9000 or 9-5

[blinktude]

9000 or 9-5
which one is better?
or better yet, which one would you guys get?

[Cuba]

You've opened a can of worms there mate.

[honungsbi]

interestingly...

while the 9-3 is the 900 replacement and the 9-5 the 9000 replacement, I favor the 900's and 9-5's for some reason.

guess that's my answer.

.

[sethsev7n]

Well with all due respect for the old folks on the forum, the 9-5 did replace the 9000, so its newer in every single way, and most car companies like to put out a better, more advanced product than the one before it, so I'd put my money on the 9-5

However I'm sure others will put in plenty of their own thoughts. Wasn't ther a thread on this a few weeks ago?

[Kermit]

9000 = big comfortable barge
9-5 = big comfortable barge that goes around corners

There's a lot to be said for the 9000 (cs) hatch but the 9-5's trunk is huge too. 9000 interior looks dated compared to the 9-5. 9-5's air con is way better than the 9000's. 9000 has a decent oil pump, the 9-5 has a problem with sludge if not maintained correctly.

[ylee coyote]

Given the same age and milage

9000 every time as it is likely to last a good deal longer without needing to replace the engine

Air con better ?
in performance maybe ..in reliability huge difference
the 9-5 sticky flap problem... the 9000 a/c is simple and reliable
no dual zones but then again it works...

Practicality ?
9-5 hatch every time for these impulse Ikea buying moments
comfort ?
9000 seats are 10x better than the 9-5 ones

Handling ?

again the 9000 as the 9-5 eats rear shocks,the alignment goes out then you eat tyres
they are both barge like but the 9-5 is definitely more wobblesome and the steering is very shaun the sheep (wooly)

the 9-5 is quieter and more refined goes over speed bumps as of they are not there and it is probably marginally more economical

but I would choose the 9000 every time

For the record my current daily driver is a 9-5 (would swap it in a heartbeat for a 9000.....)

[Saab forever]

I own a 9 5 and my former car was a 9000. As for air con reliability, this is the very reason as to why I sold the 9000. The compressor failed utterly. I have been running the 9 5 (four and a half years old, 125.000 km when I got it) for one year now without a hitch. I think the 9 5 is over the 9000 in every aspect, mainly safety, except for the hatch, regardless that is the Aero and the 9000 was the CSE with an LPT.

This said, I still find my old car parked near my home sometimes and still look at it and think "Wow, what a car, she rode smoothly and flawlessly for miles and miles, and what a great look!".

So, brains says 9 5. Heart says, well, maybe not...

[Albert Trout]

Don't tell any of the other c900 guys, but I've always had a soft spot for the 9-5 Aero Estate. I can't explain this as I hate every other estate I've ever seen. If I had children I think I'd be driving one. As long as I could keep the 900, of course.

[scubasaab]

Originally Posted by Albert Trout

Don't tell any of the other c900 guys, but I've always had a soft spot for the 9-5 Aero Estate.

Alllright, lets lynch 'im up...
Oh wait, look at the avatar!!

[baco99]

i've had both. recently traded my 9000 CSE hatch for a 9-5 Arc wagon. i love both cars, but i have to say i think the 9-5 is much more refined. the 9000 seemed bigger.

if i found the right 9000 Aero, i'd probably pick it up.

[kemosaabey]

I still think the 9000 is better value - quick, comfortable and handles better than a C900 IMHO.

The 9-5 is a 'pleasant' cruiser but easily outhandled by an average Ford. I was unimpressed. Hate the dash too....that 'slab' looks incredibly dated.

[baco99]

Originally Posted by kemosaabey

I still think the 9000 is better value - quick, comfortable and handles better than a C900 IMHO.

The 9-5 is a 'pleasant' cruiser but easily outhandled by an average Ford. I was unimpressed. Hate the dash too....that 'slab' looks incredibly dated.

i have to politely disagree here.

the car in Sport mode handles quite well and grips corners with great accuracy. steering feel is sharp and natural. transmission response in Sport is very quick (for an auto-box) and i think better than the Sentronic paddles on the wheel.

i also think the interior ergonomics are much better than the 9k, but still maintain that natural Saab feel.

