They nailed the styling of the 9-5 NG, especially the rear end in my opinion. The Ford Scorpio also tried to have a tail light going across the boot and people called it ugly, but Saab managed to pull it off. Now everyone does it! The gearstick looks the same as the one in my mums Vauxhall Viva, would prefer an auto.
I'm a Saab enthusiast in Sweden and I bought one of these in May. 2011 Aero XWD automatic BioPower. 148k km. Made March 28th 2011 and among the last 225 made. I absolutely love it - except the fact that it will not play music from your phone over Bluetooth. Sure the solution to that is simple, but this capability lacking annoys me. Getting one of these, you also have to consider that there are parts no longer available new, and cost a small fortune if you need it. Examples of this are the headlight assemblies, tail lights or that lightbar/trunkbar. Common failure is heated seats and the lightbar/trunkbar. There are videos on how to fix both but, it's still something good to know. My heated seats don't work for instance, but since it will be a summer car, I'm in no rush having that fixed.
I have never even driven a car with broken heated seats. Saab has had heated seats since at least 1972, they should have it figured out long ago, shouldn't they?
I had one for 7 years, 2.0T Aero XWD auto with every option available. Absolutely loved it, I'm sad I had to let it go for tax reasons...it was my last ICE car and it will keep a special place in my heart. I've testdriven a few Saab 9-5NG and there is a big noticable difference between the different suspensions and drivetrains. Drivesense and XWD are a must have in my opinion and a good ECU tune, especially on the 2.0T makes it more economical and more fun at the same time 🙂! Very reliable if well maintained (XWD and gearbox maintenance every 100k is necessary!). I've put 330.000km on mine before I had to let it go...I still hope its spiritual successor "Project Emily" will make it into production!
Well now I want to try one with drivesense! And that Hiper strut too. It's nice to hear they can do big miles when cared for. I am taking a guess that you are in Norway if you got taxed out of the Saab into an EV
As a Swede I love SAAB as well my mom had a 9000 and my stepdad a 9-5 but they weren’t first with those back lights going across the entire back. I’m fairly certain many American cars had that in the 90s.
Had a 9-5 sportwagon a few years ago, got it as a cheap, temporary runabout since my Audi blew its engine, it had 180,000 miles on it and, I have to say, as a guy who suffers with lower back pain, it had the most comfortable seats I have ever had in any car !. I offloaded the dead Audi and kept the Saab for another 25,000 miles, utterly reliable and pain free motoring. I now drive a 9-3 ng, from 2007 and it’s joyful. It’s getting harder to find good, low mileage Saabs these days, but, there are still some out there.
It may have been based on the Insignia’s platform but Saab worked their magic and made the 9-5NG a tremendous car. It was miles better and more reliable than the equivalent 5 series, E class and A6 of the day and it was so much more stylish than all of them too, rivalled only by the Jag XF in my opinion. The 9-5NG deserved success. Even the last model 9-3 was a great car, while the convertible must surely rank as the best saloon based 4dr drop top in its class ever, it looks stunning.
GM scalped SAAB 😢 I have a 9-5 Aero a 9-3 convertible (the same as the one you featured). I gave a Saab 9-5 to my daughter but she had to rebuild the motor 1st .. she did... so proud... Noone is allowed to touch her Saab on fear of death. 😅 I would have 1 of these in a shot. I ❤ Saab and thank you so much for featuring this. I just wish they would come back... best car ever.
I've been driving Saab cars since 1989. I just got my 6th Saab a 9-3 cabriolet with 60K on the clock. I am a blessed man and say Saab is and always will be the best cars EVER made.❤❤❤❤
I've considered a SAAB 9-5, but ultimately went with the 2001 Lexus IS300SC. I know, it's a bit different category, but the thing that sent me the Lexus path was one thing: part availability. On my Lexus it's not perfect already (try finding a new heater fan, good luck), but buying a car from a manufacturer defunct for more than a decade... that must be TOUGH. So all the praise to the people who've decided to keep those awesome vehicles on the road, despite the odds.
Nice video. Thanks! Best car I’ve ever owned (and I didn’t expect that.) In the USA, I have the Aero XWD (300 shot, all wheel drive.) there is nothing “fidgety” about my auto transmission w/ paddle shifters on steering wheel. It’s big, comfy, and a rocket! The smaller than standard flat bottom steering wheel adds to tight handling, the power, the uncluttered and ahead of it’s time style sets it apart (blacked out A&B pillars on a white one w blacked out windows, etc.)- every time I have it out, total strangers have positive comments from “is SAAB back, is that new?” To “what is that? I thought it was a Porsche at first?” … glad to see someone give it props!
Nice one. They really do still look modern. And I can see why someone could see Porsche in it, like a Panamera or something. But actually better looking 😂 Cheers!
I own 2 Saabs, a 2010 9-3 XWD 6 speed automatic, and a 2007 Saab 9-3 FWD 6 speed manual. I saw a saab production document, and only 51 of my 2010 came into the US! That's my daily driver, I love it! I've been toying with the idea of looking for a 9-5 XWD, have seen some with low miles, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. I do own a Tech 2 diagnostic scanner and Trionic 8 software for my laptop, so, no problem repairing them. I will ALWAYS drive a Saab! Hey, nice review! Saab-on!
I have 4 Saab 9-5 OG's. 3 Aero Wagons and an Aero Sedan, all 5-speeds. I have them all in the hopes that I will never drive another car again. They're that good. The only thing they're missing is a 6th gear and I plan on swapping an F40 six speed into my 03' wagon, which is my favorite and the one I'm really building up. I have no desire to own one of these. I'm not sure why. Maybe if i could get one of the sportcombi's with a stick, which is almost impossible, but even then I still think I'd rather have a 02-05 Aero wagon. They're the best looking wagons ever for my money. Thanks for posting this for us Saab people, I appreciate it.
OG 9-5 is simply The Be(a)st. Well, maybe along 9000 Aero. I have only two, 2005 9-5 2.0T stw automatic w/ bigger turbo and Bilstein/Koni chassis some 240hp 400Nm on 98E (limited due to slushbox) and 2007 9-5 2.0t stw A. Ex-SAABs 1977 99GLs 4d, 1989 900c 2d, 1994 9000CSE 2.3 A, 1995 9000CD 2.0i. In snowy, harsh winter-conditions of The Arctic Circle 9000 really shines, have to get one. Or maybe two, and a 2004-5 9-5 Aero.. 🇸🇪🇫🇮💪
Well, early 2010 I had to change car, I wanted to buy a 9-5 sportcombi, but the OG was with a 5 speed, and the NG was not available yet. I bought myself a Ford S-Max instead. But now since 2018 I drive a 9-5 NG, I'm so happy with it
1st off, that car is in phenomenal shape for 120,000 miles on it. Kudos to builder and owner(s). 2nd, yes, the soulless GM Product Managers finally achieved the cost cutting homogeneity they had long battled with SAAB over. Bob Lutz, the then GM product guru, had wanted to ditch them in 2008 because a) they were losing money on every single one sold, and b) he perceived the market to be tiny, perspective was “they are quirky/weird expensive to build cars” that maybe 300,000 customers globally would ever buy. I had a 2004 95 Wagon, a 9000 CSE, OG 93 Sedan, then NG 93 hatchback, and I can honestly say the 2004 era was the best of both worlds. The Auto transmissions, indeed all SAAB transmissions for that matter, left a lot to be desired. My 95 had what I’m sure was a GM Tremec 5SP which had been the best experience I ever had in a SAAB. Eleven the 5SP Manual I had in the 04 93 Convertible was a revelation. The A/C units were industrial strength, and the brakes, like a lot of other components, became waaay cheaper. But the bottom line is the 95, and by then all SAAB’s suffered from an identity crisis. They more or less did everything competently, but excelled nor bested their competition at nothing.
