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I need a cheap car to run into the ground. Motorway miles mainly back and too to work. The other half will have the 'proper' car every day
Going off one of my mates experiences older Saab's seem to fit the bill. He's had a few. They run forever and don't seem to fall apart. So I'm thinking of a 9-5 or a 9-3. There seems to be a lot out there with full service histories and high mileage.
Any pointers from the STW petrolheads. And I do mean petrol. I'm not driving a diesel. I just can't. So - what do i need to look out for?
Don't - both of my 9-5s, which I loved, blew up
Or, get one and pay extra for a warranty
If your buying a cheap car to run into the ground why restrict yourself to one make. Set a budget and see what's about. Suprising what you can pick up for under a grand...
Ok. I'll revise the brief and throw it open. Recommend me a car to run into the ground please. Anything considered.
Old Passat TDi. My sister just got a 1999 ish one for £1300 or something and it's amazingly good.
I had a last generation 900 (p reg) which was a gm base. It was bomb proof and the most comfortable car I've had.
2 lt petrol 16 v if memory serves. I'm tempted to buy another just for the sort of use you are suggesting.
Can be picked up for around 600 for an excellent spec and condition one.
mk1 Ford Focus - 1.6 or above
What jam bo said. Cheap and good is hard to find, so look at all models and brands.
And remember its the internet - one persons Focus shall have blown up after a week, anothers shall have lasted forever.
I hate car threads on this site.
I'm just looking for advice as every car I've bought previously has been new or as good as. 'Proper' car is an Octavia vRS estate, which is the holy grail on here isn't it? 🙂
\Had a Focus 1.8 before which was a great car. Wonder if i can buy that one back?
Someone once said to me, when buying old cars never buy a car made by a company from a country that won the war.
Except that would mean Swedish cars would be unreliable and Italian ones reliable, which is clearly nonsense 🙂
Saabs.... check for regular oil changes in the 2.0 engines. Ideally needs doing every 6000/6months. They had a habit of sludging up which would in turn kill the engine. The light pressure turbos can also be a bit fragile if not looked after. Check for blue smoke when it starts.. can be a sign of the oil seals in the turbo going..its about £750-800 for a new one
Fuel consumption round town in a petrol isn't great.. 22-25mpg. motorway is better, but 35-40 isn't that great these days!!
The garage I use up in Hadfield also sells them on..have a look [url= http://www.saabtec.co.uk/ ]HERE[/url]
Generally all round solid cars.. there are good 'uns and bad 'uns, take a bit of time and you should be ok
Saab 900 turbo convertible, one of the most beautiful cars ever made.
Like this one:
[img] 
[/img]
First thing you have to realise about the Saab 9-3 and 9-5 is they're just recycled Vauxhall Astra/Cavaliers and Vectras. So you'll be paying for the Saab badge, but buying a Cavalier. Saab held on to their own petrol engines for as long as they could, but all later ones are GM engined. It does mean, if you go to the right places and do your homework, spares are Vauxhall prices and not Saab ones. I've got a good friend who works for a Saab/Vauxhall dealership, so if you've got any questions about a particular model (year,engine), drop me a message and I'll see what I can find out for you.
I have a W reg 9-5 2.3 Turbo Aero. Ok not the cheapest on fuel but not that bad either. Bought it for £2500.00 with full service history and then discovered that the cam cover had a design fault which SAAB provided extra warranty on for seven years, but sadly was now finished. Cost £1300.00 for an engine rebuild but not should go on forever. Saabtech in Stevenage sometimes have some for sale, really nice guys and certainly know their stuff.
One last thing, on a sunny day there's nothing better than planting your foot in the carpet and watching the countryside fly by 🙂
Mondeo Passat focus all easy to get parts and quite good runners.
With Saab check the electrics.
Saab 900 turbo convertible, one of the most beautiful cars ever made.
I think you need your eyes testing - it's gopping!
older vw to run into the ground............tdi very very very good/gtis if looked after especially by 40 somethings
toyotas worth a look
vw based skodas/seats
as said above newish saabs are GM based.
Ok, here we go. I've had a GM-900, 93 (same shape) and 95.
900 1995 vintage - bomb proof, nothing went wrong in over 100k miles. Very comfy, excellent engine, but handling and steering a bit woolly. Fully galvanised body, so rust shouldn't be an issue. Sold in 1998 with >100k on the clock - engine and gearbox still perfect.
