Saab 9-5 Trim Levels Explained

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[@racerboy2212]

Since I’m not completely Saab guy, any explanation is great to receive!!

[@AutoAutopsy]

happy to help!

[@chrisrodriguez1247]

2006 was the only year without an AERO trim. It was called a SPORT. But was essentially an aero. The dame got a much needed suspension improvement, as well as updated subframe bushings. 2008 forward all received the sport seats. There was a difference in suspension between the aero/sport and standard 2.3T as well.

[@AutoAutopsy]

yep!

[@byggs129]

Only in the U.S the 2.3L was stock. In Europe and I think the rest of the world the 2.0L(150hk) was the standard and the 2.3L was something you had to pay extra for. SAAB really did everything for the US market. in Europe we got the 2.3t and in the US you got the 2.3T. The big T was like 50hk more...

[@prorace_type_r]

There are even 125hp SAABs out there, and 1.9s etc

[@eeroala-mieto213]

2.3T is isestihysteria on aero model with Mitsubishi turbo, producing around 250hk

[@AutoAutopsy]

yes, which is why i mentioned this video was specifically for the US market!

[@anatolsergon681]

@@eeroala-mieto213 Thank god I got one with the Saab 9000 CSE. Pulls like a truck. 8-)

[@alberto-1999]

Thank you for information of my favourite Saab.

[@AutoAutopsy]

:)

[@thingserik7269]

I have a Linear with most options. It's the only Saab I test drove and owned(drove a 900 one time in the 80s). Once I replaced the water pump it's been very reliable at 210k miles. One thing to note is the Linear has 16" wheels

[@AutoAutopsy]

nice! and yes, thanks for adding that in!

[@fringe2804]

There are a lot of differences between the US market and Europe/ Germany. 1997 in Europe there where the S, the SE , Aero and Griffin. The base motor was a 2.0L motor with 150hp. The 3.0 was standard on the griffin and optional on the other trims. In the other model years there were Linear, Arc, Vector, Aero and Griffin. Linear was the base model, Arc was kinda the middle ground, Vector was the luxury trim and Aero (obviously) the sport trim. Griffin transformed from a trimlevel to kind of an option pack. There were Linear Griffins as well as Vector Griffins. The Arc model line was dropped later. I think around 2008, but I am not sure.

[@AutoAutopsy]

definitely big differences! its cool to compare

[@felixsahlen1836]

@@AutoAutopsy Well that's not really true. So at launch the 9-5 had 3 engines, the 2.0t 150hp, 2.3t 185hp and a 3.0t Opel V6 at 200hp. The trims were S, SE and Griffin, griffin had the V6 as standard and was a luxury variant. For MY1999 or 2000 the aero trim came and they stopped selling the griffin trim. Then in 09 SAAB wanted to sell more 9-5's so they removed the Aero trim and introduced the griffin as a mandatory package for the Linear and Vector trims, calling them Linear Griffin and Vector Griffin. These cars were equiped with a lot as standard, and had som wierd extras like memory for the passager seat. The later griffins came with 3 engines either a 1.9Tid diesel, a 2.0t biopower or 2.3t biopower. The 2.3t biopower was standard on the vector griffin trim. But what would the Aero buyer buy? Well they sold some kinda Hirsch upgrade package witch included a ECM tune 220hp on E85 and 210 (i think) on 98 (EU), a Hirsch exhaust, and a Aero badge. The kits were installed at Saab dealers. Since the 2.3t biopower has many aero parts, like brakes, turbo etc, but lacks the sportchassi. So if you see a "Aero" with a biopower badge you know it's not really a Aero, it's a Vector. So Aero and Griffin has never been sold at the same time...