I remember driving one of these and genuinely enjoyed the styling and drive. If I remember correctly it even had the built in hard drive to store music? I found that incredible at the time. Beautiful looks, you’re right, they did get it right with this.
@@JJonCarsYes, I own a 9-5NG , I bought it second had, it has the Harmann Kardon radio, with a hard disc that you can 'feed' through the USB port. Actually, I still got the music the previous owner had in that HDD. The Harmann Kardon radio is at it best when you play a live music DVD. I've got 2 of them, one of Queen live and the other Mylène Farmer, for the long term preservation of my ears I'm glad the volume is limited! Btw, I own a TID, so 2lt 160hp diesel. 0>100km/h is rather poor, but accelerating from 70 to 120kph is impressive! Climbing up mountain roads is such a pleasure. And once I drove from Costa Brava to Brussels with 5,3 lt/100kms, 1300kms on one diesel tank!
Oh yes, I was thinking of including that in the video but then.. forgot haha. There was one at Millbrook proving ground for years that got saved and taken back to Sweden. I agree it's absolutely stunning 👍 Where did you see the two?
@@JJonCars I've seen the Millbrook car and I was also overtaken on a Swedish motorway by one in early 2011. A few of us had been ice driving in Sweden in early Feb of that year and we were driving back to the port at Esbjurg in Denmark. We were on the motorway en route and two new 9-5's came past us. One was an estate version. It looked superb and I'm sure it would have been a strong seller had it made it on to the market.
In the US, the Aero only came with the 2.8 V-6/XWD/autotragic, but the FWD 2.0T was available with that 6-speed. I test-drove one back in the day and quite enjoyed the 9000/OG 9-5inspired interior and how that big car seemed to shrink around me as I hustled it. I’ve always wanted to own one, but have been scared of parts problems. Sadly, most survivors here are ragged since they had little resale value and weren’t necessarily owned by Saabistas who valued them for what they represented.
That's a great description of how it feels to drive. I wonder if they are worth more in certain countries - they seem to go for good money here in the UK.
I am actually driving one of those 2.0T with a 6-speed (they only sold a handful of those in the U.S.). Bought it 4 years ago with 57K miles on it. Had to replace a melted right rear light assembly (those Halogen turn signals were too hot, I replaced those with LED bulbs). One of the climate system buttons lost some paint. Plus, I had to replace the tire pressure sensors. Other than that, it looks, feels and drives like new. The second Saab I ever owned (I had a 99 back in the early 1980's). Love to drive that thing.
The last and rarest Saab is the 9-4X. Only 814 were made, all at GM's Ramos Arizpe, Mexico plant. It was on the same platform as the Cadillac SRX and related to the Chevy Equinox (I'm not sure what Opel-Vauxhall was doing in that segment at the time).
When working at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire they used a 95 to train drivers on the high speed bowl to +150mph I can tell you it was an amazing experience
Looking forward to finding and owning one soon. Test drove a turbo4 a few years ago and LOVED IT. A very cool final iteration of Saab, and yes, there is saabishness all over the car, if you drive and look at it closely. I owned a 2017 Regal Turbo, pretty much the same overall car, but the Saab was light years better. Engine management, throttle response, ride, interior, exterior, handling, just every part of the Saab was an improvement over the 7yr newer buick.
Bravo for 3:50, "Release me" by Oh Laura. It was a soundtrack to one of the most beautiful and meaningful saab ad. Beautiful touch and suits the car. Well done!
To be quite honest, I had no idea about that! It must be on the hard disk drive of the headunit... so maybe Simply Saab put that on there, we can give them credit 😄
and this is NOT one of them, fyi. Same w/ the '08+ 9-3: ask a woman to describe it and if she has sense of design etc, she'll probably say 'droopy' and frumpy. NOT good! lol!
Spyker is one of those who buried Saab by making money of its downfall with the kind words that their intention was to help 🤔. And the last Saab was the greatest but sadly all to late. Owned one Saab 99 Turbo and two Saab 900 Turbo and overall they was great cars by its time.
this last one was NOT the greatest saab in any sense at all. Many of us know each generation inside and out. This isn't a bad car but it's not much of a saab at all in any sense whatsoever really. Design is wretched!
I love this model too because of its modern design language. It's a kind of masterpiece I would say. It deserves love and respect for being different in such a good way.
It's absolutely beautiful ! There are resonances with the David Bache- designed Rover P5 , particularly the roof. Very elegant with a lot of road presence.
Like you, I love SAAB’s and I’ll hold my hands up and freely admit that I’m biased towards them all. I think this is a great car and it pains me to this day to think that SAAB no longer exists. Great video, thanks for making
Nice and honest video. I own a 2011 Tid4 manual myself, and have for the last 6 years. By far one of the most reliable cars ive had. One thing though, I am pretty sure they all came with the keyless start, but keyless entry was a separate option. So is the nav screen, so you could get that in a lower spec car if you wanted, you can also watch movies on there if you have dvd. There were 3 specs for them, lowest was Linear, then came Vector, and lastly, the highest spec was the Aero. There are also multiple different seat options, aimed for different types of customers, some are stiffer, some are more aimed at comfort. You could also get cooled front seats and rear seat entertainment.
Thank you and thanks for the information. It was quite hard to find details about these cars! I think in the UK you only got Vector SE and Aero but other countries had a few more models. Cheers :)
I’ve had many, many, many Saabs over the years. I love them to bits but my favourite was a 9000 cde griffen 2.3 that was a silver, ultra comfortable, guided missile. Never really got to properly test the new, new 9-5 but I was never really taken with the old one purely because they weren’t as good as the late edition 9000. The 9000 aero being quite frankly one of the best all rounders ever built by anyone, in my opinion. Think my Saab days are behind me, I’m very happy with my CLK but if there is a 9000 aero lurking out there somewhere with my name on it, can’t say I’d complain.
This video made me sit down and write a comprehensive list of all the cars I’ve owned since passing my driving test in 1991. I have owned in my driving career 45 different cars. 23 of which have been Saabs. (5 Rovers, 3 Hondas, 3 Toyotas, 2 BMWs, 2 Mercs, 2 Fords, 2 VWs, 1 Kia, 1 Suzuki and 1 Lancia) Of the Saabs in that list 12 of them were bought from my good friend Tom Hagstrom r.i.p. A most curious sort of guy but someone who most definitely leaves an impression. Miss you mate.
Thanks for doing this. good review. There are very few NG 9-5s here in Australia. The first one I came across was a 2.8L Aero XWD in March 2014. It had a heads-up display, which I thought was very cool. Great looking car. Until this review, I thought that all 9-5 NG Aeros were 2.8 V6. My current Saab is a 2007 9-3 Aero manual 2.8L with Hirsch stage one and a Do88 intercooler. Very nice car to drive - powerful and super flexible. It replaced a 1989 900 aero manual. I was still using it as a daily driver and doing long trips with over 300,000 km on the clock. I didn't need to make any concessions for its age. Driving at 110 kmh with occasional bursts to overtake road trains when the outside temp is 44C or higher and the AC is on caused the temp needle to move by about 1mm. Pretty solid cars.😀
Thanks and you're welcome :) I used to own a 2006 9-3 2.8, though no modifications - pretty darn quick as standard! That's very impressive that your old 900 reached those miles/kilometres. Great cars for sure, cheers!
