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Saab 9-5 Wagon

1081 messages,  Last post on Jun 02, 2012 at 7:17 PM

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What is this discussion about? Saab 9-5, Wagon

Messages Page 27 of 108

#261 of 1081 Questions on Wardlaw by ians

Feb 01, 2000 (2:52 pm)

A couple of observations on this topic. Half way through the 2000 model year, what are Edmunds and their reviewer doing publishing a report about a "preproduction 1999 car"? If you want to be taken seriously as a fair, unbiased review organisation (which you appear to be from all other accounts), test the latest production model from the manufacturer.


Secondly, if the car came from Saab USA, what are they doing offering up the said "preproduction" example, heavily hammered by the ink stained wretches. Not exactly the way to get your prime product properly reviewed.


My interest in this? I just ordered a loaded 2000 3.0L SE wagon, my first Saab ever, here in Canada for low $ 50,000 Canadian Monopoly money. Mr. Wardlaw sure made me spill my tea, until I figured that this review does not reflect well on either Edmunds or Saab, or do justice to a very fine automobile that I can't wait to get my hands on.

#262 of 1081 Wardlaw's Review of 9-5 Wagon by jpnwdc

Feb 01, 2000 (3:53 pm)

I just read Wardlaw's review of the Saab 9-5 wagon. I don't think I've ever read such a nit picky auto review before. Getting your fingernails dirty because of having to clean brake dust off the front wheels??


Also, some of his complaints were probably due to driving a pre-production model. One of the Saab dealers in the Wash. DC area had several pre-production 9-5 sedans they were trying to sell. The front suspensions had a different feel than the production models, and the interiors had a musty smell. As a result, they have not been able to get rid of all of them.


  

#263 of 1081 Buying a new 9-5 wagon by bmwjoe

Feb 01, 2000 (6:39 pm)

I am fixing to buy a new 9-5 wagon and I have a few questions:


The car I want is a 5 speed and I will want a specific color and options. How long does it take to order a car from Saab?


Has anyone dealt with car order.com? How does this service work.


Are there discount Saab parts dealers on the internet?


Drive Safe,


Joe
http://home.jtan.com/~joe/joe.htm

#264 of 1081 Manual versus Auto by darandall

Feb 01, 2000 (8:14 pm)

I purchased the base engine with a manual transmission - test drove both auto and standard. The shift pattern is good, but not up to BMW standards. BUT, I bought the standard and love having it, as does, unfortunately, my 18 year old daughter. There was a decent selection of manuals available last summer - East Coast - in particular in New England, but I did end up with leather, which I do like, and the dealer ate the cost of the heated seats, which I really like!
   Wardlaw's review - WRONG!! - The VW Passat wagon is not in the same ballpark - underpowered(only the 150 hp four is available in the wagon) and much more body roll and noise. Also, the rear seats tilt outboard! The Subie isn't there either! Also, I paid $32,000, which was $10,000 less than the Audi, and $12,000 less than the BMW. So, I think someone ought to have him examined!

#265 of 1081 Maunual versus Auto by darandall

Feb 01, 2000 (8:33 pm)

One more thing - Saab has a very annoying light that comes on telling you when to shift - The dealer can disconnect this!

#266 of 1081 Re: 276 by ejgskm

Feb 02, 2000 (2:49 am)

Joe-I placed an order with carorder.com for a 9-5 manual wagon three weeks ago. The price I was quoted was great-$600. below invoice- but so far it is just a quote. To fully understand the carorder.com drama you should read (some of the) hundreds of postings devoted to caroder.com experiences. Suffice it to say that they are way way way too busy right now and seem unable or unwilling to find many of the cars that people have ordered. My experience is similar to others-- they said they couldn't find the car and would have to special order it. I said fine. Seems simple, yet nothing has happened. It's been three weeks. The car hasn't been ordered. It takes days if not weeks to even get a response to an email. All that said, I am in no big hurry and if I end up with the car I want in a few months, below invoice, I'll be another happy customer. My local Saab dealer can't get me a manual transmission and won't special order. How's that for customer service? There do not seem to be any manual wagons in Southern California. I've called four dealerships. So, in my case carorder may be my best bet. Patience is a virtue!

#267 of 1081 Special ordering by ejgskm

Feb 02, 2000 (2:52 am)

I forgot to mention that a special Saab order through carorder.com takes 12-16 weeks.

#268 of 1081 Is this guy for real?! by VladK

Feb 02, 2000 (6:28 am)

I bet this guy drives a Ford Explorer. Or something else, so conformist that he just can't see beyond his own rigid mindset.


Most of his negative comments don't make any sense. Actually, the whole review does not make sense, including the choice of V-6 automatic. It's a *SAAB*, not a Honda, for crying out loud! The proper powertrain is a turbocharged four-cylinder with manual gearbox, just like God intended. None of that Opel crap!


Placing window switches on center console makes them much more convenient for anyone driving a manual gearbox car. Your right hand does all the shifting, handbraking, window opening and key turning, without having to EVER take the left hand off the steering wheel.


And maybe this guy will someday shatter his right knee cap when he crashes his Explorer. Maybe then the inherent danger of placing a sharp metal object in direct path of the driver's knee will get through his thick scull. And he will finally realize that placing the ignition between the seats is the only logical place. That is, if he doesn't shatter his scull as well, as his Explorer certanly does not provide nearly as much safety as the least safe SAAB does.


I can't believe someone like this is an automotive journalist. He should be a censorship official in his local Gestapo.

#269 of 1081 Buying a new 9-5 wagon RE 276 by bmwjoe

Feb 02, 2000 (6:36 pm)

EJ- The price I was quoted from carorder.com was about $800 over invoice. Not really great. I am in S.E. Pennsylvania. I wonder if it matters where you live?


Where can I find these hundreds of postings on carorder.com?


Joe

#270 of 1081 carorder.com by ejgskm

Feb 02, 2000 (10:38 pm)

Joe- I found it by doing a topic search on Edmund's for carorder.com. The most current is carorder.com experiences Part 2. I just looked and there are currently over 1,700 postings. Happy reading! I certainly haven't read them all, but from what I have read-- yes, it does matter where you live. For whatever reason, there are different prices in different states. People have reported better prices in California. Also, the price fluxuates, so check again tomorrow! Once you like the price, you can put it in your garage with no committment on your part. Then you have a certain number of day (7 or 10?) to order it at that price. The price expires once the clock hits 12:01 am of the "expires on" day. You do not have until midnight!!! You give them a credit card number and the authorization to charge $500 dollars as a deposit when they find your specific car AND you agree to this specific car. Carorder doesn't put anything on your card- just the dealership that finds and holds your car. So, I haven't been charged anything. Seems like you can back out of the whole deal if you want, with no penalty, except that if they find your exact car and you back out you are prohibited from ordering that same car with carorder for 6 months.
Good luck.
EJ

Messages Page 27 of 108

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