Considering 2002 Saab 9-3 or Volvo S60 2.0T

Wheelio

Hello,

This is my first post and I am looking for some opinions and advice and these two cars.
I am looking to buy one of these as a second family car, we have a diesel estate which will do must of the big miles so would like a petrol for the second as budget will be small.
I am considering either a 2002 93 hatchback (budget around 1.5k) or may up the budget slightly and opt towards 2004 s60. (around 3.5k).
I would be looking fo nicely spec'd cars.
Main question how relaible are these cars ?

Thanks

sambucus

If its reliability you want I'd pick the Volvo. My s60 has done over 3000 miles in the 2 months I've had it has 112k miles on it now. An 04 model probably will escape the dreaded ETM issue that plagued the earlier cars.
Loving my car.
Good luck

Wheelio

Thanks Sambucus, I will look into the ETM issue, I was thinking the S60 would be more reliable and more modern.
Is 30mpg realistic in the S60, they look great value at the moment for the money they are going for.

sambucus

Wheelio wrote: »

Thanks Sambucus, I will look into the ETM issue, I was thinking the S60 would be more reliable and more modern.
Is 30mpg realistic in the S60, they look great value at the moment for the money they are going for.

I'm doing 31 MPG at the moment around half of my driving is motorway half country roads with a little town driving. I'm hoping this will improve with new O2 sensor.
Think they fantastic value too and lots to choose from. Think too that the chances of getting a good car are way better than going for eg a German car of the same age and milage. It's probably the tax/mpg that scares most people away

Mandzhalas

Wheelio wrote: »

Thanks Sambucus, I will look into the ETM issue, I was thinking the S60 would be more reliable and more modern.
Is 30mpg realistic in the S60, they look great value at the moment for the money they are going for.

im getting constant 28mpg. no matter how i drive i allways get 380 miles from tank

colm_mcm

I'd have the Volvo

coolbeans

colm_mcm wrote: »

I'd have the Volvo

Second that. Volvo looks better, reliable and has that nice five cylinder engine note. Interiors are lightyears ahead too.
The SAAB, there's nothing special about it apart from lots of Opel tech, and a made up airplane heritage. The one I drove handled like a boat too but I don't know if they're all like that. I used to like the marque but it's small wonder it's almost dead.

sambucus

Mandzhalas wrote: »

Wheelio wrote: »

Thanks Sambucus, I will look into the ETM issue, I was thinking the S60 would be more reliable and more modern.
Is 30mpg realistic in the S60, they look great value at the moment for the money they are going for.

im getting constant 28mpg. no matter how i drive i allways get 380 miles from tank

What kind of driving do you do out of interest ie stop/start? town driving ?motorway? Measure milage at each fill?
I'd expect mine to do maybe 20 mpg in town driving myself.

thecomedian

I use to have the s60, a really good car. Good engine, nice bit of power. The seats are one of the best around, even high end new cars won't have better. I'd go for the s60

Supergurrier

Volvo hands down, great place to be

Wheelio

Thanks all, volvo rated higher as expected, might be back on with few more specific questions when ready to purchase

Mandzhalas

sambucus wrote: »

What kind of driving do you do out of interest ie stop/start? town driving ?motorway? Measure milage at each fill?
I'd expect mine to do maybe 20 mpg in town driving myself.

5KM to work each day and back,small 1 mile runs to shop.30 km weekend run
pretty much all country roads,and small town driving