Do you have any questions about the new Saab 9-5?
Ask in comments or in email and I will answer them here!
Isn't the new Saab 9-5 just an Opel with Saab badges?
No, the new Saab 9-5 is a true Saab. Read more about why here.
Is the dashboard surface of the cocoa interior really in brown color?
Yes, when you get the parchment/cocoa interior the dashboard panel, the top of the dashboard, the top of the door sides, the leather shifter boot and the steering wheel are all brown.
How do I know that I got the smart beam headlights?
First of all you have to have xenon lights to have smart beam. If you have xenon lights, then drive real slow in the dark with your low beam on and turn the steering wheel from one side to the other. Then you will see that the beam of light is turning with the steering wheel.
Is there mud flaps available for the new 9-5?
Yes, there are both front and rear mud flaps available, and they are super easy to install.
How does the night panel on the new 9-5 work?
A picture is worth a thousand words, right?
Does the new 9-5 TiD have a pre-installed diesel heater?
Not as far as I know. It has something called QuickHeater which is an electric heater that heats the air that enters the cabin when the car is running. To pre-heat the engine you can get an electric engine heater. Saab sells the Calix heater, but I got one from the Norwegian competitor Defa.
Does all the new electronic "gadgets" work during the freezing winter?
So far so good. I have driven the car in -20 degrees Celsius for several weeks and everything is still working. Though the HUD needs to warm up when its cold :)
Why should I buy a Saab 9-5 in stead of a BMW, Audi or Mercedes?
Because you want to make an original choice? Or maybe because you want to make a rational choice?
Is the new Saab 9-5 a reliable car?
Well, ask again in 3-5 years. But if the current 9-3 can be used as a comparison, then I would say that the reliability will be good. There will of course always be something to complain about, but the car will always start and take you from A to B.
Is the new Saab 9-5 a safe car?
Yes, all tests indicate that the Saab 9-5 is a very safe car. Saab has a long track record of making among the safest cars in the world. The new 9-5 has gotten top scores in crash tests, just like the current Saab 9-3 and the prevous Saab 9-5 received. You can read more about the safety of the new Saab 9-5 here.
Is the driving characteristics of the Saab 9-5 on par with the competition?
Well, some say that it's even better and some say it's worse. English car magazines in particular, have criticized the new 9-5. But the Swedish car magazines praise the car and call it the best driving car in the class. American tests are also very positive. Even German tests have been positive. So what to believe? I believe you should take a test drive and stop caring and worrying about what others say.
My car only has one reverse (backup) light, but shouldn't there be two?
Nope, there is only one reverse light on the 9-5 and it's on the right rear side.
Can you use anti glare sunglasses and still see the HUD?
Anti glare sunglasses definitely reduce the visibility of the HUD compared to normal sun glasses. I have tested with Polaroid polarized sunglasses which blocks glare. The HUD was still visible and usable with the Polaroids, but visibility was significantly reduced and thus you may have to increase the brightness of the HUD to see it clearly.
Is the new 9-5 too big?
The length of new Saab 9-5 is just over 5 meters (5008 mm) and the width is almost 1.9 meters (1868 mm). So yes, it's a big car. But that also means that the space inside the compartment is very generous. But once you get behind the wheel and drive the car, it doesn't feel big at all! It drives like a much smaller car, but at the same time it has the stability of a large car.
Which Saab 9-5 engine is the best choice?
That depends on what you want. If you want the best possible fuel economy you should get the TiD 160 hp diesel engine. If you want best performance you should get the V6 300 hp petrol engine. If you want great performance and good fuel economy you should get the TTiD 190 hp diesel, or the 2.0T 220 hp petrol engine. My best advise is to go for a test drive! Or you can read my test drives.
What are the Saab 9-5 color codes?
170 Black
278 Laser Red
298 Jet Black Metallic
306 Arctic White
310B Carbon Gray Metallic313 Glacier Silver Metallic
315 Diamond Silver Metallic
317 Java Metallic
320 Fjord Blue Metallic
321 Oak Metallic
322 Granite Gray Metallic
Is Saab dead? Is Saab gone? Is Saab still around? Is Saab bankrupt? Have Saab gone out of business? etc etc
To quote Saab's Chairman, Victor Muller: "Saab is alive and kicking!"
Last year they launched the all new Saab 9-5 Sedan, this year they launch the all new Saab 9-4X and the Saab 9-5 SportCombi, and next year it's time for the all new Saab 9-3.
Update: After several months of financial difficulties, Saab filed for bankruptcy Monday December 19th 2011. There is still a tiny hope that the bankruptcy estate will be acquired and Saab can live on.
A blog fueled by enthusiasm about Saab, the greatest car company between the North and the South Pole. And their cars, which probably is the only cars that would start on a cold and crispy South Pole morning.
