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[Martin_1962]

Came close to buying a 9000 Aero once (230 BHP) but they're front wheel drive and don't handle that great. Also for some inexplicable reason the Aero was available only as a 5-door so it's pretty ugly looking -- I wanted it for the performance not the practicality, if it were the latter I'd go the whole hog and buy a wagon!

Pre-GM they're supposed to be really reliable (with the 2.3 turbo) but the post-GM models like the 9-5 aren't so well rated. Still nice cars but FWD sucks.

I drove 15 miles to a local car dealer with a decent Omega in it and my back was agony. Can anyone tell me why a 5 year old or so car was a nicer drive than a nearly new one. Sue was ever so happy to get back into an Omega

[miggy]

Came close to buying a 9000 Aero once (230 BHP) but they're front wheel drive and don't handle that great. Also for some inexplicable reason the Aero was available only as a 5-door so it's pretty ugly looking -- I wanted it for the performance not the practicality, if it were the latter I'd go the whole hog and buy a wagon!

Pre-GM they're supposed to be really reliable (with the 2.3 turbo) but the post-GM models like the 9-5 aren't so well rated. Still nice cars but FWD sucks.

I drove 15 miles to a local car dealer with a decent Omega in it and my back was agony. Can anyone tell me why a 5 year old or so car was a nicer drive than a nearly new one. Sue was ever so happy to get back into an Omega

Its the saab seats that do it.
 

[theowletman]

Newr Saab's are heavily influenced by GM so you can bet that they are really a Vectra in disguise, dealer servicing very expensive, parts for older ones at Eurocarparts not too bad, if they have GM or Delco electrics expect many visits to a diagnostic machine.

[ians]

The 9-5 seats are a massive disappointment given how excellent the 9000 seats were.   I was told by a dealer in Sweden that this was because fat yanks couldn't fit in the 9000 seats .   (The latest 9-5 ones may be better - mine was a MY 2000).   Other than the seats I liked my 9-5 and had no real problems with it but then it was a new car vs our Omegas which are a minimum of 5 years old now.

As I recall the 9000 Aero was only made in hatchback form - the top of the line saloon was a 3.0L based luxury model (a bit like MV6 vs Elite)

Performance of the turbo engines esp 2.3T was excellent although handling nothing great.

[Admin]

Saab 9-5 has become a significantly better car over the last 3 years or so.

Early ones were not that great, like many new models of car, they had teething troubles.

While they share many bits with GM, the engines (up to the latest generation) are Saab and are generally excellent.

It all depends what age of car you are looking at.... me, I'd get one of the last (97/98) 9000's which were superb cars.

The 9000 Aero (2.3T 225bhp/loads of torque) is the car of choice with simply the finest seats I have ever experienced.
Handling as standard is good, excellent when uprated. Those that find it dubious are probably driving models with tired suspension.
The last one I drove had new shocks and springs all round and uprated poly bushes. It was great fun!

Reliability of the 9000 is generally excellent and the turbo engines are capable of massive mileages.
There is also an excellent support network of owners for when things give problems.

Me, I have had 4 or 5 Saabs and loved all of them.

[ians]

Saab 9-5 has become a significantly better car over the last 3 years or so.

Early ones were not that great, like many new models of car, they had teething troubles.

While they share many bits with GM, the engines (up to the latest generation) are Saab and are generally excellent.

It all depends what age of car you are looking at.... me, I'd get one of the last (97/98) 9000's which were superb cars.

The 9000 Aero (2.3T 225bhp/loads of torque) is the car of choice with simply the finest seats I have ever experienced.
Handling as standard is good, excellent when uprated. Those that find it dubious are probably driving models with tired suspension.
The last one I drove had new shocks and springs all round and uprated poly bushes. It was great fun!

Reliability of the 9000 is generally excellent and the turbo engines are capable of massive mileages.
There is also an excellent support network of owners for when things give problems.

Me, I have had 4 or 5 Saabs and loved all of them.

How do you find cost of parts LB?  I'd be quite tempted by a 9000.  The 97 I think was the anniversary model which is the one I'd have.

[theowletman]

Find aftermarket parts at www.eurocarparts.co.uk or German french and Swedish.
I run an Omega because of the drivers seat, I have never had a more comfortable car - Estartit to Calais, 2 stops - no back or leg ache. I found that the GLS model seats are not as good as the CD and above - anybody else think that? A new Rolls Phantom has good seats, anybody do finance for £280,000 over 25 years?

[Admin]

Parts prices are not too bad I found. Shop around as there are plenty of specialists.

If buying an Anniversary model, be careful which one you choose. The 2.3 models were done with both the "standard" engine (B234) and with the Aero engine (B234R) for the very last ones.

You can also get late 97 Aeros. These have the advantage of the wonderful seats.

[Paul M]

Find aftermarket parts at www.eurocarparts.co.uk or German french and Swedish.
I run an Omega because of the drivers seat, I have never had a more comfortable car - Estartit to Calais, 2 stops - no back or leg ache. I found that the GLS model seats are not as good as the CD and above - anybody else think that? A new Rolls Phantom has good seats, anybody do finance for £280,000 over 25 years?

I've been in an Elite and an ex-police MV6 (so GLS spec seats) and didn't find a huge difference, other than the leather of course. Personally I find the retail MV6 sports seats are by far the best of the lot, much better support and they hold you in place when cornering hard. That'll be one of the reasons sports leather seats go for about 4-5 times the price of standard Elite leather on the used market (of course they are much rarer too).

[Golfbuddy]

My first car was a Saab. It was Saab 96 V4 with front wheel drive and a 'freewheel' lever which let it coast down hills even though it was in gear.

It was one of those cars where other owners always waved when they passed you.  

[omegadan2.2i]

Okay, thanks for all your comments chaps!!

After some SERIOUS thought, I have decided to stick with the Miggy (for a while yet!), especially if it doesn't cause me any further grief!!!  Marks_DTM is giving it an autobox upgrade and a once over so hopefully this may 'cure' some of the gremlins which wind me up so much!!

With the Slab, FWD and servicing/spares costs do put me off but still a nice looking motor!!

PLUS the Saab forum would NEVER match the quality of OOF!!!!

Dan