[@nickgav7390]

I'm surprised you didn't include the ng 9-5 as well

[@AutoAutopsy]

it's entirely different so i just didn't bother

[@BWTECH0521]

fun fact, the 1998 9-5 was the first vehicle to offer ventilated seats :)

[@AutoAutopsy]

wow nice! its a very underrated feature

[@johnyork3080]

Ah that explains it. "The 1st Gen Aero (235 BHP) 40 to 90 mph out performed the Porsche 911 of the same era"... that is way I always thought on a motorway I could get around anything - it was manual! Now got a 2010 Aero Estate after having a 93 1.9TiD Diesel in between. It's manual also l- oh how precise and lively it feels - not that the diesel was bad for torque at speed... My friend has just got a 2010 Audi TT 2.0 - the 0-62 acceleration time of the aero at 6.5 secs is only 0.4 seconds behind that Audi (on the official specs of both). My friend was a bit gobsmacked! Interesting video - Thanks

[@Attack-fb5rj]

In Finland, i always check the badge on the trunk when I see a 9-5. Most often, there is a badge which tells which engine the car has. There are a lot ot 2.0t versions, 2.3t, and 2.3T, and aeros (all 3 gens). 2.0t is the entry level 150( and up with newer ones)bhp one, 2.3t is the low pressure turbo, and 2.3T is high pressure but not aero. I have also seen some SE, they dont have an engine version badge on the trunk, I think. So it seems you could not get the 2.0 liter engine for the 9-5 in the us maybe.

[@thingserik7269]

I removed mine

[@AutoAutopsy]

good point!

[@JoeSibCars]

Hi i live in the UK and I own a Midnight Blue 2003 Saab 9-5 Aero Sedan/Saloon and its got every optional extra minus the Sunroof But its got the 5 Speed automatic and it's got the navigation system which is factory it has the beige leather interior but recently the door pull handles on the door rotted so i put gray handles in place and also my Saab 9-5 Aero only has 79,000 Miles And its got the B235R 250 BHP And there is no sludge in my Engine as i change my oil every 5,000 Miles there is so many optional Extras on and it's got the ventilated seats and heated rear seats its got automatic folding mirrors that Don't Work its got the Xenon Headlights and it came with an Alarm but i ended up removing it as it kept going off its even got a CD Changer in the Trunk it originally had a 6 CD Changer but i upgraded it to a 10 CD Changer But the only optional Extra it doesn't have is the Sunroof But that is my Saab 9-5 Aero Take Care

[@teokarlsson305]

Great video! However i think you forgot about one model. The 9-5 Aero Hirsch!

[@AutoAutopsy]

Is that an actual trim or was that aftermarket? 🤔

[@junkman6456]

Also the amber'ed front indicators where only for the oversea market. Linear Arc Vector where also from 2005 on the euro market sold cars. Euro cars had also diesel engines.

[@AutoAutopsy]

yep!

[@ashtonharvey5723]

Your videos are awesome ❤️‍🔥. I was wondering does anyone know if it normal for a 2004 Saab 9-5 Arc turbo to shift into 4th gear at around 40mph slightly over roughly. Just curious. Seems to be shifting like butter so I’d like to believe it normal I guess it kinda depends on how hard you are on the gas? Not used to driving such a light car compared to my 86 boat of a car lol

[@AutoAutopsy]

it could just need a trans fluid change if that hasn't been done. thanks for the support!

[@mikereine5921]

Love my 04 aero

[@AutoAutopsy]

:)

[@snaper19krille44]

In Sweden have linear arc vector Aero. My first saab was 1997 saab 9-5 launch 97/98. Just now i had saab 9000 97 a50 200hk. But 270 stage 3 nordic

[@toka100]

@3:32. That’s my car. Lol. It has been upgraded to aero spec motor. (Turbo and tune). The Gary fisher was only available as a wagon also.

[@AutoAutopsy]

haha, that's awesome!

[@AxnerSaab]

Maybe you can explain the Saab 900 and 9000 trim levels next

[@Attack-fb5rj]

Oh boy going through all 900 levels would be quite a job, especially if you want to try and go global.

[@AutoAutopsy]

less knowledgable on those unfortunately lol

[@toku30]

Don't forget about Vector & Estate they exist in America

[@toku30]

I've seen a 9-5 Wagon which was labeled as an Estate in Richmond, VA

[@toku30]

@@mrsecondnice3200 Vin Search your car

[@AutoAutopsy]

thanks for adding that

[@toku30]

@@mrsecondnice3200 Nah but someone here in Richmond VA also had a Gary Fisher 9-5

[@mxtro7477]

Hey man, I drive an 03 9-3 vector and my acceleration seems really slow, maybe like it’s in limp but when i ran the ob2 scanner on it the codes were p0455 and p0411, Im just ready to get my saab back to running good and im not the one who knows a lot about German cars thanks!

