Really good - 95%+ parts availability in North America.

http://www.saab.com/en-us/usa/produc...-availability/

Thank you for posting that! Parts availability has been my main concern.

[That1njguy]

Just do it!

[fiveovercrest]

I'd buy it.

[Numbersix]

For that price, it's likely a very good deal.

It's an old car by 2007--nearly 9 years on sale by that point. So don't expect great driving dynamics or anything. Plus, the 06+ cars have the dumbed-down interior with the GM parts bin HVAC and audio and seats with cheaper-feeling leather.

But for $10k, it should be quite reliable and decently quick (260hp).

(Also makes me really glad I sold my 2004 wagon when I did last year if the 07 cars are $10k now. Yikes.)

[Aonarch]

I would. As said parts availability should be good.

[MRVW00]

Typical ****ty GM quality throughout and it's FWD.

Because everyone needs Nappa leather and RWD...

[lyonsroar]

Looked into it. Was told by an indy Euro mechanic not to touch any of the newer ones unless you live in a large city that had a Saab dealer to begin with because these dealers are the only ones that can do computer work on them. There isn't one in Omaha so this mechanic has to drive customer cars the 3 hours to Kansas City to have any CPU work done on them.

...just food for thought. Might be true, might not be.

[Diamond Dave]

I wouldn't choose a '07 just because it's "newer". I'd choose the best car available, whether it's an '04 or '07. When I went to purchase mine, I chose to buy one that had 130k+ miles because I figured most of the problem parts will have been replaced. Even driving the car last night, it's hard to explain how thoroughly enjoyable it is to drive. There's a reason I DD this car and not the G35; it just does so many things well.

Lets say you are in the market for a roomy, comfortable, quasi-luxurious car for around $10k. Would you consider the 9-5?

I know Saabs aren't generally regarded as being ultra reliable,

Actually, only people that have never owned or maintained a Saab feel that way. To people that have owned and paid to maintain them with their own money, they are quite reliable. But what do I know; I've only only put 150K miles on my Saab in 8yrs of ownership (275K miles).

The autos in those cars are pretty much bullet proof. I've done more work on manual transmissions than autos in 9-5's.

Some people think it's the case of the transaxle that is the culprit in failures; that the case actually flexes. Regardless, they have a significant torque delivery for a FWD car so it's not that hard for me to see an increased failure rate. I wouldn't own an automatic because I like to shift my own gears.

How's parts availability these days?

Only the company that makes the cars went out of business. Bosch, Beck Arnley, Moog, etc. and all the other parts manufacturers didn't go out of business. and parts are reasonably priced and readily available in a few days through many online vendors or local Import parts suppliers.

[J-Tim]

The post-facelift 9-5 had a horrid cabin.... not a place to be, especially after spending considerable time in the pre-facelift models.

I'd suggest you to search for a 2004-2005 cars. They are much better (IMO) looking and nice cars to be in.

As for reliability, they aren't very complicated cars by today's standards and as reliable as the previous owner made them to be. The biggest thing would be to change the oil more often than Saab tells you to so to prevent sludge (known issue). Another thing would be DI-cassette, which takes about a minute to replace, but is a $300+ part. Air circulation flaps can become stuck but that would be way past 100k mile mark. Again, no extra issues out of what you'd find in any other used car.

As I said however, make sure you get one with all service records.

[Hans Stuck]

I sort of like the SportCombi wagon. You never see those.

[MRVW00]

I sort of like the SportCombi wagon. You never see those.

I've got a 9-5 SportCombi.

It's a great highway cruiser, especially with the heated/cooled seats.

[turbo_nine]

The Saab community calls those "Dame Edna" 9-5s.

I don't see the resemblance?

[BattleRabbit]

I've got a 9-5 SportCombi.

It's a great highway cruiser, especially with the heated/cooled seats.

Did you figure out what was making the skeletons-in-a-trashcan noise?

[baljet]

Because everyone needs Nappa leather and RWD...

For $10k-$15k you can get that in a used Merc or BMW.

[turbo_nine]

For $10k-$15k you can get that in a used Merc or BMW.

Which is older, has more miles and is probably less reliable.

[leakslikasieve]

I would, but i'm partial being that I own a 01 aero. I would however try to find a manual, but the later models were hard to find in manuals.

[younganimater35]

SAAB closed down, no way

Tapatalk 2

[Remedy]

SAAB closed down, no way

Tapatalk 2

And so it begins....

[leakslikasieve]

SAAB closed down, no way

Tapatalk 2

HAHAHA. It's an 07, not a '11 9-4x or 9-5. That I clearly understand worrying about parts availability, high insurance, and all the rest of the bs.

[BattleRabbit]

SAAB closed down, no way

Tapatalk 2

Yeah, and I have a 1999 9-3. It has parts availability from OES's which at least equals my Mk.III Golf AND parts are less expensive. Saabs didn't sell well because the products didn't stay current, not because they were bad.

I'd second that an '04-'05 is a better buy. Saab's automatic climate control is really good, and I love it in my car. The simpler setup in the Dame Ednas would be a significant downgrade. The '04-'05 cars have a lot of great features that you'd have to spend a lot more on something else to get. They're also safe, and really quick.

The major letdown in the 1st gen 9-3 and 9-5 is chassis rigidity. They feel a little flexy. If you read the C&D comparison of the 9-3 Viggen, M3 and S4 though the reviewers say it's not a real issue in sporty driving. The 9-3 actually performed C&D's lane change maneuver faster than the B5 S4 and E36 M3. They're seriously nimble.

[dunhamjr]

maybe...?

about 8 months ago i paid much MUCH less for a 2004 9-5 Arc Wagon... manual with 127k miles.

i prefer the pre-eye liner styling.
i would prefer a manual.
i prefer wagons to sedans.

parts availability doesnt bother me at all.
insurance rates are pretty cheap.
nothing has broken/failed since purchase... only things wrong are little issues that existed when i bought the car.

[J-Tim]

I say the less people know about SAABs, the better it is for those who want them.

[volvohutter]

Really good - 95%+ parts availability in North America.

http://www.saab.com/en-us/usa/produc...-availability/

I'd take this with a grain of salt. People are still having issues finding parts. If you're in a big east coast or west coast center, I'd buy it. If you live somewhere a little obscure, I'd pass.

The car is without a doubt reliable and IMO, by far the best car you can buy for $10k. You may be able to find a used BMW or Merc for $10k but you'll always be that guy with a $10k BMW or Merc.

[leakslikasieve]

I say the less people know about SAABs, the better it is for those who want them.

+1000000