Used Saab 9-5 1997 - 2010 review

The Saab 9-5 first went on sale in 1997, but its lineage actually stretches back even further than that, to the 1995 Vauxhall Vectra.

Saab was owned by the US car giant General Motors at the time, so it was decreed that the cars should share a common platform. However, while Vauxhall had replaced that platform by 2002, Saab stuck with it until 2010.

As a result, the 9-5 lacks the handling sharpness and precision of major rivals such as the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class, but it in some other respects it isn't as far off the pace as you might reasonably expect, especially if you go for a post-2002 model.

The 9-5 received a mild exterior facelifted during that year and also gained electronic stability control for the first time in order to improve safety.

Space was always a strong point, as was seat comfort. The 9-5's boot is bigger than those of most contemporary rivals, with plenty of space for large suitcases.

With a car that’s been around this long, you can pretty much find one that’s within budget, no matter how little you have to spend.

Examples that have failed their MOT cost from less than £200. In fact, we found a 185bhp 2.3-litre turbo car that was road legal advertised for just £395. Sure, you’d be taking a chance, but you’d be only slightly out of pocket if all it did was get you to the end of the road.

Even less risky versions are hardly going to break the bank. Post-2005 facelift cars, with the desirable 1.9-litre TiD engine and an MoT certificate still cost from only around £1,000, while the very best - with low mileage, full service history and lots of equipment - cost between £5000 and £6000.

As with the smaller Saab 9-3, the car’s relationship to the Vauxhall Vectra fools some into thinking that it's possible to run a 9-5 with more affordable Vauxhall parts and servicing, but in fact much of the 9-5, bar the basic structure of the body and engines, is unique to Saab, and some parts are becoming tricky to source.

As far as the engines are concerned, the lowest running costs are to be found with the post-2005 1.9-litre TiD diesel. A CO2 emissions figure of 174g/km doesn’t look too clever now, but it’s still better than the 204g/km of the 2.0t petrol, and the 44mpg official fuel economy figure is pretty realistic.

Saabs are notorious for chewing up front tyres quickly, and cars fitted with automatic gearboxes are prone to developing electrical problems, so budget for a gearbox wiring loom upgrade. It’s also worth remembering that as the oldest cars are about 20 years old now, their maintenance demands will only increase.

As with all Saabs, the engine line-up is comprised entirely of turbocharged engines, and these include some rather spirited models such as the 2.3-litre HOT turbo with 256bhp and the 3.0-litre V6 turbo. Those are going to be expensive to run, though, and their high power outputs overwhelm the 9-5’s front wheels when you put your foot down, causing them to spin uncontrollably.

Therefore, it’s better to stick to the smaller engines. The 147bhp 2.0-litre light-pressure turbo petrol engine is a firm favourite. It’s reasonably reliable, frugal compared with its contemporaries, and has sufficient kick to make the car enjoyable to drive.

The hugely unreliable 2.2-litre diesel is best avoided. Post-2005 models had the much better 1.9-litre TiD diesel engine, which it shared with the smaller 9-3, and it's impressively economical for such an old engine.

Saab 9-5s were generally better equipped as standard than most German rivals, but it’s worth tracking down a well specified example, because this helps to lift the ambience of the somewhat plasticky interior. Heated leather seats are a must, so try to find a Turbo Edition model: this was built to pay tribute to Saab’s turbocharged heritage and came with more standard equipment.

Our favourite used Saab 9-5: 2.0t Turbo Edition

The five in the 9-5’s name signified that it was aimed directly at the BMW 5 Series, but this was always streets ahead of the Saab in terms of handling. The 5 Series does suffer from some reliability issues, though, especially versions fitted with the 2.2-litre straight-six petrol engine and the later N47 2.0-litre diesel.

The Mercedes E-Class is another obvious Saab 9-5 rival, but you have to buy with great care because the version that was sold between 2002 and 2009 suffered from no end of electrical problems.

A more reliable alternative is the Audi A6. The first proper example of this was introduced in the same year as the 9-5 (the previous A6 was simply a facelifted and rebadged Audi 100) and is sturdy, roomy and attractive. Sadly, it was never as good to drive as the 5 Series.

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