I’m looking to get an estate of around that year. Anyone had /got one? Thanks

Had 2001 model, very nice motorway cruiser, averaged 32mpg over a couple of years, way way nicer to drive than the T5 volvo v70 we now have. One of only a couple of cars out of the 17 or so we have had that I would have again, speaks a serial car changer… 😀

rear rose joints can need doing which causes tyre wear at the rear, easy job as they are the same as a vectra, and the PCV needs updating the the latest design to prevent blockage and turbo failure. I think 2003 should be ok from a sump drop point of view, early ones needed regular fully synth oil changes to prevent sludge build up. Saabforum is a great palce to find out the pitfalls 🙂

Got an 05 estate with 98k, which I got for very silly money, since I have got it I have polybushed throughout which has tightened it up considerably but also increased the nvh perhaps a bit too much. Got it noobtuned by an extra 30bhp and 50lb ft of torque all for the grand sum of £80, so now sitting at about 280hp. As tiby says the main killer on these is the sludge issue pre 2004 model when not ran on full synthetic. Get your self on UKSaabs very helpful and insightful – be aware the legend of having the ultimate in seat comfort does not apply if you are over 6ft – ask me how I know.

Thanks guys Im looking at one tomorrow. Such a lot of car for such little money I keep wondering where the catch is.

If at all possible get a 2004+ model as it sorted all the earlier breather problems. The only downside is the 2003 models were *really* well spec’ed. When I bought mine I was fairly picky and only looked at ones with fsh and 2 or less owners and I’d suggest that a fully documented service history from either Saab or a specialist is almost essential, or at least an easy way to weed out crap.

I had the sump dropped on mine and it serviced at a specialist when I bought it for peace of mind but it was clean. In just over a year since buying it all I’ve had to do was service it and replace the front drop links. As said above getting it remapped by Saabnoob is a good idea, it noticeably improves the mid range which has a knock on effect of making the cruise control nicer to use and slightly improved the cruising economy for me.

The only downsides of the car are you can feel the weight when pushing hard and it’s a bit odd on the limit, though this is far above legal speeds on the road. Pushed hard it loves fuel and I average about 25mpg. Mid 30’s on a run is easy enough though and it’s not much worse cruising at 90.

well to resurrect this thread thanks for the advice guys as i ended up getting a 2005 aero estate for such a price i couldn’t say no. Full service history but 140000 miles and last service was a grand !! we shall see how reliable it proves as i do mega mileage a week .

we shall see how reliable it proves as i do mega mileage a week .

Not sure I’d have looked at a 140k 9-5 if I was wanting a car for big miles.

Mines a 2005 and does 25k a year. Had it for two years now with only servicing and tyres needed. All for the princely sum of 1400 when I bought it. If have another after this for sure

Averages late 20’s mpg but no cam belts, egr valves ect.

we took our old 2001 2.0t saab 9-5 to 185,000 before we sold it on and got a 04 Aero. Bought on 134,000miles in 2012. Now has 186,000 and still feels as good as new. Brilliant for our driving needs at the moment. get early 30s mpg being an auto. long runs will see upper 30s or 40 mpg

To set your mind at rest with regard to mileage – My big mate Murray is running a Saab 9-5 with 340k miles on it. He bought it about the same mileage as yours (150k).

His only deviance from normal servicing is changing the oil and filter every 6k miles. Not sure if that makes a lot of difference, but considering I changed the oil in my DRZ400 every 1000, I’m not gonna pull him up on it! 🙂

His is still running strong btw.

Sounds good to me 🙂 I will be servicing it around the same mileage, 6 odd thousand as I do my old merc I used before.

Dammit – just when I was thinking of selling my 9-5 estate you’ve all reminded me what a good car it is, with a paltry 98k on the clock!

Mines a 2006 2.3 Aero HOT. 85k and 3yrs old when I bought it, now has 150k on the clock.

Pretty reliable, cavernous boot and the most comfortable seats I have ever used.

Driven to the Alps and back twice a year, no need for a roof rack unless I’m carrying the longboards.

32mpg rolling average but 40mpg at a cruise controlled 70mph.

When I asked my local specialist if it was still fit to drive to the Alps this summer – bc it had done 150,000 miles – even the receptionist laughed at me. “Don’t ask again until it’s done 250” was the answer.

“well to resurrect this thread thanks for the advice guys as i ended up getting a 2005 aero estate for such a price i couldn’t say no”

Think of the purchase price as more of a sort of deposit….there is a reason the last service was £1000

But as everybody says, nice seats.

Found a 9-5 but the owner says the front suspension creaks in cold weather and they can do this… true?

Sounds like the bearing on the top of the strut, they can creak with age.