Top Gear Saab 9-5

[@banpowel9784]

Probably the best car in the world ever

[@TheNomad2727]

I just bought one and am waiting for the mechanic to check it over etc.... I cant wait

[@CaillinSheard]

@@TheNomad2727 My 9-5 keeps having problems lol. Dad keeps telling me to sell it... Short answer? No.

[@UliMuliko]

of course :D

[@stefancgxz7799]

With all due respect but in almost all of Europe Saab is seen as the car nobody wants to touch.

[@MrCatlover]

@@stefancgxz7799 That is because they fear they will not get the parts to fix the SAAB!

[@SN-yn6it]

My first car, the 2001 9-5 turbo , it was handed down to me for high school. I always thought it was the coolest car, from the cup holder, down to the fighter jet placement of the key ignition switch. Great first car.

[@marcusdirtrocker9209]

Use of clutch is also common practise when starting a manual shift car :-D

[@tom201090]

Additionally there is also something called a 'handbrake.'

[@miljororforsprakpartiet290]

what's the fun in that Loqs? :_Å

[@xsbgtr]

I loved Saabs because they were different from BMW, Audis & Mercs, they were cool & fast, probably not good for the track, but for the city they were perfect!!! R.I.P. Saab, I miss the 9-3

[@jordanspry8032]

I love my 04 9-5

[@Skawagon]

Saab. The Crazy ones. The rebels. The troublemakers. The ones who see things differently. While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do. I miss Saab.

[@urbanjentry222]

saab all day long worked for them and they were great

[@bazzyb8013]

Saab is more superior than other cars

[@TassieLorenzo]

Saabs are the finest motor cars in the world :)

[@Cupat1]

Bollox

[@samihaddadin1286]

Bffff

[@samihaddadin1286]

That's why they closed

[@jaggerdfletcher1618]

@@samihaddadin1286 get lost nerd what do u drive? A subaru

[@samihaddadin1286]

@@jaggerdfletcher1618 bmw e46 325 coupe

[@staggerlee100]

My 1999 9-5 Aero saloon is a silky smooth ride with ferocious acceleration. It's all the car I need. I recently spent a few hundred on new suspension bushings, exhaust items etc plus normal service. Ready for the next 100K miles! Love it.

[@kcm732]

Such a shame that such an awesome car company went out of business :(

[@hickster141]

Love Saab's I've had 15 from the Saab 96 V4 all across the range to the 9-3 TTID.

[@Superjenson]

After 20 years of Saab 9-5 Aero, i bought a BMW 5 Series last year. I miss that Saab every day.

[@letsgobrandon1300]

Good to know. I'll keep my 9000

[@verwoerd]

A week ago I bought my first SAAB, a 2001 9-5 2.3t - and a real joy it is. A timeless shape, whereas the German competitors Clarkson mentioned are either rusting heavily now (Merc) or start falling apart because they've had at least one aggressive oaf in their line of owners (BMW) - and I say this as a German. When Clarkson made his obituary of SAAB this February, May should have remembered him how he had trashed the 9-5 himself. Likened the car to a labrador... pah! What a hypocrite!

[@DanceToTheRhythmXD]

I like Saab's for the fact that they stand out from crowd, for instance the dashboard with all instruments such as radio, that cup holder, Fan control etc.. they're so much organised and nice looking comparing with other cars with similar price tag. I'm not sure about the reliability thought, but I think it's ok.

[@Spike20101000]

+Adam Mickiewicz Anybody can kill a car. Heard so many complaints about cars and you can tell what the cause is by asking the owner: "When did you last check the oil?" How I wish I was kidding on that, as it makes up a lot of "major" brand complaints. Saabs, so long as you look after them to schedule, they are faithful tanks. Only one I had die on me, was the first runs of 9-5 that had a defective oil breather system that broke down and clogged the oil pick-up (thereby starving the engine of oil). A problem fixed for the most part, but some owners never took it in for the upgrade (see my first point). Car with a full service history (not all Saab), but never taken in for a recall. It was a well loved car too, not a person who drive it or rode in it who didn't like it.

[@DoSum4Me]

I always loved the designs of Saabs.

