1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
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November 2000 Car and Driver wrapped up it's long-term test of the 9-5 Wagon SE. In 14 months of ownership they put 40,000 miles on the Imola Red wagon. They liked the wagon over all and thought it was "one of the most handsomest station wagons ever, and it's so quiet and smooth, so easy to live with." They also tested accessories from the Saab catalog. The roof-rack cross bars that lock into place but were removed when not in use because of wind noise. Cargo guard which mounts between cargo and passenger area. It mounts without tools and is stronger than the roll-up cargo net but tended to rattle in it's mounts. There is a second metal rack that subdivides the cargo area but they did not try it. Other things they tried were the pet gear. Bottom line was to use a pet container properly secured.
I included some of the cost for the Saab lovers that like to see how the 9-5 will effect their budget.
1999 9-5 SE $38,585(base price $37,564)
200 horsepower V6
Likes:
- Free 1000 mile service.
- Visibility oustanding.
- Liked the idea of waiting for "the zeros to roll up on the odometer" with regards to service intervals.
- "Plenty of cargo capacity...cockpit is a pleasant workplace that I look forward to every day."
- "Engine is very nice. Plenty of passing power, plus 25 MPG on the highway."
- "It may not be the back-road wagon, but as a poke-around-town car, this Saab excels. Love the responsive drivetrain and smooth shifts.
Dislikes:
- Rear vents blew hot air once in 40,000 miles. The thought was an air blender door stuck briefly.
- Needs larger map pockets.
- Unintutive cruise control and climate controls, and that infernal floor-mounted iginition, which a passenger accidentally switched off at speed.
- Lack of lumber and fore-and-aft support in the seating.
- Minor squeaks and gritching noises emanating fro the dash and steering column. Most could be silenced be pressing on the dash faceplate or striking the steering wheel.
- "...always wanted to carry a banana in my pocket."
Maintence:
$0 - 3000 miles
$94 - 10,564 miles - oil & filter change plus tire rotation and inspections.
$96 - 20,000 miles - oil & filter change plus tire rotation and inspections.
$430 - 30,000 miles - new coolant, brake fluid, spark plugs, engine and cabin filter, and a front end alignment.
$96 - 40,000 miles - (no details)
========================
$716 total scheduled maintence.
Addtional cost:
$453 - Windshield from rocks falling from a truck.
$185 - Foglights from the above($316 installed)
$81 - Parking lot hit-and-run in parking lot.
$5 - Wiper blades which measure 22.6 inches cost $15 each. They bought a pair of 22" wipers for $5 and made them fit. $30 for the dealership to install.
Performance New 40,000 miles
0-60 MPH 8.2 sec 8.0 sec
0-100 MPH 22.5 sec 21.5 sec
Street start,
5-60 MPH 8.6 sec 8.4 sec
Standing 1/4-
mile 16.3@86 16.2@88
Braking,
70-0 MPH 188 ft. 187 ft.
Roadholding,
300 ft-diameter
skidpad .79g .80g
Top speed 142 MPH 142 MPH
EPA fuel economy, city driving 19 MPG
Car& Driver observed fuel economy 25 MPG
Unscheduled oil addtions 0 quarts
Scheduled service - 5
Unscheduled service - 0
Operating cost for 40,000 miles:
Service $716
Normal wear $51
Repair $0
Gasoline($1.66 per gallon) $2693
Life expectancies(extrapolated from 40,000 mile test):
Tires - 59,000 miles
Front brakes - 51,000 miles
Rear brakes - 93,000 miles
Take care,
Norm
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