Good size (compared to my 96 Saab 900 and 98 BMW 328i). Excellent power (6.6s 0-60). Fun Turbo. Great features (cooled seats, refrigerated glovebox, real trip computer, heated seats, tilt down mirror for curbs when reversing, and a whole lot more). The ergonomics are generally excellent with a beautiful interior.

Not available in a hatchback. I know most American's just don't seem to get the European hatchbacks, but I loved my 900 just because of the versatility of the car. The 9-5 Aero is clearly the superior car to my old 900S but try going camping with 4 people. The trunk, any trunk, while large is just not sufficent space.

You probably won't believe me... but I got it for about $39000 even with ventillated seats, heated seats, metallic paint (silver/charcol - BEAUTIFUL) and onstar. Left off the Auto and optional wheels.

Recommend it??? I DO EVERY DAY! Yes, there are cars I'd like better (BMW 540 or better yet, M5!). However, for the price, nothing really competed with the deal I got on the Aero.

Let's talk value. I'd love to see someone find me a car that 1) Comes in a 5 speed, 2) gets to 60 in the mid 6's, 3) seats 4 in comfort (a 328i/ C280/A4 does not), 4) comes with all the nice luxury amenities (heated seats, sunroof, trip computer, etc) and 5) has a 36/36 lease with $4k total out of pocket and a payment less than $500/month. A loaded Maxima is about as close as you can get I think. If you limit the search to "prestige" brands, I don't think you can do it.

Lastly, if you're shopping RIGHT now (end of may), look into the 36 month lease. After negotiating a good deal on the car, I took a lease and the interest rate works out to about 2.5%. I've started saving an extra $150/month so that at the end of the lease I can buy this car and finance it for another 2 years. The low impact on my cash flow plus the low interest rate made the lease offer VERY appealing. I almost certainly will buy this car off lease. FANTASTIC.

The ONLY think I regret is that by leasing it, I couldn't take European Delivery and would not have got the same deal on the car as I did.

I think I've gushed enough.

Similar Products Used:

vs BMW 328i: Just as fast, less sporty suspension, better feature content and better size. Price was about $80 to $100 cheaper per month for the Aero on a 36/36 lease.
vs. BMW 528i: Similar size, better performance and comparable suspension/handling. Better price if you take advantage of SAAB financing.
vs. Volvo S80 T6: The Aero is more fun to drive, a little smaller and was quite a bit cheaper when the whole financing picture was worked out. Also, I hate the S80's rear end.
vs. A6: Didn't drive it. Excellent reviews BUT I don't like the styling.
vs. GS300: GS300 is slower and doesn't come with a manual transmission. A manual was a requirement for me.

Great handling, power, braking, comfort and safety. Just received JD Powers best "middle luxury car" for initial quality.

Brake Dust on wheels.

Best overall car ever owned. Although have not had the car long enough to judge reliability, I expect the car to be average. If SAAB advertised, they would be selling a lot more of these.

Similar Products Used:

Volkswagen, Acura, Infiniti

handling and reliability

have found none

after years of owning volvos and driving approx 20,000 miles a year I can say that this car has lived up to all expectation. My wife has the 1999 9 3 convertible and that has been the same excellent. These are the first automobiles I have ever leased due to the business tax write off but I would recommend these cars to anyone. The service at wigwam has been excellent and friendly. I was skeptical about leaving volvo after so many years and going to a dealership where I did not know anyone. That was a big concern of mine but they are good honest people.

Similar Products Used:

volvo

Size and highway ride, nice access for loading kids and equipment

Electrical system is horrible on this car. My 9-5 has been back to the dealer countless times. It's a real shame. Leather seats wear quickly even when taken care of properly. The leather seems to be too soft and buttery. Steering wheel shakes a little (annoyance) and I've been assured my tires are aligned and balanced properly

I have had this car since new. Buyer beware! I will never buy another Saab again. I've convinced myself that if the car has to go back to the dealer three times again in one month, I'm getting rid of it.

Similar Products Used:

1994 Mercedes e320, which was more solid and less problematic

Great combination of sportiness and luxury.

Didn't come with a bottle of champagne to test out the refridgerated glovebox with :)

First of all, sorry for not posting a price, but I get the GM family discount so that'd be unfair.