[@shuichiboy]

I absolutely adore my 2007 9-5 and I'm shopping for another one right now. :)

[@Labjunkie83]

This was a lot of 90s to digest .. I wasn’t ready

[@rosseaton89]

You do not need to engage reverse to take the key out. The driver position is completely adjustable & is more comfortable than the BMW & Audi I test drove before purchasing my 9-5. The AERO package SAAB 9-5 came with anti roll bars & equipped with a 250hp 2.0L Turbo BNR23 motor which was faster than the porsche in those days. This is an obvious BMW ad, thanks Jeremy!

[@rosseaton89]

Correction 2.3L turbo, not a 2.0L

[@sniperlif3]

You require it in mine. You can get that feature removed however.

[@spindedark]

drove a 9-5 2.3T once a loved it, so comfortable and also pretty fast. i most likely but one sometime

[@WrinkleyDude]

The point of locking the gearbox in reverse made it very difficult to steal, that was the whole point of doing so. The gear lever will shear off before the locking mechanism gives way, so you will need to disassemble the locking device before you can select another gear. That is also the only reason the keylock is where it is. My 2.3T Aero has 250Bhp and will fly to 60mph in 5.8 sec, my nerve goes before the damn thing stops accelerating otherwise it will carry on to a tad under 160mph.

[@EnVi99]

You do require the reverse gear to get the key out. What is that 250hp BNR motor you are talking about? B204, B205 - 2.0l, B234, B235 - 2.3l. Letters in the end of the name are meant for different versions, B235E is a LPT version that goes to 185hp, the B235R is the high performance one with 230 to 260hp.

[@jimberjamber8540]

Planning on getting my second car and i'm definitely getting a 9-5. Fully loaded car for a really cheap price.

[@MattyH1992]

I've never understood people who take Clarksons word for law. He changes his opinion on vehicles all the time and is very very opinionated. I have always loved Saab and I now own a 99 9-3 with 172k and it runs great. I plan on buying another lower mileage Saab eventually. Great cars and I wouldn't even consider a BMW or Benz.

[@GunsNBudder]

+Matthew Hutzell You're dead on. When SAAB was finally murdered by Chevy, Clarkson actually did a beautiful and touching eulogy for the company for Top Gear. It's on youtube.

[@szybkilewyprostyf231]

SAAB was fare beter then BMW and Mercedes of it time. A had 97 e36 compact 1.9. With M staf and Benz 98 C180. Naw I have 95 from 2000 2.0T. I can tel thet SAAB is beter in any way.

[@lazygamerz]

My dad has a 1993 Volvo 940 so I can believe that Saabs of that era also had a pristine ride. The 940 is like driving on a cushion of rainbows and good-weather clouds.

[@letsgobrandon1300]

I drove a 1994 940 turbo auto wagon a frw times whennit was 20 years old and was surprised how well.is cruised 60mph. It was smooth

[@dolphtrains2]

i swear its like sitting on a really comfortable sofa..... you don't even get uncomfortable or achy after a long journey. really comfortable seats

[@mostirreverent]

The 2.3 is a great engine. had a 2001 95. Screw jeremy, it is far better looking than the BMW, which is so dull looking.

[@torod213]

Have a 2,3t with the turbo and ECU from the Aero. Jeremy may very well have a point, I'll concede that it isn't as good to drive as a BMW and that it may be a technically better car, but since I bought mine, Saabs have and will allways have a special place in my heart. I love my car to death. And it's the most comfortable car in the universe. Drove it 17 hours in one day, it was just fabulous.

[@mostirreverent]

maybe, but what a dashboard! hehehe

[@robertharmer8172]

torod213

[@masterblaster2555]

Greg Fox The dashboard is great for driving, especially at night cruising, the layout is well thought out and the green dashboard light is relaxed, MUCH better than any other car I know, most are like a fun-fair.

[@seamanjive]

Greg Fox Proof, if any were required, that JC was as much of a wanker then as he is now.

[@gustavoramirez-rangel5773]

Saabs = Quality

[@rabbitgear]

I have a 2005 Saab 9-3 and I have come to adore it. I got it used for 8 grand at a GM dealership and the previous owner barely touched it so it was in great shape. My only complaint is that the seats really do make your back sweat during the summer.

