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Re: 4-5 year old wagon, comparisons? (9-5. Passat, ?) Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Mon, 28 Feb 2005 10:48:38
In Reply to: 4-5 year old wagon, comparisons? (9-5. Passat, ?), nt moore, Mon, 28 Feb 2005 09:05:02 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Size-
Interior is just about the same. Hatch on the VW seems to open a little bigger. The 9-5 has advantages - if you get one with the pull-out load floor, that's a neat advantage. If you get the 'normal' floor, you end up with a nice storage space under the floor - thin but usable. Saab feels a little wider in the shoulders, so backseat room is a little nicer.
I believe that the pre-01.5 VW DOES NOT come with a split folding rear seat. It folds, but only all at once. And doesn't fold flat. Since the child belongs in the back seat, that would rule out carrying anything long and the kid at the same time. The 9-5 has split folding, and I believe they fold flatter.
The VW comes with the 'window-shade' rear cargo cover. I find those pretty useless. They don't block sound at all, and will not keep stuff in the back from flying forward in a crash. Most cars I see, those have been removed. So you're driving with an open back. The Saab comes with a folding, rigid cargo cover. It will provide a quieter ride, and will be safer in terms of stuff flying forward.
Engine power - The base Passat came with the 150 hp turbo-four up until mid-2001. The 150 hp engine is sweet, but it's a little underpowered for the wagon, more so if it has an automatic. When it comes to performance, I'm not talking about drag-racing 5-liter Mustangs - I'm talking about enough power to safely merge, and for active accident avoidance. Mid-way through 2001 (aka 2001.5), the Passat went through a model change - you can tell because it has clear tail light sections and more exterior chrome trim. The 01.5 base engine was still the turbo-4, but with 180 hp. If I were you, I wouldn't consider anything but a 01.5 VW. The other option is the V6, but you've already ruled that out. The VW can be had with AWD, but not only does it add cost (only comes with V6), but you get significantly reduced cargo space. That rear differential has to go somewhere.
Base Saab (Linear, some years) comes with 175 hp in '00, up to 185 in '01 and later. Base 4-cyl low pressure Saab turbo engine is great. Much better than the 150 hp VW four, and still a little nicer than the 180 hp four. I know, I've got an '01 Jetta with the turbo-4.
Passat automatic has 5 speeds, tiptronic. Not available in the Saab until '02. '01 Saabs had 4 speed autos. Not a bad thing.
You can probably find a base '01.5 Passat for less than a comparable 9-5 wagon. It will be cheaper because you can get the VW with a lower level of trim. For example, if you want heated seats in the VW (an item which I consider as critical as brakes), you'll probably end up with leather and a sunroof - that'll add to the cost.
VW also has a CPO program similar to Saabs. Call that a draw.
Safety - Saab wins out. I'm not talking about the government crash tests - I'm talking about the real-world Insurance Institute and Swedish-government injury and death stats.
You can find some Saab wagons with built-in fold down child safety seats. Don't know about the VW.
When I was comparison shopping this summer, A base VW could be found for about $2-3K less than a comprable 9-5. But I live in the Northeast, and there are A LOT of Saab and VW dealers around, and competition drives prices down. I found the VW's seemed a little overpriced.
As to amenities - they can be nice. If you've never had a car with heated seats, AND you live in MN, you don't know what you're missing. And I don't know any pre-menopausal woman that doesn't appreciate them year-round on a monthly basis. I had a VW Jetta loaner last week without heated seats, and I was quite unhappy. Am I a wimp? Oh, probably. But they are quite nice.
In general, the VW will probably be a bit cheaper, with slightly lower-quality materials. The Saab comes with more goodies, and that will drive the price up some. They'll hold about the same. In an accident, I'd want to be in the Saab. I find the pre '01.5 VW turbo-four to be unacceptably slow, but your opinion may be different.
posted by 192.249....
, Mon, 28 Feb 2005 18:12:14, Mon, 28 Feb 2005 10:48:38 <-- Viewing This Message, Tue, 1 Mar 2005 07:15:18, Tue, 1 Mar 2005 08:45:11, Mon, 28 Feb 2005 10:38:05
, Mon, 28 Feb 2005 09:56:18
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