93 1999 - almost bomb proof, and much better ride and handling than the 900 that looked the same. Major issues are heater controls, air-con failure and display failure. Mine had all three fail (expensive), but once fixed, they're fine. Sold in 2004 with >100k miles - engine and gearbox still perfect.
95 estate 2ltr light pressure turbo 2003 - really liked this car (fairly fast, spacious), but it was so much more fragile than the earlier Saabs. Lots of stuff started to go wrong - wheel bearings, auto gearbox, throttle body, pipes etc, so I got rid.
Bottom line - just checked the DVLA database and the 900 and 93 are still on the road, and the 95 is not. Read into that what you will.
Paul
900 SE (2.0L Turbo) '98 R
been running it for about 5 years now, up to 140K on the clock.
great 90% of the time lovely to drive, huge bike space
downsides, servicing is pricey, fuel economy doesnt exist
probably getting rid of mine for a van in the near future as i commute by bike these days, will be really sad to see it go.
Good point actually - Saabs are not known for fuel economy. If you have a lot of motorway miles to do then if you don't get a good economical diesel you may as well take money out of your wallet and throw it out of the window as you drive.
10 year old BMW 523. Last forever.
If you're going for an old Saab then maybe a later model 9000 is a better bet? Bombproof, incredibly spacious and assembled with minimal GM parts.
The old shape 900 is an anachronism to some extent, but is deservedly popular and commands a higher premium than the bloated looking 9000.
My father ran two 900s and a 9000 between 1985 and 1997, all were turbo models and the first 900 suffered from cylinder head cracking. Otherwise, he swore by them and I certainly don't recall much in the way of unreliability.
Mike's selling [url= http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201039369434026 ]this[/url] at the moment
It's not given any trouble in the time he's had it and looks to be in very good condition - it's a lot of car for the money.
[i]Good point actually - Saabs are not known for fuel economy. If you have a lot of motorway miles to do then if you don't get a good economical diesel you may as well take money out of your wallet and throw it out of the window as you drive.[/i]
i disagree, the one I've got now - 2007 9-3 1.9diesel sportwagon - is marginally better for mpg than the 2004 BMW 320d I had before it, used on the same route to/from work.
And of course, in turn that was lots better than the Alfa 156 t-spark that I had before that, but you'd expect that...
Oh - and I'm with HairyChested. Always thought there was something inherently "right" about the old 900 convertible.
for a start, its MASSIVELY down to the car in question. once you get to 10yrs + cars and your just after a beater, don't restrict to just one type, keep your eyes peeled for all sorts....
personally a WELL looked after 9-5 estate, T-02 reg with a 2.2dti engine shouldn't cost you more than 1500 unless you live in london. get a manual, the auto's they borrowed from opel/vaux/gm are ancient pieces of shit.
9-3 turbos bad on fuel hey? probably something wrong with it then. we have a 2002 (GM900 shaped, NOT 9-3SS) 2.0 16v hot aero (B205engine) + BSR stage 3, rolling roaded + fresh engine pipework (~265bhp, 230lb.ft). 0-60 probably 6-7second region. top end 150mph and been there.
fuel economy? if you drive it like I do (occasionally boot it, well, a few times a day TBH), journeys of 20miles+ in good conditions. I NEVER EVER EVER see less than 37mpg from it. best was 46mpg, that was driving from manchester to glasgow then to oban (3person+luggage+dog), after that it was outer hebrides and so obviously fell. to about 40mpg. this is running normal supermarket 95RON.
personally the economy always amazes me, especially when comapred to a 1.6 focus (40mpg if your lucky) or one of the normally aspirated models (thirsty as **** and no go in them).
with the saab brand, you get quirky styling, neat driving aids, extreme comfort for the price (look at an 8yr old 9-5 then compare to an 8yr old BM series5 or merc Eclass, yeah, cheap ain't it), good range of engines. things that let them down and to be aware of...
naturally they spend their first 3yrs of life as rep mobiles or being thrashed from one end of the country to the other. I don't think i've ever come across a modern era saab with 'nromal miles' (10k/.annum) they are almost always 3years old = 80-120k miles). they NEED ABSOLUTLY NEED to be serviced properly. proper milage, proper oil, properly cleaned out (de-sumped and physically raked out in some cases), and maintained religiously. in sweeden & norge, they do this with all their cars because of the harsh conditions, if your car fails in -40degrees, 150km from the nearest town at 4am on a sunday, your dead. IN this country people get lazy and just expect AN unserviced unmaintained car to perform perfectly. it won't.