@@JJonCars The modified version is a huge improvement. Faster, of course, but much more flexible. I don't do it very often, but I can gently pull away in 4th gear from around 600 rpm and plant the foot at 1,000 rpm. A friend in Melbourne has a 9-5 NG, a turbo X manual, and a couple of others. Her daily driver is a 9-5 aero (Hirsch modified) that is just about to hit 500,000km. Thet can last if you look after them.
According to the 9-5 NG production report by Saab enthusiast Henrik Zaar of Sweden, only 60 were delivered in Australia. That is nearly nothing. Here are the top 5 countries: _USA 3457 _Sweden 2235 _UK 1301 _Belgium: 647 (probably including Luxemburg) _Italy 447
The face lift 9000 CS is actually one of the best Saab design and still look modern even today. The New 9-5 still looks like it was made today. Seem to be a swedish thing as even the old 240 looks pretty modern.
Spot on jj easily one of the best looking saab's ever......gorgeous even today! That lightbar on the rear is on my new cupra formentor 13 year's later!! ❤
Well done review of this Saab in extremis . My father had 2 Saabs back in the day , a chocolate brown 99 and a light beige 900 and loved them . The 99 was manufactured in Belgium with an appalling paint job . It required a respray after 18 months because of rust spots . This wa done under warranty .
I still have a saab exactly the same colour as that one, mine is the vector though, 2 litre Manuel gear, exact same rims, if I parked mine next to that one and took off the plates you wouldn't tell the difference. My seats are different full grey leather, don't have that adjustable front but full electric heated and as comfortable as anything, the car goes and on the highway you don't realise you flying because it effortlessly goes and you pass all the cars infront of you until you look at the guage and realise you not a jet and should probably slow down. The night panel is awesome at night when the family is asleep. It only turns off the fuel guage also so you can't see how much fuel you have. But love my saab, also have the vauxhall insignia vx line it's diesel, similar size to saab but saab has smoother drive I feel at higher speed.
It felt like the writing was already on the wall by the time 9-5 came to the market. It kind of didn't matter anymore if the 9-5 was good or not considering the doom and gloom around Saab when this launched to the market. It's a shame. I loved the 9-3. I really will miss the night mode and I think these days that button would make even more sense than it did back then. I thought the 9-5 looked amazing when it launched and somehow it looks freakishly contemporary today. They truly were ahead of their time with that design language.
It didn’t help. But it didn’t kill GM-Saab. Good intro. People say this gen 9-5 riddled. I’m a car trader got within a tenner of buying one Motorway. Still never been in one. It’s a nicely styled Saab !!!! Cheap ish inside and out but styled beautifully. Well to me. Guess others think it looks like sick. Yip switchgear dire. Even use stalks in cheap cheerful Chevrolets.
What a gorgeous car. Who cares about the Opel chassis when it looks like this. Its external aesthetics look like it could survive ~15 years of continuous production with only a couple of facelifts here and there. There are probably less than a handfull of brands that have a record of creating such instant classic designs. I was never able to own a Saab while they were still around, but their uniqueness is greatly missed. Thank you for this video.
I’ve got an OG 9-3 convertible. The only GM parts in that that I can spot is the mirror adjustment switch from what I can see. i’ve had a Holden a couple of times in Australia and the mirror switch is identical.
Have just discovered your link thanks to UA-cams algorithm! Have watched your 900 Turbo convertible and now the 9-5 NG - well done. It's amazing how some of these 9-5 NG's actually made it to Australia new?. 3 to 5 years back there was a flurry of secondhand cars 4 sale - but nothing since. You say your a SAAB fan and you seem to have tested quite a few SAABs, well done - but dare I say have you missed that last crucial link between the 'last true SAABs ' and the 'GM SAABs' in the form of the 9000 series. Have you tested any of those, especially the face lifted mid to late 90s AERO, 5-speed manual?
Glad the algorithm has sent you my way! This is a good point - I haven't yet tested a 9000 series, and would love to. As soon as someone offers one up I'll be right on it
I'm a BIG SAAB fan and have had many SAABs since 1990. SAAB made several mistakes, but one of the very big ones was NOT offering a 900 / 93 estate before it was too late.
I own the 2.8 V6 and readily admit that, in many respects, it’s not a true Saab anymore. However, that’s precisely its strongest feature. Parts are easily available across numerous GM brands, so you rarely have to search for long. XWD components come from Haldex and can also be found with other European brands. I love this car.
@@18_rabbit No issues, as long as you use the same parts as those used in the Saab. Haldex parts used in a Saab are not entirely unique to the brand, the same specifications can be found in Haldex systems for other manufacturers. You just got to do your homework.
Another fantastic video JJ! I always wanted one of these (I had two 9-3s previously) but I never did manage to get hold of a 9-5NG. The exterior styling was (and still is) absolutely spot-on. The interior does suffer a bit from 'GM cheapness' (but it's not bad) - and the AERO model was extremely well equipped. I'm still gutted they are no more - I'm a huge fan of SAAB.
There is also a (very rare) estate version of this 9-5. My first car was a Saab 99 (in 1985..). Owned 4 more. The last one was a ‘91 900Turbo 16e Aero. Should have kept that one. It was over when GM took over.
It's very good looking especially the wagon version(only handful of preproduction/presentational examples exist as it was shown off on geneva motorshow the same month Saab was killed off). It shown how new Saabs would look, even if its based on GM/Opel partbin it is all the better in terms of spare parts for mechanical/driveline parts at very least. It's a shame Saab had to share fate of Pontiac and other brands GM killed off. between 2009 and 2012.
That wagon version I agree, was really great looking. I intended to mention it in the video but then forgot 😂 Shame it never got properly produced beyond those prototypes!
I've owned a Saab 9-5 and although it broke down to the point where I had to get rid of it, it is in my mind stil the best car I have owned and would today still buy another Saab especcially if it was electric.
It is not a Vauxhall. It is Opel. Vauxhall was just the same as SAAB at the end from the mid 70-ties, Opel based. That was what Opel wanted and it suited the GM strategy as they did the same with their brands, which were all Chevrolet based. Buick were allowed to do their version of the Caprice and so on. Vauxhall was just more or less an Opel for the U.K.
Thanks for the great video and your love of Saab, I bloody love a Saab too... On my 4th 9-3 now, also have a 99Turbo. The NG 9-5 is a beaut of a car, might have been better in automatic? My current 93 is auto and so much nicer than the notchy manuals in my opinion.
Another great vid JJ, it is a shame about SAAB, I think that last SAAB they released was a lovely looking car, yes based on the Insignia platform but with just enough individuality to make it a bit better.
Thank you for vid.....Saab, what a shame they went bust....to bore you to death, my dentist in the late 80's and early 90's always complained about the price of parts, and servicing...but he still traded in and bought another.. .best wishes from Edinburgh
I have an ng 9-5 aero with over 233k miles on it. Mine has the 2.8 turbo v6 and awd. The car has held up amazing aside from some cosmetic defects. The HiPer strut setup with adaptive shocks is actually some version of GMs magnaride, so parts really arent too bad to find for it. Very comfortable vehicle on the highway. Its very easy to find most of the parts, since its on the same platform as a buick of vauxhall. I will own this car till I die, I love the thing so much. A real shame that the sport combi version didn't really make it to the market with only around 30 being built.
It's as if someone sprayed a bit of Saab on an Opel/Vauxhall Isignia. The styling seems only slightly different to me and the inside looks really cheap to me but the changes in the outer details make it look like a much better looking car than the Vauxhall oddly enough. I know they were already on the way out but cheaping out on loads of things while wanting to compete with brands like BMW seems insane to me and it's not surprising this didn't turn things around at all. A shame really as Saab was an excellent car manufacturer and it's sad it's gone now.
Hi JJ, forgot to get back to you about my two (been busy with my own stuff). Will drop a reply shortly. And the last 95 still looks like it could be released today, and not look dated.
