Hi all,19
I currently have a 1990 740 GLE which I want to replace in the near future. Up until recently, I had been fixated on a 2003 (ish) V70 wagon. Recently I had the opportunity to drive a 2004 Saab 9-5 Arc wagon. Punchy with the turbo,evidently good gas mileage and nice luxury extras like heated/vented seats,cooled glove box,parking assist. etc.. I was impressed with the seeming cost/year/mileage relationship. They seem like good buys for the money. After doing some reading I have come to understand they may be expensive to repair. I have up to $13,000 to spend on a used wagon. I have a couple of questions to pose:

1) Any comments on early 2000 Saab wagons vs Volvo wagons with regard to
general reliability and cost to maintain?

2) My independent Volvo garage has recommended the V70 to me. Any comments on
these four models of V70's:

V70 T5
V70 2.5T (I'm assuming T for turbo)
V70 XC
V70

Any years of these models which should be avoided?



As much as I enjoyed the frills on the Saab 9-5 my priorities are getting something which is reliable,has no known history of chronic problems,is reasonable with regard to cost to repair and is safe.

Thanks for any comments regarding any of this.



Cheers,
wvdthree

Of the four flavors of V70:

XC70 is all wheel drive. Do you need that? Gas mileage will suffer, more maintenance costs. Nothing outrageous but AWD does go thru tires faster, some more costly parts, etc.

T5 is the best for performance if you have a heavy foot. Fastest of the group and a little better gas mileage than the XC70.

2.5T mid grade. Less performance than XC or T5 but better mileage still.

V70. No Turbo. One less thing to break though I've never had a turbo problem. Should have the best gas mileage. Functional, not a spirited drive.

SAAB's are nice. I honestly do not know enough about them to recommend or not.

mormit

Hi,
While I`ve had no experience with Saab I think that "the word on the street" is that they are to be avoided at all costs. Attractive car tho!
MY Volvo experience has been with a 95 850 wagon which has been a great car & has since been passed along to daughter #2. We have had an 03 XC70 for 18 months & this too has been an excellent car. I would not recommend an XC earlier than 03 when the Haldex AWD was introduced as earlier models were problematic, Ie, expensive!!
Others on the board will give you more specifics,
Good luck,
Rich

If you post the same question on a Saab site, most likely they will to tell you to avoid "Volvo" as all costs. Same thing if you post it on a Honda or Toyota sites, they may tell you to avoid BOTH. If you can afford the maintain on Volvo, it should not worry you at all owning a saab.

For a 3.0L V6 Turbo model, make sure the timing belt gets replace at every 70K. Check the turbo as well, to see any leaks.

For a 2.3L Turbo, oil change must be done on time, otherwise it may has sludge issue. Carry a "spare" Direct Ignition Cassette at all time, it could die without warning.

If speed is what you are after, Saab 9-5 Aero wagon maybe a good choice. It has a 2.3L High Output Turbo. The earlier one has 230HP, then upgrade to 250HP few years later. Its performance should be very similar to early V70T5, possible faster than V70R, since all Saab 9-5 are FWD.

Check these sits out, there have very helpful info.

saabnet.com

saabcental.com