If it was me and tax/insure/fuel wasn't an issue, go for it, get a 9-5 hot aero, 2.3t 250bhp, reliable if serviced right. or for less money for for any model with the 2.2dti with a manual box.
also wroth considering, B5.5 (facelift) Passat estate with any disesl engine (the 4pot petrols are thirsty, underpowered, rough and generally a waste of space), should go for 1500-2000.
less than that, 1999-2006 shape ford mondeo, any diesel or 2.0 petrol. they go for the price of half used fag packets. nothing wrong with them, but generally tatty and unloved.
happy hunting.
i disagree, the one I've got now - 2007 9-3 1.9diesel sportwagon - is marginally better for mpg than the 2004 BMW 320d I had before it,
Before Efficient Dynamics, BMWs were nothing special either.
What sort of economy do you get then?
Right, yellow ones are better:
[img] 
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don't you live in manchester?
saab is the northside crims company car of choice...
my average milage for the 3 rover diesels i have owne is 133k, had to sell one at 40k because i owed 2.8k import tax on it. one was written off at 217k, still driving the 3rd
cheap, reliable and with decent performance.
this is handy for me, been looking for a car under £1500 for myself and pretty much got it down to a Mondeo/Focus or a VW
42mpg or thereabouts. not great for a diesel I admit, but that's because my commute takes me through Leeds/Bradford during rush hour. If I lived at, say Wetherby, I could be straight down the motorway & probably get nearer 50mpg
Buy an old Volvo V40 instead.
my bestest car ever.
163,000 miles and still running strong.
2.0petrol 33mpg.
still got my 14 yr old saab 9000 cse and it's running great! 2.0 turbo 150 bhp and still goes like snot off a stick, i love it!
[img] 
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this pic was taken just over 1yr ago.
aren't saab spares hideously expensive ?
mmb, I forgot how lovely they were, well, still are 🙂
mines great it looks lovely polished up and there are still so many around that second hand cheap spares are easily available, a friend has just picked up bonnet and front panel to repair his after a bump and the total cost was £40 for both ffs!
hairychested im with you mate,i love the look and the lines of these model of saab.i had a G reg gun metal grey 900i a few years back and its was a dream to drive,i was in a wee bump and i came out of it unscathed with the front bumper cover creased yet the ford escort that ran into me was totaly ****ed,whole front end was totaly wrecked.total right off.these cars are built to take any hit and still keep rolling,id love to buy anotheron but would need to go to a saab club to get a good one
Don't buy a Saab!
They are a virtually a cottage industry brand which has limped along, nearly gone bust a few times and haven't fully developed a car for decades!
The 900 was a dog of a car to drive, but what do you expect of 1970's technology? I recall holding them in high regard when I was young, but that was when they were juxtaposed against cars like the Morris Minor, the Austin Maxi, the Datsun Cherry, Renaults.
The 9000's were based on a Fiat Chroma which was a piece of unreliable crxp!
If you crash a Saab, or need spares for any other reason, you'll get a shock and this will be after you have schlepped miles and miles to find your nearest dealer.
If you're still determined to get a Saab, go for a 9-3, but why not buy a cheap workhorse like a Vectra? Afterall the Saab 9-3 is based on the Vectra.
Personally, I wouldn't touch Saab's.
My recommendation would be any VAG Group car.
Old Passat TDi
Personally, if you could find a pre PD TDI saloon that HASNT been taxi'd = Jobs a good un.
There must be Passat TDI saloons out there (untrendy an as such lower priced) with one or two owners.
Shit in the bends but comfy on motorways. Job done.
Or if you can find a low-count-owner Rover - same again. Only issue can be occassional head gaskets. Car mechanics magazine raves about them as cheap throw away reliable snotters.
the fiat chroma was an unreliable piece of crap i agree as are all fiat's but saab never used their running gear and was built to withstand swedish winters and as such did not suffer with the problems of the fiat, the saab 9000 series predates the vauxhall era by a number of years and as such cannot be considered just another vauxhall if you want an old saab buy an old saab not a vauxhall in disguise.
My recommendation would be any VAG Group car.
then i wouldnt trust your oppinion of saabs :p i couldnt think of anything worse than a VAG group car. 😆
love my 9-5.
Ours suffered initally from poor maintainance by the previous owner - we had all the relaited oil sludge problems - blown turbo, and other odds and sods.