The fact that the 9-5 and its predecessors werent Opel copies is what killed them in the end. Saab was doing so much extra that the cars got was too expensive and the margins were slim. They were better cars but at a cost. My grandmother was still driving her SAAB until she died 3 years ago. They have been driving SAAB their entire life.
I've got the same model, owned it 7.5 years already. agree with the styling comments. Don't forget about the other Carwow tests, at least the 9-5 Aero had proper exhaust tips, not fake ones. Couple of things: Satnav was not standard on the Aero, it was part of an option pack, and even then cars with Nav did not have DAB (mine doesn't). Vectors did have the push button start. Looks like the car has had a new windscreen as all UK cars had rainsense, looks at though the car has a plain screen (no console behind the rear view mirror), so Rainsense won't work. Mine is on 90k miles and is rattle free, agree about the gearbox - in the summer it is intransigent, and I can't help just glancing back when walking away. Sat in a 2017 A6 estate last weekend and that feels like a 9-3 inside....Shame Saab is no longer around. Very few appealing cars for sale now.
Haha, don't want to get accused of plagiarism 😄 Thanks for the great info! Well spotted - the windscreen has been replaced without rainsense. Good to hear you're happy with the car enough to keep it so long 👍
Saab made very nice cars in the high range. Super finish and special feel inside. More like an aircraft. Nobody gave that feeling. The price was too elevated in my country. People bought a Mercedes or a BMW for that price. I can say Saab engines were more performant than German engines and small cubes. The aero was very fast. Only once Saab came in big trouble with clutches and transmissions near the end of the brand. For the rest a very nice and costly Swedish car. Another aspect is, you have to like the Saab design. Not everyone likes it.
IMO they should've built the wagon first with the sedan to follow. It would've been the volume model in Scandinavia and the one the Saab faithful in places like the US were waiting for. The sedan and its' bid for the Chinese market and more mainstream appeal in America could've waited until production was fully ramped up.
I bought one TiD4 Vector cus here in sweden a Aero that has good or decent specs dont get off under 20k euro. Sold it in 2021 after 4 years and it was my first saab, i wanted a turboX but i knew id regret this 9-5 NG more. So i sold it after 4 years only cus of the wear. I needed a car so bad like it so i traded it for a Cadillac ATS from 2014. However back track here, my sister and bf had test driven my saab i bought 2017 a few years prior and it took them 3 monthas to buy one NG themselfs. And seen them driving up with theres made me trade the caddilac in after only a year for a NG again, SO... i have a turbo4 1.6engine and YES i had to change the transmission than you i know the issue. I LOVE THE NG!! It is the best looking saab and i know it is a bit of insignia but what car in todays market isent a bit of seat, VW, Skoda ECT! After i bought the NG i went on and buying a OG 95 aero, a 900i from 87 and a saab aero cabriolette so iv tested the other aswell. Love my FYM240 even tho it has issues! I loved my LNN090 (my first ng too) Great work! Have seen a few now so ill suub thx to this NG vid but it pains me to watch it since of my enthusiams i dont doubt you undestand i have by this point.
I have owned five different Saabs in my lifetime, I had to modify each one to really bring it up to be able to compete with the German cars. But on the good side, they were much cheaper and for 3000 in mods it was still a bargain. RIP Saab 😢
Good question, I'd be happy with either. I think the 9-3 would possibly be easier to maintain given there's more of them around. And it's a bit smaller and nimble. But the 9-5 is so rare and interesting. Cop out answer but I really don't know
Saab as a real brand already ended with the end of Saab-Scania and became only a label, like the many labels of GM or Stellantis today, and if a label doesn't sell any more, what is it good for? Same could also happen to Opel. Even as a German myself, I would cry no tear for Opel.
It’s a terrific car - reminds me a lot of the Rover 75 - another great car that was never going to rescue a brand that, frankly had everything else going against it. In the 9-5s case, years of poor management by GM, SAABs reluctance to compromise on certain engineering choices, leading to unnecessary expense when developing new cars, and a strange mismatch of SAAB / GM components, which meant, for instance, the 9-3 and 9-5, when first fitted with diesel engines, wound up with a wheezy, underpowered, dated and unrefined lump, which did nothing for their image. Eventually, GM stopped investment in new models, and SAAB soldiered on with an outdated model range, which no matter how many poorly executed facelifts and odd badge engineering choices (the awful rebadged Subaru for instance) could not be rescued.
Maybe you should have mentioned that a caravan was meant to be built. In fact they produced 29 preseries caravan. that look awesome. In my opinion this is the best looking caravan of that era.
Love all Saabs, the world is a duller place without them in it.
I agree with you, it's by far one of the best looking Saabs. I love the exterior and interior.
They nailed the styling of the 9-5 NG, especially the rear end in my opinion. The Ford Scorpio also tried to have a tail light going across the boot and people called it ugly, but Saab managed to pull it off. Now everyone does it! The gearstick looks the same as the one in my mums Vauxhall Viva, would prefer an auto.
I think it would really suit an auto better tbh
Wagon is just as good, sadly only handful of examples of it exist as it was showcases in geneva the very same month Saab and 9-5 were killed off.
The Scorpios rear light was lovely. If they had just changed the front lights 🐸
@@psions555 True, but everyone nowadays drives big blobby frog eyed SUVs.
@@Sid3300 yes sadly this is very true. Pedestrian safety especially has changed the height and frontal profile of vehicles.
I'm a Saab enthusiast in Sweden and I bought one of these in May. 2011 Aero XWD automatic BioPower. 148k km. Made March 28th 2011 and among the last 225 made.
I absolutely love it - except the fact that it will not play music from your phone over Bluetooth. Sure the solution to that is simple, but this capability lacking annoys me.
Getting one of these, you also have to consider that there are parts no longer available new, and cost a small fortune if you need it. Examples of this are the headlight assemblies, tail lights or that lightbar/trunkbar.
Common failure is heated seats and the lightbar/trunkbar. There are videos on how to fix both but, it's still something good to know. My heated seats don't work for instance, but since it will be a summer car, I'm in no rush having that fixed.
I have never even driven a car with broken heated seats. Saab has had heated seats since at least 1972, they should have it figured out long ago, shouldn't they?
@@johnnyrosenberg9522 they only break in the NG's, and considering all the stuff GM cheaped out on, I bet it's a GM-issue, not a Saab-issue.
I had one for 7 years, 2.0T Aero XWD auto with every option available. Absolutely loved it, I'm sad I had to let it go for tax reasons...it was my last ICE car and it will keep a special place in my heart. I've testdriven a few Saab 9-5NG and there is a big noticable difference between the different suspensions and drivetrains. Drivesense and XWD are a must have in my opinion and a good ECU tune, especially on the 2.0T makes it more economical and more fun at the same time 🙂! Very reliable if well maintained (XWD and gearbox maintenance every 100k is necessary!). I've put 330.000km on mine before I had to let it go...I still hope its spiritual successor "Project Emily" will make it into production!
Well now I want to try one with drivesense! And that Hiper strut too. It's nice to hear they can do big miles when cared for. I am taking a guess that you are in Norway if you got taxed out of the Saab into an EV
Last minute substitute. Perfect analogy
As a Swede I love SAAB as well my mom had a 9000 and my stepdad a 9-5 but they weren’t first with those back lights going across the entire back. I’m fairly certain many American cars had that in the 90s.
Weren't those just reflectors? Or cat's eye - I dont know what is it called...
