With only a vague knowledge of Saab's recent issues (the last thing I remembered was the Chinese money was firm ...), on Saturday (12/17) I traded my '07 9-3 Aero convertible for a new 2011 9-5 Aero XWD. Loaded with everything.
12/19 they go belly up ...
Dang ...
My thoughts are this - in retrospect I probably paid too much for the 9-5, but it's a truly marvelous car which we have fallen in love with. Assuming any needed parts will be available here in the US for the next several years, I really don't expect any problems. About the only thing I know is that although almost NO car purchase is an "investment" ... this one was probably a big mistake financially.
But, it's beautiful, it performs well, it's comfortable ... and we're now absolutely "unique" driving down the road!!
We bought a new 9-5 on September 18, less than a week before this fiasco began. As you stated, it is a very impressive car and it will be unique for years to come. I am guessing that free scheduled maintenance is not going to happen, but will let everyone know as we are going for 10000 mile service Friday. We bought an extended warranty so I am going to get some information as to whether we are covered or not, since Saab USA discontinued warranty coverage yesterday. Coincidentally we traded in a 2007 convertible also.
You're not alone. I got my 11 9-5 at the end of September but at least mine is a company car but I had to do some selling to my management just to get it. If I had it to do over again I probably would have gotten the Cadillac....
I was told even if Saab goes belly up that there are legislated mandates in place on manufactures warranty, something like they mfr has to carry insurance that covers it in the event they cannot meet the obligation. I respect the dealership and salesman I bought the car from as I have bought several from him but I probably should have checked that out further, I don't know if that is true or not. On the other hand what happens if there is a safety or emissions issue. requiring a recall? I'm all aware caveat emptor but in this day in age I would tend to think there are consumer protections. Time will tell, hopefully Saab will put aside funds to at least stand behind the warranties on the post GM cars or offer some kind of third part coverage either at their expense or at a reduced rate.
This may become a close nit part of this forum since were all in the same boat, well, more like out on a island! I have a 2010 Aero and I have had a few of the typical "goofy" Saab issue but so far Jim Ellis in Atl has been fantastic. I am nervous now, sort of feels like one malfunction and I have the prettiest paper weight ever. I do love the car, recently been shopping for the wifes car and looking at the usual suspects(MB/Audi/BMW) and though nice still don't like as well as the 2010 9-5. It's amazing, have had the car a year and yet to see another in Atlanta.
Likewise; bought my 2011 9-5 on October 30th, 2011.
Got a heck of a deal at the time but I am sure they'd sell for much less now "as-is" since all warranties and free-maintenance has been suspended.
I am debating what my next steps should be... logic says to wait and see how things pan out, but I do have a sinking feeling at the pit of my stomach.
On the plus-side, I have always been a fan of Saabs and I do love my 9-5, so I am satisfied for the time-being. It's the idea of out-of-pocket potential repairs in the future that is a bit unsettling.
On top of that, I did take out a partial auto-loan on the vehicle purchase. Although the loan amount is definitely less than what the vehicle is worth even now as-is, it will still sting to make that payment every month... knowing the reality of it all.
Oh well... this too shall pass. I'm hoping I don't have any car troubles in the foreseeable future as things sort themselves out and the long-term picture becomes clearer for all that is Saab.
There are local dealers listing the 2011 9-5 for $34K...but that's likely the asking price, and not the final selling price. I bet some start going for under $30 by January...
If by chance warranties are reinstated even for these ones sold "as is" and parts are made available then it's a double pisser for anyone who bought one just a few months ago and paid real retail...I like the car a lot but there are moments I feel like such an idiot about the decision.
I *bet* you never see another on the road! 9-5s over here is the UK are as rare as hens teeth (ours in 2011 2.0 TiD). Still have a few outstanding issues with it, which don't look like they will ever be resolved.
Glad to have company. Feel the same way as all of you above. 2010 9-5 Aero purchased Nov 2010. Love the car, but don't like the feeling if something happens that a part may not be available or could be a long wait for a part. I drive a lot of miles a year and definitely need reliable transportation, which it has been so far (knock on wood).
Update: "Free 10000 mile scheduled maintenance" (mobil one, tire rotation and balance) done today cost 130 dollars out of pocket. Supposed to keep receipt and get reimbursed if things turn around for Saab. The car is still awesome and we are hopeful that it is as reliable as our previous two Saabs that never needed warranty repair. I've observed locally that advertised new Saab prices have gone up and all I can figure is the factory incentives have gone away. When we bought our car in September we got about 14k off sticker. That doesn't seem to currently be the case. I am sure the dealers are as concerned as we are, probably way worse.
my local dealership here is going belly up dumping cars really cheap...one being a turbo x and a couple of new 9-5s very tempting but who knows the future of saab hopefully going to work out in the end who knows
Our local dealership sent a nice email on Christmas Eve, explaining that they would cover the cost of warranty work for people that bought new Saab's from their dealership after Feb 2010 and the title stayed in the original owners name. Talk about top notch customer service.
