Newer car

[BIG Sean]

SWMBO has just suggested chopping her car and my car in for something else - both work in the same town and kids don't need picking up from school anymore, so we could cope with just one car.

Suggestions for a decent family car at a decent price?

Budget around £6k[assuming my 1998 C280 - which is leggy at 145k and showing its age[rust] but with a 9month ticket is worth £1500??? and her 2004 A140 in very good condition with only 25k is worth £4.5k???] are my assumptions reasonable?

Initial thoughts were W203 or maybe Saab - thinking good value at the mo?

ps I like the XJ8 - wouldn't get it past the mrs though, or would I??????

 

[Seamster15]

Saab 93's have lots of problems, would'nt touch one personally.
W203 does'nt have the quality feel of the W202 IMHO.

6K you should get a higher mileage early petrol W211.

 

[wemorgan]

£6k should be able to buy:

2005 Saab 95 2.3t.
2004 Honda Accord 2.4 VTec Type-S
2003 Jaguar S-Type 3.0
2003 VW Passat 4.0 W8
2002 Merc C-class C320

just a few ideas.

 

[renault12ts]

W203 all the time.

 

[Skintia99]

Saab 9-3 wouldnt be a bad idea, I quite like mine - love the seats

Have you considered a Volvo, newish S40 or older S80? Merc wise i'd opt for a W203, over a Saab or Volvo anyday

 

[BIG Sean]

Saab 93's have lots of problems, would'nt touch one personally.
W203 does'nt have the quality feel of the W202 IMHO.

6K you should get a higher mileage early petrol W211.

I thought Saab's were bullet proof? is that the older generations?

W211 sounds good to me, will check on Autotrader - but although she likes driving mine would it not be a bit too big??? will check dims while I'm ^^^ there

 

[shorty]

How about pushing the budget up a little ??

E55 amg for sale.. Again.
BenzedUP

 

[BIG Sean]

£6k should be able to buy:

2005 Saab 95 2.3t.
2004 Honda Accord 2.4 VTec Type-S
2003 Jaguar S-Type 3.0
2003 VW Passat 4.0 W8
2002 Merc C-class C320

just a few ideas.

I'm liking this

 

[Mudster]

Saab 93's have lots of problems, would'nt touch one personally.
W203 does'nt have the quality feel of the W202 IMHO.

6K you should get a higher mileage early petrol W211.

I keep reading odd comments like this about Saab 9-3's.

We run two 9-3 vector sports as company vehicles, mine has now done 40K in 18 months and apart from a new leather seat cover (due to stitching failure - free under warranty) neother have required anything other than routine maintainance.

They are still the most comfortable seats I've had the pleasure of sitting in.

We decided on these cars on price alone, new (contract hire) they were cheaper then Vectra's never mind anything German.

 

[BIG Sean]

How about pushing the budget up a little ??

E55 amg for sale.. Again.
BenzedUP

It's a cost saving measure I'm afraid - trying to keep within the £6k - assuming that's about right for the two cars.

and she's bad enough with less than 200hp - wouldn't let her loose in yours she would 'run out of talent' to coin a Top Gear phrase very very quickly.

 

[wemorgan]

I'm liking this

Looks very nice. I've only driven Saab manuals before, so can't comment on how the Auto drives.

With that age/mileage check for worn rear shocks.
The turbo chargers are strong, though oddly enough not as strong as in the HOT models. Check for blue smoke.
Those engines prefer 6k mile oil changes and using full synthetic too. As a precaution it's worth dropping the sump to check for sludge.
Check all the pixles are working on the center cluster.

As Mudster says, Saab seats are possible the best in the business.

Lots of good information here: http://www.saabscene.com/forum/

 

[PXW]

I'm liking this

From my own experience running a 9-5 auto I'd have to warn against. As I wrote recently on another thread:

I'd have to warn you off this - I too bought a 9-5 2.3 (185bhp) on the reputation of Saab. Disaster. Without exception the most unreliable car I ahve ever owned. THe DI cassette went (of course), but caused an underbonnet fire, which screwed the ignition electrics. It got unburnt fuel in the catalyser, which then ignited and melted the cat down. Various other mechanical and electrical faults including throttle housing (£500 plus fitting)...do these go very often, I asked...well, says the mechanic, they usually go at the same time as the turbo....more £££££.

Overall, this cost me a fortune and let me down (as in having to be recovered) about 5 times. I bought it at about 2 years old/17k miles, and finally gave up, and flogged it into the trade at 4.5 years/c60k miles for about 1/6 what I paid for it. Under the skin it's an old style Vectra (so another Vauxhall) and isn't a particularly good drive - even the 185bhp version struggled to control the front wheels for a brisk getaway. The seats were excellent though...

 

[lynall]

Google saab engine problems, sump sludge, climate control units, suspension bushs etc etc just like a merc

Seriously i have heard/read a few stories about the sump sludge problem and timing chain probs, but to be honest probably on older cars.



Lynall

 

[wemorgan]

some more options:

2004 53 Reg HONDA Accord 2.4i VTEC TYPE S £5995

2004 HONDA ACCORD 2.4i VTEC TYPE S 4dr [17" Alloy] Saloon £4995

2002 51 Reg MERCEDES-BENZ C240 Avantgarde £5995

2005 05 Reg SAAB 9-3 2.0T LINEAR 150BHP 4DR £5975

2002 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS C320 Avantgarde SE 4dr Auto £5495

2002 02 Reg AUDI A4 3.0 PETROL SPORT QUATTRO £5948

 

[ABBY]

i am biased but def C320 with all extras.puts a smile on my face every time i drive
:bannana:

 

[Seamster15]

I keep reading odd comments like this about Saab 9-3's.

We run two 9-3 vector sports as company vehicles, mine has now done 40K in 18 months and apart from a new leather seat cover (due to stitching failure - free under warranty) neother have required anything other than routine maintainance.

They are still the most comfortable seats I've had the pleasure of sitting in.

We decided on these cars on price alone, new (contract hire) they were cheaper then Vectra's never mind anything German.

It's just personal experience. Brand new 9-3 1.9 Diesel, and before 60k the car had the following replaced and weeks of garage time;

Turbo
Alternator
Bottom end
Cats
Stereo

Imagine the cost if the car had been out of warentee!

As soon at it ran out of warentee the car was disposed of and replaced by somthing Non GM!

 

[Chris Akabusi]

How about a Mk1 Lexus IS200, or IS300 if you want a bit more poke?