Discussion
In need of a family wagon for kids and doggie.
Auto is out, and diesel is a bit pointles as we don't do many miles.
So, ideally - SAAB 95 Aero (I'm a recent convert having picked up a Classic 93 Aero Coupe) but, they're pretty rare....
Or, an E34 530-540, but again, not in plentiful supply....
Expert advice and alternatives appreciated....
Auto is out, and diesel is a bit pointles as we don't do many miles.
So, ideally - SAAB 95 Aero (I'm a recent convert having picked up a Classic 93 Aero Coupe) but, they're pretty rare....
Or, an E34 530-540, but again, not in plentiful supply....
Expert advice and alternatives appreciated....
Job38 said:
.....
Auto is out, and diesel is a bit pointles as we don't do many miles.
......
Why? I've got a 52 plate Volvo V70 d5 auto and it's a great engine, for a derv. It's showing an indicated 43mpg too and it rarely sees the Mway.Auto is out, and diesel is a bit pointles as we don't do many miles.
......
I've previously had a Saab 95 and e39 528 and 540 tourings.
The Volvo is the best of that bunch by a long way. It doesn't handle as well as the beemer and can't keep up with the Aero in a straight line but in terms of overall practicality and day to day usability it wins hands down.
E39 540's are a great car but 18mpg hurts, I don't care how limited your mileage is I'll bet you a pound to a pinch you'll find filing up (75-80quid) and only getting 250-280 miles will start to grate sharpish.
What's your budget though? My car was £5500 and is in better nick than the 54 plate Saab 95 I had before that cost me nearly 9k (a few years ago) - Saabs depreciate like a beeatch!
Thanks, Dave, appreciate your comments...but, my 93 Aero gets 500 miles from a tank at 35mpg. I was hoping a 95 would be not too far off relative to it's increased weight/increased engine size etc,
I do like Volvo wagons but a friend recently got rid of an V70 4WD diesel auto and, IMHO was a gruff old engine with very average mpg.....
Equally, my 850 CSi with an M Power 5.6L V12 averaged 18mpg so a 4.0L V8 manual has got to improve on that, no........
I do like Volvo wagons but a friend recently got rid of an V70 4WD diesel auto and, IMHO was a gruff old engine with very average mpg.....
Equally, my 850 CSi with an M Power 5.6L V12 averaged 18mpg so a 4.0L V8 manual has got to improve on that, no........
My Saab 95 Aero (54 reg, manual) did 23mpg average driven in the same way as my Volvo. They will crack 30mpg if driven with care though, and not stop/start.
I can't see how anyone can call the D5 unit gruff...it just isn't!
My 540 was an auto and 18mpg was it for me. I'd imagine a manual would get you a bit more yes.
Have you had a blast in a Saab 95? They are OK but feel nowhere near as well put together as an E39 or V70. They fly in a straight line though.....go through front tyres like.
I can't see how anyone can call the D5 unit gruff...it just isn't!
My 540 was an auto and 18mpg was it for me. I'd imagine a manual would get you a bit more yes.
Have you had a blast in a Saab 95? They are OK but feel nowhere near as well put together as an E39 or V70. They fly in a straight line though.....go through front tyres like.
Edited by dave_s13 on Sunday 23 May 20:13
I had a similar what car a few months back.
Decided on a BMW 316i Coupe. It's a hatchback so can get the dogs in the back and also a 4/5 seater with a surprisingly good amount of leg room in the. Not perfect for getting the baby seat in and out as its a 3 door but we manage.
Probably not the first choice for a "family wagon" but I wanted something economical (1.6 max), decent insurance and would get a car seat and dogs in at the same time. All of the estates I looked at either had big engines or high insurance and none of the bland family hatches floated my boat.
Decided on a BMW 316i Coupe. It's a hatchback so can get the dogs in the back and also a 4/5 seater with a surprisingly good amount of leg room in the. Not perfect for getting the baby seat in and out as its a 3 door but we manage.
Probably not the first choice for a "family wagon" but I wanted something economical (1.6 max), decent insurance and would get a car seat and dogs in at the same time. All of the estates I looked at either had big engines or high insurance and none of the bland family hatches floated my boat.
I'm also considering a 9-5 aero estate for my next car and have been doing a little bit of reading up over the last few days. It seems that 30mpg is achievable, which doesn't seem too bad for a 250bhp car!! I'm only just hitting 31mpg in my 1.8T Passat estate at the moment......
It seems that the Saab is better value than equivelant volvo/bmw etc. which is why it is currently top of my list
It seems that the Saab is better value than equivelant volvo/bmw etc. which is why it is currently top of my list
9-5 Aeros aren't rare, there's loads around!
And how on earth are you getting 35mpg and 500 miles from a tank in a c900!? Is it an LPT?
I've had mine for 5 years and have averaged 26mpg in that time, with 300 miles from a tank if I baby it. Only time I got into low 30s mpg was on a leisurely cruise to the Lake District at 60 or so on the M6...
And how on earth are you getting 35mpg and 500 miles from a tank in a c900!? Is it an LPT?
I've had mine for 5 years and have averaged 26mpg in that time, with 300 miles from a tank if I baby it. Only time I got into low 30s mpg was on a leisurely cruise to the Lake District at 60 or so on the M6...
The earlier 230hp Aero estate seems to be a little more frugal than the 250hp version. On a long trip I used to get almost 35mpg (not bad for the automatic, manual might have squeezed a little more out of a tank), however round town it could drop as low as 12mpg! Having driven both back to back the 250hp (first facelift IIRC) does feel slightly better screwed together but post 2004 a lot of the standard fit stuff started becoming options.
I've just (read last week) bought a 9-5 Aero (saloon though). Bloody marvellous and a bit of a convert. Quick, comfy, safe and oh so cheap. Fuel computer thingy reading 32 mpg average. Juries still out on the reliability until it's got a few more miles under it's belt in my ownership....
dave_s13 said:
Also bear in mind with Aero's that they really need high octane fuel or they will feel stunted.
The difference in mine was remarkable. It would go from rocket ship quick on 99RON to mother ship on 95RON (when my bloody wife filled it up). There was nothing wrong with it either.
Hmm interesting. Will have to try that. Last fill up was 95 ron for the m/way slog.The difference in mine was remarkable. It would go from rocket ship quick on 99RON to mother ship on 95RON (when my bloody wife filled it up). There was nothing wrong with it either.
What's your budget?
Since my family expanded I'm running an octavia vrs estate, 2.0T, 200ish bhp, loads of room, vw/audi type build quality and cheap as chips to buy, 35-ish mpg too.
Nicer to drive than a volvo IMO. Not driven a 95 but i was disappointed with all the 9-3's i've driven.
02p etc.
Since my family expanded I'm running an octavia vrs estate, 2.0T, 200ish bhp, loads of room, vw/audi type build quality and cheap as chips to buy, 35-ish mpg too.
Nicer to drive than a volvo IMO. Not driven a 95 but i was disappointed with all the 9-3's i've driven.
02p etc.
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