Volvo V70 II or SAAB 93

eddiethornton

Hi all,

I was thinking of buying a Saab 93 combi but have been advised against it due to the uncertainty of the company. They are quite cheap right now (10k for a 2010 model) but if parts are going to be a problem then its not a wise move.

Has anyone got any advice on the Volvo V70 II. They look quite nice and at prices of approx 14k for a 2009 model it might be my choice.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

unkel

I've said it many times before and I'll say it again. Parts are not gonna be a problem for any mainstream car manufacturer gone bust

Parts are a very profitable business, someone will pick it up double quick. Look what happened to Rover, parts widely available nearly 8 years after their collapse...

eddiethornton

Do you really believe that? That been the case I can save a lot buying a Saab. There is quite a lot of them for sale in Stockholm right now and they made me suspect they were running out of parts.

anthony4335

Go with the Volvo V70, nothing to do with any parts issue ( I have a 9-5 and have not had any issues with getting parts so far) I just think the 9-3 estate is fugly. Plus the V70 is a bigger car.

biko

I like Saab but would go with the Volvo in this case.

repsol

eddiethornton wrote: »

Hi all,

I was thinking of buying a Saab 93 combi but have been advised against it due to the uncertainty of the company. They are quite cheap right now (10k for a 2010 model) but if parts are going to be a problem then its not a wise move.

Has anyone got any advice on the Volvo V70 II. They look quite nice and at prices of approx 14k for a 2009 model it might be my choice.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

There is no "uncertainty" over Saab.They are finished. There will always be parts problems as breakers only keep valuable major parts and not smaller trim items etc.I sold Volvo parts in the late 80's and early 90's and we could get any parts for Volvos back as far back as the Amazon and P1800. Because you are thinking of the less popular Combi Saab ,body parts will be harder to come by.We are not talking bangers here you are looking at 09 cars so a dealer network is desirable.

eddiethornton

I ll go with the Volvo then. There's a bit if a difference in price but the Volvo is cheaper to insure and it comes with winter wheels.

Pity Saab went under. My last 95 will probably be the last one I drive

R.O.R

There may be issues with Saab body parts until someone starts making pattern parts, which surely someone will. I know someone who's been having great trouble trying to source a new bonnet badge for one, but why he hasn't tried a scrappy, I don't know.

Which V70 are you looking at? The FF 2.0i is a bit shy on power, and unless it was registered before July 08 is hefty on tax. The 2.0d model is adequate without being a rocket (that's what we have). Later D3 models are more powerful and nicer to drive and if you can find a nice D5 on emissions tax, go for that one.

SE spec gives you all you need, but heated seats would be nice. I don't think rear parking sensors are standard but are a very good option to have as it is a long vehicle.

Acres of space in the rear seats, and 3 proper size seats in the back (rather than 2 1/2 as most cars have), but I was very surprised that there is no centre armrest in ours. Boot will swallow more or less everything, and if it doesn't then you need a van.

unkel

repsol wrote: »

There will always be parts problems

How often does one need body parts?

There is no parts problem, the same as there is no Rover parts problem. The main car I am driving is a Saab 9-5 and the one before that a Rover 75. Both old and both regularly in need of a (cheap) part...

Stop that pub talk cliché please...

Sleepy

One of the directors of Saab formed a parts company the day after it went into liquidation AFAIR.

unkel

Smart man

Sleepy

Yep: access to the liquidator to get the moulds / existing stock and the knowledge of the cars and their customers (or access to the people with it) to know how to make a decent profit servicing the millions of Saabs still on our roads.

It was a bit of a no-brainer really.

Redtop

Saab wins Hands Down. Don't be put off my scare-mongering about Saab parts. I drove a Rover for 2 years and there was never an ounce of trouble in getting parts for it. I assume it will be the same for Saab. Good Luck.

repsol

unkel wrote: »

How often does one need body parts?

There is no parts problem, the same as there is no Rover parts problem. The main car I am driving is a Saab 9-5 and the one before that a Rover 75. Both old and both regularly in need of a (cheap) part...

Stop that pub talk cliché please...

Its not pub talk.I have had years of experience working in 2 Volvo dealerships.What experience do you have? Your car ownership history would suggest you know little or nothing about cars as the Rover 75 had a very poor reputation.I think if you do your homework you will find that Insurance approved body shops will only use genuine new parts so if the OP were to have a relatively minor collision in the Saab it could be written off by the insurers.Try going overseas in a Rover or a Saab and see how you get on if you have an issue without a dealer network.

The Pontiac

Redtop wrote: »

Saab wins Hands Down. Don't be put off my scare-mongering about Saab parts. I drove a Rover for 2 years and there was never an ounce of trouble in getting parts for it. I assume it will be the same for Saab. Good Luck.

Why do you say that. Really interested in your opinion.

I'd pick the Volvo V70. I own a Saab 9-3 and am pleased with it. The reason I bought it was because they're dirt cheap for a diesel entry and the 1.9tid is a peach.

But if Volvo diesel wasn't so much to tax on the 2.2, then it'd be the Volvo.

Wicklowandy

repsol wrote: »

Its not pub talk.I have had years of experience working in 2 Volvo dealerships.What experience do you have? Your car ownership history would suggest you know little or nothing about cars as the Rover 75 had a very poor reputation.I think if you do your homework you will find that Insurance approved body shops will only use genuine new parts so if the OP were to have a relatively minor collision in the Saab it could be written off by the insurers.Try going overseas in a Rover or a Saab and see how you get on if you have an issue without a dealer network.

Any car can be written off as with new parts small damage may be uneconomical to repair. As you work in the trade, im sure youre aware of the route these 'written off' cars take and it aint to the scrapper.

You as a person with such a wealth of experience should know that a car used for personal use should never be chosen by 'reputation.' While i was never a fan, many models of the rover 75 were and are good cars.(and some werent)

But they picked up their 'reputation' from the poor models in the range(often whos woes stemmed from improper maintenance.)

A rover 75 cdti or a nice saab makes a nice car. And thankfully because of trade attitudes like yours they also make an absolute bargain. If you plan on keeping a car for the long term, and buy the right one at the right price, youre not going the wrong direction.

unkel

repsol wrote: »

Your car ownership history would suggest you know little or nothing about cars as the Rover 75 had a very poor reputation.

Haha, you go on keep buying them (nearly) new Toyotas

repsol

unkel wrote: »

Haha, you go on keep buying them (nearly) new Toyotas

Currently own a Passat Tdi which I bought new.I also have an old M3 which is a track day car.Don't get the Toyota comment?????????.The 75 fully deserved its poor reputation as most of the K series needed new head gaskets at 30000 .Later BMW engines eliminated this issue but they still had issues with coil springs,rusting brake pipes,over heating,seat motor failure and clutch failure (diesels only) to name but a few.People can argue all they like that their Rover is a great car,the demise of the company says Rovers were no good.The fact that cheapskates like them as a cheap buy is irrelevant to the industry,they are only interested in what buyers of new cars like (particularly fleet buyers). Fleet buyers would not touch a 75 with a barge pole because it had poor residual forecast,poor reliability and was in a price bracket where it was outclassed by the likes of Audi.