[Naranto]

Depending on your budget, a late 9000 is IMHO a much better put together car than a 9.5 - especially the early ones. Ideally a 2.3fpt Anniversary or the Aero.
More reliable, more space, more comfort, more performance, more for your money.

You just get a lot more...

[Chris 9-5]

Originally Posted by Naranto

Depending on your budget

This is key here, as well as driving the two models.

If the offer was a late 9000 Aero or a early 2.0 LPT R reg 9-5 base model its a different decision.

Try them both, see what fits you and your wallet

[TheRedBaron]

If you drive them both, you will invariably like one more. Try 'em out! When I was replacing my NG900 I took one test drive in a c900 and instantly fell in love

[saabassguy]

2005 9-5 Aero please!

[ragtopcav]

We had a long hard look at 9-5's to replace the 9000cse; it would have to be a wagon to suite our lifestyle [saloon is about as much use as my 900 convertible for load lugging ]. So far no 9-5 wagon or Volvo V70, we still have the 9000 and picked up a Vauxhall Omega estate for those wagon moments, combined running costs of the 9000 and Omega for 2 years will be about the same as the extra needed get a half decent 9-5 using the 9000 as P-X too, factor in the inevitable depreciation of the higher purchase car against the cheapos [that will fetch more in pieces that they would as a running machines] and hard economics makes the 9-5 wagon, in my current circumstances, a poor choice. I do like 'em though.

I'll disagree with Ylee on the seats and ergonomics of the 9000, both of which I find dreadful in comparison to even an early new 900 [or a 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier SRi for that matter] but such things are subjective and you'll only know for sure once you get behind the wheel and go somewhere. Where we do concur on the 9000 is that they are indeed a tough old bus and a good one will last decades for sure.
The 9-5 is a victim of its history; built on an already old chassis [thoroughbred Saab it is! ] but competing in a modern market Saab achieved a minor miracle, just like they did with the old and new 900 before, and made quite the silk purse from a sows ear. Sadly some reliability issues have arisen due to chassis loading [rear dampers and stuff] and ever tightening emission control [PVC system and sludging? did I get that correct? these modern cars] what is often not pointed out is that, without exception, all car makers have had issues with chassis components with platform sharing and all have had engines trip up due to ever stricter emissions rules - it is not a set of Saab issues, it is now the norm in autobuild.

9000 offers:

Relative simplicity
Good car for peanuts
Established longevity
Hatchback option
Big car comfort without the weight
Available in ruby red and stunning deep purpley colour
Easy tune T5
Manual V6 petrol

9-5 offers:

Sublime ride
Proper 5 seater [middle rear 3 point belt]
Worlds safest car [according to Folksam]
Extensively shared platform offers some cheap service parts
Ignition switch in the correct place
Estate option
Diesel option
Lots of funky toys in the latest versions

Also, both offer excellent towing performance and as such have more of a caravan club image associated than a Volvo estate ...

..."Pass the Werthers, there's a good fellow."

[84Saab900TURBO]

Get the 9-5. It's ignition is where it should be. Case closed.

[ylee coyote]

Ergonomics ?

I find myself looking for stuff in the 9-5 all the time
the 9000 is just kinda right (less buttons maybe ?)
but I definitely find the seats of my SE to be wofully inadequate in the side bolster department ,relatively ok in the strait and narrow but once you attack the twisties there is no side grip at all
the 9000 (not the aero) I found to have the best seats of any car and if I could find a way of swapping the 9-5 seats for a set of 9000's I would
The aero seats I found took some getting used to

However these things are subjective (I for one cannot stand the c900 driving position... ok take me out and burn me as a heritic but ...)

so we can agree to disagree here

the 9-5 is very quiet tho ...probably one of the quietest cars I have driven

[baco99]

Originally Posted by ylee coyote

the 9-5 is very quiet tho ...probably one of the quietest cars I have driven

definitely agree here. although with the trans in "sport" when you stomp on the GO pedal, you can definitely hear the turbo V6 whail! it's quite fun.