Saab or Volvo?
Discussion
Both have a bit of a cult following here on PH but which do you favour? Growing up in the 1980s, I never had much interest in Volvos. Safe and built like tanks but on the whole pretty dull. However, then this (quite possibly still my favourite Volvo) came along and Volvos became quite cool!
They followed this up with some more very handsome designs, which LOOKED quite sporty, perhaps even if they weren't.
As practical, comfortable family haulers go, the XC90 is also arguably one of the best.
The turbocharged 5-cylinder petrols have always had some appeal to me and as diesels go, the 5-cylinder D5 is mildly interesting too in a sea of boring 4-pot diesels but although Volvo seem to be getting their design mojo back with cars like the XC90/S90/V90, the current line-up, especially the S60 are a little awkward-looking to my eyes.
On the other hand, I have had a soft spot for Saabs ever since the 99/Classic 900 and a classic 900 turbo is still on my list of cars to own one day. Perhaps the original 9-3 on its Vauxhall Cavalier chassis wasn't that great but I still liked the distinctive looks and the power from the turbocharged, petrol engines. I never cared that much for the original 9-5 (although I know the 9-5 Aero is a bit of a PH favourite and by all accounts very comfortable and pretty quick) but compared to the conformity of a 5-Series/E-Class/A6, I love the look of these but would I be ballsy enough to get one (parts availability would concern me on a relatively rare car)?
Despite the relative lack of diversity then in the Saab range (which was perhaps the reason for their demise rather than any inherent failings in their cars), on balance, I would choose Saab.
They followed this up with some more very handsome designs, which LOOKED quite sporty, perhaps even if they weren't.
As practical, comfortable family haulers go, the XC90 is also arguably one of the best.
The turbocharged 5-cylinder petrols have always had some appeal to me and as diesels go, the 5-cylinder D5 is mildly interesting too in a sea of boring 4-pot diesels but although Volvo seem to be getting their design mojo back with cars like the XC90/S90/V90, the current line-up, especially the S60 are a little awkward-looking to my eyes.
On the other hand, I have had a soft spot for Saabs ever since the 99/Classic 900 and a classic 900 turbo is still on my list of cars to own one day. Perhaps the original 9-3 on its Vauxhall Cavalier chassis wasn't that great but I still liked the distinctive looks and the power from the turbocharged, petrol engines. I never cared that much for the original 9-5 (although I know the 9-5 Aero is a bit of a PH favourite and by all accounts very comfortable and pretty quick) but compared to the conformity of a 5-Series/E-Class/A6, I love the look of these but would I be ballsy enough to get one (parts availability would concern me on a relatively rare car)?
Despite the relative lack of diversity then in the Saab range (which was perhaps the reason for their demise rather than any inherent failings in their cars), on balance, I would choose Saab.
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