4 doors, 3 boxes: Jaaaags and Volvos

[2gins]

Fortunately my Saab shed has fulfilled the minimum brief I set for it when I bought it in 2015 at 131k miles: 2 years, 25k, no major issues.

Unfortunately it's just developed a pretty major coolant leak which, if I can't fix it cheaply, ultimately might signal Ulrika's demise. Can't grumble, we've done 30k and only had to replace a brake caliper and 1 full service on the car's timer.

So what next?

Please tell me about any experiences with the following, or any other ideas

Volvo S60 (Mk1/2 - not sure on years, 2001 - 2006?) 2.0
Jag X type - Mondeo oily bits, isn't it, what can possibly go wrong? 2.0
Alfa 156 estate, probably the 2.5 V6

Any others?

4 doors, 4 seats, boot for a 2 piece buggy and weekend junk. Petrol, manual, 30+ mpg.

Thanks

[IanCress]

The Volvo and Jag can both be had as very large estates and i've owned both. Personally I think the estate version of the Jag is much better looking than the awkward saloon.
Also you've chosen the smallest engined versions of both, when the 2.4 Volvo or 2.5 Jag would be much more common.

[2gins]

OK Ta, good to know. I had a quick peek on AT earlier and those are the ones that came up most often, based on the 30+ mpg criterion.

Main thing, and I'll google some more later, is: what will break?!

[Brynjaminjones]

Just offering experience - not looking to criticise:

My brother had a 2003 X-Type 2.0d estate. Bought with 130,000 miles.

In the first 6 months or so all of the following:
DMF failed, clutch replaced at same time. Repeated breakdowns due to injector issues, before being established that all four needed replacing.
I believe a turbo might have gone too, but not 100% on that one.

The injector issues plus sever underside rust being discovered soon led him to get rid.

EDIT: Just realised you might not have been talking about the diesel 2.0, which could mean that these issues don't really apply!

[2gins]

Brynjaminjones said:

Just offering experience - not looking to criticise:

My brother had a 2003 X-Type 2.0d estate. Bought with 130,000 miles.

In the first 6 months or so all of the following:
DMF failed, clutch replaced at same time. Repeated breakdowns due to injector issues, before being established that all four needed replacing.
I believe a turbo might have gone too, but not 100% on that one.

The injector issues plus sever underside rust being discovered soon led him to get rid.

EDIT: Just realised you might not have been talking about the diesel 2.0, which could mean that these issues don't really apply!

Yes ta, 100% petrol here. Comes from liking older cars I guess, IME old diesels are generally a bit st!

The underside rust is a good call though.