2006 Saab 9-5

[gathii]

Here are some pics

[Chris 9-5]

Very cool Nice colour combo too

[Aero Slaab]

All the chrome on the front end seems to be in conflict with the minimalist design Saabs have traditionally had. The lighting cluster behind the lense is nice.

I really like the two tone seats, new steering wheel, and guage clutser. But the HVAC and Radio controls appear very GM Parts-Bin generic to me.

Overall - a good execution of a late life cycle re-fresh. Hopefully it will draw buyers away from the usual suspects.

The next model 9-5 really needs to be a homerun to solidify the marque's position in the marketplace. Hopefully GM will allow the bar to be set fairly high, bean counters be damned!

[serencavalier]

Oh she is quite the beauty

The light cluster is very cool

[95 AERO HOT]

Drove the Aero last week and it's great to drive ofcourse but god dam is it ugly Not a chance would I get one, even at 27k with sat-nav

[bkrell]

Hah! You bet I'd get one at $27! That's how much a decked out accord v-6 w/ nav sys costs!


I like it! Very nice on the dash. The gauge cluster on my 2001 is the only thing I don't care a great deal for.

[Aeronaut]

Originally Posted by Aero Slaab

All the chrome on the front end seems to be in conflict with the minimalist design Saabs have traditionally had. The lighting cluster behind the lense is nice.

I really like the two tone seats, new steering wheel, and guage clutser. But the HVAC and Radio controls appear very GM Parts-Bin generic to me.

Overall - a good execution of a late life cycle re-fresh. Hopefully it will draw buyers away from the usual suspects.

The next model 9-5 really needs to be a homerun to solidify the marque's position in the marketplace. Hopefully GM will allow the bar to be set fairly high, bean counters be damned!

Lots of chrome on the front end of my 'traditional' 2000 Aero. Looked great on the 00 and looks great on the 06.

[aeropilot]

I spent last Saturday crawling over an 06 Aero estate in the same black/parchment colour combo. I was also lucky to have at hand my dealer service manager to impart a bit of a 'professional' opion on it.

His view (and he said most of the others guys there) was that the front end is horrible particularily around the light cluster. What he thought was a naff bit of design, is something you can't see in the photos, is that the surface of the light lens is inset fron the bonnet edge...there is a prominent overhang over the light, which he thought was a bit odd....and once he'd pointed it out I certainley agreed with him.
There's also a belief that Saab have made a mistake in not making the Aero distinctively styled from the rest of the 9-5 range as has been with the previous 2 x body styles. The guys in the dealership think this will hurt Aero sales.
He was also far from positive about the change to the ACC controls from the Saab panel to the generic GM parts bin one, or the use of the GM/Vauxhall style instruments.
The new steering wheel is horrible to the touch....
Actually he pretty much said that there wasn't a lot to like about it, other than the long awaited head rest redesign.....

[serencavalier]

Originally Posted by aeropilot

other than the long awaited head rest redesign.....

Wait, so the distinctive headrests we have now are now changed??? from the pictures, it looks like standard headrests from any other GM car!!! NOOOOO!!!!!

[saabnc]

I like the gauges, however the cd player im not to fond about... it looks too damn american.

[Chris 9-5]

We saw one today on the M4, (the part that was still open after the 9 lorry, several cars and three fatality accident)

I love the look of the front, but really dont like the rear lights

Boy ... it is fugly !

[95 AERO HOT]

As for the headrest being changed, it's little things like the odd looking headrest that made Saab SAAB if you know what I mean

[SaabBen9-5]

I don't love the new style, but the fact that it's a real troll says a lot, especially nowadays with Saab. The 9-3SS took a lot of bad press cuz the dash looks so "busy" (http://www.carguidemagazine.com/arch...93Interior.jpg).
I think this simpler-looking dash is deliberate, but it looks just "plain", instead of exhibiting the artistic minimalism of a 9-5.

The now former model was such a stunner (http://www.1hourauto.com/PHOTO/PHOTO...5ES%20AERO.JPG) that a re-do was asking for trouble. Still, there is no other 2006 make/model that I like more than the 9-5.

[schernov]

The radio/CD is straight out of a rental Chevy, so is the climate control. Very poor choice. I wonder if the NAV looks any better. It is probably similar to the on ein 9-7X

[schernov]

Originally Posted by serencavalier

Wait, so the distinctive headrests we have now are now changed??? from the pictures, it looks like standard headrests from any other GM car!!! NOOOOO!!!!!

They are gone! IT probably saved them $5 per car to replace them with Chevy/Caddilac ones. At least the seats stayed.

I think it looks better. The Saab three-port front is still there in theory. It looks bolder and meaner, makes a stronger statement. The interior is far less button-riddled and easier to use while driving. The Nav system is the same as the 05, not a standard GM unit. The seats (including the headrests) are the same, just new colors. I like it better, and the pricing is even more enticing.

[Kermit]

Think you'll find its the scope of adjustment available on the headrest that has been changed, not the actual headrest. The headrest adjustment facility was altered on the facelift MY02 model and came in for a lot of criticism from taller drivers.

[bkrell]

In a few years time you'll be *****ing about how the new model looks no where near as good as this one did.

[aeropilot]

Originally Posted by apzer09

The seats (including the headrests) are the same, just new colors.

Not true.
Head rests (head rest pads and internal head rest runners within seat back) have been redesigned because of said faults mentioned above by Kermit.