Saab vs Volvo

grunge311 · 04-05-2007, 01:03 PM

I am in the market for a daily driver (gas saver). I can spend 15k but would rather spend under 10k for something in good shape. I am looking for a sedan, luxury class, and reliable. While looking I was bitten by the euro bug and want to get something european but can't afford a BMW, and never really liked the audi. So that leaves Saab and Volvo, which both have turbo which I think is cool.

I am looking specifically for an 01 saab 9-5 or a 00 volvo with ~50k miles.

I have no local dealers so the pickings are slim in this area and no one I know has any experience with them so I can't get their opinions. So I am hoping you guys can share your opinions on volvos and saabs. One thing that concerns me about saabs is I hear they are loud and rattle traps. I would be putting a stereo setup in which ever I get so I want as few rattles as possible.

My plan B if I don't go with either of these is an 05 altima 2.5SL.

**walleeme** · 04-05-2007, 01:07 PM

Just go get an Altima 3.5 and be done with it.
My 3.5 gets 21 and 28 to 30 mpg and hauls azz doing it.

The newer Volvos feel to me like the same cars they built back in the 70's. Rattly, expensive to repair, and stuff breaks a lot. (I grew up in a foriegn car repair, and I still work there today).

The Saabs are either great or terrible, and people tend to keep great ones, so if you see a used one, that ought to tell you something.

Elias60 · 04-05-2007, 01:27 PM

I have a 99 BMW 323i and it is rock solid never had a problem with it. The BMW is worth about $14000 and you can't buy a car that gives you such a nice ride for that kind of money. I don't know much about saab or Volvo my cousin had a 95 saab and it was nice for a 4 banger. You need to check out repair costs and compare them to see which is most suitable for your budget.

grunge311 · 04-05-2007, 01:56 PM

The repair costs are very similar to BMW and Audi. So there is no problem there.

My failsafe is altima, but I the altima just doesn't do it for me like the euro cars. If I did get one though it would be an 05, and it would either be a 2.5sl or a type R. probably a 2.5 though because of the price.

gixxer0.6g · 04-05-2007, 01:59 PM

I drove a 76 volvo with 250k miles on it all through high school and never had a problem.

titan dude · 04-05-2007, 03:10 PM

My parents have had many saabs.It seemed once GM got them it went down hill.Plus matnice on both cars listed is very expencive.I would go with the altima.

stlblues · 04-05-2007, 05:08 PM

I've had to work on a lot of Volvos, very expensive. Haven't had any experience with Saab but I know if GM owns them, they are screwed up now. Find and Altima or an Accord or Civic. Any of these will run 250K to 400K with virtually NO problems. Look at the list of most reliable vehicles. Honda, Toyota, Acrua, Lexus, Scion are tops.........Volvo and Saab are way down on the list. Highest domestic was Lincoln at 13 or 15th I think.

**walleeme** · 04-06-2007, 07:41 AM

So Grunge,
Notice a common theme here?

My Altima is 4 years old. Has 30,000 on it.
Nothing has fallen off. No warranty issues whatsoever.
No complaints worth mentioning.
It will touch 145 mph easily (probably more but I don't dare try).

grunge311 · 04-06-2007, 10:13 AM

But I must have leather, and auto climate control, I am not willing to move on this.. And civic isn't availible with those, altima is but only really in 05 up, so that leaves just the accord but I do not like the new body style. I guess I can find an 02 accord with those features and some low miles..

the older TLs (01-03) are holding there value to much, I don't care much for the I35, and the G35 is out of my price range. Lexus are way overpriced the GS is out of my price range, and the IS is probably to small for me, (6'6" 280ish lbs)

**walleeme** · 04-06-2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grunge311

But I must have leather, and auto climate control, I am not willing to move on this.. And civic isn't availible with those, altima is but only really in 05 up, so that leaves just the accord but I do not like the new body style. I guess I can find an 02 accord with those features and some low miles..

the older TLs (01-03) are holding there value to much, I don't care much for the I35, and the G35 is out of my price range. Lexus are way overpriced the GS is out of my price range, and the IS is probably to small for me, (6'6" 280ish lbs)

My altima is an 03 with black leather, and climate control. Works great. Every bell and whistle except the wood grain package. It's a 3.5 SE

grunge311 · 04-06-2007, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walleeme

My altima is an 03 with black leather, and climate control. Works great. Every bell and whistle except the wood grain package. It's a 3.5 SE

Yeah the 3.5 has auto climate, but then you pay as much as the 2.5 in 05. The difference in interior isn't worth the engine size since its going to be my commuter (comfort and mileage is more important than performance) So I would go with the 05 2.5sl over and 02-04 3.5

**walleeme** · 04-07-2007, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grunge311

Yeah the 3.5 has auto climate, but then you pay as much as the 2.5 in 05. The difference in interior isn't worth the engine size since its going to be my commuter (comfort and mileage is more important than performance) So I would go with the 05 2.5sl over and 02-04 3.5

Umm,
The 2.5's have had some issues, and I don't think you want that/those.
I didn't give a rip when the wifey bought the car. Performance happened to come with it, and I have learned to like it. OVerall, bang for the buck walks all over the european counterparts. I think you should look.
Real world mileage is 20-21 city and 28-30 highway. And it's fast (really fast)on the highway. Excellent road tripper, fully featured.

Go look at the Infinity G35 Sedans before you buy a Volvo or Saab.

**walleeme** · 04-07-2007, 12:10 AM

I can't beleive I just said that!
But in all reality, I am a car guy, and the Altima has exceeded my expectations in every category. I am at this point, more than pleasantly surprised.
Titan seems to be the same way.

grunge311 · 04-07-2007, 12:20 PM

There are other reasons keeping me from a pre 05 altima, but I know altimas are nice cars, but I am just looking for something else right now.

The g35 would be awesome but I don't have the cash for one of those. And I don't feel like dealing with all the BS you have to go thru to fit a double din in one. If I could afford one I would consider the BS but I don't want to pay more & have to go thru everything to do a double din.

Does anyone here have experience with 9-5s or s60s or s80s?

**t22a80** · 04-07-2007, 08:31 PM

I always liked the pre GM Saab's. But they do have issues and are quirky. It seems people either love them or hate them. I had a 9-3 and it was OK, I'd get the 5sp next time though. The Volvo's are just boring plain and simple. I hate the way they drive and they just bore me. The gf. had one, I hated that car till the day she traded it in for an Audi A4. I love that car, I had an 1989- 80 Quattro I couldnt kill that thing. The A4 is so much fun to drive, unfortunately I don't get to drive it enough! We fight over who gets to drive it. I know you said you don't like them, but one drive in the snow with the quattro and you'll be convinced! They rock, and are very safe cars to drive!!! Sometimes I wish I had more than a 7 mile commute to work so I could justify buying a car just to rip around in. Ohh wait thats why I bought a motorcycle! hah