Seat Toledo mk1 (1991) & mk2 (1998) by Giugiaro
Had a 9-5 sportwagon a few years ago, got it as a cheap, temporary runabout since my Audi blew its engine, it had 180,000 miles on it and, I have to say, as a guy who suffers with lower back pain, it had the most comfortable seats I have ever had in any car !. I offloaded the dead Audi and kept the Saab for another 25,000 miles, utterly reliable and pain free motoring. I now drive a 9-3 ng, from 2007 and it’s joyful. It’s getting harder to find good, low mileage Saabs these days, but, there are still some out there.
It may have been based on the Insignia’s platform but Saab worked their magic and made the 9-5NG a tremendous car. It was miles better and more reliable than the equivalent 5 series, E class and A6 of the day and it was so much more stylish than all of them too, rivalled only by the Jag XF in my opinion. The 9-5NG deserved success.
Even the last model 9-3 was a great car, while the convertible must surely rank as the best saloon based 4dr drop top in its class ever, it looks stunning.
GM scalped SAAB 😢 I have a 9-5 Aero a 9-3 convertible (the same as the one you featured). I gave a Saab 9-5 to my daughter but she had to rebuild the motor 1st .. she did... so proud... Noone is allowed to touch her Saab on fear of death. 😅 I would have 1 of these in a shot. I ❤ Saab and thank you so much for featuring this. I just wish they would come back... best car ever.
Thanks for watching, I wish they'd come back too
Beautiful styling inside and out.
What an honest review of that car. Realistic but enthusiastic too.
Thanks Chris! :)
I've been driving Saab cars since 1989. I just got my 6th Saab a 9-3 cabriolet with 60K on the clock. I am a blessed man and say Saab is and always will be the best cars EVER made.❤❤❤❤
I've considered a SAAB 9-5, but ultimately went with the 2001 Lexus IS300SC. I know, it's a bit different category, but the thing that sent me the Lexus path was one thing: part availability. On my Lexus it's not perfect already (try finding a new heater fan, good luck), but buying a car from a manufacturer defunct for more than a decade... that must be TOUGH. So all the praise to the people who've decided to keep those awesome vehicles on the road, despite the odds.
Cool car 👍👍
Nice video. Thanks! Best car I’ve ever owned (and I didn’t expect that.) In the USA, I have the Aero XWD (300 shot, all wheel drive.) there is nothing “fidgety” about my auto transmission w/ paddle shifters on steering wheel. It’s big, comfy, and a rocket! The smaller than standard flat bottom steering wheel adds to tight handling, the power, the uncluttered and ahead of it’s time style sets it apart (blacked out A&B pillars on a white one w blacked out windows, etc.)- every time I have it out, total strangers have positive comments from “is SAAB back, is that new?” To “what is that? I thought it was a Porsche at first?” … glad to see someone give it props!
Nice one. They really do still look modern. And I can see why someone could see Porsche in it, like a Panamera or something. But actually better looking 😂 Cheers!
I own 2 Saabs, a 2010 9-3 XWD 6 speed automatic, and a 2007 Saab 9-3 FWD 6 speed manual. I saw a saab production document, and only 51 of my 2010 came into the US! That's my daily driver, I love it! I've been toying with the idea of looking for a 9-5 XWD, have seen some with low miles, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. I do own a Tech 2 diagnostic scanner and Trionic 8 software for my laptop, so, no problem repairing them. I will ALWAYS drive a Saab! Hey, nice review! Saab-on!
Brilliant and thanks :) You have a nice little collection. Saab-on indeed!
I have 4 Saab 9-5 OG's. 3 Aero Wagons and an Aero Sedan, all 5-speeds. I have them all in the hopes that I will never drive another car again. They're that good. The only thing they're missing is a 6th gear and I plan on swapping an F40 six speed into my 03' wagon, which is my favorite and the one I'm really building up. I have no desire to own one of these. I'm not sure why. Maybe if i could get one of the sportcombi's with a stick, which is almost impossible, but even then I still think I'd rather have a 02-05 Aero wagon. They're the best looking wagons ever for my money. Thanks for posting this for us Saab people, I appreciate it.
Awesome, I will hopefully review that first generation of 9-5 soon. You're very welcome :)
OG 9-5 is simply The Be(a)st. Well, maybe along 9000 Aero. I have only two, 2005 9-5 2.0T stw automatic w/ bigger turbo and Bilstein/Koni chassis some 240hp 400Nm on 98E (limited due to slushbox) and 2007 9-5 2.0t stw A. Ex-SAABs 1977 99GLs 4d, 1989 900c 2d, 1994 9000CSE 2.3 A, 1995 9000CD 2.0i. In snowy, harsh winter-conditions of The Arctic Circle 9000 really shines, have to get one. Or maybe two, and a 2004-5 9-5 Aero..
🇸🇪🇫🇮💪
Well, early 2010 I had to change car, I wanted to buy a 9-5 sportcombi, but the OG was with a 5 speed, and the NG was not available yet. I bought myself a Ford S-Max instead. But now since 2018 I drive a 9-5 NG, I'm so happy with it
1st off, that car is in phenomenal shape for 120,000 miles on it. Kudos to builder and owner(s). 2nd, yes, the soulless GM Product Managers finally achieved the cost cutting homogeneity they had long battled with SAAB over. Bob Lutz, the then GM product guru, had wanted to ditch them in 2008 because a) they were losing money on every single one sold, and b) he perceived the market to be tiny, perspective was “they are quirky/weird expensive to build cars” that maybe 300,000 customers globally would ever buy. I had a 2004 95 Wagon, a 9000 CSE, OG 93 Sedan, then NG 93 hatchback, and I can honestly say the 2004 era was the best of both worlds. The Auto transmissions, indeed all SAAB transmissions for that matter, left a lot to be desired. My 95 had what I’m sure was a GM Tremec 5SP which had been the best experience I ever had in a SAAB. Eleven the 5SP Manual I had in the 04 93 Convertible was a revelation. The A/C units were industrial strength, and the brakes, like a lot of other components, became waaay cheaper. But the bottom line is the 95, and by then all SAAB’s suffered from an identity crisis. They more or less did everything competently, but excelled nor bested their competition at nothing.
I always liked that Saab, shame they stopped production.
I remember driving one of these and genuinely enjoyed the styling and drive. If I remember correctly it even had the built in hard drive to store music? I found that incredible at the time. Beautiful looks, you’re right, they did get it right with this.
I'm not sure about the hard drive - quite possible!
@@JJonCarsYes, I own a 9-5NG , I bought it second had, it has the Harmann Kardon radio, with a hard disc that you can 'feed' through the USB port. Actually, I still got the music the previous owner had in that HDD. The Harmann Kardon radio is at it best when you play a live music DVD. I've got 2 of them, one of Queen live and the other Mylène Farmer, for the long term preservation of my ears I'm glad the volume is limited!
Btw, I own a TID, so 2lt 160hp diesel. 0>100km/h is rather poor, but accelerating from 70 to 120kph is impressive! Climbing up mountain roads is such a pleasure. And once I drove from Costa Brava to Brussels with 5,3 lt/100kms, 1300kms on one diesel tank!
That SAAB still looks very modern to this day. It was way ahead of its time.
The estate version looked stunning. Just 25 or so prototypes sadly made, but I'm privilileged to have seen 2 of them.
Oh yes, I was thinking of including that in the video but then.. forgot haha. There was one at Millbrook proving ground for years that got saved and taken back to Sweden. I agree it's absolutely stunning 👍 Where did you see the two?
@@JJonCars I've seen the Millbrook car and I was also overtaken on a Swedish motorway by one in early 2011. A few of us had been ice driving in Sweden in early Feb of that year and we were driving back to the port at Esbjurg in Denmark. We were on the motorway en route and two new 9-5's came past us. One was an estate version. It looked superb and I'm sure it would have been a strong seller had it made it on to the market.