[@jackholder7979]

It's true Saab's do have the brightest headlights in the world and they are weird cars the more you drive them the more you love the machine. Not showy but built as something practical and reliable with a lovely turbo, 2 years of owning 93X and I can't think of another car I'd rather use every day!

[@Lockemeister]

Jeremy forgot to say, or doesn't know, that Saab put the key in the console to avoid crippling knee injuries in a frontal crash situation when the key is located in the dash..

[@TheLastOilMan]

The price mentioned was for high end saab compared to lo end BMW. SAAB's handlong is outstanding ! Jeeemy was bought by BMW ..we know JC haha !

[@HELPMEIDUNNOHOWTOUSE]

He actually doesn't like BMW, look at the old 3 series reviews he's done. Just an awkwardly placed car on the market is all

[@anewzack78]

there's something to be said about the B2x4/5 blocks though. Beefy connecting rods, factory forged crank, closed deck.... the later (b2x5) engines used poorly designed pistons but replace those and you have a VERY capable motor!

[@LerimerSantana]

What a bunch of crap. You know you can't start the car without stepping on the clutch. I'll choose this model over any BMW of that same year.

[@stallard9522tid]

Triggered

[@saab9980]

I'm mark stallard, I accidentally read this wrong LOL, forget my comment pls

[@drgeek100]

I don't know about anyone else but I have owned 2 saabs in the past and they have been very solid performers. I think the craftsmanship of saab is actually better than that of bmw which I owned a 323i ...an example would be paint and the metal they use on the car seems to be tougher and last longer.

[@WrinkleyDude]

What sort of motoring guru stars the engine without having his foot on the clutch. Not a very good one Jeremy. Love your show but you are so wrong on the 95 it is brilliant.

[@bbruce995]

thank you SAAB

[@georgesantos-jt6me]

its 2020 and i still have one ,and i dont see any mercedes or bmw same year around not even close,never ever had a problem with it

[@alexrodensjo348]

Its 2021 and i have one, the clutch is gone it will be replaced next weekend, and then it will be lowered because it understeers and are to comfy needs to be abit more aggressive, 9-5 vector 2002

[@Karengale71]

I love Saab’s had both 9-3’s saloon and convertible all Aeros that run a stage 1 remap very quick and still think the convertible is the best looking convertible out there even now, I’ve got a 2007 9-5 Aero in manual now and it’s running a stage 3 tune so it’s got awesome power I love seeing the surprised look on other drivers (BMW Audi etc ) when you show them Saab power when their cars cost so much more money

[@aldo1conn]

Some people just don't get Saab,yea I have drove BMW 3,5 and x5 merc c,e and ml class and had Audi A4 advant,all great cars loved them all,however none of them puts a smile on my face as my 93 does,so easy to tune,what engine do you know that with putting on a bigger turbo,exhaust,inter cooler remap,dump valve,cams and you get 400 plus bhp,had her for ten years now and still love it part of the family

[@debuggal]

Why would anyone buy one? Well... It was the best car on Craigslist at the price I was looking at.

[@joemurdock6032]

I own both a 9-5 and a 9-3 convertible and both are outstanding cars. Maybe they don't have the flash of Mercedes and BMW but that's what I personally like about it. The ability to have luxury but still blend in enough none is stealing your hood ornament and you don't get pulled over near as often.

[@KingCast65]

I have had 7 SAABs (OG 900s) and 6 Bimmers (E 28 and 2002tii, E30) and Jeremy is a dick. The 9^5 Aero was a brilliant car and definitely in the same class as a Bimmer.

[@teckniec2]

My 1999 9-5 still runs like a champ, have had to replace a few things of course over time but nothing out of the ordinary. Still stock turbo and most everything else. The only thing I wish is that it was RWD but we can't all get what we want.

[@totalmalfunction]

had a saab for 2 years, now i'm leaving every car in reverse :)

[@olystercrowley]

Most people put their manual trans in first gear when they stop and they don't forget it when starting the engine ...

[@OhFishyFish]

I don't know a single person that would do it.