[@junkman6456]

Saab is swedish not german.

[@AutoAutopsy]

saab is swedish! i'd search those codes in google and get some help from forums

[@amannoonelistensto8615]

If you get high mpgs it means your turbo is going. Check blue smoke on start ups.

[@chicagoui9299]

The 2004/2005 ARC was a detuned B235R. Same motor just coded L. It really had 230hp. Same sodium covered exhaust valves etc.

[@AutoAutopsy]

it's still technically the same thing mechanically but detuned like you said!

[@amannoonelistensto8615]

Why did they do it and put gt17 into it?

[@chicagoui9299]

@@amannoonelistensto8615 they didn't. It had the same TD04-15T. 1997 and 2001 is the only years that the 95 had the GT1752 in it. After that, they all had the TD04-15T.

[@amannoonelistensto8615]

@@chicagoui9299 well they did. Why did they put g17 in ot?

[@mousiee7]

So, I would want a 2004-2005 Aero or any of the newer 9-5s since they had the same power output. Thanks!

[@AutoAutopsy]

happy to help!

[@dougietamson]

Not sure why you don't rate the 3.0 V6 engine, 200hp 228ft-lb 0-60 7.5sec, it didn't have the turbo lag so you got lots of torque right off the bat and would pull away from tailgaters at 100mpg. I now have the 2006 2.3 lpt biopower but miss the power of my old 95.

[@TwistedGeni]

I'm going to look at a 99 saab se 2.3 T idk how to look it its the high out put or not

[@AutoAutopsy]

I believe that is the low output

[@Agreveby]

Did the us did not have the 305hp griffin version?

[@AutoAutopsy]

i don't think so

[@jERRYKIEFER]

Didn't the 2002 9-5 Aero come with the 250 horse mill?

[@browserrr1]

@Jerrykiefer, you are right. Our 2002 Aero came with 250 hp though we are speaking of European spec. If also has an aluminium dash front.

[@nuignrfawfawf6176]

@@browserrr1 I have the same aluminum dash on my 03 aero 5 speed it’s such a nice ride

[@AutoAutopsy]

depends on market

[@jERRYKIEFER]

That's what this one has then with the aluminum dash..Quick and nimble..

[@devinegamingtv3427]

I have a Saab 9-5 3004 mod, and I'm unsure if it's a Linear or an ARC. How do I even check that?

[@AutoAutopsy]

the door trim on the door sill could tell you. or small t/big T on the badging

[@junkman6456]

2.0 with 150 hp was the 9-5 base engine. 2.0 2.3 185 hp uses larger exhaust valves. 2.3 with 220 and 250 hp use a larger intercooler as well as the larger Mitsubishi turbo charger instead the "tiny" Garrett GT 17 the other models use. Turbo gauge in the cluster was standard from 2001. Gauge cluster are not interchangeable thru different model seq. 5-speed auto trans (electronic 5th gear) was standard auto trans from 2002 model year. 2002 onward 9-5 had the front grill in the bumper - servicing much more costly then the 98-01 9-5 models with detachable grill. 2003 also had different tail lights and tail light filler panel. Any year had slightly improved electric wirings and inner body panels. 9-5 Griffin, the only V6, uses the burlwood instrument panel as all other had the rosewood silver grey or carbon panel.

[@thingserik7269]

My 03 Linear has dark burlwood and detachable front grill pieces

[@junkman6456]

more a unlinear then, the built in grille was from 2002 onward. i prefer the earlier models.

[@AutoAutopsy]

we didn't get the 2.0 in the us

[@MostGenericUser]

It was actually in 2001 when they bumped the Linear's horsepower up to 185hp. 1999 and 2000 Linear's had the 170hp.

[@AutoAutopsy]

🙌🏼👍🏼

[@junkman6456]

\edit 2002 onward 9-5 had Xenon hid as the previous had H4 Halogen. And 2002 onward had plastic headlamp lenses the previous glass.

