Test drive: 2006 Saab 9-5
Saturday March 11, 2006
It's subtleties that make a big difference. Sometimes it's something you can put your finger on (literally or not) and sometimes it's just a feeling you get. Some years ago, the Saab 9-5 (the wagon, specifically) was my favorite car. But with almost no changes, it was quickly outpaced by competitors.
Based on this review by Jason Fogelson, I'm not ready to declare the 9-5 dead (far from it really). Saab looks like they are paying some attention to this pretty old design, but I have to hope they really push the 9-5 back to Saabdom when they really overhaul it.
So while Saab hasn't totally redesigned the 9-5, they has made enough good changes to make it worth looking at again. Subtleties can be a powerful thing.—Brooklyn Bob
I’m so happy to read this positive review of the 2006/2007 Saab 9-5. Most other publications just knock the car for being an older design. IMO, older designs have a lot of positives including the fact that most bugs and problems have long been worked out. 9-5 reliability has improved every year: I think this is the best the 9-5 has EVER been. It also says a lot about the classic lines of the car that it still looks great after 8 years (with some minor updates along the way).
I just purchased a 2006 9-5 sedan and it is a great car. Very, very underrated. I enjoy hopping into it every day.
At MSRP, the 9-5 goes against stiff competition. But usually, it can be found well under MSRP. I purchased mine for under $30,000. At that price, it can’t be beat. I chose it over various Acura’s and Audi’s simply because it has more character and was a MUCH better value. (Although, depreciation is bad if you plan to sell it quickly. )
I enjoy the Saab 9-5’s understated European style. The 2.3 turbo 4 makes 260HP and a ton of torque. Again, this is an engine designed for European tastes and is a little rough for Americans raised on smooth V6 and V8 engines. But it’s fast, loaded with character and gets very good gas mileage (30mpg on the highway).
Inside, it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of newer luxury cars, but it has the all the important luxuries: awesome comfortable leather seats, Harman-Kardon sound system, 6-CD in-dash, XM radio, heated seats front AND rear, power mirrors with auto-tilt for parking, power/memory seats for driver and passenger, ABS, TCS, etc. It’s not flashy but it feels like a quality, well developed design that isn’t the flavor of the month.
Yes, the GM radio can be found in a lot of lesser GM cars but the fact is, it is a well designed radio. So, I can’t really complain about it.
Thanks to about.com for giving the 9-5 a fair shake. I urge others who enjoy a unique luxury car, and a good value, to give it consideration.