Author Topic: Review your classic Saab 9-5 (M98-10)  (Read 81577 times)

mikeloadsasaabs

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Re: Review your classic Saab 9-5 (M98-10)
« Reply #60 on: 22 October 2013, 09:30:59 PM »
They don't make anything to last  :( . Took the car in for it's Austrian MOT today, seems that there is a slight blow on the exhaust rear box and middle section. For goodness sake, it's only 10 years and 200,000 miles old....... ::) Luckily they passed it with an advisory, given our UK trip coming up on Thursday.

David

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Re: Review your classic Saab 9-5 (M98-10)
« Reply #61 on: 09 January 2015, 04:46:45 PM »
I loved my 9000 Anniversary. Over eleven years of ownership it had wafted us to many SAAB events both in the UK and Europe. Not that it was a show car. Far from it. The 9K was our everyday vehicle, doing everyday things, without any drama or major problems. So when it was written off by a careless driver, my first thought was to get it repaired.



After talking to Martin of JamSAAB, my local SAAB specialist, Anne and I took the decision that perhaps, as we had discussed changing it for a newer model, now was the time to move on to something more modern. We did contemplate one of the last SAAB 9.5s but found it was simply too big for my wife to drive. So attention was then turned to an earlier ‘Dame Edna’ SAAB.

So after looking at a few we ended up with this one, and I must say we are both really pleased.



So where do I start? This was the demonstration car of Squire Furneaux, the SAAB dealer for London. Colour is Titan Grey, which I think suits the car and those chrome headlamp surrounds, very well. It is the Hot Aero model with a manual gearbox, plus a number of Hirsch additions from new, which includes ECU, intercooler, larger fuel regulator and air filter, sports cat and large bore exhaust, plus brakes and suspension, not forgetting the rear spoiler. All this adds up to a car that is a little like Jekyll & Hyde – it is quite happy to trundle around town or more than willing to send you into a scene from Star Trek reminiscent of ‘engage warp drive Scotty’.

Thank heavens for traction control!

Perhaps the most surprising aspect was the mpg – at a constant 70 I am getting almost 40 to the gallon, with around 33mpg around town. Not bad for a car with 300+bhp and 400+ of torque!



As for the interior, it really is a nice place to be. Getting your head around the ventilation options presented a challenge, but when we eventually understood it, it made perfect sense. The seats, though not as deep as the 9K and dare I say not of the same quality leather, are more supportive and have that all important SAAB necessity – they are heated!



We rarely buy cars, the last time was eleven years ago with the 9000, so hopefully this SAAB, which we have only owned for a few months, will be with us for some years to come. Looking forward to the SAAB events we try not to miss which includes Swedish Day and an already planned trip to the SAAB International in Norway. So keep a look out on the roads for a Titan Grey 9.5 with a Hirsch badge on the boot and a driver with the widest, inane grin (a facial expression I didn’t think I would ever get, other than in my 99 turbo, but that’s another story) you have ever seen.
« Last Edit: 09 January 2015, 04:51:26 PM by David »

TomPaine

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Re: Review your classic Saab 9-5 (M98-10)
« Reply #62 on: 11 January 2015, 11:42:39 PM »
Congrats David, and enjoy. I mourn the dramatic diminution in the number of 9000s on the roads but there's no doubt you've done the right thing.

sgould

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Re: Review your classic Saab 9-5 (M98-10)
« Reply #63 on: 12 January 2015, 12:29:46 AM »
Looks shiny.  I notice that your door rubber has worn in the same place as mine!!
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David

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Re: Review your classic Saab 9-5 (M98-10)
« Reply #64 on: 12 January 2015, 04:00:45 PM »
Cheer Tom.

Yes I was a little shocked at this Will. Something I have never experienced on any other car. A bit of super glue and the loose bits are now whole.  ;D

Took her out to a local car meet on Sunday and scuffed a wheel (again!) 

« Last Edit: 02 March 2016, 09:57:34 AM by David »