Alfa 159 JTDm or Saab 9-3 TiD
Discussion
I never thought I'd see the day where I posted a what car thread, I've always been quite capable of choosing what I want, but I'm really torn between these two cars.
I have an E36 328i as a weekender, I just need something economical to run to work.
Both cars in question are 2007's with about 40k, fully serviced etc and are identically priced. They're both have similar consumption, tax and insurance and I find them both endlessly pretty cars.
So, does anyone have an opinion on the cars in question? I worry that Saab may fold soon, and it will effect the value, but my intention is to keep this car for a while...
I drove the Alfa at lunch and it was sublime, the Saab is booked in for a test drive later today - I guess it should boil down to which drives better!?
No sure how to setup a poll - that might have been easier!
I have an E36 328i as a weekender, I just need something economical to run to work.
Both cars in question are 2007's with about 40k, fully serviced etc and are identically priced. They're both have similar consumption, tax and insurance and I find them both endlessly pretty cars.
So, does anyone have an opinion on the cars in question? I worry that Saab may fold soon, and it will effect the value, but my intention is to keep this car for a while...
I drove the Alfa at lunch and it was sublime, the Saab is booked in for a test drive later today - I guess it should boil down to which drives better!?
No sure how to setup a poll - that might have been easier!
Must say am surprised that a 2007 Saab 9-3 is on sale for the same price as a 159, the Alfa seemingly keeps its value on a par with a 3 Series. Anyways, Id go for the 159 all day long (particularly red, in Lusso trim with tan leather).
Had a test drive of a 1.9 JDTM about 18 months ago, bit of a waste of time as it happens as I would have bought the car on its looks alone. As EVO once said, a poor mans Quattroporte.
Had a test drive of a 1.9 JDTM about 18 months ago, bit of a waste of time as it happens as I would have bought the car on its looks alone. As EVO once said, a poor mans Quattroporte.
If the Saab shares the same diesel engine as the Vectra I'd steer clear. Good poke, good on fuel, but the most unreliable heap of s
t I've had the pleasure of driving.
Every week, the turbo would randomly stop working. Cue slow motion over taking maneuvers and the exiting of junctions at walking pace. It always seems to need more oil too, and there's not even 60k miles on the clock.
If Alfa uses a different engine go for that. It's a much nicer car overall imo.
Actually, why are you even considering this?! Get thee to an Alfa dealer post haste!
t I've had the pleasure of driving.Every week, the turbo would randomly stop working. Cue slow motion over taking maneuvers and the exiting of junctions at walking pace. It always seems to need more oil too, and there's not even 60k miles on the clock.
If Alfa uses a different engine go for that. It's a much nicer car overall imo.
Actually, why are you even considering this?! Get thee to an Alfa dealer post haste!
daveco said:
If the Saab shares the same diesel engine as the Vectra I'd steer clear. Good poke, good on fuel, but the most unreliable heap of st I've had the pleasure of driving.
Every week, the turbo would randomly stop working. Cue slow motion over taking maneuvers and the exiting of junctions at walking pace. It always seems to need more oil too, and there's not even 60k miles on the clock.
If Alfa uses a different engine go for that. It's a much nicer car overall imo.
Actually, why are you even considering this?! Get thee to an Alfa dealer post haste!
They both have the same engine as the Vectrat I've had the pleasure of driving.Every week, the turbo would randomly stop working. Cue slow motion over taking maneuvers and the exiting of junctions at walking pace. It always seems to need more oil too, and there's not even 60k miles on the clock.
If Alfa uses a different engine go for that. It's a much nicer car overall imo.
Actually, why are you even considering this?! Get thee to an Alfa dealer post haste!
I'd get the Alfa, but not in silver!!!
I just rechecked, the Saab is the 120bhp version, which is the 8v engine as I understand it. The Alfa is the 150bhp 16v lump.
Silver is quite un-inspiring on both cars, but they're the right age, spec, milege and most importantly price.
