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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 183 of 225

#1815 of 2237 Re: saab problems [ffb13] by aerodriver

Jan 22, 2005 (12:31 am)

Replying to: ffb13 (Jan 12, 2005 8:32 pm)
I feel compelled to reply to the recent string above. I have driven both a 9000 CS and now a 9-5 Aero (2002 model) for the last 8 years. My problems have been minimal (none with the Aero). Having said that, I had my share of woe with my old 1988 900, but most of those issues were taken care of during the warranty.
 
The point, to the many online readers thinking of buying a 9-5, is that every car line has its share of lemons and poor dealers. I feel for my brethren above, but know that they are in the minority.
 
...And I am NOT a Saab salesperson, just a longtime devotee of Saabs.

#1816 of 2237 Re: saab problems [ffb13] by peterson33

Jan 22, 2005 (6:13 pm)

Replying to: ffb13 (Jan 12, 2005 8:32 pm)
I feel for the people with problem vehicles. I had a Chevy Blazer than was a nightmare.
 
But I leased a 2000, 9.3 that didn't have any problems - i miss that car.
 
I now have a 2002 9.5 Areo that has had only very minor problems. A headlight fell out while driving and scratched up the paint - the power cables kept it from falling off, so it bounced around until I stopped.
 
The Aero is FUN to drive but I wouldn't get another with auto trans - because it vibrates at idle. It's bad enough that it makes me put it in neutral at every red light.
 
Does anyone know?... Can you put modern tire chains on the factory delivered tires? I live in Raleigh and I won't drive in snow but we get a lot of ice. I don't think snow tires would help when it's very icy.

#1817 of 2237 saab corporate is non-responsive by j umberger

Jan 25, 2005 (2:57 pm)

I agree that with any make/model you run the risk of getting a car with problems, but the big difference is how a company responds to them when they do arise. Saab has done nothing but blow us off. You cannot get anywhere past the call center, and the reps there are empowered to do nothing. Most companies are now smart enough to know that the best way to differentiate themselves is to get closer to their customers, not push them further away. The truth is, most complaints come from passionate customers who are the only ones who take the time to speak up. Most of the time, it's the most valuable input a company can receive.
Perhaps part of my frustration is because I know some automakers are getting it right - we have had the exact opposite experience with Audi. The few problems we have had we hardly remember because Audi calls us after every visit to make sure our needs were addressed and we're 100% satisfied. That's how loyal customers are created.

#1818 of 2237 Snow belt Aeros by wintercruisr

Jan 26, 2005 (5:19 am)

Hi folks,
 
I want to get rid of my gas guzzling Landcruiser and get back into a SAAB; last one was a 96 9000CSE, a blast but always breaking down. Hope to get 03 Aero within next few months.
 
Question is how will it handle snowy winters (Vermont for me) even with winter wheels and snow tires. I am tempted to get a Volvo S60 AWD but have always wanted an aero. If you depend on your aero in the snow belt I'd like to hear your observations. Thanks!

#1819 of 2237 Re: saab problems [peterson33] by bcool

Jan 26, 2005 (11:32 am)

Replying to: peterson33 (Jan 22, 2005 6:13 pm)
I just tried a set of SCC Super Z-6 cables on the front tires of my Aero - 225-45/17's. There was some interference (clank clank clank) while making turns. It may be that the Z-6 135's were just a loose fit. I'm going to try the smaller 133's. If that doesn't work, I may have to go to the smaller 16 inch tires.