[@kaffewok7331]

OhFishyFish Pretty much everyone in the nordic countries, got 10-20 million people right there. If you put your handbrake on in winter it might freeze, the gear wont (if it does, you dont leave the house anyways)

[@OhFishyFish]

Vulzma I guess it depends on the climate then and Saab being Swedish company explains it. Thanks.

[@Spike20101000]

+OhFishyFish Dont know about where you live, but in many EU countries its part of the law to park in gear (though surprising how few know it). As Vulzma has noted, its more reliable, and safer. And even Autos lock the gearbox (and thereby the wheels) in park. Its basic safety to stop it rolling away (or in bad weather getting stuck).

[@LasPlumasRangers]

This is why one ALWAYS press down the clutch when starting a car, no matter what model or make. Just in case one misses that the car was in gear.

[@thetwopointslow]

Personally I think the looks of the 9-5 are WAY better than those of any BMW. I just love the tail light design

[@one2nd1]

Missing the whole point of why SAAB existed, they were never designed for looks, they were built as a machine around you to protect you, not to catwalk with makeup to look good.

[@AndyFox22]

Exactly

[@miscellaneous.7127]

They Saab 96 V4 is the best car in history!

[@Spike20101000]

And if we look to Top Gear videos of the future, we see that in action dropped on their tops. BMW, you wont walk away from. Saab, hop out, put the kettle on, wait for someone to pull it out the field.

[@garyzhang5099]

Actually, I also like what they look, especially the engine bonnet so special

[@marvensjoseph357]

Wym the saab looks great

[@cl995]

just bought a 99 9-5 last week. So far, it needs a new piece for the pasenger window motor, a ribbon cable for the radio screen, and a new internal battery for the car alarm (Went off at two in the morning and five in the morning, so I took out the fuse.) Everything else is great!

[@kens97sto171]

Always thought SAAB had the most comfortable seats ever. the headrests were perfectly placed and shaped.

[@bladehea]

Very true i dont see any car with those seats anymore even Mercedes class E

[@mcglovera]

​@@bladeheaVolvo seats

[@ktmpilot100]

Bought a 2005 95 for my first car 2.3T love it ESP te color "silver metallic"

[@msklurgh]

a saab has a soul like no other car i know. and especially before gm fucked them up big time. the saab 9000 aero is probably the best car ever made. i just bought my 3rd saab (saab 99) since i got my license 4 months ago. can't get enough!

[@corza663]

my dad recently purchased a saab 5 aero 2.3 turbo, sure its fast but so far he has just had problem after problem with it, he has spent more money fixing it than he did to buy it, seriously unrealiable, but it goes like a flaming bat out of hell for an estate :P

[@hunghuge12]

He might remember the name of every petrol station on the test route though. Oh and the list price for the V6 turbo was very close to M3 money. Not really a contest there.

[@bladehea]

I had one of those 3.0 best car i ever drove, fast relyable and so confortable. Unfortunaly i had to seel It due to Electronic problems. If It wasent that probably i still had it

[@netwhistler]

Saab is a freak car, always been, always will be!

[@ic1815]

First car with ventilated seats 😊

[@rolfdejonge3915]

I owned one! Great cars! Saab/R.I.P./*\

[@UncleLongbeard]

I've got 9-5 2.3t, now I have e39 523i and I must say, that bmw has no character and is just uncomfortable. The only reason why I still have it is the fact that it's more reliable and cheaper servicing Saab was much much better

[@plutonia00]

How did you find the 9-5 Handling? Im considering moving to SAAB from a Mondeo but Im worried about the handling, a Mondeo strong point

[@HeroDrt420]

I recentlu bought a saab. I went with a 2004 Saab 2.0t with a basic stage 0 tune and an upgraded turbo. For the price I think it beats most of its competition. I went from a sentra to an altima than an eclipse gt, and even a honda civic to my saab and the difference is wonderfull. Its very underestimated but these things can haul butt. I'm eventually going to sell it however, I would love me a bigger engine.

[@lazygamerz]

The reverse thing is like that thing that makes certain lids difficult for children to open.

[@Norskenxtreme]

I've grown up with German cars being rubbish(and the ones we've have had have been aswell), and my first car is a 96 Saab 900 2.3SE, and I love it

[@allanmacbadger5692]

What do poeple see? that's easy - SAAB.