It seems the Alfa is getting the most nods... I'd not even considered one until today, it was Saab all the way!
Silver is quite un-inspiring on both cars, but they're the right age, spec, milege and most importantly price.
It seems the Alfa is getting the most nods... I'd not even considered one until today, it was Saab all the way!
Alfa Alfa Alfa...treated myself to a years lease of one for my fortieth birthday ( subsequently kept extending the lease for eighteen months in total, the longest I have ever owned a car). Under the bonnet they are both the same car, however in terms of looks the Alfa is just drop dead gorgeous. Cost me a total of one headlamp bulb in twenty thousand miles, and this bearing in mind I remapped it to 180bhp the day it was delivered and drove like I stole it the whole time it was in my possesion!
They're both around the £7500 mark
I've looked at a 320d, but for the price, the mileage is quite high (plus, we have a Bemmer currently, albeit a much older one!)
I've test driven The new Mondeo, nice, but could only afford poverty spec, I've driven the last gen Mondy ST and Titanium X, both were "ok" but quite dull IMO. My last car was a Merc C270 which suffered a terminal engine failure.
I've looked at a 320d, but for the price, the mileage is quite high (plus, we have a Bemmer currently, albeit a much older one!)
I've test driven The new Mondeo, nice, but could only afford poverty spec, I've driven the last gen Mondy ST and Titanium X, both were "ok" but quite dull IMO. My last car was a Merc C270 which suffered a terminal engine failure.
I've had a 156 and currently run a 93, it was the opposite for me, Saab has been steady, reliable, cheap to run etc whereas the Alfa had niggle after niggle. For a daily hack, it would be the Saab for me - if you're keeping it for a while, probably won't make much difference if Saab fold ?
AC
AC
Price in the window of the Saab is £6995 by the looks?
Can't find any Alfas with 40k on it for that
What's the history like?
But I'd go for the Alfa, definitely. So much more 'special' for a commuter. Wrong colour though
Dark Red one on Autotrader
Can't find any Alfas with 40k on it for that
What's the history like?But I'd go for the Alfa, definitely. So much more 'special' for a commuter. Wrong colour though
Dark Red one on Autotrader
Rich n Em said:
I just rechecked, the Saab is the 120bhp version, which is the 8v engine as I understand it. The Alfa is the 150bhp 16v lump.
Silver is quite un-inspiring on both cars, but they're the right age, spec, milege and most importantly price.
It seems the Alfa is getting the most nods... I'd not even considered one until today, it was Saab all the way!
If I remember correctly (I went through a phase of wanting a Vectra C with a 1.9 CDTI engine...) the 120 is more reliable than the 150. Can't exactly remember why, but there is a lot of information out there on the subject. Silver is quite un-inspiring on both cars, but they're the right age, spec, milege and most importantly price.
It seems the Alfa is getting the most nods... I'd not even considered one until today, it was Saab all the way!
These engines are supposedly brilliant when they work, but they do have a lot of issues - DMFs, clutches, turbos, injectors, and EGR valves to name a few.
To be fair though, they sold in huge numbers and some of them run to high mileages with no problems at all. Do your research thoroughly, check the history for repairs / missed services etc, and go from there
If I were in your shoes, I would be spending slightly less on a petrol 3 series or similar that does not have as big a potential as a diesel to throw a very expensive bill at you.
Something odd happened with the GM installations of that engine - they seemed to have problems with their ECU and install - whilst Alfa / Fiat / Lancia have had very few problems.
I'd avoid the 120bhp version, anyway - the JTD is quite revvy for a diesel, but the 120bhp version just seems to spin away noisily not making much progress.
In contrast, the 150 is a joy to drive.
I'd avoid the 120bhp version, anyway - the JTD is quite revvy for a diesel, but the 120bhp version just seems to spin away noisily not making much progress.
In contrast, the 150 is a joy to drive.
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