As for the car, I really enjoy it. My wife and I get new cars every year or so and this has been the best so far. All the major aspects of the car are great (steering, engine, handling, safety). There are some minor problems like a good place to put the cell phone or any other basic junk, a near useless change holder, the secondary cup holder is under the middle console, the 'next' button for the radio presets doesn't cycle between the FM1 and FM2 (it does on my wife's GM vehicle) and the seats could use a little extra side-to-side support considering the way this thing corners. But I am just picky and the rest of the car is excellent. Also, being an audio enthusiast, I really enjoy the Harman Kardon sound system. It doesn't have quite as much power as the Bose system in my wife's vehicle, but it's quality is outstanding. Oh, one note for the petite women out there like my wife. The steering handle doesn't adjust downward far enough for her liking. Just figured I'd metion that too.

I have and still do highly recommend this car. Not a single problem in the first 5 months. Will I buy another Saab? That depends. I am in the snowbelt and want something with better traction i.e. AWD like the Volvo's and Audi's. Although not as nice, I'd recommend the new Suburu Impreza WRX (AWD 227HP) to those on a budget.

Similar Products Used:

None

Fantastic handeling for a fwd car , you cant budge it of the road even when you try! Very good low down torque , big on the vroom factor!!

Mid range acceleration is average becaust the low down torque is bypassed.

I love it....

Similar Products Used:

Audi A4 2.6 , C240 - beter than both of them!!

Beautiful interior, large comfortable leather seats, cool ergonomics, easy to use dash system, very quiet but powerful engine, modest exterior styling, safety.

Unreliability in terms of minor nuisances (ex: lights going out). One of the biggest gripes I have is that Saab doesn't advertise nearly enough. It's been rated by some as being better than Volvo and comparable to BMW and Audi, yet Saab resists marketing itself to the American masses. It's a great luxury car that should be advertised much more.

Great overall car. It's very comfortable, quiet and safe. The car feels like a tank when driving, even though it isn't a huge automobile. I like the fact that you don't see Saab's everyday on the road. BMW's and Mercedes are everywhere, but when I'm driving in my new 9-5 SE, people take notice. I also find this car to be modest looking, which in my mind is a good thing. Mercedes' resemble space ships and I don't take to that kind of styling. The current 9-5 is the best car Saab has ever created and it will just get better in the future. More and more people in the market for a luxury car are taking a good hard look at Saab, and that's pleasing.

Similar Products Used:

Audi A4-A6, BMW 3-5 class, Volvo S60.

Everything

Can't stop the ageing process! Repairs.

This thing is a tank! Love it... still handles better than most cars made today. Despite the expensive repairs or "Saab" stories, it's still the best car I've ever owned. looks damn good too!

Similar Products Used:

'94 Saturn, '86 Celica, '87 Jetta, '89 Toyota 4X4, '86 Golf

Handling, power, brakes, comfort, safety, sound, style, dash layout, appointments, financing (untouchable) and the neatest cup holder I came across.

Lack of quick storage for the driver for glasses, cell phone, etc; blind spot in the right rear but the right rear view mirror is terriffic once you learn to trust it.

As I am rather obsessive about purchasing anything technical, I researched this to death. I test drove every car more than once. It was neck and neck with the AUDI. The SE had more power, far better breaks (Audi's are real spungey), and the SAAB was more ding resistant (I live in the city) than the Audi. Also, I have better access to SAAB service. Despite similar MSRPs, differences in final sales price, financing and leasing numbers were significant.

Drives like my old SAAB - which I loved - great command of the road and smooth power with real reasuring breaks. And that 'S' button on the shifter is too cool (enriches mixture, advances spark, and lengthens rpm between shifts) VAROOM!. This car flies off the line or when passing. Used the 'W' in the snow - worked great. I was originally concerned that the lack of 'touch matic' shifting was a dificiency, but it ain't as good as that 'S' button.

I have done both highway and heavy city driving - the car is fine in both. For a seemingly large car it feels and drives small - very light and responsive. Only problem is that I tend to speed - the engine so quiet (2k rpm @ 60 mph) and vibration free that I lose track of speed. Road noise is your only audible (louder than my old Benz).

So, after a month I love it. My wife loves it, too. Stay tuned.

Similar Products Used:

Audi A-6 2.8; Volvo S60; Acura tl

superior ride and handling, precise steering, solid feel, extremely comfortable, and very, very quick acceleration (0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds), and the best part it is fun to drive.

None to speek of except you don't hear much about saab from an advertising standpoint.

Without being overdone, the 2001 9/5 aero sedan is a great car to drive. It is fun to watch people look at the beautiful styling. I have never driven a car that is so much fun to drive. Compared to other cars i.e. Volvo s-80 or the new bmw 530i it is a much better value.

Similar Products Used:

bmw 530i, volvo s-80, and audi a-6.