Date: Sun, 22 Sep 2002 21:59:42 -0400 From: Rob Levandowski <roblnopsamhiz.com> Subject: Re: 9-5 Wagon vs V70 vs Passat ?
In article <PWmj9.5785$JV3.1362780nopsamfeed.slurp.net>, "Raymond J. Paganini" <raynopsamNotpaganini.com> wrote: > Group, > > The 9-5 Wagon Linear matches closely in $ and price to the V70 2.4 T. Why > the Saab over the Volvo. I looked at the Volvo wagons before getting my 1999 9-5 SE V6. If you imagine an axis with "sporty" on one end and "plush" on the other, the Saab's handling is well into "sporty" while the Volvo's handling is approaching the Buick end of "plush." I found that the Volvo didn't provide much road feel, and gave a very disconnected driving experience despite adequate power. I also wasn't impressed with the ergonomics of the controls back then. It was also more expensive for an equivalent vehicle. I chose the Saab and never looked back. > The Passat Wagon does not have has many features as either of the above, but > it is about $8k less for a German wagon. I looked briefly at the Passat, but determined that it lacked too many features for its price. The extra money bought a much nicer car with a far better safety record and more customer satisfaction. Sitting in the Passat, the interior felt "cheap" for the cost of the car. By contrast, the Saab had an interior that felt more ritzy than the actual cost of the car. Of course, having had an accident while owning my Saab made me a customer-for-life. It may not seem like a big deal when you're looking for a new car and patting your wallet... but when you realize that you're about to experience an airbag deployment up close and personal, wouldn't you rather be thinking "thank God I'm in a safe car" rather than "boy, glad I saved $8K, that'll help pay for the surgery?" :) -- Rob Levandowski roblnopsamhiz.com (Opinions expressed are solely my own and not a statement from my employer)
