Bit of a quandary Saab v Insignia

[wemorgan]

Yes, that's the chap. He loves the car, but being auto and doing heavy commuting driving means he only sees 25mpg, a far cry from the 35mpg he got in your car.

Even if the turbo goes in your car that sounds like only 1 monthly payment for the Insignia. I imagine there could be other wear and tear issues, but still cheaper over the whole year I'd hope. I guess reliability when visiting a client is key, but the car's not left you high and dry so far has it?

 

[davidjpowell]

Not high and dry. there was a shaky moment last year, which turned out to be a 20p clip. Turbo does not scare me too much to be honest.

Need to look into it a bit more... Wear and tear it could do with a couple of bushes and maybe an engne mount. nothing too bad.

Still drives very well.

 

[Michael G]

Keep the Saab. I'd rather see someone turn up is a charismatic Saab, instead of a soulless Insignia.
The Saab still looks fresh after after 10 years too.

 

[mw_C32]

Going against the written consensus as I like the Insignia, I'd go to keep that as it has got to be a much more refined drive and reliable. In fact I nearly got one last year but the ML was too much of a pull....
It's ok to turn up to see your clients in a Saab as long as it doesn't let you down and bottom line is it will just when you least expect it.
Nice choice to have though...

 

[st4]

Keep the Saab. I'd rather see someone turn up is a charismatic Saab, instead of a soulless Insignia.
The Saab still looks fresh after after 10 years too.

There is that, they are that and its nice to hear of one being kept on. I have never driven one, but everyone who has them seems to like them, so there must be a quality product in there.

BTW, if the OP is doing mega miles seat comfort, driving position etc plays a big part.

The Saab will probably have better seating, although I have a pal at work, 6ft4 fella and he says the insignia has cracking seating, very good to drive (for a FWD car). ON balance it may well be the better car, certainly more economical, safter etc.

David, why not junk both and get a newer Saab 93 if the Saab marque you like, but without the temperamental nature of the older car. Personally, I'd get a Merc or a Skoda (or any VAG) or BMW

 

[davidjpowell]

I am (moderately) happy with the cost of the VX. The non maintenance aspect of it and lack of a cap on miles, make what would be an 'expensive' deal to be OK. I've always found with leases the miles rack the cost right up.

I don't care about not owning the VX either. I've yet to make money on owning a car (although Saab is closest to it), and usually lose a great deal. At least if I have a modern car, this way my costs are fixed...

But I think I have made my mind up. Financially on 1,500 recharge miles a month, the VX costs my £380, whereas the Saab makes me £30, allowing for £100 per month to be set aside for maintenance and not including any saving on insurance.

I'd probably prefer to keep with this Saab rather than switch. I do know of some people who have newer ones which have been a headache. This one I know, and I'm fairly confident of it's history. Turbo needs doing for peace of mind, but that is not that expensive.

When it started first go yesterday, it was just like welcoming an old friend.

I also found that I was disappointed when the Vx was leading the poll, which I think was my subconscious talking...

 

[st4]

David,

Thats half the thing, if you like driving it then you must have it. Nothing worse than driving a car you do not like...

 

[renault12ts]

Good decision.

 

[grober]

I am (moderately) happy with the cost of the VX. The non maintenance aspect of it and lack of a cap on miles, make what would be an 'expensive' deal to be OK. I've always found with leases the miles rack the cost right up.

I don't care about not owning the VX either. I've yet to make money on owning a car (although Saab is closest to it), and usually lose a great deal. At least if I have a modern car, this way my costs are fixed...

But I think I have made my mind up. Financially on 1,500 recharge miles a month, the VX costs my £380, whereas the Saab makes me £30, allowing for £100 per month to be set aside for maintenance and not including any saving on insurance.

I'd probably prefer to keep with this Saab rather than switch. I do know of some people who have newer ones which have been a headache. This one I know, and I'm fairly confident of it's history. Turbo needs doing for peace of mind, but that is not that expensive.

When it started first go yesterday, it was just like welcoming an old friend.

I also found that I was disappointed when the Vx was leading the poll, which I think was my subconscious talking...

MB Club UK -------- cheaper than a psychiatrists couch!

 

[timskemp]

I'm self employed also, working from home operating an IT management and consultancy service with others who also work from home. I run my 03 plate E class and refuse to put a private plate on it - being 03 means it doesn't alienate the drivers of newer mainstream kit, being an E class looks respectable but not flash (the only thing that keeps me away from an S or a CLK).

I've toyed with the idea of a newer Insignia myself but the numbers never seemed right to me. I normally buy 3 yr old cars so save half the depreciation - was looking at C320s and CLS320s this weekend (really want a W212 but the money doesn't allow it!)

 

[st4]

Tim, 212 prices are dropping all the time, and as you've spent 4 figures fixing up the 211 another year of price dropping and getting your moneys worth out the 211 is not a bad thing.

The C320cdi is nice, but f*** me, everything is an option. On 3yr old sport ones (do not consider anything else) xenons are an option, massive oversight. So few have them specc'd

 

[Bellow]

I also found that I was disappointed when the Vx was leading the poll, which I think was my subconscious talking...

I just voted. The balance has been tipped!....

 

[Charles Morgan]

Me too, having not even noticed the poll. SAAB all the way.

 

[MOCAŠ]

I voted Insignia by mistake (no idea how), so the Saab is winning by a larger margin than it appears.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Excessively liquid lunch, MOCAS?

 

[MOCAŠ]

Excessively liquid lunch, MOCAS?

Well, the only liquid that passed my lips at lunchtime was a glass of Bramley apple juice. Perhaps it had fermented a little...

 

[Charles Morgan]

So more likely to be Delirium Tremens then.

 

[MOCAŠ]

Hopefully not! I put it down to plain dottiness

 

[bpsorrel]

The Saab everytime! OK, I'm biased as I have a 9-3 convertible, but, I had a 9-5 2.3T for a couple of years which was faultless, beautiful to drive and very comfortable. My 9-3 is also faultless, very comfortable and not expensive to run. Far more charismatic than a Vauxhall..

 

[davidjpowell]

Well it's done.

Insignia has gone. Saab is back on cover.

Thieving *******s at the insurance company have put my insurance premium up! Not impressed More Than!