Have you owned a Saab 9-5?

"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
04/04/2015 at 17:16 • Filed to: None

Or known any one who has? I'm asking because I'm going to look at one soon. It's a 2000 Aero with a manual transmission! It's got 143000 miles and the the owner is asking 3100 for it. Oh and it's a wagon which really flats mah goat.

So if you have had any personal experience with them please share.

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DISCUSSION (19)

jkm7680 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
04/04/2015 at 17:18

Sludge is a major concern.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > jkm7680
04/04/2015 at 17:21

even with regular oil changes?

jkm7680 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
04/04/2015 at 17:23

Not sure about that, I don't think it matters though.

I got close to buying a 9-5. But sludge scared me off.

bob and john > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
04/04/2015 at 17:24

not a 9-5, but we had a 9-3

Sludge is your biggest enemy. Saab engines dont deal with sludge well. Make sure oil changes were done on time and with if it was done with synthetic, bonus

glemon > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
04/04/2015 at 17:30

There is an issue Saabs have with the ignition switch, sounds like no big deal but I think it is $1500 to $2000 to fix. That being said a freind bought one of that vintage new and drove it many years. Since they went belly up pdople are scared to buy them and you csn get some great deals.

bob and john > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
04/04/2015 at 17:31

less of a concern, but still some.

Other then that, pretty sold cars.

McLarry > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
04/04/2015 at 17:36

For what it's worth I've had an '05 9-3 for about 5 years and have no complaints. A friend of mine had a 9-5 wagon in college and loved it....until he crashed it.

Slant6 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
04/04/2015 at 17:42

I have a 2000 non aero wagon with a 5 speed. I like it. Bought it with 168,000 and now it has 195,000. You get a lot for the money. Just be sure to have a good indy Saab shop around. Water Pump was $1100 to get replaced, $1200 for struts, and $1300 for a security system malfunction. And $800 when you drift into a curb and knock out your rear suspension. only run synthetic, especially in an Aero.

Nibbles > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
04/04/2015 at 17:43

Yeh, all T7 B engines had a potential for sludge. As long as it was rather taken care of, and never had synthetic blend (Synth ONLY!) you should be alright.

Also make sure it's an Aero (8th VIN digit "G") and not just a 2.3T.

Steve in Manhattan > jkm7680
04/04/2015 at 17:45

So a pre-purchase compression check (at minimum)?

505Turbeaux > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
04/04/2015 at 17:51

there was an update kit for the PCV system <03 to alleviate the sludge issue. See if it has been done and synthetic run only in it. If this is the case you should be okay. Good cars, good engine till it fails from the sludge monster

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Nibbles
04/04/2015 at 17:51

from the picture it looks to have the right wheels for a 2000 Aero but I'll be sure to check the vin.

cabarne4 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
04/04/2015 at 17:56

Great cars, some of the best handling FWD's I've ever experienced.

Also, incredibly safe. My brother wrapped our 9-5 Aero around a tree doing 80mph sideways, and walked away without a scratch. Buddy of mine got T-Boned by a lady who was doing 65mph (she ran a red light), and he walked without a scratch. No idea how SAAB did it, but they're invincible.

Engine sludge can be an issue. As well as the display going out for the center stack (but you can fix it yourself fairly easily). A lot of mechanics aren't versed well in SAABs, as there's quite a few "quirks". Definitely interesting cars to work on.

Very, VERY comfortable. Especially at speed. We've cruised at around 145mph, and it felt like we were doing 65. Planted, quiet, smooth.

Modern looks, even for a 15 year old car. They have aged very well, but depreciated very poorly.

Nibbles > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
04/04/2015 at 18:01

Just want to make sure you get what you're looking for :) Looks like that one could be. It does have the side skirts, but not the lip.

BTW engine-wise, here's the difference between a 2.3t and an Aero:
2.3t; B235E, 168hp@5500, 210tq@1800 (pre-2001)
Aero; B235R, 227hp(rated)@5500, 270tq@1900

Saab admitted that the 227hp is grossly underestimated, and the engine pisses out more around 255-260. The 227 rating came from the fact that it's power limited in 1st and 2nd gear to keep the trans from grenading :)

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
04/04/2015 at 18:02

If that's what you want to drive, go for it, but when it breaks down, I don't want to hear your Saab stories!

Just kidding of course, the only things concerning about that car are the mileage and parts availability, otherwise seems awesome.

thereisnospork > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
04/04/2015 at 20:39

Make sure it has a full set of keys, at least 1 key and 1 fob. Getting replacements can be tricky for Saabs of that generation.

PS: http://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/52929/T7…

C9200 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
04/05/2015 at 02:18

This may not be relevant, but I had a '98 Saab 900 and always had clutch problems. I went through 3 clutches in 4 yrs. It wasnt my driving as i had other manuals before the Saab without any problems. It just always felt like i couldn't fully engage the clutch - even just after a replacement. I remember looking online at the time and no one else was reporting problems, so it might have been something peculiar with my car.

Data Chandler > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
04/09/2015 at 19:42

Been driving a '99 9-5 sedan for almost two years now, put over 20,000 miles on it, have not had a single mechanical problem. Not one. Got it when it was already at 105,000 miles, mind you. The only problem I had so far was an electronics glitch, which was taken care of after hooking it up to the diagnostic computer. (Didn't do that myself!)
Bottom line: the 9-5 is a wonderful car. I love it, and should this one ever die on me - and I hope it won't - I'll look for another one. Maybe an estate.
Elegant, understated, smooth, and the turbo sound is great. The beige leather with the wood trim and the green light of the cockpit at night, it's just the best.
Just do your research, get it checked out, keep an eye on the oil and everything, and then I'm sure you will love it as much as I love mine!

This is basically everything you need to know.
http://www.serioussaab.co.uk/guide_pages/96…

It has a separate section about the black sludge. That admittedly was a big problem, but when you check the car out you can easily spot if it has been fixed or not. If not, walk away!

By the way, before I owned my 9-5 I had a '96 900, bought it in 2009, drove it until it had almost 180,000 miles. Only problem I ever had with it was a minor coolant leak. I unfortunately had a minor collision because of an oil slick. The engine compartment looked beat up as hell, but when I turned the key, it just started up again, albeit with the "check engine" light on, almost as if it said "hey, sorry for bothering you, maybe take a look at the crash damage. You know, if you have the time." It happened 2 minutes from my house, so I drove it home, basically with the front part of the car caved in. I could have had it fixed, but it was cheaper to get another one. Point is - I don't understand why some people associate Saab with bad mechanics. They're sturdy as hell.)

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Data Chandler
04/09/2015 at 23:07

Thanks so much for that buyer's guide. looks like I have some reading to do.