I haven't heard anything from my local dealership (Cochran Saab of Monroeville) yet... I am hoping that they'll stand up to their claim of putting the "Customer First". I guess time will tell.
How mine reaches out to me, as the dust settles in this affair, will gauge if they have my future business for other vehicles. But then again, I am just one of a few dozen Saab customers in the area... out of their hundreds (or thousands) of customers from all other brands combined. Not sure if it makes sense for them to even care for us.
My dealer hasn't really said anything to me. I sent an email and got back a reply to watch the website....nothing new there so far except they are still selling cars.....
Saab US website finally updated to show what is going on with them but it has already been reported in the press. At this point if they figure out how to unfreeze the parts and still have service and honor the warranties then I'd be fine with that, but I won't hold my breath.
Been doing a lot of "holiday" stuff with the 9-5 the past few weeks and there's one word that sticks with me every time I get in - IMPRESSIVE It is truly a car that deserves a much better back story than the soap opera that's playing out in Sweden.
The mileage in town is running around 18 MPG and so far there have been zero problems with the car itself. The Infotainment system is pretty neat, and I'm really liking the real-time traffic and weather. (Wife and I were mildly surprised when a Weather Warning popped up. Turned out to be just a flood watch a couple of counties away, but still ... )
This morning, we ran into our first "issue" ... a deep pothole that put a 2' gash into the sidewall of our right front tire. Dang. (It's one of the 19" Goodyear F1's) About $350-375 for a replacement. What's ironic is my set of 4 winter tires & rims were on the UPS truck for delivery today!! Arggghhhh!!
I don't think there was any damage done to the suspension although I'll find that out tomorrow. Hope not ...
Must admit, I was not impressed with the tire sealer thingy in the trunk. Didn't do a thing for the damage we had. I needed to call OnStar and they arranged a flatbed through Saab Roadside Assistance (which went without a hitch). I have ordered a doughnut spare kit so if something like this happens again I can avoid the tow.
Must admit, I was not impressed with the tire sealer thingy in the trunk. Didn't do a thing for the damage we had. I needed to call OnStar and they arranged a flatbed through Saab Roadside Assistance (which went without a hitch). I have ordered a doughnut spare kit so if something like this happens again I can avoid the tow.
Good Luck with getting the spare tyre kit, mine took about two months to arrive here in UK and that was before Saab had gone into Administration. Don't forget you'll need the jack and wheel-brace too.
I've had too many flats where the fix a flat kit would not have saved me. The spare tire kit is a good idea and was one thing I insisted upon be included with the car before I took it. Now I have the spare tire, tools and the inflation kit.
Has anyone noticed that the weather is not all that accurate? (I know weather forecasts usually are not, but these seem worse). I also found that the traffic was not that useful either. Seems a lot of money to add both of them. The funny thing is when my trial ended, I did try to keep both of them and they said that they would not work on my Radio. Even though I told them I already had it.....
I just renewed my XM Select + NavTraffic last week, but now the weather doesn't work at all. It just sits with the nearest weather station location info and says no data. I guess it's time to call XM and hear that my car doesn't have this capability, even though it worked well for the 3 month trial period.
I just wanted to weigh in. Other than not getting a super amazing deal on my car (but I have already had it for a year), I am still plenty happy with the car and have seen maybe five others in a year of ownership. Lots of stares and inquiries.
What do you do when you lose three years of warranty? Buy another one. My wife is taking the new 9-4x and I'm going to drive the 9-5. Happy.
Yes. It is an Aero XWD. The wheels are the 3rd party rims that came with the winter tire package I bought from TireRack. (The winter tires are Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero and I am quite pleased with their performance. They get more use on our very wet and rainy roads than on snow like this!!)
The 19" summer Goodyear F1's are tucked away in the garage.
Do yourself a favor and get mud guards all around. I seriously did some damage to mine by driving in all the sand left on the roads after the snow. Looks like the back bumper was sandblasted.
Do yourself a favor and get mud guards all around. I seriously did some damage to mine by driving in all the sand left on the roads after the snow. Looks like the back bumper was sandblasted.
How do they look on the 9-5? Are they hard to install?
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