9-3 or 9-5?

You may want to try to search around and see if you can find a low mileage, late model (1997-1998) 9000. Space, safety and reliability all in one car. Actually, with the hatchback you also get the added versatility of a station wagon with the good looks of a sport sedan.

-Fred W

"Al" skrev i en meddelelse news:Oe9ye.68536$ snipped-for-privacy@fe3.news.blueyonder.co.uk...

I'd deffinately go for the 9-5. Change the oil often and regularly, more frequent if you have a lot of short trips. Then you won't become probs with the sludge-issue. A darn nice car to drive.

you cannot do without it, buy a Mondeo diesel. loads about, good value for money, plenty of parts and reasonable servicing.

When we bought the NG900 four years ago, she was up against a Mondeo and a much newer Escort (98 I think)

I compared service prices on Brake pads and discs, clutch, exhaust and some other consumables which turned out to be irrelevant.

The Escort was cheaper by a long way, but the Saab was only marginally more expensive than the Mondeo. Until it came to Clutch. On the NG900, at that time, it was around £300. I was quoted about £600 for the Mondeo! I was so surprised I got several quotes and they were all about the same. (no main dealer quotes) I don't know if the same applies now though to be fair.

I have driven Mondeo's several times back in the late 90's as replacement cars for company cars in for service. The ride and handling were very good, but the cabin interior was pretty cheap and shabby, and from what I've seen lately hasn't improved much.

My biggest gripe with Ford is every one we've ever owned, Fiesta *2, Escort and a Sierra has leaked water into the cabin. My father used to suffer the same problems with his Cortinas and Sierras. That's why I refer to them as leaky old Fords.

I do appreciate your point John, but our experience of the NG is only positive, so I guess we would like to stick with what we know.

93 or 95?

Al

"Al" skrev i en meddelelse news:sdrye.78891$ snipped-for-privacy@fe3.news.blueyonder.co.uk...

Besides that - the parts on the Saabs are of much better quality = lasts longer, than on a Mondeo or Escort (Focus).

Hopefully, this is still the case? I'm always amazed of the build quality of my 9000 CSE. You tend not to notice things that work, but I've previously had Fords and Fiats. These are good cars on paper as they cost millions to develop, but it's when it comes down to manufacturing. E.g. my Ford Fiesta was a high end 'Ghia' model bought from new; it had patches of black putty around the read window seals to 'complete' the manufacturing!

considering other makes you would be broadening your choice of car.

Much appreciated John, and yes we have considered other makes, but frankly nothing else in the price range really does it for us at the moment.

We considered a Vectra, my Dad has one and it's a fine car, also the Focus drives well,(but it's a Ford)

I have a problem with BMW's, it's not the beautifully engineered cars, it's just the drivers. Also, I think they are seriously over valued on the second hand market.

Mercedes also are overvalued, but servicing is apparently relatively cheap.

We thought about a Honda, one of my mates has one, as does one of our Technical Directors at work. Great car, but ultimately not convinced on the longlivety. Face it, how many Japanese cars from the C900 era are there still on the road?

We are currently sticking with Saab, for the reasons given previously.

Cheers

Al

Ever since reading your comments on the Mondeo clutch problem I have been trying to recollect the actual difficulty, IIRC one has to remove an engine support cross member to get at the clutch and this takes the extra time. Ford obviously expect their clutches to last well! Keep us posted on your eventual choice. Have you considered keeping the NG900 and replacing the C900 with the new car? I hope I don't upset the C900 lovers with this point!

Hey al you want honesty and reliability get yourself something out of germany. Ive owned both and there is no comparison for reliability. good luck papa

Easy tiger, you could get yourself e-lynched for such ideas!

Al

Audi? Nah.

VW, hmm, always fancied a Golf GTI Mk II, but this is the wife's car, and frankly any company who markets a car to English speaking nations called the Bora clearly isn't thinking straight!

Al

Hello Al, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. :-) Please check the sludge letters wording. If you would get 9-3 with 2.3=20 LPT engine you are facing the same problem as with 9-5 as engines are=20 identical. Also they fixed the sludge problem on 2001 models. Those are=20 the facelifted ones. I do not know about prices of 9-5 in UK but I would go for 2001 9-5 or=20

9-3 with 2.0 eng> Recently nearly bought a 9-5. However, due to oil sludge issues with t= hat=20

Not especially low mileage but silly money.

There seems to be a flood of decent looking 9000s on ebay right now. The anniversary model seems to be especially well considered.

Graham

I'll vouch for that. I'm very pleased with my 93 9000cset. Versatility, convenience, power, creature comforts, economy, safety (tho it does not have side airbags). It's not the best at any of those but good enough at all.

-- America - the real terrorists

The crankcase oil issue has STILL not been solved??? That's shocking. And disappointing. I was hoping to replace my 93 9000CSET eventually with a 9-5 wagon but that's a major concern.

-- America - the real terrorists

"Dan RatherNot" skrev i en meddelelse news:QAPDe.10962$R83.2603@trndny08...

Not a problem. SImply make oilchanges according to your driving-patterne, and you won't experience any prob's.