But we replaced the turbo ourselves - £350 for a pattern part new turbo. took me a few weekends to do, but that was more due to my lack of knowhow, and tools to get to do some of thing things i needed to do.
the only thing the 9-5 shares with Opel/VX is the epsilon floor pan... and even then that is modified (lengthened) to suit the 9-5 size.
The only thing we are suffering from ATM is the rubber pipes are perishing - something i would expect on any 9 year old car with 165k miles on it (we have put 70k miles on the car over the last 4years)
If your around Manchester then T K Autos is the best saab indy around, based north of manchester: if Trevor hasnt got it, then it aint on a saab.
ours is the 2.0 low pressure turbo, SE. manual. we are seeing an easy 450-500miles out of a 65litre fill up on the daily commute. have had nearly 650miles to a tank on a long run over through belgium, cruise control all the way.
SAAB 9-5 High Output Turbo - Incidental Welsh countryside others 🙂
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5045024727_d44102d3b2.jp g" target="_blank">
The 9000's were based on a Fiat Chroma which was a piece of unreliable crxp!
Yes, but the suspension, engines and running gear were unique to Saab. Even the floorpan pressings were beefed up with different spec steel.
The Saab 9000 basic design was shared with the Fiat Croma, Lancia Thema and Alfa 164, but the Italian cars had their own standard of steel supplier. The Italian cars had their own engines and suspension platforms, Saab's were unique.
[i] Saab 900 turbo convertible, one of the most beautiful cars ever made.
I think you need your eyes testing - it's gopping! [/i]
Completely. Minging cars. It looks like a deformed mouse.
For the money, I'd say find a nice looking mondeo or focus. You'd be lucky to find a VAG car for that sort of money but don't discount them entirely.
Clio. I've seen a few higher-milers on Autotrader including one 5yr old at 190k.
If you are only transporting yourself why not?
Samuri, I really love the shape and sound of a convertible 900 turbo. The new cars are better, granted, but I love the old 'uns. And the 900 tops them all IMHO.
Focus? FFS It's one of the most boring cars ever. I had a displeasure of driving one for some 8 months, never again. Mondeo isn't any prettier, at least it's larger.
almost completly disagree with spongebob.
there are some good vag cars, but someone else mentioned saab spares hidously expensive? I've owned in the past few years 2x 95's (proper ones, not the 9-5), 1x 900 16vT aero (original not GM) and 2x GM 9-3 hot aeros
reason? they depreciate like hell, not quite as bad as high specced alfa's, so you can immaculatly maintained very high spec cars for less than the equivilent aged 1.2L vauxhal corsa. spares prices? the only thing I've though 'FUNK' shes pricey was a new air condiitionig compressor. £470 for anew saab part from GM dealer. however, a relative has a 2006 golf GTi, also needed a compressor, £625 or 630 just for the part (albiet tehy live in western scotland). suspension componants, electricla componants all same as you would pay for any other. and pattern parts are freely available.
forgot the name of the project but the alfa 164, croma and 9k were all the same design basis, with each manufacter splurging on the combined R&D cost of developing the body, putting it ahead of its competitors at the time. the croma got a bad name because fiats back then still used cheap import russian steel (part of the 131 blueprint deal I think), appaurling UK dealer network and they tried to put too much tech into the car, result, lots of niggling electrical things with dealers that couldn't give a monkeys = huge pile of mega pissed off customers.
the original 99 morphed into the 900. something a healthy 10years ahead of its day when launched (1982/4?), i'm keenly looking for another. in high spec varients they are very pleasent to drive, still extremely quick, safe (enough), easy to work on, cheap & freely available parts (and plenty of well reputed independenat workshops about the UK) and if you get a clean one, something that will appreciate in value almost continously.
but for what the OP's after, a 1999-2002 passat pd tdi, or 9-5 2.2tiD, or mundano wagon would probably be the most ideal choices. If you want a non-mini cabbed wagon, head north (no not manchester, proper north), we're still using horseNkarts up here, haven't worked out what cars are for yet 😉
I've met binners. Hes a Man U fan and needs a propa motor. A wifebeater (Vauxhall).
He could then lean out of the window and harangue other motorists etc 😀
Re: Hora's post.
You need a Cavalier then.
A Focus may be dull but it handles way way better than any vaguely modern Saab.
Agree with Surf-Mat plus binners knows the Focus- he had a Jewish racing Green 1.8 before his current VRS.
