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Re: 06 9-5 wagon vs 07 Passat wagon Posted by Justin VanAbrahams [Email]  (#32) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Justin VanAbrahams) on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:36:26
In Reply to: 06 9-5 wagon vs 07 Passat wagon, Douglas, Tue, 10 Feb 2009 08:51:30 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
I think your observations are pretty accurate - the Passat is pretty bland on the outside, while the 9-5 has a good sense of style. On the inside, the Passat is just better - standard VAG, wonderfully executed interior. I think the 9-5 looked fairly dated on the inside when it was new, and while still simple and functional it's pretty well aged at this point. The Passat's interior will probably hold up slightly better, but modern Saab interiors are quite durable, so it may be a toss up.
The VAG V6 seems appealing, but I would take a Saab turbo four any day... The V6 is "fine" but it's not inspiring and really not all that powerful. The turbo four does everything about the same, but does it with fewer moving parts and lower cost of maintenance. Possibly better fuel economy, but I wouldn't bank on it. Only downside of the turbo is that sort of rubber-band acceleration you get just off idle, before the turbo spools up. You might call it turbo lag, but that really doesn't give Saab credit enough for the amount of tuning & optimization they've done with T7. It's not a lack of power ("lag") but that moment before you get it all. :)
Funtionally, the Passat feels a little roomier, but not to the point that it's actually doing you any good. Loading is about the same, cargo capacity about the same. IMHO, the driving dynamics of the 9-5 really are superior, though the Passat has a quieter, more supple ride IME...
I don't think you can really go wrong with either of them, but were it me shopping the 9-5's better looks and better drive train would probably win out. If the good bits about the Passat (interior, ride) are appealing, I'd probably up the budget or go for a slightly older 5-series wagon and get the real goods...
posted by 12.71.42...
, Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:36:26 <-- Viewing This Message
, Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:17:11
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