Item: Used Saab 9-5 Estate 1997 - 2011
Author: Steve Huntingford

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Find a good example and Saabs make famously great used cars; they are generally well priced, well equipped and reliable.

The firm was declared bankrupt in 2012, so any used models on the market are now generally old and at the budget end of the spectrum.

Barring collectors’ curiosities, you’ll find the 9-3 and larger 9-5 filling the classifieds, in saloon, estate and convertible variants. Petrol and diesel options are available, and the brand’s long-time link-up with parent firm General Motors means that they were generally well equipped.

Prices vary significantly according to age, mileage and condition, but there are certainly some bargains to be had if you compare what your money will buy you against that of comparable rivals.

SAAB

The Saab 9-5 Estate is a good all-rounder - and cheap, too - which makes it a cracking used buy

Used Saab 9-5 Estate 1997 - 2011

Just as the 9-5 saloon is one of the cheaper executive cars, the estate is one of the more inexpensive premium wagons. It was less to buy from new than its BMW and Mercedes rivals, and it didn't hold its value as well, so the earliest used examples can be had for next to nothing.

Our favourite engine is among the most frugal in the range of petrol-powered 9-5s - it's only 0.4mpg behind the leanest 2.0-litre. Whichever powerplant you choose, though, your fuel costs will be broadly similar to the equivalent <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-class/saloon/review/n17174">E-Class</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/saloon/review/n63">5 Series</a>. The same goes for servicing costs, because all three companies charge similar rates for maintenance work.

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The Saab 9-5 Estate is a good all-rounder - and cheap, too - which makes it a cracking used buy

A face-lift in 2006 brought a new engine, the 1.9-litre turbodiesel. It's a peach, giving 150bhp and fuel economy of 44.1mpg. It's refined, too.

The chances are you'll be looking at an older car, though. If so, we'd recommend the 185bhp 2.3-litre petrol engine. The diesels in the earlier cars weren't much cop and are too expensive.

The 2.0-litre petrol is our favourite in the 9-5 saloon, but the estate really benefits from the 2.3's extra oomph. You can also buy the 2.3 with a meatier turbo that gives 220bhp, but it isn't that much quicker, and the extra power puts a dent in your fuel economy.

The HOT Aero gives 250bhp, but it's too expensive, and the front-wheel drive chassis has trouble coping with the power.

Go for the basic Linear trim to keep costs down. You'll still get traction control, climate control, alloys, a CD player and four electric windows.

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.

Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.

There are some terrific estates at most price ranges. The humble Skoda Fabia Estate offers cavernous space for not much cash at all, for example.

Further up the price range, another of our perennial favourites is the Skoda Superb Estate;&nbsp;it’s great to drive and as practical as most people should ever need. Meanwhile, for serious mile-munching ability and a premium, well-finished interior, it’s hard to look beyond the BMW 5 Series Touring.

The 9-5's reliability record makes fairly depressing reading, according to figures provided by Warranty Direct, especially when you consider that Saab is supposed to be a prestige brand. Our reliability survey found the 9-5 to be one of the most troublesome cars you can buy, so spend some time on finding a good one.

The electrics cause the biggest number of problems, so play with all the switches and make sure everything works properly before you hand over any cash. Also, check the service history for any signs of past problems. Suspension faults are the second-biggest area of complaint, so check for irregular squeaks from underneath, and uneven tyre wear.

If something does go wrong, however, your repair bills should be slightly cheaper than average.

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Estates aren't always as versatile as they should be, because the big boot was thrown on as an afterthought. The Saab 9-5 estate is an exception. It's one of the few that provides a proper load area, and, as such, it's more than just a 'lifestyle' load-carrier.

The cabin is roomy, comfortable and well built, too. However, it can't match its German rivals for quality or class.

True, it isn't as sharp to drive as the equivalent <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw">BMW</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/mercedes-benz">Mercedes</a>, but that doesn't stop it being very capable in its own right. The handling is perfectly acceptable, the ride is terrific and refinement is up there with the best in the class.

Its biggest strength, though, is value for money. The 9-5 is a good deal cheaper to buy than its German competition, and it won't cost the earth to run.

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Used Saab 9-5 Estate 1997 - 2011 review

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