[@stephensmith5199]

Saab is a top drawer car in every way,it has style,reliability,comfort etc,ect,its so sad they went out of production,they were aimed at a certain market and when Vauxhaul tried to take over Saab would not let them take their badge and put their name on the rubbish they tried to put out.I will keep driving them as long as i can find one, wish someone could come up to their standards and we can see the Saab name born again,and as for Jerimy joke

[@blixdunn6304]

Im working on an 03 Saab 9-5 2.3t Its a headache but I like that I can go 600 miles on a full tank of gas.

[@OhFishyFish]

I love those absolutely pointless and meaningless "does XXX miles on tank of gas arguments. A truck would do even more. Does it mean that 6 liter V8 engine is more economical, or simply different cars have different tank capacity?

[@kaffewok7331]

OhFishyFish ha ha ha

[@blixdunn6304]

Im not talking about all vehicles. Im referring to the fact that in 03 no other sedan in its class came close. Yes trucks have insanely big gas tanks, Heck ford had a thing for using two gas tanks in their trucks.

[@westernkitty]

That infernal BMW spends more time in the shop (add that to your vehicle cost), and are you really that terrible a driver that you roll back each time to start 9-5.

[@outrigger777]

Just met someone who owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. I asked him if he liked his new Outback. He said, Well it's reliable with great fuel mileage and a great AWD system, but then, with longing eyes, he said, I used to own a Saab 9-5. Obviously, he missed it dearly.

[@bitley]

Great pre-VHS quality ;)

[@jordanspry8032]

They are sexy cars

[@MrBahjatt]

In my case, my 9-5 is a wonderful car. It is a 2.0t (the only type we have in Jordan) and I was thinking of getting a turbo-kit for the 2.3T and installing it on. Although there are possibly only two garages here who can possibly even attempt to do it. My main concern is the engine, & I was seriously thinking of installing a spare LK9 (from a written off 9-3) on the 9-5, although no one dares try it!

[@vargurlord]

if you own saab u will remember that its on reverse when u start up

[@vikramrao6391]

Bull crap, got a 2.3t, fantastic car, super comfortable, and fast. great on gas too.

[@DeltaAnt1000]

1999, is that one of the first years of the 9-5? Probably would explain its issues. From a 2001 9-5 wagon experience the biggest problem was a head gasket going. Less major things: fuel pump has died, turbo has needed to be rebuilt, SID inside always broke, occasional rust touch ups (lower doors). Eventually a hit with a deer wrote it off at about 300000km. Car was replaced with a turbo box (xc70).

[@tom201090]

Going by history as Audi, BMW and Mercedes are all German people in Poland might not be too thrilled to have a German Car. He did fail to mention the safety and the reliability (although this was mentioned, and demonstrated by dropping a BMW and Saab 900 from 8 meters...with James saying that you could probably walk away from the Saab. And Jeremy saying that Richard Hammond might be alright in the Beamer, but no one else would in their tribute to Saab).

[@Tuppoo94]

The ending was absolutely hysterical! xDDDD

[@Strike86]

Interesting comments. According to some research, Saab owners are some of the most fiercely brand-loyal customers in the car-buying market, which could explain why so many legitimate criticisms are getting shrugged off here.

[@cruelcat870]

Saab rules!

[@kens97sto171]

Yeah. I have never owned one. But we go to the Detroit Auto show every year. And we always stopped at the SAAB area. I could never figure out.. how they could make a seat that was SO GOOD, and others were not as good. A seat seems like a simple thing to get right. It was a wonder how many cars have bad seats, or just average seats.

[@stephenday1520]

Doesn't someone who supposed to be able to drive a car well, Foot on brake/check handbrake is on/shift into neutral//start/foot on clutch/select gear/move off. If that reverse start up crash happens with a Saab for you should not be driving one. Simple!

[@giths19]

its top gear they tend to exaggerate a few things to get laughs out of people. Clarkson is the king of these type of jokes.

