Subaru or SAAB??

[grober]

A couple I know are thinking of changing their w202 estate for a younger motor. They are a bit disillusioned with costs of Mercedes motoring and are looking for something reliable as a replacement. They have narrowed it down to a new SAAB 9-3 SPORTWAGON Vector 1.9TiD 150PS or a pre registered SUBARU Legacy Sports Tourer 3.0, both automatic, but have asked me for comments on which has the best reliability/servicing costs. I know several members on the forum run Subaru/Saab vehicles, so I would value any comments I could pass on. I have heard SAAB arn't so good since the GM takeover and that Subaru have moved upmarket with their pricing and servicing but have no direct experience of either make. Any comments welcome.

 

[ADY1983]

If it was me I would go for the saab, because I think the estate looks fantastic , my 2p worth

 

[BTB 500]

Subaru always do pretty well in the JD Power etc. surveys.

PS narrowed down to either a 1.9 litre 4-pot diesel SAAB or a 3 litre 6 cyl petrol Subaru sounds a bit odd?!

 

[jonm]

For me, got to be the Saab but I wouldn't consider one unless it had passed its first birthday, depreciation is rocket powered. Why the Saab for me ? because I think the interior of the Subaru is bland, thats it!

 

[grober]

Subaru always do pretty well in the JD Power etc. surveys.

PS narrowed down to either a 1.9 litre 4-pot diesel SAAB or a 3 litre 6 cyl petrol Subaru sounds a bit odd?!

I think it was just they were offered a very good deal on the 3.0 litre other wise they would have gone for the 2.0 litre auto which is what they were thinking of first. Subaru dont appear do a diesel model unfortunately.

 

[pint6x]

The Saab won't be cheap to service unless they use an independent specialist.

The Subaru will drink petrol at a fearsome rate - low 20s mpg will be the norm.

Both are good cars, but i think if i wanted to lower servicing costs I might consider a Honda Accord Tourer cdti diesel, a VW Passat 140 2.0 diesel, or even a Mondeo 2.0 130 TDCi or Mondeo 2.2 155 TDCi

 

[blassberg]

The Subaru will drink petrol at a fearsome rate - low 20s mpg will be the norm.

Both are good cars, but i think if i wanted to lower servicing costs I might consider a Honda Accord Tourer cdti diesel, a VW Passat 140 2.0 diesel, or even a Mondeo 2.0 130 TDCi or Mondeo 2.2 155 TDCi

yep. Subaru only quite powerful, not great mid-range - swigs petrol.

Honda Accord diesel very good and fast - but you can't at least couldnt get the sports suspension with the diesel

 

[lotusmark2]

Well I wonder which one I would go for

SAAB for me but as has been said get an 18 month old one and save a mint!

I also had a Passat TDI (130bhp 1.9) DAMB good car, would be very tempted, great build quality but no character.

 

[paulmc]

My brother bought a brand new Saab 9-3, 2.2 diesel for around 19k. 4 years later with only 43k on the clock he got £4500 for it. MENTAL. Very good and reliable car though.

 

[grober]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I will pass on your comments. Maybe a 2.0 litre Subaru new would be better bet than the 3 litre if they want economy.

 

[big x]

..

 

[big x]

Both are somewhat left field choices with a reputation for high service costs and in the case of the Suburu high parts costs. For reliability the Honda Accord diesel is a better choice.The current shape Volvo V70 diesel estate is a solid car with great seats and in manual form reliable.
Mind you in terms of cost something like this £2k C240 estate run into the ground is the way to go..http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....20037442263&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

adam

 

[BonzoDog]

We sold our '98 9-3 Saab last year. Only niggly things went wrong but servicing and fixing costs were in the stratosphere. The whole package was quite good but you could see that the Saab bits were stick-ons over GM tackiness.
I sold it to a friend who now takes it to a Swedish ex Saab mechanic who charges him almost nothing but on my view he does almost nothing.
I wouldn't buy another one unless they Saabed it up and GM'd it down.

 

[jobseeker]

Having run a Subaru 2.5 four cylinder Legacy estate and a 3 litre six cylinder Outback, I can recommend Subaru without hesitation. As for fuel consumption, I suppose it depends on mileage and driving style. My 3 litre gave me about 23 mpg round the city. The new 3 litre is more economical though. The dealer experience isn't cheap, but no worse than many. The dealers usually have a high customer satisfaction rating and many are still family owned rather than corporate.

 

[scumbag]

the Subaru impreza estate is the SAAB 9-2 but they dont bring it here.

a 9-3 is based on the floor pan of a vectra, but is put together better. and the legacy is japanese. good reliablity but may well be not as nice a place.

Saabs do look better outside, but subaru's are rarer. they can only import 5000 a year.

I had a impreza WRX (2003). had a cheap interior for a £20k car. i have never had a saab, but i have sat in one and i didnt think it felt as cheap. I know one member on here did have a legacy. I am sure he liked it but it went for a e-class.

 

[big x]

the Subaru impreza estate is the SAAB 9-2 but they dont bring it here.

a 9-3 is based on the floor pan of a vectra, but is put together better. and the legacy is japanese. good reliablity but may well be not as nice a place.

Saabs do look better outside, but subaru's are rarer. they can only import 5000 a year.

I had a impreza WRX (2003). had a cheap interior for a £20k car. i have never had a saab, but i have sat in one and i didnt think it felt as cheap. I know one member on here did have a legacy. I am sure he liked it but it went for a e-class.

It's difficult to see much of future for the Saab marque selling rebranded cars http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_9-2X

adam

 

[del320]

...and now they've cobbled up one and called it a Cadillac BLS...
...Lancia, Cavalier, Vectra, Subaru - schizophrenic or what?

B**L***S!