Overview & Reviews

Entry-level models get more horsepower from the turbo four-cylinder while all models get the OnStar telematics system, turbo gauges and two new colors.

• Satisfying performance, impressive luxury, reasonable price, wagon availability.

• Quirky Saab design attributes and ergonomics, uninspired exterior styling.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 87.00

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  My best car ever - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By kkits - August 17 - 10:06 pm

  I have owned my car for 8 months and is still a big smile each time i use it. It has an superb engine with more torque than most ever need, and its handling is sharp and precise. The only drawback is the fuel consumption which is to high at todays standards.

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  Useful and fun! - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By sportsmom - September 2 - 10:00 am

  Replaced my Toyota Camry wagon with the smaller Saab last year. Very fun to drive and extremely comfortable - I spend a lot of time in my car between commuting 35 miles each way to/from work and driving two hockey playing kids all over New England. Have had no mechanical problems and car gets good mileage - over 27 mpg combination of highway and city driving.

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  Love this car - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By M Hoffman - June 26 - 12:00 pm

  In 2001, my wife wanted a new car and we purchased this 9-5 wagon. Other than replacement of the direct ignition cassette and one wheel bearing, it has been relatively problem free for more than 90,000 miles. The DIC was replaced under a recall at no cost. Just drove car through western Canada, averaged 28 mpg. Love this car.

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  Fun to drive...expensive to fix - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By gohard - January 9 - 8:03 am

  I bought my Saab 2001 used with 20k miles in 2004, now has 98k miles. It has been a great dog mobile and triathlon equipment car. I have a love/hate relationship with the Turbo. It has gone once already as has the battery, brakes, cup holder, lights (frequently), electric panel, A/C, etc. I have easily spent over $10k in repairs. The ignition is in a terrible place and the car has turned off when a larger person passenger accidentally bumped the ignition. I thought it was a lemon but from reading other reviews this is typical of this model. I had hoped to drive it forever but I dont think it will last that long. The interior is nice but I wont buy a performance vehicle again.

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  Not a bad car - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By ray85158 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive, handles well and is very comfortable. It has also been very reliable, within a year of ownership no major problems. But I have two gripes. Like another comment posted here, I had an occasional problem with a sulfur smell from the catalytic converter. My other gripe, when in closed spaces like a parking garage, the noise from the exhaust manifold was so loud it sounded like the muffler fell off. Ok one other gripe, the resale value stinks. I have already traded it for an Audi A6. But I can say, it was a lot better than my 96 Volvo 850.

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  Pretty, comfortable, powerful, stylish - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By odoyal - June 22 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun, stylish, and very comfortable. The sport mode of the 95 saab is a real nice kick when you hit the gas and is a considerable step up from the normal mode. The cup holders are a negative but with the long list of standard features, it more than makes up for it. Also OnStar is nice to have if your willing to pay the extra $120-$300 a year. I would get the 3 liter because there is more than enough power and isnt as noisy as my friends aero version.

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  Verdict Still Out - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By JOHN - May 26 - 6:56 am

  Bought certified used with 36,000 miles on it. Less than 5,000 miles later needed new oil pump, new water pump (covered by warranty) and replaced the brake light bulbs twice. Very comfortable car and relatively fun to drive. Does have slight but noticable turbo lag, but car is nimble. Gimmicky cupholder is useless. Very little storage space in cabin for things like coins, etc. I like the car but early indications of reliability give me pause.

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  Swedish Meatball - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By Wmstrahan - April 17 - 4:00 pm

  Great car until many things begin to go wrong. The car is constantly throwing up trouble lights and things are breaking. Will never buy another Saab (we have two 9-5s) but I hope my friends do so I can ride in them.

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  No BMW - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By bayviewwilliams - March 4 - 5:23 am

  My 9-5 was swift, not fast. Exceptionally comfortable. Interior packaging was great, trunk space awesome, even good gas mileage. But GM really let Saab go, and the performance, build quality or materials cannot hold a candle to contemporary BMWs.

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  awesome car - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By kelb - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I bought the car new and loved it from day one. Very smooth and quick - especially highway driving. Great handling and low noise at 100 MPH (so I hear). Roomy interior easily matches more expensive cars such as BMW 5 series. Masquerades as a stylish family sedan, but absolute road rocket at heart.