[@AutoAutopsy]

The 2002-2005 still had the halogen option

[@ciaranbrady1676]

I'd love to know who sent the t shirt

[@AutoAutopsy]

Shane!

[@eladbenaya2618]

Do a 900 pls

[@AutoAutopsy]

unfortunately my 900 knowledge is very limited :(

[@eladbenaya2618]

@@AutoAutopsy you can learn it all Google thats how I learn it

[@eliesaade3229]

I just have a question my 2001 1st gen saab 95 is the SE trim but has a 4 cylinder 2.3t how is that possible?

[@AutoAutopsy]

I’m not sure. If you’re not in the US, that could explain it. This video is specifically for the US market

[@mcdonald2037]

2005 9-3 convertible right here. .. oh it's 9-5 show

[@AutoAutopsy]

it is

[@hage5144]

gj

[@AutoAutopsy]

ty

[@rodneyturner6959]

Fwd dct swap is it possible

[@AutoAutopsy]

doubtful

[@honda636hp]

Looks like freek

[@ThePrissy11]

Saab model names were as quirky as the brand itself. “Linear” ? “Aero”? “Arc” ? Really?😊 Great vid. Thanks for posting.

[@AutoAutopsy]

thanks!

[@humanpuppet6597]

The 2002-2003 aero can have a "hot" version 250 and a "cold" 235

[@AutoAutopsy]

In the US? I haven’t heard of that.

[@humanpuppet6597]

@@AutoAutopsy yes sir they started making it standard in 2002. Upgraded suspension, sport tuning and body kit. So some 02-03 can differ I have a 03 but made in December hot aero

[@humanpuppet6597]

@@AutoAutopsy mine has bbs alu39 wheels too theirs a whole wiki page about it

[@humanpuppet6597]

@@AutoAutopsy2.3t ecopower 185hp 2.3 turbo ecopower aero 250hp 3.0t v6 ecopower 200hp Source 2003 saab 9-5 owners manual

[@user-yo3yf1wr3u]

现在这车Saab 中国13生产 有1.8T 2.0T 2.3T 我的是2.0T 205匹😂😂

[@AutoAutopsy]

oh.

[@tracklizard4018]

SAAB made sense until they went all GM.

[@Saab--kc6xz]

😐

[@tracklizard4018]

@@Saab--kc6xz and I will never forgive the right and Maud Olofsson for killing such an iconic company!!!1

[@AutoAutopsy]

GM kept them alive and gave us cars like the ones we mostly all drive lol

[@Saab--kc6xz]

@@AutoAutopsy Exactly.

[@Saab--kc6xz]

@@tracklizard4018 Without GM, we wouldn't have the NG900/OG 9-3 that we know today.

[@klaspeppar5619]

Basically the Liner was there to get spanked by the Volvo 2.4 (170Hk) or 2.4T/2.5T, the Aero was there to get spanked by the Volvo T5 or R. First version (what would be called “face 1” in Volvo language) competed manly with the P80 (850/S70/V70) and P23 S80. Second version (“Face 2” as it would be called in Volvo language) completed with the P2 (P23 S80, P24 S60, P26E V70, P26L XC70 and P28 XC90). 3rd version (you guessed it, it would be called “face 3” in Volvo language) completed with both the P2 platform and what i can only describe as the mess that came afterwards Y286 S80, Y483 S80 long wheelbase, Y285 V70, Y381 XC70, Y413 XC60, Y283 S60, Y352 V60 and yes it gets even messier as it wasn’t enough to only use the letter Y, there was also the V429 S60CC, V423 V60CC and L421 S60 long wheelbase. This mess which you can bet you behind that I’m blaming on Ford is called “P3” in the Volvo community, but I refuse to call it that since the chassi codes don’t start with P, so Y2/Y3 is what i call it.. Any way, the biggest competitors where the 850, S70, 3 generations of V70, 2 generations of S80 and perhaps the 2 generations of S60 (there is also a 3rd generation but it is too new to be relevant), with the S60 falling somewhere in between the 9-5 and 9-3. And then both Ford (see “the mess” above) and GM ruined the fun.

[@AutoAutopsy]

:(