I had 3 MAximas in a row -- last one was a '96, when I bought my '02 9-5 Linear wagon new.

Maximas -- dependable and solid beyond belief. Wonderful engine, smooth drivetrain. Decent amount of torque and HP. These cars could be more described as highway cruisers. Handling certainly good, but not comparable to the driving experience of a 9-5.

Which is really the difference. All around, ride, handling, steering, brakes, engine and shifting are SO much more pleasurable in a sporty car like the 9-5. Car has great seats, too.

I got the wagon, because I needed more load carrying -- the 9-5 wagon was great in that regard.

However.... Saabs have a nasty habit of just not being built as well as Hondas, Toyotas, etc. Sure -- the repair and reliabilty of Saab is well ahead of the other European brands (BMW, Mercedes, VOlvo, VW, etc) -- but you do need to be prepared that owning a Saab is not like owning a Maxima, for instance.

My 9-5 had been completely dealer maintained as long as I owned it -- fully synthetic oil, changed every 5k miles. Fluids, etc done well ahead of Saab guidelines. I have no doubt that the major mechanicals are good for many more years and miles. But as the car got towards 60k miles -- lots of repairs. In less than 2 years 5 tows (on the road breakdowns). My average repair and service cost per month well exceeded what it would cost to lease a new car.

At the 5th tow -- I realized that this car had to go. I am a single Dad, with 2 kids -- and it just didn't work from a practical or financial standpoint.

So at 65,000 miles I traded it in on a new 9-7x, which I leased. When it was at the dealer for its final repair (under me) the service manager described the 9-5 as "eccentric" (oh, and it needed another $1200- $1500 in repairs as well that I didn't have done).

So -- I can easily recommend a a 9-5 to you -- with these caveats -- get a good deal on one, be mechanically inclined (or have someone in the family!), have alternate transport available when needed.

Loved driving my 9-5, and think you would too.

Pete

• Any ex-Toyota/Honda/Nissan owners out there?, CharlotteSAABr, Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:16:10
  • Service history is the key, Indiana Saab, Fri, 23 Nov 2007 09:37:08
  • You won't likely go back., Yodelfoot, Wed, 21 Nov 2007 18:29:38
    • Agree, Don L, Fri, 23 Nov 2007 04:56:23
  • Toyota/Honda/Nissan Quality Myth, wooglin , Wed, 21 Nov 2007 10:48:39
  • Formerly Maximas..., Pete Saab 9-5, Wed, 21 Nov 2007 06:17:59 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Make the leap... but, Noel, Wed, 21 Nov 2007 06:11:05
  • Re: Any ex-Toyota/Honda/Nissan owners out there?, CharlotteSAABr, Wed, 21 Nov 2007 05:44:42
  • It's the ride and the comfort, adl6009 , Tue, 20 Nov 2007 21:49:52
  • If there is no evidence of sludging but the 04 9-5, dudethe9-5isfast, Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:19:56
  • '90 Acura Legend 5spd manual.... to '99 9-5 5spd long, mdj, Tue, 20 Nov 2007 19:06:50
  • Toyota: overpriced & underpowered, AeroBaron, Tue, 20 Nov 2007 19:04:20
  • Acura, Infiniti, Honda...and I do not miss them!, superlightsean, Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:50:18
  • 1990 camry, BrianG, Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:37:26
  • '94 Camry, '87 Nissan V6 pickup., LesH, Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:26:51
  • 92' Maxima owner, pilotalx, Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:02:14
    • Re: 92' Maxima owner, kenmat, Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:29:49
    • My 99 9-5 ... now with 120K miles - . almost perfect, dudethe9-5isfast, Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:03:20

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