#1820 of 2237 Re: Snow belt Aeros [wintercruisr] by rworrell

Jan 26, 2005 (9:59 pm)

Replying to: wintercruisr (Jan 26, 2005 5:19 am)
We're on our second 9-5 Aero wagon in Minnesota and, with snow tires, the car is fantastic in the snow (you know it comes with summer tires, not all-seasons, I'm presuming). We run the OEM winter setup, which is alloy wheels with Gislaved snows--I just change them out twice a year--on around Thanksgiving, off around Easter. The first Aero was a stick and no problems. Our current one (my wife's car this time) is an '03 automatic. The year is important because '03 was the last year they offered Winter mode (starts in 2nd and seems to accelerate a little more gently). I went to Aero Academy last year after we bought it (if you get an Aero, definitely go to Aero Academy) and asked the Saab exec why they had discontinued the Winter mode. He admitted it was cost-cutting, but that with the Sensotronic (fake manual), it wasn't necessary. The more I think about it, though, the Winter mode is nice--if you're in stop-and-go traffic in a newer Aero, you'd constantly have to be shifting up to 2nd at starts. With Winter mode, it's taken care of.
 
Either way, a Saab 9-5 Aero with snows is a joy to drive in winter. We took ours up to northern Minnesota to go skiing a couple of weeks ago and drove it during a heavy snow at night on our way out to dinner. The car felt like it was on tank tracks. Go for it--you'll love it!
 
Let me know if you have any questions.
 
Oh, and far as fuel economy goes, we got just over 33 mpg in the snow with snow tires on. We made the same drive last summer and got just shy of 35 mpg. The interior is a little noisy (it's our 4th Saab--they all rattle and creak), but it's a fantastic car.

#1821 of 2237 snow belt aeros (rworrell) by wintercruisr

Jan 27, 2005 (5:08 am)

Thanks for the comments re. aero in snow. My old saabs did ok in snow too but after awd in Landcruiser, you start driving like the snow isn't even there. I used to run studded Hakkas on 900's and 9000's and they ran great in winter. Makes sense aero would be the same.
 
Did you consider the awd volvo xc70? Just curious as to why or why not compared to aero wagon. Thanks.

#1822 of 2237 Re: snow belt aeros (rworrell) [wintercruisr] by rworrell

Jan 27, 2005 (9:13 pm)

Replying to: wintercruisr (Jan 27, 2005 5:08 am)
Two big problems for us with the Volvo:
 
1) The styling--with all the black cladding, it's just trying too hard to be something other than a wagon. It's kind of like an Audi allroad--if you're going to drive a wagon, drive a wagon. Black plastic doesn't make the car look tough, just like you're hiding something.
 
2) Reliability--my company gets Ford supplier pricing, my wife's gets GM--not too bad a deal, eh? So, I considered the Volvo, but then started reading complaints (brickboard.com, etc.) from actual owners. I know it's all second-hand (so no flames, please!), but right now, I'd have to say Volkswagen, Audi and Volvo are all on my "too unreliable to consider" list.
 
Also, I'm really not all that sold on awd. With modern road maintenance (plowing responsiveness, salt/chemical application, etc.) and modern snow tires, awd (even in the snowy northern plains of MN) would only truly be helpful a few times a year. The entire rest of the year, you're paying for those few days with the extra weight of awd. A balanced car with snows and some electronic aids is all we need here (my own car is a BMW 330--RWD, but with a 50/50 balance, DSC and Dunlop winter sport tires).
 
Probably more than you wanted to know, but there you have it.

#1823 of 2237 Re: snow belt aeros (rworrell) [rworrell] by j umberger

Jan 28, 2005 (6:23 pm)

Replying to: rworrell (Jan 27, 2005 9:13 pm)
surprised to see you think Saab is more reliable than Volvo or Audi
 
My A4 has been a dream - zero problems
My wife's 9-5 is a total lemon...
 
Resale on both Audi and Volvo is among the best out there, Saab is among the worst

#1824 of 2237 Audi/VW by r34

Jan 28, 2005 (9:14 pm)

That's strange too. I heard more Audi/VW problems than other European makes (well, MB seems to have more and more problems now). For VW, it is too famous for reliability problems.
 
I heard that Saab (BMW too but it depends on the model years) is on the top of the most reliability European brands (I heard that Saab is the most reliability European brand). I heard that Audi has good resale value but I have never heard that Audi, VW, or Volvo are reliable

Messages Page 183 of 225

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