Sensible purchase??

[Palin1977]

Hi,

Hope everyone is well?? I'm wondering if I could beg some advice on the potential purchase of a 2010 9-5 (last ones)

While looking for a new car I have stumbled across a 2.0TID vector se in a garage near me. Got a few miles on it but looks a lovely car. However I am concerned over parts availability. From the limited research I have done I can see that mechanically it's very simular to an insignia and parts should be fine. However I'm more concerned about saab specific items, notably things like windscreens.

Does anyone have any insight into owning this kind of car, is it a pain or doable if organised?
Just a bit concerned as I do a lot of miles and don't want to set myself up with a car I'm fighting to keep on the road.

Any help would be much appriciated

Daniel

[Steve McF]

Hi Daniel, and welcome to the board!!

I think I might have seen the ads for the car you are interested in. It looks like a clean example to me, although I have not seen the car in the metal. The price seemed good to me too.

One of the NG 9-5 guys will no doubt be along in a bit to offer their advice. One thing I did hear is that the car is very wide - which may or may not be an issue!!!!!

The parts availability thing is something I have heard from people (and mechanics) before - not just about Saab, but also other brands like Rover. As far as Saab is concerned, I have generally found that you can get most new parts from specialist suppliers like Saabits or PartsForSaabs, or there is the original Saab parts business, now known as Orio, but I gather they are expensive. There also tend to be quite a few breakers, so there tends to be a lot of second hand parts available.

If you do go and have a look at this car, let us know how you get on


Steve

[sgould]

Welcome!

There was an issue with sourcing some windscreens a while back, but they were the special ones with the head-up speedometer, etc. display. There a treatment on the glass so the display is visible. I don't think that many RHD cars were sold, so not many windscreen spares were kept.  Ordinary windscreens seem OK though, and if you have HUD, there's an aftermarket spray coating I've seen.

Saab Parts have changed their name (again) following a take-over, from Orio to Hedin Parts.  They have a warehouse in Milton Keynes, but most stuf comes from Sweden.  All Hedin parts are available from Saab Approved Agents. www.saabits.com are one and they are very good.  I find that generic bought-in parts sourced via Saab are expensive in general.  These are things like Bosch coils and pumps, etc.  Valeo wipers and locks, and the like.  These are usually best bought online from those agents. 

[saabsmurf]

Hello Daniel, there is no doubt that the NG 9-5 is a lovely looking car and if you go ahead with the purchase you will have something 'a little out of the ordinary'. It looks a good buy from the advert and I woud recommend taking up the warranty. I have just sold my Aero Turbo4 petrol and replaced it with a 9000 Anniversary. This is a lot smaller, I no longer have to hunt  a wide enough space in car parks - especially multi-storey ones. It is also a long car and very often the back end would be sticking out. Twice I had the back bumper damaged by other drivers and indeed when I sold it the back bumper was cracked. I think the interchangeability with Vauxhall may not be as wide as you might imagine although I never really investigated fully. When the bumper was cracked, the rear fog light was cracked as well and I could only find a second-hand one (£40 on ebay). There were not that many NG 9-5s made let alone imported to UK so there are not that many to break for spares whicfh means 'sellers market' and prices higher than for other Saabs. Being an Aero on 19" wheels the ride was a bit harsh - my wife has a bad back and finds the 9000 a lot more comfortable. The car you are looking at has 18" wheels so should be a softer ride and being a Vector the suspension should be as well
That being said, it is a lovely car - it is a shame that it was let down by GM's cost cutting. There are issues with 'steering lock control module' and 'shift to park error message' on the auto. The latest sat-nav update still gives you out-of-date maps - not a problem if you use google maps. Peeling buttons is also an issue.
I am sure that many other makes of car have quirks/quibbles specific to make.
Don't let this message put you off - if you realy want it then buy it - there are pros and cons to every car. I sold mine with 158,000 miles on the clock so high mileage should not be an issue
Steve

[wallsm]

Hi, I haven't been on for a while.
They are a great car, especially on the motorways, very comfortable.
I'm on my second TID, the first one was always very slow on the uptake until 1750 rpm, the new one pulls from 1100 rpm, huge difference, I think it's had an ECU upgrade, much nicer to drive and very responsive.
Heated seats can be troublesome, cheap GM heat pads, apparently there is a US GM high spec heat pad that fits, however I can't remember which thread I saw it on.
Frequent oil changes are essential ( that's why I'm on my second one ) and the oil sump pick up seal needs to be changed at 80k mls.
I have the steering column issue on my new one, a fix would be nice if anybody has one.
Otherwise no issues.

[welshwizard]

I bought my NG Aero Turbo 4 6 years 4 months ago....to replace an OG Aero 2,3T Turbo Edition (2009).

I love the car.  I am the one with the famous windscreen, 14 months to  source a replacement....Orio/Hedin sorted things out on that front - it wasn't the HUD that was the problems it was the Rainsense equipment behind the mirror.  New parts had to be 3D printed and attached to plain windscreens (no cars with plain screen were sold in the UK).... My HUD works even though I don't have the correct screen...

My turbo went during the warranty period.  Thank you Network Q.  Mechanically and electrically the car is a GM car, a mix of Insignia and BuickLaCrosse.  All the external bits are a problem.  Bumpers, exhaust, lights, LED light bar are not available.

It is a large car with a large footprint, commodious inside and extremely comfortable on long journeys. petrol gives 30-32 mpg..

And it looks awesome, you close and lock the doors, start walking away and then look back...My problem is that what do I replace it with when the time comes?  I was following an Audi A6 55TFSI (3 litre petrol quattro) and was not completely overawed...but what else is there?  Just need someone to invest in the Emily GT.