Overview & Reviews

After last year's extensive round of improvements, the 9-5 received only minor upgrades for 2003. All five-speed automatic-equipped models now have the Sentronic manual-shift feature with steering wheel-mounted controls. Ventilated sport seats are now optional on the Aero, while electronic stability control is now standard on all models.

• Best-in-class crash scores, long list of standard features, plush highway ride, supportive seats, large trunk.

• Turbo lag at low speeds, suspension too soft for aggressive driving, interior materials could use improvement.

User Reviews:

Showing 101 through 110 of 141.00

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  Whose a Snaab - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By Intermedx - April 12 - 2:00 am

  While I generally like my Saab and believe there have been significant improvements in performance and reliability, there stiil seems to be a lack of attention to the uality of the little things. FOr example, headlights routinely burn out. I know this is not just my car as I have seen several other 9-5s with the one-eyed stare. Additionally, the plastic covers for the rear center tail light and the overhead light both broke over the course of three years. The car is extremely confortable and in the Sport mode is a total kick to drive. The key to happy sport driving is to keep the revs up a little to avoid the classic Saab turbo lag.

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  Huge disappointment - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By Andrea29 - March 4 - 1:26 am

  Bought the car with 44,000 miles on it, thinking SAAB was a quality brand and would last for years. Unfortunately, I had not heard that repairs on a SAAB are extremely expensive. The car was initially fun, lots of bells and whistles. After 2 months, things started going wrong. The computer that controlled the temperature panel went out. The module controlling the high beams failed. The plastic panel under the drivers seat broke. Power locks did not work correctly. Other small items broke or stopped working. The final straw was at 96,000 miles when the throttle assembly went out. After a repair cost of over $1000, I traded in the car. I will not buy another SAAB.

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  Not worth the money - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By shellEy - February 28 - 7:36 pm

  For a car that costs as much as this did, I expected much higher quality. The engineers did a poor job of ergonomic design, parts break (and when they do, its *very* expensive to fix), and there are known bugs which Saab doesnt seem to care about fixing. (Repairs on my car in 100,000 miles: fuel pump, brakes (twice!), rear-hatch-closed sensor, engine-temp gauge...) My pet peeve is if you set the interior temperature, I expect the car to maintain that temp. Instead, itll either be too hot or too cold.

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  fun and comfortable, rock steady build - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By Joseph - January 20 - 7:33 pm

  I have driven this car for over 60,000 miles now, and still love it. I am a Saab fan from way back, but this one is the best. I did have some minor throttle part problem that was a back- ordered part, but was covered under warranty. Even then, the vehicle was drivable on "limp" mode, so it has never stranded me. I did not like the original tires, but replaced them with Turanzas at 40,000 miles and am very pleased with the added quiet and drive.

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  Fun meets function - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By MOMAMIA - December 30 - 10:00 am

  This car impresses you from the test drive. We looked at BMWs and the like and they were lacking compared to the Saab. You must smile when you drive this car - its impossible not to. You have a superhuman feeling of control. Its sharp in every way. We love this car. Test drive and fall in love. The 9-5 is the only way to go. Best in class.

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  Saab 9-5 Arc - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By - December 10 - 2:00 am

  In 2000 miles, Ive experienced a car with oustanding highway & city driving capabilities. The seats are exceptionally comfortable (w/ heat and a/c !) Driving through a downpour on the highway provided me a great deal of confidence due to traction & stability control. The Sport mode on the trans. launches the car like it has 50 more hp The stereo (240 watt Harmonn Karden) is awesome. The build quality is very good.

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  Saab 9-5 Arc - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By gtoman - December 10 - 2:00 am

  In 2000 miles, Ive experienced a car with oustanding highway & city driving capabilities. The seats are exceptionally comfortable (w/ heat and a/c !) Driving through a downpour on the highway provided me a great deal of confidence due to traction & stability control. The Sport mode on the trans. launches the car like it has 50 more hp The stereo (240 watt Harmonn Karden) is awesome. The build quality is very good.

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  Tow after Tow after Tow after Tow - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By hatesaab03 - December 5 - 10:36 am

  I had purchased this vehicle not even 2 weeks and it died on me. I had bought it with about 57K miles, and two weeks later on the way to a mini vacation it leaves me stranded in the middle of the freeway. I took it back to the selling dealer and also their Saab dealer and they slapped the machine on it and "Nothing is wrong with it, it drives like a champ." Again it had just died as i was accelerating through town, and then my speed gauge gradually goes down once again! On my way back from work on the freeway it died again! DO NOT BUY THIS MODEL. By the way i failed to mention i had to waste my money towing this vehicle every single time it died on me. STAY AWAY!

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  Under Rated!!! - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By MUWOLV - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I am amazed by the J.D. Power and Editors reviews. Ive owned my 9-5 Aero for about 10 months and have 11,500 miles on it. I have not had one problem. The car is fun to drive, tight, and different. You dont see a lot of Saabs in the Detroit area. I drove the BMWs, Audis, VWs, Lexuses, Infinitis, etc. and none of them were the complete car that the Aero was. Furthermore, the Aero was actually cheaper when you added the eqivilant options to the other brands. I would recommend a 9-5 Aero to anyone. I enjoy it more every day that I drive it.

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  Excellent - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By Jocelyne Potyka - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Its a great car!