Discussion
Hi folks,
Well, as promised, here is a thread on my recent purchase. A bit of background first:
I have a rather leggy Toyota Carina and the time has come to move upmarket. I knew I wanted something big, comfortable, AUTO, with a large engine and of course, petrol powered
I started out looking at Jags, Lexus' (Lexi), Mercs etc. Well, all those got shot down for various reasons, my research continued and I soon realised that a 9-5 Aero was the way forward, ticking all of the boxes and more. I set my heart on an Estate, in any colour but NOT red. It had to have all of the extras but I did not want SatNav.
After a while, I was getting disheartened and my £2,500 budget was burning a hole in my pocket. Then one day I was perusing GumTree when I saw a rather poor picture of a 9-5 with not much of a description. A few calls later and she was mine:
After looking back at my brief, listed above, I of course ended up in a Red saloon with SatNav





When I bought her I knew a few things needed doing, but I had the remainder of my budget for fixing stuff and upgrades. First of all was a major service and a general check over by local SAAB specialists SimplySAAB in Bristol. She checked out OK but a few extra things needed doing, a couple of bushes front and rear. As she stands she only owes me around £2000, not bad for a facelift '04 plate with only 88k on the clock.
I've already had her mapped by Karl at SAABnoob, wow! A car this big has no right to be so quick
Things to do include:
Refurbish the wheels
Tidy up a few bits on body
Enjoy!
Nick
Well, as promised, here is a thread on my recent purchase. A bit of background first:
I have a rather leggy Toyota Carina and the time has come to move upmarket. I knew I wanted something big, comfortable, AUTO, with a large engine and of course, petrol powered

I started out looking at Jags, Lexus' (Lexi), Mercs etc. Well, all those got shot down for various reasons, my research continued and I soon realised that a 9-5 Aero was the way forward, ticking all of the boxes and more. I set my heart on an Estate, in any colour but NOT red. It had to have all of the extras but I did not want SatNav.
After a while, I was getting disheartened and my £2,500 budget was burning a hole in my pocket. Then one day I was perusing GumTree when I saw a rather poor picture of a 9-5 with not much of a description. A few calls later and she was mine:
After looking back at my brief, listed above, I of course ended up in a Red saloon with SatNav

When I bought her I knew a few things needed doing, but I had the remainder of my budget for fixing stuff and upgrades. First of all was a major service and a general check over by local SAAB specialists SimplySAAB in Bristol. She checked out OK but a few extra things needed doing, a couple of bushes front and rear. As she stands she only owes me around £2000, not bad for a facelift '04 plate with only 88k on the clock.
I've already had her mapped by Karl at SAABnoob, wow! A car this big has no right to be so quick
Things to do include:
Refurbish the wheels
Tidy up a few bits on body
Enjoy!
Nick
Edited by NickM450 on Monday 26th June 18:14
I bought one of these as a car to commute to and from the airport in a few weeks ago.
It's amazing what £900 gets you. Possibly the best seats of any car I've owned, even better than my old 850R. Harmon Kardon stereo. 250hp, heated seas all round, climate, xenon headlamps etc etc.
It's almost a shame to use it in airport car parks. Very refined for motorway cruising, a bit boat like if you try and hustle the old girl.
2003 9-5 Aero - 130k miles



It's amazing what £900 gets you. Possibly the best seats of any car I've owned, even better than my old 850R. Harmon Kardon stereo. 250hp, heated seas all round, climate, xenon headlamps etc etc.
It's almost a shame to use it in airport car parks. Very refined for motorway cruising, a bit boat like if you try and hustle the old girl.
2003 9-5 Aero - 130k miles



Edited by Spoof on Saturday 25th April 09:39
Nice! These are such a bargain now, and those engines are a good, solid lump if treated right, makes ofr an effortless way to get around
I have had 2 9 5s, a v6 which ate its own engine and an Abbott R5 (pre-Aero Dealer upgrade; every option, remapped to 230bhp and slammed suspension)


Ranks as No.6 is my best ever cars
I am on my 7th SAAB now, a '99 9 3 'Vert that I paid £750 for:

I have had 2 9 5s, a v6 which ate its own engine and an Abbott R5 (pre-Aero Dealer upgrade; every option, remapped to 230bhp and slammed suspension)


Ranks as No.6 is my best ever cars
I am on my 7th SAAB now, a '99 9 3 'Vert that I paid £750 for:

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I thought I was doing well at £1400 for mine, considering the asking prices I was seeing during my search.