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Saab 9-5 Sedan

2237 messages,  Last post on Jul 17, 2012 at 6:08 PM

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

Messages Page 112 of 225

#1105 of 2237 theremin: A6 vs 9-5 by redirector

Jun 17, 2002 (12:01 pm)

A couple of other points for your consideration.
 
Dealer Experience:
I have owned a 1998 Audi A4, always coveted the A6, but when I finally had the $$$ to afford one, I was disillusioned by the Audi dealership, particularly the service dept and even the repeat-Audi purchase experience. So I shopped around, and had excellent pre and post-sale expriences with Saab, and in addition to the vehicle comparison, the Dealer experience was important to me. Saab also has a free 3 yr scheduled maintenance program. Of course all markets are different, so that's entirely subjective and locally influenced.
 
Safety:
The latest iihs tests are out (http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/summary_midlux.htm), and the 2002 Saab 9-5 is a Best Pick. The 2002 Audi A6 tested a category grade lower, Average. Saab wins all the European tests, too. So this might be a "best in category" for Saab vs the competition. Saab also has OnStar now, not sure whether Audi has rolled this out yet...
 
Customization:
Audi interiors are the class of the industry. BUT, Saab has a good standard interior and you can add some nice touches. I took the liberty of adding some accessories from the Saab catalog -- wood steering wheel, door pulls, shifter, cellphone holder. These I negotiated as part of the overall package at a significant discount to aftermarket costs.
 
Both the A6 and the 9-5 are really excellent executive-class transports, and if you are considering the Aero vs the 2.7t, you are in for a hell of a ride either way!
 
Good luck with your choices, and thank you for "calibrating" the Edmunds review. Not that I should be surprised...
 
Redirector
2002 9-5 Arc

#1106 of 2237 To Simon Watkins, Drew, Redirector etc--thanks and a question: by theremin

Jun 17, 2002 (1:45 pm)

Thanks for your input and giving me more food for thought r.e. the Aero vs the A6. I have a question which probably seems pretty strange, but it's a very important consideration for me--if you guys or anyone else out there have an idea about this I'd appreciate it.
--When a CD is playing on the Saab's Harmon-Karden system (a very good stock system, by the way), the display simply says "play". When you hit fast forward or reverse, THEN the elapsed playing time (i.e. 2:37 etc) appears, but only until you let go of the button at which point the time disappears and "play" re-appears. Very often when I'm in the car I'm listening to things for professional reasons and I need to be able to see the playing time on a CD WHILE it's playing. This is pretty much an imperative for me and could even be a deal-breaking problem. Is there any way the display can be programmed or re-wired so that the playing time is constantly visible (rather than just seeing "play")? Obviously the elapsed playing time is in there, I just need to SEE it without having to constantly push a button and interrupt the sound. Odd question I know, but any thoughts? Thanks.
 
p.s. I'll be test-driving the Aero a few more times in the near future, so I'll be dropping in with more impressions, comparisons, questions etc.
 
Michael

#1107 of 2237 RE: Sound System by dski

Jun 18, 2002 (7:48 am)

Wow.. now there's something that no one outside of your profession would think of. I couldn't even have told you how to access the Elapsed Play time. It's simply not something I'd really ever need to know but I understand if it's something that Helps your work.. you need it.
 
If the Saab were here now I'd be happy to get the manual out and see if there is a way.. Sorry. If you don't get an answer by this evening, I'll get the book and check it out for you.
 
Drew

#1108 of 2237 RE: Sound System by redirector

Jun 18, 2002 (8:09 am)

It may be one of those user-definable, programmable settings that can be adjusted using the dealer programming tools (where you can also change, if you want, how the security system operates, the settings for the A/C, etc). Not sure, but maybe.
 
Might be worth a trip to the Service Technicians, rather than a sales rep (but a good sales rep will dig for it).

#1109 of 2237 RE: Sound system by bmwjoe

Jun 18, 2002 (9:50 am)

Tell the dealer that it is a deal breaker. Ask them to show you a car with the display indicationg the play time. If is can be done, they will do it to make the deal.
 
Drive Safe,
 
Joe

#1110 of 2237 by wishnhigh1

Jun 18, 2002 (10:16 am)

There is always the option of aftermarket stereos...and you can get a mighty fine CD unit for the price of a premium stereo option.
 
Unless you like to keep a car stock, I feel this will always be the better option. Unless you have that lexus Mark Levinson system:)

#1111 of 2237 r.e. CD "play" elapsed time etc by theremin

Jun 18, 2002 (12:32 pm)

I appreciate the responses to my question about the CD elapsed time display--haven't gotten an answer yet, I'm going to try & ask a dealer later today. The aftermarket solution might not be possible with the Saab--it's what I did with my Audi A6 (I don't like Bose at all) and I currently have an incredible sounding system made up of various components (Eclipse, Alpine, JL Audio and MB Quartz) which can all be removed when my lease is up. It would be very difficult to remove and replace the entire Saab dash audio panel--and it wouldn't look very good. Also, these components that I bought for the Audi probably won't fit the Saab and I can't afford to buy any more aftermarket stuff right now. The Harmon Kardan stock system is good enough for me--except for the time display problem. Hmm--maybe I should try to contact Harmon Kardan and ask them. Well...if anyone finds anything else out, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
 
Michael

#1112 of 2237 Sound system by darandall

Jun 19, 2002 (11:33 am)

Remember to change the amplifier start volume when you test the car. With the radio off, hold down the weather band button. Turn the radio on. Start volume of 9 will show. Turn the volume knob up to 22, then release the weather band button. Turn the radio off for at least 10 seconds, then enjoy the system. You'll be amazed. You won't want the time to elapse ever!!

#1113 of 2237 RE: sound system by dski

Jun 21, 2002 (7:25 am)

I'm skeptical about that start volume subject. I tried it in my last 9-5 and the only thing that changed was that the radio would always be too loud when we started the car.
 
I don't beleive any other variables changed. I do know that you need to turn the "loud" feature on to full enjoy music though.
 
Drew

#1114 of 2237 9 5 Blown Head Gasket by tonygeno

Jun 24, 2002 (3:56 pm)

I've got a 9-5 wagon with 60k miles. The car will be 2 years old on June 30. I took it in today for the 60,000 mile service to a new dealer (I moved 55 miles and my original dealer is now too far away). The new dealer said my head gasket is blown and needs to be replaced to the tune of $1250. I had the car in the shop (at the old dealer) two months for a blown electronic brain (SAAB picked up 1/2 the cost of the repair), and he said he noticed no blown head gasket at that time when I called him today. The new dealer said it's been leaking for a while. How can I find out if the new dealer is trying to soak me? How does a car blow a head gasket at 60K miles. It's a lease and I'm thinking I should just turn it in. I've got 1 year left on the lease and 15,000 (out of an original 75000) left on the lease.

Messages Page 112 of 225

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