There's a lot of estate versions
@@dovydas4036 Only about 25.
In the US, the Aero only came with the 2.8 V-6/XWD/autotragic, but the FWD 2.0T was available with that 6-speed. I test-drove one back in the day and quite enjoyed the 9000/OG 9-5inspired interior and how that big car seemed to shrink around me as I hustled it. I’ve always wanted to own one, but have been scared of parts problems. Sadly, most survivors here are ragged since they had little resale value and weren’t necessarily owned by Saabistas who valued them for what they represented.
That's a great description of how it feels to drive. I wonder if they are worth more in certain countries - they seem to go for good money here in the UK.
I am actually driving one of those 2.0T with a 6-speed (they only sold a handful of those in the U.S.). Bought it 4 years ago with 57K miles on it. Had to replace a melted right rear light assembly (those Halogen turn signals were too hot, I replaced those with LED bulbs). One of the climate system buttons lost some paint. Plus, I had to replace the tire pressure sensors. Other than that, it looks, feels and drives like new. The second Saab I ever owned (I had a 99 back in the early 1980's). Love to drive that thing.
The last and rarest Saab is the 9-4X. Only 814 were made, all at GM's Ramos Arizpe, Mexico plant. It was on the same platform as the Cadillac SRX and related to the Chevy Equinox (I'm not sure what Opel-Vauxhall was doing in that segment at the time).
Yeah! We never got that car here so it's completely off my radar
First time I've seen one of these. True Saab style statement. Love it
When working at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire they used a 95 to train drivers on the high speed bowl to +150mph I can tell you it was an amazing experience
I need more interiors with a driver centric design like saab has, they’re amazing
I had four 99s over 30 years. Great cars. Still miss them
I do like the interior and green lighted dials.
Looking forward to finding and owning one soon. Test drove a turbo4 a few years ago and LOVED IT. A very cool final iteration of Saab, and yes, there is saabishness all over the car, if you drive and look at it closely. I owned a 2017 Regal Turbo, pretty much the same overall car, but the Saab was light years better. Engine management, throttle response, ride, interior, exterior, handling, just every part of the Saab was an improvement over the 7yr newer buick.
I miss Saab so much. The Government of Sweden didn't bail it out which was stupid decision. 9-5 was and still is a great car.
For small scandinavians the SAAB SCANIA group made excellent tools
Had a 93 aero years ago and it was a very reliable car, loved it
Great! Thanks!
I owned a Saab 9-5 Aero (2000-version)!
It was magnificent! 👀👽
Bravo for 3:50, "Release me" by Oh Laura. It was a soundtrack to one of the most beautiful and meaningful saab ad. Beautiful touch and suits the car. Well done!
To be quite honest, I had no idea about that! It must be on the hard disk drive of the headunit... so maybe Simply Saab put that on there, we can give them credit 😄
Sabb has some of the most beautiful cars ever made.
No one has made a convertible as beautiful as SAAB! Audi were very close, but there is something special in the proportions of the SAAB 9-3.
and this is NOT one of them, fyi. Same w/ the '08+ 9-3: ask a woman to describe it and if she has sense of design etc, she'll probably say 'droopy' and frumpy. NOT good! lol!
Spyker is one of those who buried Saab by making money of its downfall with the kind words that their intention was to help 🤔. And the last Saab was the greatest but sadly all to late. Owned one Saab 99 Turbo and two Saab 900 Turbo and overall they was great cars by its time.
this last one was NOT the greatest saab in any sense at all. Many of us know each generation inside and out. This isn't a bad car but it's not much of a saab at all in any sense whatsoever really. Design is wretched!
I love this model too because of its modern design language. It's a kind of masterpiece I would say. It deserves love and respect for being different in such a good way.
Nice touch to make the A-pillar black. It makes the roof appear to float.
Yes, this is true. I think this is the other part of the design that I find similar to the Nissan GT-R :)
Not a fan of the styling of this particular Saab but I have very happy memories of my time with the 9-3!!
Respect to Saab, also well done review.
Thanks :)
It's absolutely beautiful ! There are resonances with the David Bache- designed Rover P5 , particularly the roof. Very elegant with a lot of road presence.
Like you, I love SAAB’s and I’ll hold my hands up and freely admit that I’m biased towards them all. I think this is a great car and it pains me to this day to think that SAAB no longer exists. Great video, thanks for making
Thanks fellow Saab guy, glad you enjoyed it 😁
I love all the saab cars I have had 5 of them from the 99 to the 900 and 93 fantastic drive
Nice and honest video. I own a 2011 Tid4 manual myself, and have for the last 6 years. By far one of the most reliable cars ive had. One thing though, I am pretty sure they all came with the keyless start, but keyless entry was a separate option. So is the nav screen, so you could get that in a lower spec car if you wanted, you can also watch movies on there if you have dvd. There were 3 specs for them, lowest was Linear, then came Vector, and lastly, the highest spec was the Aero. There are also multiple different seat options, aimed for different types of customers, some are stiffer, some are more aimed at comfort. You could also get cooled front seats and rear seat entertainment.
Thank you and thanks for the information. It was quite hard to find details about these cars! I think in the UK you only got Vector SE and Aero but other countries had a few more models. Cheers :)
I’ve had many, many, many Saabs over the years. I love them to bits but my favourite was a 9000 cde griffen 2.3 that was a silver, ultra comfortable, guided missile. Never really got to properly test the new, new 9-5 but I was never really taken with the old one purely because they weren’t as good as the late edition 9000. The 9000 aero being quite frankly one of the best all rounders ever built by anyone, in my opinion.
Think my Saab days are behind me, I’m very happy with my CLK but if there is a 9000 aero lurking out there somewhere with my name on it, can’t say I’d complain.
This video made me sit down and write a comprehensive list of all the cars I’ve owned since passing my driving test in 1991.
I have owned in my driving career 45 different cars. 23 of which have been Saabs. (5 Rovers, 3 Hondas, 3 Toyotas, 2 BMWs, 2 Mercs, 2 Fords, 2 VWs, 1 Kia, 1 Suzuki and 1 Lancia)
Of the Saabs in that list 12 of them were bought from my good friend Tom Hagstrom r.i.p. A most curious sort of guy but someone who most definitely leaves an impression. Miss you mate.
Lovely. Mrs P has a 9-3. more comfortable than my E-Class....BUT, the VED is astronomical.
Thanks for doing this. good review. There are very few NG 9-5s here in Australia. The first one I came across was a 2.8L Aero XWD in March 2014. It had a heads-up display, which I thought was very cool. Great looking car. Until this review, I thought that all 9-5 NG Aeros were 2.8 V6.
My current Saab is a 2007 9-3 Aero manual 2.8L with Hirsch stage one and a Do88 intercooler. Very nice car to drive - powerful and super flexible. It replaced a 1989 900 aero manual. I was still using it as a daily driver and doing long trips with over 300,000 km on the clock. I didn't need to make any concessions for its age. Driving at 110 kmh with occasional bursts to overtake road trains when the outside temp is 44C or higher and the AC is on caused the temp needle to move by about 1mm. Pretty solid cars.😀
Thanks and you're welcome :)
I used to own a 2006 9-3 2.8, though no modifications - pretty darn quick as standard!
That's very impressive that your old 900 reached those miles/kilometres. Great cars for sure, cheers!
@@JJonCars The modified version is a huge improvement. Faster, of course, but much more flexible. I don't do it very often, but I can gently pull away in 4th gear from around 600 rpm and plant the foot at 1,000 rpm.
A friend in Melbourne has a 9-5 NG, a turbo X manual, and a couple of others. Her daily driver is a 9-5 aero (Hirsch modified) that is just about to hit 500,000km. Thet can last if you look after them.
