HELP! Thought I had decided, but apparently not.
Discussion
For someone who has spent his entire working life in the motor trade, I have become increasingly indecisive about my new car. I don't really want to bore everyone with the logic of our family car situation, but lets just say that I am buying a cheap, big family estate that is replacing both my 2005 Saab 95 Aero saloon and MrsB's 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland. She will drop down to a much smaller car for herself, possibly electric for her short commute.
So, it has to fulfil a few roles. I was pretty much decided on just getting a 95 Aero estate, which I can do with my £2k budget. The problem is if I get a newer auto, the RFL is £540 p/a which I feel is just mad for this type of car, and sort of negates our idea of money-saving. So, I've found a lovely Aero estate that is manual - lower RFL. However, two of MrsB's spanners has been lobbed into the discussion. One - she would prefer an auto, and as it will replace the big family car (Jeep) she will drive it too. Its not that she won't drive a manual, its just she thinks it would be better to have an auto. Two - its to replace our 4x4, which we do use occasionally for trips off the beaten track on holiday, and for the added benefit of long trips to Scotland to visit family in winter weather. I did have a look at a Mercedes ML as a direct replacement for the Jeep, but no. Just couldn't put up with it.
My 95 was my 4th Saab, and I love them. I know them well, and I know how good they are. But, we've also had Volvos in the past (she had an XC60, I had a C30 T5) and I've found a lovely V70 XC auto for the same money as the Saab, albeit 6 years older but with lower miles.
V70 XC or Saab 95 Aero?????
So, it has to fulfil a few roles. I was pretty much decided on just getting a 95 Aero estate, which I can do with my £2k budget. The problem is if I get a newer auto, the RFL is £540 p/a which I feel is just mad for this type of car, and sort of negates our idea of money-saving. So, I've found a lovely Aero estate that is manual - lower RFL. However, two of MrsB's spanners has been lobbed into the discussion. One - she would prefer an auto, and as it will replace the big family car (Jeep) she will drive it too. Its not that she won't drive a manual, its just she thinks it would be better to have an auto. Two - its to replace our 4x4, which we do use occasionally for trips off the beaten track on holiday, and for the added benefit of long trips to Scotland to visit family in winter weather. I did have a look at a Mercedes ML as a direct replacement for the Jeep, but no. Just couldn't put up with it.
My 95 was my 4th Saab, and I love them. I know them well, and I know how good they are. But, we've also had Volvos in the past (she had an XC60, I had a C30 T5) and I've found a lovely V70 XC auto for the same money as the Saab, albeit 6 years older but with lower miles.
V70 XC or Saab 95 Aero?????
Volvo have great seats and I think the older ones are probably more reliable as it's the software which seems to be the main problem newer ones. There's also a couple of XC90s about within your criteria if you want to stick with the SUV format for the wife.
There's also quite a few Subaru Legacy, I'm guessing they will be pretty well accomplished in the AWD side of things and have a big boot.
Toyota RAV4 five door version may be a good half way compromise between an estate and the big jeep as would be a 2nd Gen Honda CRV.
Or for a big estate there's the Audi A6 Avant and also the Alload, a few cutting around within your criteria also.
There's also quite a few Subaru Legacy, I'm guessing they will be pretty well accomplished in the AWD side of things and have a big boot.
Toyota RAV4 five door version may be a good half way compromise between an estate and the big jeep as would be a 2nd Gen Honda CRV.
Or for a big estate there's the Audi A6 Avant and also the Alload, a few cutting around within your criteria also.
So, Volvo seems to get more thumbs up than the Saab. Hmmmm....
I'm going to see the Saab tomorrow, so might try and arrange a viewing of the V70XC on Friday. I thought that they bump in the road was going to be the lack of ISOFIX in the Volvo, but I see that a retrofit from Volvo is a very simple affair to fit, so even that plays in its favour too.
The Saab obviously helps being the same as I've just had, and a Aero is a quick wee beastie with 260bhp, but the Volvo is a 2.5T, and despite just 200bhp, it has that lovely 5 cylinder engine.
Buying cheap cars is never easy.....!!!!
I'm going to see the Saab tomorrow, so might try and arrange a viewing of the V70XC on Friday. I thought that they bump in the road was going to be the lack of ISOFIX in the Volvo, but I see that a retrofit from Volvo is a very simple affair to fit, so even that plays in its favour too.
The Saab obviously helps being the same as I've just had, and a Aero is a quick wee beastie with 260bhp, but the Volvo is a 2.5T, and despite just 200bhp, it has that lovely 5 cylinder engine.
Buying cheap cars is never easy.....!!!!
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