I bought a '99 SE V6 about eight months ago and have been very happy with it. I do wish I had a certified warranty on it, though mostly for piece of mind rather than any particular problems.

My car was still under warranty when i bought it (46k miles) so I had the dealer fix a bunch of small items (a couple of light bulbs, some pixels in the SID were out, etc) but overall the car runs just perfectly.

It runs just fine with "regular" 87 octane gasoline which came in handy when regular here in California was selling for $2.10/gallon and 91 octane was over $2.30. I am pleasantly surprised to average about 25 mpg in mixed driving (20 mile commute) and 28-29 mpg on long freeway trips.

I've owned primarily Japanese cars over the years, with a few Saturns thrown in for good measure. I'd say that my car exhibits a few "character traits" such as burned out light bulbs (probably due to the headlights being on all of the time) that I've never experienced on any of my Japanese cars. For comparison, I have a 12-year-old Mazda Miata that still has every original light bulb and I didn't replace the original battery until a month ago... and then only because I was getting nervous.

That said, I've never owned a car that was so immensly comfortable on long road trips. The interior materials are definitely first rate. The ergonomics are unique but make perfect sense after driving it for 5 minutes (wish all other manufacturers did some of these things). And, the car is really unique... in a sea of silver 5-series BMWs here in San Jose, my silver-green 9-5 gets positive comments all the time.

I can't help but feel that the 9-5 is a terribly under-rated car. The resale value sucks (that's why I was able to buy mine for $15,500 eight months ago) but people definitely react to me as if I'm driving a $40k car. Saabs aren't as invisible as many Japanese cars on the road, but also don't seem to intimidate people the way BMWs or Mercedes do while still getting that "hey, nice car" reaction from almost everybody I've met.

posted by 67.72.1...

• Considering a certified 2000 9-5 SE, Scott, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 11:30:06
  • Re: Considering a certified 2000 9-5 SE, Duke, Mon, 16 Jun 2003 13:55:31 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Thanks for the quick responses, Scott, Fri, 13 Jun 2003 12:31:22
  • Re: Considering a certified 2000 9-5 SE, 2000 SE Wagon, Fri, 13 Jun 2003 06:50:16
  • type of driving, hdm, Fri, 13 Jun 2003 05:36:22
    • Re: type of driving, Scott, Fri, 13 Jun 2003 12:16:07
  • Don't forget, saabrob , Thu, 12 Jun 2003 23:20:23
  • Consider the 4cyl wagon, and a lower purchase price., EricG, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 20:06:55
    • Re: Consider the 4cyl wagon, and a lower purchase price., Scott, Fri, 13 Jun 2003 12:25:57
  • Re: Considering a certified 2000 9-5 SE, jokikeke, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 17:29:45
  • wow, lots of us ex-Max owners out there, Bret, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 16:46:37
  • Re: Maxima owner once removed....., Ed NC, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 14:44:56
  • Another former Max owner, Pete Saab 9-5, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 13:42:15
  • easy choice, dip, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 12:47:57
    • You're right about the insurance, Scott, Fri, 13 Jun 2003 12:33:46
    • Re: easy choice, Steve in Toronto, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 19:44:30
    • Gas..., Andrew in DE, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 16:40:35
      • didn't I use the word "recommended"? n/m, dip, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 19:06:15
        • Re: I own both cars this is a no brainer!!, AASaab, Fri, 13 Jun 2003 09:13:45

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