1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
As an owner of a '94 850 (since new, now 245k miles) a 95 940 (wife's w/ 170k mi), and '99 9-3 Viggen (bought new, now 50k mi), I'd give them all highmarks. The 850 is without a doubt the best overall build quality car I've ever owned. Still on the orig. clutch, exhaust, tie rod ends, you name it. It'd be easier to list the few things I have replaced rahter than what I have not. The car just goes and goes (mine is non-turbo BTW)
The RWD Volvos are reliable, given you do the usual preventive maintenance (more than on 850's IMO). I've had loads of 240 series over the years. But none has come close to the long term relaiability, coupled with performance of the 850.
Not much to report on on the viggen. I do my own maintenance so it has seen the shop only once or twice early on for routine service just to keep the dealer happy. I suspect the electronics may be touchier than Volvo's but so far no issues. What I like more about the Saab is the tall gearing. I "tach" about 3k at 85 mph. That means over 30 mpg, but it has loads of whoop when you need to pass. It is smaller feeling than the 8 or 9 series Volvos, though it still seems to swallow up plenty of cargo. Given that '99 9-3's are on fire sale at the moment due to lease expiries, I think they present a better overall value than the comparable Volvos. Up this way, you'd pay as much for a mid 90's 940 with miles on it as for a low mile '99 9-3, not even talking about what 850's command. Go for it! the money you're saving is a good reserve in the event anything does go wrong (which it shouldn't) I would NOT touch a mid 90's NG900. BUt the 9-3's seem to have ironed out the kinks. Think of it like the 940 version of the 240. Many years and generations to optimize basically the same ride and drivetrain. Looking at this Borad vs. Brickboard, one sees far fewer mechanical issues on the Saab board re: late model build quality. I don't know how statistically meaningful any of this is, but empirically, the Saab board postings are totally lame..."bent my wheels", "beat a Mustang..", bla, bla, whereas the Brickboard usually is about a mechanical issue. Great resource, but one must question the build quality if so many people have mechanical issues.
Hope this helps,
Claude
posted by 208.148.249...
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