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 71 through 80 of 87.00

• 

  Too Much Hassle - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By John G - April 18 - 2:40 pm

  Lots of mechanical issues. Two ignition modules, SIDs display is failing, heater controls cause the right side to switch to uncontrollable full on heat. Engineering stinks - catalytic converter right next to oil pan and cooks the oil. Must change the oil at no more than 5K miles. Very noisy interior. At 60,000 miles the engine failed. Recommended 10K oil changes followed religiously. Saab knew this was faulty but did not publicize in States tho Europe knew all about it then tried to stiff me on an engine replacement until lawsuit broke loose a new engine. Apparently system does not save fault codes on many failures.

• 

  I enjoy my driving - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By r34 - February 24 - 10:00 am

  My 01 9-3 was hit by a big truck on a highway. My wife was driving it and walked out ok. We decided to trade a little bit of reliability (not buying a Japanese car) with driving pleasure (buying an European car). We decided to get a certified Saab (you need it). The dealer didnt do the certification very well and we had to get them fix certain minor things. Overall the car is more responsive than my 9-3 and the interior is much better. It is more like a luxury sedan than the 9-3. We want to be there all the time, even sitting in the car doing nothing Now we cannot "escape" from Saab.

• 

  Great Car but requires lots of repairs - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By jdowen - February 15 - 3:50 pm

  It is a very comfortable vehicle that is fun to drive. It is a quiet drive and handles very well. I really enjoy the car when it works correctly. However, it is a very unreliable car. I was stranded on the side of the road twice - at 60K miles and 65K miles in 2003 (only 2 year old vehicle), both times it was a failed Ignition Cassette causing the Catalytic Converter to melt (very expensive parts). It is a common problem, the NHTSA Office of Defects is investigating the problem. If you are looking to purchase one of these vehicles, please search Google for "Saab DI Cassette failure" for more information about this common problem and consider this when making your decision.

• 

  loving this car (again) - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By thorgan - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Went from a 99 9-5 to a 01 9-5 Aero when the first lease was up. We really liked the first car, but found that there were times when we could use more power (e.g. when attempting to merge into Boston traffic). The Aero has that power, and more. It rides incredibly well, is very comfortable, and (knock wood) weve not had any problems at all with it. We now have about 10K miles on it. We found with our first car that the 9-5 actually drives better the more miles it gets on it. That seems to be true with the new car as well. At 10K it seems to be just getting broken in.

• 

  Saab 9-5 Wagon - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By dpalex - January 14 - 10:06 pm

  Bad wheel bearing, bad ignition module, bad ignition module 2, recalled ignition modules, poor / insufficient brakes, heater erratic, unreasonably expensive repairs, failing guide pulleys to timing belt, possible symptoms of failing turbo. Positively EATS tires with its weight.

• 

  Never Again - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By MzKim - January 4 - 6:13 am

  I purchased this car used. It was pretty to look at and clean, however one month after driving off the lot I began to had problems & it never stopped: fuel pump, electrical, water pump, timing chain, AC system, sunroof, turbo and the list goes on. 4 yrs later I refuse to spend another penny. I through a piston rod and need a new motor. I am done.

• 

  My 2nd Saab this year! - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By Jay - November 29 - 9:46 pm

  I just moved up from a 9-3 SE to a 9-5 Aero. These are the first two Saabs Ive ever owned. The 9-3 met an untimely end but it wasnt the cars fault. So we looked around for a couple of weeks and found this gem. The ride is great, it is a little punchier than the 9-3, and these cars are actually roomy for a 66" guy to drive. Previous owner kept it flawless. Its eight years old with 53K on it.

• 

  Dont Do It - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By A Navarrete - November 28 - 6:00 am

  Great features for the money. They look great, are fun to drive and get good gas mileage but Ive chewed gum that was more dependable. Two Saabs and over $4,000 in repairs not including the warranty recalls. I thought maybe my first one was a lemon so I got another. I was wrong. They are all lemons.

• 

  The Most Fun to Drive - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By Saab RC - October 19 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I road tested various models of BMW, Audi, Infiniti, Acura, Lexus before deciding on the Saab 9-5 Aero. Only competitor for sheer fun to drive was the BMW 3 series, but that car was much smaller with poor rear seat and trunk space. After 28,000 miles, the 9-5 has been reliable, still feels rock solid, safe and roomy enough for kids, handles beautifully and oh, that turbo kick that presses you back into your seat! Nits: 1. the bumpers are poorly designed--if you get a few scratches on the black ribbon in the middle, you have to replace the whole thing. 2. Road noise is greater than it should be for a car in this range, especially on concrete highways

• 

  2001 Saab turbo - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By sloughheed - September 20 - 2:00 am

  In the past I have owned an Audi, Volkswagon, and BMW but this car has truely been the best in terms of performace and quality. The fuel economy is also quite amazing, I average about 7 litres per 100 kilometers and about 13 in the city.