Saab 93 Alternatives

[mr2turbogts]

I am currently using a Celica vvti 140 for my daily hack for a round 50mile trip.

However I spend 80% of my time in stop start traffic, so the Celica is not overly comfy for this journey, therefore I have been looking to get a barge for work.

Looked at Saab 93 Aero's, then read the SOTW MG ZT, which got me thinking about other cars I should look at?

The Jaguar X Type has caught my eye, along with the MG ZT.

Does anyone have any recommendation/experience with the above cars?
Any other cars I should look at?

[anonymous-user]

There are many many many other options to choose from! what are our main criteria?

[Baryonyx]

If you are looking for a barge that is cheap abd comfortable, have you considered an S Type? What about an XJ, if you can foot the fuel bill? Both are better than the X Type.

[mr2turbogts]

My criteria would be along the lines of:

Well under 3k
Comfy, so I wont mind sitting in traffic as much.
Reliable as will used as a daily,
Bit of grunt, when I finally get going.
Not overly concerned with fuel, but nothing taking the Michael (BMW 540 etc...)

Main point being comfy, also 4 doors would be beneficial, as had to take my dog to the vets tonight with a gammy leg and was not good to watch him climb in the back of the celica.

[CMYKguru]

Same car underneath although you'd be bouncing down the hood in a Caddy

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-Cadillac-BLS-2-0T-1...

[Bonefish Blues]

9-3's big brother?

[rscott]

Bonefish Blues said:

9-3's big brother?

Definitely! 9-5 would be a better choice. Had a 9-3 Sportwagon for several years but it never felt quite as Saablike as the 9-5s I used to get as courtesy cars when mine was in for servicing.
Parts on 9-3s can be hard to get - for a few months there were simply no rear light units available for the sportwagon. Bit of a problem when they have non-replaceable LED lights ...

[confused_buyer]

Agree with the above. Although an older design than the 9-3 the 9-5 is more comfortable and the better car IMO.

[Bonefish Blues]

confused_buyer said:

Agree with the above. Although an older design than the 9-3 the 9-5 is more comfortable and the better car IMO.

...because designed before the GM cuts really took hold.

[V6Alfisti]

Given you like Saabs and alot of Saab owners have sampled/replaced with an Alfa... how about a 156/166.

Only the suspension bushes are made of butter, the rest is pretty solid.

[mr2turbogts]

9-5 does seem a good car, there is one near me that's been over hauled by abbots, but is up for £3500 and is a 2000 model.

The Alfa is not really doing it for me, what about a st220? They seem very good overrall cars?

[Bonefish Blues]

mr2turbogts said:

9-5 does seem a good car, there is one near me that's been over hauled by abbots, but is up for £3500 and is a 2000 model.

The Alfa is not really doing it for me, what about a st220? They seem very good overrall cars?

UKSaabs Forum has a discussion about that car IIRC

[Spanglepants]

Saab 9 5 Aero - get an auto if you're 80% in traffic
There's one on UKSaabs for sale for about £1800 I think, no need to pay £3500
Ive got an Aero , most reliable car I've had, goes well is is just about fully loaded, there's no other car for the money that better value

[Digby]

S70/V70 T5 (or even the lesser turbo models or non-turbo)?

Nice and comfy with 240 bhp on tap in the T5 when the mood takes.