Merc v. Saab

Indout96

We have a Saab 93 Vector (petrol) and love it, it is way nicer to drive that the BMW 3 (2.0D) that I drive for work and you can drive all day and get out feeling fine. Had a new Vauxhall Insignia on hire a couple of weeks ago and the seats were solid and backbreaking.
Not driven the Merc but we have a couple at work which have had no problems in the last couple of years.
Regarding costs Saab dealers are very expensive (500+ for service @ 16,000 miles) but at our local garage who now do all our work it is very little diferance to my Celica. We have had the Saab just over 2 years and nothing gone wrong yet apart from a rear door lock that sometimes sticks shut (from the key fob) but as there are only 2 of us we have not bothered having it looked at.

negg

Merc are very reliable. People complain about build quality issues and I do have to agree. One thing about them is most of the issues are inside, in the cabin. Cheap, tacky bits of plastic you wouldn't expect on a car of it's price and easy to break. Mechanical and electrically, they are still very good.

On the other hand, Saab have gone into a form of administration and could be gone within months. I wouldn't be spending my money on 58 plate Saab right now. Not unless you get an amazing deal, and I mean really amazing. My mother was looking for a Rover when they went bust and we waited. Got a car worth £12000 for £4000 by waiting just a few months.

Someone did state Honda as well. I had one once. Best car I ever had - way better than the Mercs!

kitchpoo

Robertf wrote: »

Personally I like Alfa Romeos, and their diesels are fantastic.

Same engine as the Saab 1.9!!

jack_spratt_2

North-East_Quine wrote: »

indend to keep car for 3 to 4 years

Myself I would go for the Merc and for one reason resale value !!just look at some of the discounts Saab have been giving its got to hit resale value
Also make sure its a auto merc with metallic paint if manual give it a wide berth

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

The Mercedes is the better car. Just make sure its an automatic, manuals are worthless.

motorguy

tomstickland wrote: »

Saab are rebadged GM, I'd avoid.

No they're not.

AdrianHi

pgilc1 wrote: »

No they're not.

Confused, most people into cars know that a Saab 9-3 is based on the Vectra platform and has many of the same engines, the diesels originating from Fiat.

Just google search "Saab Vectra"

harveybobbles

zappahey wrote: »

In what way? Poor reliability or expensive parts?

Bearing in mind that it has stacks of warranty left, I would be surprised if it cost that much.

Crap reliability, parts ar about average, apart from the manifold nonsense which is 400 quid. and the DMF which will be about the same.

harveybobbles

pgilc1 wrote: »

No they're not.

Thicko!

Saab, Vauxhall, Fiat and alfa all use the same !!!!!! bits.

kitchpoo

harveybobbles wrote: »

Thicko!

Saab, Vauxhall, Fiat and alfa all use the same !!!!!! bits.

Some clarification on comonality of engines....

The 2.0 T Petrol Saab unit is unique to Saab and was a Saab development and is not the same as the 2.0 T in the Vectra platform.

The 2.2 TiD is the GM Y22DTH unit and the 1.9 is the cross development from the Alfa/Fiat range, in both the 8 and 16v guise.

The best engine is the 16v 1.9.

Only the chassis and most auxillary engine componants (starter, alternator etc) are compatible across the Saab/GM counter.