Surf-Mat, aren't your requirements different to those of majority? At times, judging from old posts, you seem very Clarkson-like. Anybody asking for a Saab leans towards May instead.
Oh my word. I just agreed with surf-Mat. 😯
If it must be an old Saab go for one of the last original Saab Aero 900's, not the GM ones. The T16 was one of the best cars I've ever owned. Got rid at 235,000 miles to someone who was willing to restore it. The window pillars started to rust. Engine and interior bullet proof. The 9000's are great value and very well built as well. Good Luck.
Binners. You are starting a new job and need to have consistency/punctuality and make a good impression for the first few months at least. We are approaching winter and your first requirement should be annual evidence of a full service history with the services carried out to the manufacturers specifications.
Not indie stamps every two years etc. My car came with detailed £500+ annual service print outs. Most people take their car down to the local garage and have the oil changed and thats it.
Get someone else to have paid for the car to be pampered up to this point. Focus on this first before 'what turbo petrol car'.
I'd look for something Japanes and staid/plain with a one or two owner and full history. Say a Toyota Corrola, Yaris or Avensis or Honda Civic, Accord 1.4 or 1.6 etc thats been owned for 10yrs by one person who was royally fleeced by Toyota at service time.
Who cares if its boring? Its a tool.
Motorway miles?
Comfy seats?
Get a Volvo 660 - they're cheap to buy, and last very well. The 2.4 diesel is surprisingly nippy, but there are all manner of petrol turbos as well. They're usually very well maintained, will go a long way between services.
You'll get a well-specced 2003-2004 2.4D for around £3k.
High mileage is not a problem - 200k is not at all uncommon.
Surf-Mat - Member
A Focus may be dull but it handles way way better than any vaguely modern Saab.
Oh yes, totally. But I've had both and I know which one I'd have again!
Would it be the nippy handling, tin can, weedy engined, with a hideous interior, so much road noise you can't get a loud enough stereo to drown it out, so common you see when one on every road, and the lesser boot space?
Or would it be the powerful, tough feeling, well made, huge booted, safest car I've ever sat in, motorway mile muncher?
hmm. Just can't decide!
[edit] Oh yeah - forgot the seat comfort!
Thanks for all the advice folks. You've come up trumps a usual. With a suprisingly retrained level of bickering.
Plenty for me to chew on there. Thanks again
I'll throw in another "don't" for an old 9-5.
I've been running a 2000 aero for the last 3 years, and every year something major has gone wrong. This year the turbo, rear suspension, aircon and the 'brain' died. bye bye car. this was also a car with a FSH, so was well maintained.
bad investment!
BTW - I've got an 06 Saab now and my '99 9-3 was much better! Get the full turbo if you're getting one.
Had it for 6 years (from 65K miles) and only 2 things went wrong - bearings in the drive pully, and the ignition rail. Ignition rail was a bit of a nightmare cos it left me stranded! Apart from that, lovely car.
Why do I get labelled a Clarkson wannabee for liking good handling?
The Focus brought a very decent chassis to the masses - even a 1.6 is fu to chuck around.
I have no idea whether JC likes them or not - I don't care. I also hate modern Alfas - he loves them.
Or would it be the powerful, tough feeling, well made, huge booted, safest car I've ever sat in, motorway mile muncher?
Compare NCAP crash tests for both, consider than a Focus can have anything from a 1.4 petrol to a 300bhp unit (more than any Saab), tough feeling? Well that's just a "feeling", huge booted? The Focus comes in an estate version - more room than a 9-3 estate. Well made? Ermm - check JD Power and other reliability ratings. Saabs USED to be solid, a bit quirky, a bit different. Now they are simply a GM anycar with a badge - rip the body off, bin the interior and you have a car very very very similar to a Vauxhall Astra/Vectra and using many of the same engines.
I'd choose Vauxhall over Saab because at least they're honest.
As for the OP - I'd still look at other marques.
You've owned both too then?
Forgive for not getting quite as carried away as you in defending my opinion, but I don't care that much. I just know that the Saab was a much much nicer car than the Focus, for me.
As for this GM stuff. So what? It had a Saab interior. That's where I sat, so it was a Saab.
I'm sure there are better cars (for the money?), but the 9-3 did the job (and I really disliked the Focus!).
I've just bought the car you're interested in (I think), a '98 9-3 SE Coupe full turbo. It's done 130k and has FSH. Leather etc.
I think it's lovely - super comfortable, quick when you need to overtake, big storage, plenty of room for kids, safe etc.
