Re: 9-5 replacement - Saab General Bulletin Board - Saabnet.com
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Re: 9-5 replacement
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Posted by Snowmobile [Email] (#686) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Snowmobile) on Fri, 26 Jan 2024 14:51:57 Share Post by Email
In Reply to: 9-5 replacement, TML [Profile/Gallery] , Sat, 20 Jan 2024 06:29:34
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Yeah, I have started researching this also, though our 9-5s are still doing pretty well, rust and parts availability on long trips in rural Canada are factors. Under $10k though doesn't get much in today's market. Typically a car in that price range will be the same age and wear and tear as our Saabs are.

Ignoring price, I think the closest option is probably the Volvo wagons but I haven't had a chance to drive them yet. The newer ones are mild hybrids (regenerative braking, but not plug in). Overall, they are bigger, heavier, 1m larger turning radius, more complex to repair, and yet, the cargo capacity of the biggest one, the v90 cross country, is significantly less than the 9-5 wagon... The fuel economy is about the same as the 9-5 (bigger heavier offset by the hybrid complexity). Oh, and you can find a decent used one (a few years old and +/- 100k km) in the high 30's to low $50k range. New they are $70k+. Old Volvo wagons are out there, but will cost about the same as a Saab and have just as many problems. Good saabs do come up, but it requires patience. Spring can be a good time.

I wish Volvo would hurry up and make the wagon plug in like the xc series. That would be more appealing as we would be able to do our commute on a charge (small battery, but gets IIRC 35miles). As a result, we would also consider the xc series if we were in a pinch to buy. Lots more of them out there, but similar pricing.

Other options... I like the look of the Audi wagons but they are not cheap to own. The VW version of the all road wagon looks somewhat appealing. We haven't liked Subaru's much though it has been a while since I've driven one. In-laws have a cross trek and like it. It's not Saab-like though imho... Neighbours have a Honda HRV that they like. It looks nice, but we need a bit more size I think, and honestly I prefer a lower sitting car (ditto for the xc Volvos).

I did some research on the ford flex (aka school bus) having rented a freestyle many years ago (those had significant Volvo dna). Flex has a strong user/repair community like here, though it seems overall very reliable with easy DIY repair of common issues and of course ford capable shops are everywhere even in rural Canada. Lots of cargo capacity and with a minor hack the 3rd row seats can be deleted. The main downsides are poor fuel economy and ugly/bulky/size (and probably drives like it looks). But they are practical and affordable. Good options commonly well under $20k.

I'm interested in electric cars, but we do long trips (like 14hr in a day) that simply don't work in those vehicles and we need our newest car to be able to reliably haul on those trips. For now, that is still a 9-5 wagon.

So yeah, I'm not much help. The current market is kinda bleak and expensive for our needs. Current plan is to run up the miles on the 9-5s until the wheels fall off!

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