First Test: 2011 Saab 9-5

We take Saab's new flagship 9-5 to the test track to find out how well it performs.

[yashmaval]

Every time I drive my 06 SAAB 9-5, I'm saddened as this may be that last SAAB I ever drive... :(
Damn it... I love this car... I wish there was a way to get SAAB back to production... I'll be missing the 2.3T engine though... Such an amazing engine for being designed in the 90s.

[yashmaval]

As a Saab owner, let me recommend buying it from an individual vs dealer. you can buy a 07 9-5 from the owner for less than 8k$, with low miles. I bought mine with 2 sets of new tires (Summer and winter+rims) for 7k$ more than a year ago, and put roughly 30k miles on it already! keep looking around for the correct price...

[ediramagamingweed]

Saab kept its drivers safe that's why it's expensive

[googlereviewer]

Lovely car. So bold and willing to be different. 

[misterjgl]

Good to get as a pre - owned luxury car

[yashmaval]

06-09 9-5s are IMHO the most reliable Saabs after the 2000s. I had an 01 2.3t 9-5 185HP. Had lots of issues: Transmission, turbo, suspension wore out, gas mileage worsened with age, ...
The 06 I have now has 140k on it, tuned at 280HP. It feels brand new. It will definitely make it well over 200k. At the moment it contains all original parts except the ignition module. Decent car. Very strong, very efficient on highway, very reliable. The only issue I have had is rough idle at stops in "D".

[EmperorTrickyDick]

Thanks alot. I was doing research and having discussions in Saab forums and I have seen that there were oil sludge issues in earlier models and some steering problems as well. On autotrader, they have a handful of 9-5's with fairly low miles that I would like to check out. I've been wanting one since 2007. It's just so individual and an all around great car that I know I wouldn't get tired of. That generation is contemporary, with the right amount of quirk.

[yashmaval]

The turbo lag is minimal on aero 9-5s with auto trans. The auto reaches torque very quickly. Quicker than a honda without turbo. I haven't seen anyone changing intake pipes for reducing turbo lag. Some people mess with the exhaust, but I like the stock muffler/cat better.
There exists an mod on the bypass valve (costs 10$) which reduces the turbo lag, but the car makes a hooting noise in the pipes at part throttle, that's why I removed the mod.

[eemoscrashed]

Americans always seem to complain about the price. $52, 000 is cheap, in Australia at least, and our dollar is currently stronger. A Fully optioned 9-5 here sells for around $100, 000 - $110, 000, which while quite expensive is considerably cheaper then say an Audi A5 which sells for $140, 000 - $150, 000. $52, 000 is what you can expect to pay for a Toyota Aurion...

[zcamaro]

If only Koenigsegg bought SAAB from GM.

[gweggorz]

Saw this at an auto show a while back, and I can say it's the first Saab I've liked in a long time. They've got a bright future ahead of them :-)

[psychomat]

I'm driving one and I really like it !

[Johncarson]

This new 2011 Saab 9-5 actually starts at $38, 525 for the turbo4 model, but the one being shown in this review is one of the highest trim offerings like those found in other luxury manufacturers like the BMW 550i in the 5 series range or like the Infiniti M56 in the M-class range. That is why this particular vehicle is priced at $48, 490 but it really starts at $38, 525 for the basic 9-5 model which isnt to bad considering all its rivals start somewhere north of $45, 000 ++

[Xedonis]

First off, Saabs aren't about 0-60mph, and how often do you do a 0-60 sprint? Saabs are about real world performance, and have a lot of torque at the midrange which is useful for overtaking.

The 9-5 is cheaper than a similarly equipped BMW/Audi, and it's bigger! Saying that it's basically an Opel Insignia is wrong, although it does use an enlonged Epsilon 2 platform. 70% of parts are Saab-only. Is the old Jaguar S-type the same car as the new Jag XF? no. But they both use the same platform.

[damninhell]

@hadabenz i personally love that they stick to this body style with the 9-5, but they really got to start trying to appeal to the general public by getting other models out there at more affordable prices to save their business. it'll be great if the 9-5 and 9-3 stay as their higher tier and turbo x as their top tier but also offer some lower end cars for the majority of the public.

[SolicitedDavid]

i own a 07 9-5 it's a great car, it has lots of room and if you are lucky like me i got aired seat and heated seats on mine. I also got mine used the guy that i take it to wright know says there is no problem getting parts for the car, and i haven't had to put one part in the car sense i got my car 6months ago. and still running strong when i got the car i got it with 90k miles and i now put 5k more. the people that i take it to to get my oil change says it could last me up to 400k miles.

[yashmaval]

BTW, if you got one, definitely get a stage 1 tune. It improves the gas mileage by 2-3mpg, and smoothens the acceleration. I like these two improvements better than the additional 20hp. The stock 9-5 is a little bit unpredictable in acceleration. Stage 1 tune costs no more than 200$ and makes for itself with gas.

[okbuddyjarvis]

My mom just loves Saabs (she just bought a 9-3). I should show this to her.

[TangoR]

As fifth gears says, it shares the same drive train as the Vauxhall/Opel Insignia. So you might as well get the Buick regal for more badge. If the gear change is slow, get the manual.

[SweetSandman]

Holy price increase Batman. The last 9-5's had a starting price of ~$37k and went up to about 42 fully optioned. That's ~$10k in increase...I mean I love Saab's...but that is just absurd. Good luck "new" Saab.