Handling is "interesting" but I'm thinking of it as a scandinavian muscle car - cruise the corners and hoof it down the straights! Fuel economy is nothing like as good as above but it's 1/2 country rd and 1/2 city so to be expected.
(will be upgrading some of the suspension to improve the cornering - but not expecting anything amazing!)
Like this:
[img] http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/uploads/cars/saab/869867.jp g" target="_blank">http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/uploads/cars/saab/869867.jp g"/> &t=1[/img]
Nice, jim. I miss mine!
Dez - they are perfectly decent cars; not many modern cars are true duffers. But I feel they are priced at a premium over Vauxhall equivalents without much justification.
A comparison - wife's uncle is now on his 2nd 9-3 1.9TiD (150bhp) saloon. We had an Astra Estate 1.9CDTi 150 - the same engine. He bought both his Saabs new, we bought the Astra new.
The Astra was quicker (lighter and slightly more torque), handled more tidily, had TONNES more room (cheating though as it was an estate), came with more kit as standard, cost less to insure and cost about 20% or more LESS to buy.
Yes the Saab interior is nicer - the Astra one was actually pretty grotty despite half leather and other stuff - but apart from that, it was more or less the same car.
As for the Focus - it's a car I recommend time and time again and many mates have bought them on my recommendation and love them. Amazing VFM, great chassis, cheap to run, well equipped. Might not please the eye as much to some but a high spec Focus is a nice place to sit in.
But the OP is talking about older Saabs and IMO some of them are pretty good.
And in some cases, very pretty too.
[img] 
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btw, my choices of top smoker motors were:
nissan primera gt - couldn't find with decent history & they suffer from barryboyitis
skoda octavia vrs or elegance - just over my price range, shame really as I'd have liked one
saab 9-3 (as above)
it's a shame the mondeo or vectra didn't come in a 4 cyl turbo (or i couldn't find one) as the 6 cyl hotter versions are more pricey to service and potentially even worse on fuel
Had it for 6 years (from 65K miles) and only 2 things went wrong - bearings in the drive pully, and the ignition rail.
Two major problem in 65k miles is pretty terrible for a modern car mate!
I've had my Prius 5 years and 72k miles and nothing at all's gone wrong with it, and so it shouldn't!
[i]Two major problem in 65k miles is pretty terrible for a modern car mate[/i]
No, read it again: [i]From[/i] 65K miles... and the bearings is far from a major problem.
I've driven my Dad's brand new Prius (120 miles to Surrey and back) and aside from the fuel (lack of) economy, I'd rather have my old Saab..
And Surf-Mat, I'm sorry but I bought both my Saabs because they were cheap!
We had a Saab 9-3 99 reg turbo and it was great. Had it for seven years it started life as first car and then became second car.
It was very reliable, cheap and very easy to service (big engine bay and easy to access parts). Air con packed in climate so not proper ventilation. Decided to exchange it a couple of years ago for a 17000 mile focus. I have spent over £1000 on major problems, fuel economy is about 1 mpg better and air con is currently packed in (it has 35000 miles on the clock now) Saab had 140000 miles on the clock and no major probs. Ford handles a damn site better but it is not as comfy.
Can I have my Saab back please.
Dez - fair enough and once again, shows the different priorities we all have!
the fuel (lack of) economy
If you're not getting at least 65mpg from a new Prius then you're doing it wrong.
Although if it's brand new - they do take 20-30k miles to bed in properly.
Yep. I'll give you the handling though. The Saab could be bloody scary on winding back roads. The bloke who sold me it did warn me that the turbo was too much for the GM suspension. And not to get a Hot Turbo.
Father in law crashed his Saab turbo (in the early 90s) into a field thanks to some comedy torque steer and a wet road.
Oops.
Nissan Almera - boringly reliable, timing chain so one less big service to worry about. No cachet at all, so cheap secondhand. Current one is on 125K and has only had a new clutch (which are cheaper on older cars) and about 3 oil and filter changes in its whole life.
It has broken down twice - once a vacuum tube fell off, fixed at th eroad side. Second time the clutch failed - on the way to getting it changed 😳
If you're buying cheap to get to work I would just forget great handling or interiors and just get something that works rain or shine.
I find it also makes me cycle in more 😉
[i]the fuel (lack of) economy[/i] of the Saab!!
If you're buying cheap to get to work I would just forget great handling or interiors and just get something that works rain or shine
Plus diesel if it's a long way.
Gotta get one of these!