Toyota Avensis or SAAB 9-3

[RED5RACING]

I'm after a family runabout / daily with a decent size boot. After much time on the net researching I've narrowed it down toeither a 2003 > Toyota Avensis or a 2003> SAAB 9-3.

I've found locally a decent example of each

2003(03) TOYOTA Avensis 1.8 VVTI manual with 99k miles, extensive service history and needing nothing more than bulbs to pass an MOT tests.

2003(53) SAAB 9-3 Aero 2.0T (210BHP) Auto saloon with 97k miles, good service history but failed it last mot and required money being spent on it for it pass an MOT earlier this year.


My sensible head says Avensis due to Toyota's reliability and built quality and of course they are still an active car manufacturer with several dealerships close by. Albeit the cars not over inspiring or known for being a drivers car.

I've always liked the look of the SAAB however as a defunked manufacturer and no dealernetowrk for parts I'm a little worried. Also the SAAB is more to insure than the Toyota but I like the idea of 210bhp in a car that's a bit of a sleeper and different from the A4 or E46.

Has anyone owned either of these cars and if so what are you thoughts.

[Dave Hedgehog]

i would get a honda accord

[Belle427]

Parts on the Saab are mostly vauxhall and readily available so it's the one I'd go for but I'm slightly biased.
I sold my 2008 9-3 Tid Aero estate a few weeks ago but would buy another if I was looking.

[mindthegap]

Wife has had an Avensis estate for the last 6 years. It is ridiculously reliable apart from the battery finally failing during lockdown. Not bad considering it was on the originally battery which was 13 years old! Literally nothing has gone wrong with it and it has just needed servicing, tyres, brake pads and the recent battery in that time. It has actually grown on me and is now on 103 000 miles and feels like it would do the same again tbh. However, it is certainly not the most dynamic of cars but depends what you want from your vehicles.

I had a 2.3 petrol Saab 93 years ago and it was alright but basically a Vauxhall underneath. Crank shaft position sensor went and then head gasket failed within a year so wasn't impressed personally.

If you want boringly reliable then it's the Toyota or as the previous poster said, an Accord may be worth a look too but I couldn't fit in them at 6' 4" when I tried one

[Dapster]

My brother in law bought an Avensis estate as a stop gap when they were doing up a house years ago. He said he'd run it into the ground and buy something nice like a 5 Series now they have a bit of spare cash again. Needless to say, he can't kill it. He's tried - it's completely neglected and is treated like a total skip - it might be getting serviced but it is certainly never washed or cared for and has be treated like this for a decade. It is a driving enjoyment void (i've had the pleasure) but there is a sort of humble charm to it. If you want a family car to cause you no grief and go on forever, this is it, but perhaps not one that you'll get any joy from.

Perhaps a Mondeo or Passat estate for your shortlist? Both a decent steer.

[mindthegap]

I think "humble charm" sums up the Avensis well!
I have actually grown to quite like it as it just works every time, doesn't matter where it gets parked and on the rare occasion I clean it, it comes up very well despite being 13 years old and having transported 2 young kids around for the last 6 years.

[ZX10R NIN]

There's only one answer & it's not the first one on your list.

[Baldchap]

The Toyota will be a better car, but the Saab is the one I'd buy.

Edit: I have lied there. I was faced with a nearly new Saab 9-5 HOT about 15 years ago and really wanted to want it but bought a Lexus. I think I kept it longer than anything else I've ever had.

So buy the Toyota.

Edited by Baldchap on Wednesday 20th May 11:04

[mindthegap]

ZX10R NIN said:

There's only one answer & it's not the first one on your list.

Not sure a 17 year old Vauxhall with a Saab badge on is the right one either

[ZX10R NIN]

mindthegap said:

Not sure a 17 year old Vauxhall with a Saab badge on is the right one either

I agree but they're what the OP wants so given the choice it'd be the Saab.

[RED5RACING]

ZX10R NIN said:

I agree but they're what the OP wants so given the choice it'd be the Saab.

I'm open to suggestions. It must be petrol and ideally a bit different from a 3 Series or A4.

[A500leroy]

in the middle then a lexus, all the poshness of a saab all the dependability of a toyota.

[ZX10R NIN]

RED5RACING said:

I'm open to suggestions. It must be petrol and ideally a bit different from a 3 Series or A4.

What's your budget?

[RED5RACING]

£1000

[ZX10R NIN]

Saab it is then.

[ElectricSoup]

Step this way, Sir...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

V6, Sir?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Don't care about badges, Sir?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Edited by ElectricSoup on Wednesday 20th May 14:39

[GreatGranny]

For a grand I would advise you to take the Avensis.

You'll have more fun in the Saab but it will also cost you more.

If you have the money to keep it on the road and do all the little bits that it needs and also pay for fuel at 25mpg then go for it.

However if money is a bit tight and you just want a car that will just work all the time go for the Avensis.

[Dapster]

Who cares about a slightly murky past when you can waft around in this....

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[markirl]

I'd pick a 9-5 over a 9-3 if it was my choice.

Otherwise, the Accord 2.0 should very much be on your list - reliable, decent steer, great engine and decent levels of kit.