According to the 9-5 NG production report by Saab enthusiast Henrik Zaar of Sweden, only 60 were delivered in Australia. That is nearly nothing. Here are the top 5 countries:
_USA 3457
_Sweden 2235
_UK 1301
_Belgium: 647 (probably including Luxemburg)
_Italy 447
The face lift 9000 CS is actually one of the best Saab design and still look modern even today. The New 9-5 still looks like it was made today. Seem to be a swedish thing as even the old 240 looks pretty modern.
Spot on jj easily one of the best looking saab's ever......gorgeous even today! That lightbar on the rear is on my new cupra formentor 13 year's later!! ❤
Cheers, yeah :) I quite like the Formentor even though I'm not really an 'SUV' fan
I don’t even drive Sir,, but love cars especially SAAB they were special cars when they were owned by their original company.
Well done review of this Saab in extremis . My father had 2 Saabs back in the day , a chocolate brown 99 and a light beige 900 and loved them . The 99 was manufactured in Belgium with an appalling paint job . It required a respray after 18 months because of rust spots . This wa done under warranty .
Thank you. I guess the old ones weren't perfect either :)
I still have a saab exactly the same colour as that one, mine is the vector though, 2 litre Manuel gear, exact same rims, if I parked mine next to that one and took off the plates you wouldn't tell the difference. My seats are different full grey leather, don't have that adjustable front but full electric heated and as comfortable as anything, the car goes and on the highway you don't realise you flying because it effortlessly goes and you pass all the cars infront of you until you look at the guage and realise you not a jet and should probably slow down. The night panel is awesome at night when the family is asleep. It only turns off the fuel guage also so you can't see how much fuel you have. But love my saab, also have the vauxhall insignia vx line it's diesel, similar size to saab but saab has smoother drive I feel at higher speed.
It felt like the writing was already on the wall by the time 9-5 came to the market. It kind of didn't matter anymore if the 9-5 was good or not considering the doom and gloom around Saab when this launched to the market. It's a shame. I loved the 9-3. I really will miss the night mode and I think these days that button would make even more sense than it did back then. I thought the 9-5 looked amazing when it launched and somehow it looks freakishly contemporary today. They truly were ahead of their time with that design language.
I still have original sales brochures of the 9-5 sedan as well as the 9-5 wagon version, which never even made it to the showrooms.
It didn’t help. But it didn’t kill GM-Saab. Good intro. People say this gen 9-5 riddled. I’m a car trader got within a tenner of buying one Motorway. Still never been in one. It’s a nicely styled Saab !!!! Cheap ish inside and out but styled beautifully. Well to me. Guess others think it looks like sick. Yip switchgear dire. Even use stalks in cheap cheerful Chevrolets.
What a gorgeous car. Who cares about the Opel chassis when it looks like this. Its external aesthetics look like it could survive ~15 years of continuous production with only a couple of facelifts here and there. There are probably less than a handfull of brands that have a record of creating such instant classic designs.
I was never able to own a Saab while they were still around, but their uniqueness is greatly missed. Thank you for this video.
Agreed :)
beauty is the original 99 and the 9000 aero
That car is beautiful
I’ve got an OG 9-3 convertible.
The only GM parts in that that I can spot is the mirror adjustment switch from what I can see. i’ve had a Holden a couple of times in Australia and the mirror switch is identical.
This car is a bizarre spec that we didn't get in the US. Turbo4 Aero, but FWD and no drive-sense. Neat.
Have just discovered your link thanks to UA-cams algorithm! Have watched your 900 Turbo convertible and now the 9-5 NG - well done. It's amazing how some of these 9-5 NG's actually made it to Australia new?. 3 to 5 years back there was a flurry of secondhand cars 4 sale - but nothing since.
You say your a SAAB fan and you seem to have tested quite a few SAABs, well done - but dare I say have you missed that last crucial link between the 'last true SAABs ' and the 'GM SAABs' in the form of the 9000 series. Have you tested any of those, especially the face lifted mid to late 90s AERO, 5-speed manual?
Glad the algorithm has sent you my way! This is a good point - I haven't yet tested a 9000 series, and would love to. As soon as someone offers one up I'll be right on it
I'm a BIG SAAB fan and have had many SAABs since 1990. SAAB made several mistakes, but one of the very big ones was NOT offering a 900 / 93 estate before it was too late.
Imagine what today’s Saabs would be like. A 2024 9-5 or 9-3… exquisite styling and performance. Some electric models perhaps in the lineup.
Only one issue ...because it's so rare...things like rear lights...body parts would be difficult to obtain....but I do still love it
Chinese will produce everything if they have blueprints
@@Nakkisampyla old 9-5 is the basis for one of their electric cars and petrol cars right now!
I own the 2.8 V6 and readily admit that, in many respects, it’s not a true Saab anymore. However, that’s precisely its strongest feature. Parts are easily available across numerous GM brands, so you rarely have to search for long. XWD components come from Haldex and can also be found with other European brands. I love this car.
Yes this is very true. Having easy access to parts for a company that has long gone bust is a great thing. Glad you like the car :)
best wishes with Xwd service!
@@18_rabbit No issues, as long as you use the same parts as those used in the Saab. Haldex parts used in a Saab are not entirely unique to the brand, the same specifications can be found in Haldex systems for other manufacturers. You just got to do your homework.
Another fantastic video JJ!
I always wanted one of these (I had two 9-3s previously) but I never did manage to get hold of a 9-5NG.
The exterior styling was (and still is) absolutely spot-on. The interior does suffer a bit from 'GM cheapness' (but it's not bad) - and the AERO model was extremely well equipped.
I'm still gutted they are no more - I'm a huge fan of SAAB.
Thank you! Yeah they're really thin on the ground and can be hard to find. You and me both, RIP SAAB
ugg on this design. I'm a mega saab fan but ask a woman about this design, and the final 9-3 design. Most ppl will say droopy, frumpy or dumpy
There is also a (very rare) estate version of this 9-5. My first car was a Saab 99 (in 1985..). Owned 4 more. The last one was a ‘91 900Turbo 16e Aero. Should have kept that one. It was over when GM took over.
It's very good looking especially the wagon version(only handful of preproduction/presentational examples exist as it was shown off on geneva motorshow the same month Saab was killed off). It shown how new Saabs would look, even if its based on GM/Opel partbin it is all the better in terms of spare parts for mechanical/driveline parts at very least. It's a shame Saab had to share fate of Pontiac and other brands GM killed off. between 2009 and 2012.
That wagon version I agree, was really great looking. I intended to mention it in the video but then forgot 😂 Shame it never got properly produced beyond those prototypes!
I've always liked the Saab 9-5 but tough to find in the US. Reminds me a lot of my old Volvo S80 V8.
I've owned a Saab 9-5 and although it broke down to the point where I had to get rid of it, it is in my mind stil the best car I have owned and would today still buy another Saab especcially if it was electric.
It is not a Vauxhall. It is Opel. Vauxhall was just the same as SAAB at the end from the mid 70-ties, Opel based. That was what Opel wanted and it suited the GM strategy as they did the same with their brands, which were all Chevrolet based. Buick were allowed to do their version of the Caprice and so on. Vauxhall was just more or less an Opel for the U.K.
As a Swede, I really don`t know why people didn`t bought Saab cars. The where and is wonderful cars.
Thanks for the great video and your love of Saab, I bloody love a Saab too... On my 4th 9-3 now, also have a 99Turbo. The NG 9-5 is a beaut of a car, might have been better in automatic? My current 93 is auto and so much nicer than the notchy manuals in my opinion.
