I am currently a Saab owner and looking to buy a 2011 9-5 turbo4. Will i have trouble getting aftermarket parts such as glass, fenders, taillights and headlights?? I know this shares many mechanical parts and frame with the three other platforms that GM (chevy, buick, cadillac) is currently making with the direct inject 4 & fwd auto 6 spd auto transmission. But, since this was made after the GM sale, will aftermarket body parts be available (say in 4yrs) for a car that so few were built???
I currently have a 9-7x and have no issues getting parts, but it shares more parts such as glass with its GM counter parts and there where many more produced and available in salvage yards
I truly love the 9-5 look and drive and the fact that a almost new one is say $15 USD less than used benz and bmw competition.
If you go to the Saab USA web address (http://www.saab.com/en-us/usa/) you'll find a company (Saab Parts USA) that is getting it's feet on the ground and is off to a good start. The Parts company was, and is, separate from the Saab sales & manufacturing company that failed. The parts company is a "going concern" and is profitable. It is now owned by the Swedish Government. They have made it clear that they are stockpiling a good supply of "unique" 9-5 parts and have had access to the left over stock in the old factory. They have also been pressing body parts for all current models. As you know, the vast majority of the mechanical parts are GM-based. Saab Parts USA have indicated they are working with GM to make sure we're taken care of for years to come.
That doesn't mean there may not be some challenges ... waiting for some specialized part to be shipped from Sweden rather than the USA warehouse, for example. Another example: I know that there is a shortage of replacement glass for the front window when you have both the Lane Departure Camera AND the HUD system, although I understand the glass without the HUD spec actually works OK with the HUD. But, all in all, I am actually very confident that owners will not be left out in the cold.
Our '11 9-5 Aero just passed the one year mark with just over 20k miles. Only "issue" I have had to address was the software update to the Nav system, which worked perfectly. Mechanically, it has been THE most trouble free car I have ever owned!!
Thanks for the information. I went ahead took a gamble and purchased a java 2011 Saab 9-5 turbo4 premium with approx 10k miles. I love the look, drive, feel, options, and price as well as the fact that i have something different than every one else on the road for less than the cost of a new equipped generic toyota corolla or chevy cruise!
Well, most of us (knock on wood) are not going to know about this issue by avoiding accidents where body parts need replacing.. and the cars are now 6 or 7 years old, they're getting closer to being much more likely considered totaled with most accidents where body parts need replacing. Mechanically, the Ecotec 2 liter is pretty common and these are as noted earlier in this thread parts shared with Buick Lacrosse and Regal. jimellissaabparts.com has parts you can check, like a left headlight for example would cost $317, which is a lot cheaper than an Infiniti or Lexus for example.
hmm....sounds like it wouldn't be a good idea to make it a daily driver. I did some research and couldn't find many exterior parts. Eeuropart had many of the mechanical and electrical parts in stock though, thats some good news.
What about maintenance? I got a 03 9-3 and its been pretty DIY friendly. Can I expect the same level of DIY-ability with this model?
I daily drive my Turbo4 which has almost 90K miles on it. I have a manual transmission and no additional options, so that probably reduced what can go wrong.
In the past year of ownership I put on 12K miles and, besides oil/fluid changes, I have only replaced a tail light socket and bulb. So what little maintenance I have done has been painless.
I have yet to be in an accident, so I cannot speak of crash parts availability.
^^^^I spoke to the light bar guy last week. He wants $175 + shipping to repair our LED light bar with a 1 -2 day turn around. He said the circuit board is the problem. Pretty good price and quick but I would still be driving around with a gaping hole. My wife goes to Chicago in April so I will send it out then and use her car! He gives a 1 year warranty as well....
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