I'm returning to the UK in December for a few years and will be needing a car. Looking at spending abut 10k, need 4 doors, new as possible. Having had a quick squint at Autotrader it looks like I can get a 2 year old Saab 93 with low mileage for round about the 10k mark. This looks like a good option, having owned a Saab a while back and liked it. I have looked at comparable BMW's and from what I can see for the same money I would be looking at an older vehicle with higher mileage. Any opinions or suggestions appreciated.
I'm fairly sure the 9-3 uses the Vectra's platform and engines (diesels). Bear that in mind if your looking for driving dynamics.
I have an 09 plate 9-3 aero ttid hirsch. done around 13000 miles in it now and its a cracking car. You sir are wrong.
Have you driven a BMW 325d M Sport or a Mercedes C250 CDI Sport? In isolation, perhaps if you've only ever driven Fiestas and a Corsa before, I can see how the Saab might be cracking. However when sensibly compared to its rivals, it's a bit crud. The 9-3 wasn't a credible rival to Mercedes or BMW back in the E46 days, it certainly isn't now both Mercedes and BMW have had new models for quite a few years yet Saab is still peddling the E46 rival it built on a Vectra and released 7 years ago.
Thanks for the comments so far and I knew we would get some anti GM feeling coming through, some of which I'm sure is justified. I'm not looking at comparing a new Saab 93 with its BMW counterpart but I am looking at the comparison between a 10k Saab 93 and a 10k BMW (anything excluding the 1 series), if you see what I mean. The Saab I previously owned was one of the first GM associated 900's if I remember correctly and although not the most exciting drive it didn't let me down for a lot of years and was cheap to run. I had a bike to provide all the motoring thrills I required.
With 10k to spend i'd go to several other makers before Saab ever got hold of the money, these being Honda / Mazda and Ford.
Yup..i gave myself a budget of 35k max for a new car...borrowed for 24 hours a 5 series 520d m sport..a 3 series 320d m sport and the merc c class 220d amg sport (the 250 wasnt out at the time) amongst a few others and put my hard earned money on the saab. As nice as all the others were I personally found them uninspiring..go figure eh. Like I said in 6 months I've done around 13k miles in it and love it..the new re-ax steering system is just sublime..I love the torqs and smoothness of it too..but hey its my personel opinion. The point is..I spent my money and haven't regretted it for a minute. As for you assumption about the fiestas and corsa's etc..Its been a long time since I've been in that league i'm afraid..my memory is a little faded. i'm not slating the bmw's or any of the others for that matter...they were all very nice..just boring to drive
I gave myself 35k as a max budget..I certainly didnt end up spending that. I'd also be very surprised at a saab 93 being one of the most expensive cars here.
So to add to the mix, I take it you are referring to the Honda Accord, Mazda 6 and Ford Mondeo and you personally rate them higher than a Saab 93?
Need: 4 door, 5 seats. Priorities: Reliable, comfortable, get me to work and good for longer trips (Europe). Fuel: Diesel or petrol. Currently own a Nissan X-Trail and Mazda 3 (in Aus). In the past always had big bikes for my vehicular thrills.
If you like the Saab you'll probably like the Volvo - 10k buys a lot of car too http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1301402.htm