Cheers! I agree with you that it would suit an automatic better :)
Another great vid JJ, it is a shame about SAAB, I think that last SAAB they released was a lovely looking car, yes based on the Insignia platform but with just enough individuality to make it a bit better.
Cheers Will! Yeah exactly 👍👍
Thank you for vid.....Saab, what a shame they went bust....to bore you to death, my dentist in the late 80's and early 90's always complained about the price of parts, and servicing...but he still traded in and bought another.. .best wishes from Edinburgh
Great video JJ
I just love Saabs, ive never driven one mind but they look awesome and lol at backseat JJ
I have an ng 9-5 aero with over 233k miles on it. Mine has the 2.8 turbo v6 and awd. The car has held up amazing aside from some cosmetic defects. The HiPer strut setup with adaptive shocks is actually some version of GMs magnaride, so parts really arent too bad to find for it. Very comfortable vehicle on the highway. Its very easy to find most of the parts, since its on the same platform as a buick of vauxhall. I will own this car till I die, I love the thing so much. A real shame that the sport combi version didn't really make it to the market with only around 30 being built.
That's interesting about the HiPer strut. I'd quite like to see what it's like. Glad to hear that the car has held up well over all those miles 👍
It's as if someone sprayed a bit of Saab on an Opel/Vauxhall Isignia. The styling seems only slightly different to me and the inside looks really cheap to me but the changes in the outer details make it look like a much better looking car than the Vauxhall oddly enough. I know they were already on the way out but cheaping out on loads of things while wanting to compete with brands like BMW seems insane to me and it's not surprising this didn't turn things around at all. A shame really as Saab was an excellent car manufacturer and it's sad it's gone now.
Hi JJ, forgot to get back to you about my two (been busy with my own stuff). Will drop a reply shortly.
And the last 95 still looks like it could be released today, and not look dated.
I have a 2002 saab 95 aero and i love it. I will never part with it she has 270 000 miles and it drives perfect
The fact that the 9-5 and its predecessors werent Opel copies is what killed them in the end. Saab was doing so much extra that the cars got was too expensive and the margins were slim. They were better cars but at a cost. My grandmother was still driving her SAAB until she died 3 years ago. They have been driving SAAB their entire life.
I've got the same model, owned it 7.5 years already. agree with the styling comments. Don't forget about the other Carwow tests, at least the 9-5 Aero had proper exhaust tips, not fake ones. Couple of things: Satnav was not standard on the Aero, it was part of an option pack, and even then cars with Nav did not have DAB (mine doesn't). Vectors did have the push button start. Looks like the car has had a new windscreen as all UK cars had rainsense, looks at though the car has a plain screen (no console behind the rear view mirror), so Rainsense won't work. Mine is on 90k miles and is rattle free, agree about the gearbox - in the summer it is intransigent, and I can't help just glancing back when walking away. Sat in a 2017 A6 estate last weekend and that feels like a 9-3 inside....Shame Saab is no longer around. Very few appealing cars for sale now.
Haha, don't want to get accused of plagiarism 😄
Thanks for the great info! Well spotted - the windscreen has been replaced without rainsense. Good to hear you're happy with the car enough to keep it so long 👍
Saab made very nice cars in the high range. Super finish and special feel inside. More like an aircraft. Nobody gave that feeling. The price was too elevated in my country. People bought a Mercedes or a BMW for that price. I can say Saab engines were more performant than German engines and small cubes. The aero was very fast. Only once Saab came in big trouble with clutches and transmissions near the end of the brand. For the rest a very nice and costly Swedish car. Another aspect is, you have to like the Saab design. Not everyone likes it.
Not the last ever, but, It's one of the last. The last was Saab 9-5 Sportcombi version which was only 33 ever produced.
Wellllll.... if you count a car that was never officially sold. And it's the same thing anyway but an estate.
IMO they should've built the wagon first with the sedan to follow. It would've been the volume model in Scandinavia and the one the Saab faithful in places like the US were waiting for. The sedan and its' bid for the Chinese market and more mainstream appeal in America could've waited until production was fully ramped up.
I wish I could halve one I love the way it looks
Loved the way this car looks, it’s just a shame you get inside and it’s all Vauxhall. It’s the same issue Alfa Romeo has now.
I don't like every Saab but have always wanted a Saab 900 turbo
You're gonna enjoy the next Saab video I release then 😁
Oh I wish I still had my white 9-3 coupe!
I bought one TiD4 Vector cus here in sweden a Aero that has good or decent specs dont get off under 20k euro. Sold it in 2021 after 4 years and it was my first saab, i wanted a turboX but i knew id regret this 9-5 NG more. So i sold it after 4 years only cus of the wear. I needed a car so bad like it so i traded it for a Cadillac ATS from 2014. However back track here, my sister and bf had test driven my saab i bought 2017 a few years prior and it took them 3 monthas to buy one NG themselfs. And seen them driving up with theres made me trade the caddilac in after only a year for a NG again, SO... i have a turbo4 1.6engine and YES i had to change the transmission than you i know the issue. I LOVE THE NG!! It is the best looking saab and i know it is a bit of insignia but what car in todays market isent a bit of seat, VW, Skoda ECT!
After i bought the NG i went on and buying a OG 95 aero, a 900i from 87 and a saab aero cabriolette so iv tested the other aswell.
Love my FYM240 even tho it has issues! I loved my LNN090 (my first ng too)
Great work! Have seen a few now so ill suub thx to this NG vid but it pains me to watch it since of my enthusiams i dont doubt you undestand i have by this point.
Excellent, thanks! Nice to hear from a Swedish Saab fan. Another Saab video is coming out in 30 minutes after I post this comment :)
I have owned five different Saabs in my lifetime, I had to modify each one to really bring it up to be able to compete with the German cars. But on the good side, they were much cheaper and for 3000 in mods it was still a bargain. RIP Saab 😢
So, as a SAAB man which would you go for as a daily driver, 2011 9-3 Aero or 2011 9-5 Aero??
Good question, I'd be happy with either. I think the 9-3 would possibly be easier to maintain given there's more of them around. And it's a bit smaller and nimble. But the 9-5 is so rare and interesting. Cop out answer but I really don't know
9-5, although fuel consumption of 2.8T and maintenance costs are big downsides. But 9-3 is simply too uncomfortable.
Had a 2008 model. It wasn't a proper SAAB Open the hood and everything had a GM logo on it.
Saab as a real brand already ended with the end of Saab-Scania and became only a label, like the many labels of GM or Stellantis today, and if a label doesn't sell any more, what is it good for? Same could also happen to Opel. Even as a German myself, I would cry no tear for Opel.
first 9000 is the best of saab
i like the '94+ design
I know I shouldn't, but I really want this car lol
It’s a terrific car - reminds me a lot of the Rover 75 - another great car that was never going to rescue a brand that, frankly had everything else going against it. In the 9-5s case, years of poor management by GM, SAABs reluctance to compromise on certain engineering choices, leading to unnecessary expense when developing new cars, and a strange mismatch of SAAB / GM components, which meant, for instance, the 9-3 and 9-5, when first fitted with diesel engines, wound up with a wheezy, underpowered, dated and unrefined lump, which did nothing for their image. Eventually, GM stopped investment in new models, and SAAB soldiered on with an outdated model range, which no matter how many poorly executed facelifts and odd badge engineering choices (the awful rebadged Subaru for instance) could not be rescued.
Maybe you should have mentioned that a caravan was meant to be built. In fact they produced 29 preseries caravan. that look awesome. In my opinion this is the best looking caravan of that era.
I was going to mention it and then forgot 😂 Beautiful design
Looks nice. Given Saab's history of innovation, pushing the tenuous aircraft link feels a bit desparate.