Saab 9-5 Problems

Poor reliability, a nearly non-existent support network, bloated styling, terrible on-road performance, and no resale value all combine to give you the full Saab 9-5 experience. You would be better off putting your money in a bag and setting fire to it than buying a second-hand Saab. While some people love their Saabs I find them as appealing as eating a hamburger made of broken glass and battery acid.

The trade puts the turbo life at 100,000-150,000 km depending on how they've been serviced. If they've been well serviced they will last up to 150,000 km. The word is they can't be rebuilt and a replacement is the only real option. A new factory-supplied turbo costs around $2200 fitted.

SAABS are generally sound, but are subject to breakdowns and problems as the kilometres climb. Seek advice from a Saab specialist and have any car checked before buying it.

When you're buying a car it's best to concentrate on the changeover figure rather than the price of the car you're buying and the trade-in value of the car you're selling. The dealer selling the Saab might have given you a generous trade-in price and is sticking to his selling price, whereas the second dealer you contacted might be quoting you a rock-bottom trade-in while being more prepared to deal on the selling price. The difference between trade and retail you quote does seem high, but that might be because you are talking to two different dealers. Generally, though, Saabs tend to be hit harder than some other brands when it comes to depreciation, and they can be harder for dealers to move.