[@nogginthefroggin]

the saab 9000 is actually classified (or was when it was introduced some years ago) as a large car in the USA. Classified by the American automotive industry I think, due to it's large interior space. Saab even used this endoresment in their old adverts!! Have you actually been in one? Have you seen the pretty large luggage space in the hatchback version?

[@EXPAT1963]

The village is Castle Comb Wiltshire Uk used as the Village set for war Horse enough said!

[@TheKenjoje]

the most fascinanting is that the car belongs to executive class. it doesn't match rivals for almost anything but space. it maybe rides better than audi, but just maybe. old 5-series is good car even today.

[@SWEmanque]

@MigAfraid I looked at it, they barely spoked or showed the new 9-5... But it was a nice tribute to the company. Also, it was Season 18 Episode 5 if anyone else wants to see it.

[@AMPATL]

Now THAT is how you do a road test. JC has his opinion but it's still ok to go and buy one anyway.

[@pascalevrancken9876]

saab for ever saab 95 23 t ecop

[@MrByootox]

I bought a 9000 8 years ago for £300 and it's never broken down once !!! bloody thing wont die lol :-D

[@teckniec2]

O I know all about that alarm going off in the middle of the night haha, I just pulled the fuse for it as well. The sad thing about that is its a dead battery but the dealership will want you to replace the whole unit. There is a work around on the forums so you can put the battery in a reachable location and just change it out, that's what I'm going to do.

[@guguigugu]

RIP headphone users

[@WakeRunSleep]

You just made my week!

[@DJzSith]

Well we can agree on one thing though. I like oranges too :D

[@Horizon1980-z3k]

Saab is back in business and now owned by National Electric Vehicles Sweden, who have been busy hiring (and rehiring) staff since they bought the company out of administration in 2012 following the GM bankruptcy and failure of Spyker Saab. Production is due to restart in Trollhattan, Sweden, later this year (2013) on an updated version of the current 9-3, followed by an all new electric 9-3 designed and built in Sweden using Japanese battery technology. The future looks interesting again.

[@MrBahjatt]

I got myself a SAAB 9-5 2.0t (here in Amman, Jordan). I can only say it's the most enjoyable car that I have ever owned. At 170 hp it's quite alright: and I love the sports mode! I initially thought of getting a Honda Civic (Asian variant) 2008 with 1.8 iVTEC engine, but to be honest, while the Honda is a great car, it lacks the character of a SAAB.

[@ScottyJ1122]

Most saab owners knew about the reverse lock but you clarkson are thick.

[@lazygamerz]

It is the test for entering the Swedish Mensa club, understanding english aswell as swedish :P

[@richardnielson3761]

own one not bad car owned a bmw of same caliber at one point power to weight ratio isn't bad for the small turbo you can upgrade if done correct.

[@MigAfraid]

@SWEmanque They actually just did test the latest Saab 9-5 in their latest episode. Season 17 Episode 5. They even take a trip to Trollhattan.

[@rogermooreqq]

He is in top gear now ~~

[@HeliXpro123]

the reason you buy a saab is because they actually keep going. My family has a 9 5 and it still works after 14 years

[@Drakewood]

Wow saab had some strange ads. I wanna see the sumo pole vault!

[@MrBahjatt]

The 9-3 that was written off took a bad hit from the rear, the car could have been repaired but the owner just ditched it (no body was hurt btw!) and the engine only has about 30,000 km on station. I always believed that the LK9 (GM Ecotech) was superior to SAAB's Ecopower-series, and I would not hesitate to switch if I could. Only problem is, would it work right? Likewise, is it seeming to be the only one with a retrofitted 9-5?

[@MrBahjatt]

If I could modify one thing on the SAAB 9-5 it is that I would fit the 4B11T engine (of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 2007-onwards) with the MIVEC system. Personally I think that SAAB made lovely cars, but their engines were never on par. A GEMA-Mitsubishi type used on Ralliart-Evolution models on a new build 9-5 (first generation) would be the ultimate dream car for me.

[@HHMartins]

Yes, I agree with you, for the price of a SAAB, you can buy a Mercedes, a BMW, an Audi, or plenty other cars. Take a ride to the local junk yards, and compare the numbers of those brands, and of course the SAAB.

[@santamon12]

God, Top Gear has really come a long way! haha