I drive a 96 900SE Turbo (76k miles) and my wife has a 93 850GLT non-turbo (94k miles). My previous car was a 2.3L 94 900S RHD model I had while we lived in Hong Kong. We also had three old-generation 900's back in the 80's and 90's. All automatics.

If I compare my wife's 93 Volvo to my previous 94 Saab, I'd say I slightly prefer the Volvo for its solid feel, better visibility (outward), and separate climate control for passenger and driver. The 900S suspension was mushier with more body roll. But the 900S _was_ a Saab, and I have a thing for them. On the other hand, there is no comparison between the 850GLT and the Saab with a turbo. Caveat: we've never driven a Volvo with a turbo. Even so, if something happens to the 850, we'll replace it with a younger 850 turbo model.

Reliability has been comparable. Neither car has ever stranded us. But you have to be able to put a grand or two a year into them to keep them in top shape. I prefer the Saab body style: the way we tell which key goes with which car is the mantra, "square car, square key, round car, round key." That said, I don't like the newest incarnation of Volvo styling. The 850GLT with the little spoiler on the rear deck is the best-looking Swedish brick of all IMHO.

My experience has been that if you drive them both, the seat of your pants will answer the question for you.

posted by 207.175.1...

• Saab vs. Volvo (need input ASAP), Jay, Tue, 6 Nov 2001 15:44:47
  • Re: Saab vs. Volvo (need input ASAP), Big R, Wed, 7 Nov 2001 10:49:21
  • I switched from SAAB to VOLVO, because >, StanleyB, Wed, 7 Nov 2001 06:59:26
    • same production line, what do you mean?, nickR, Wed, 7 Nov 2001 11:09:53
      • If the SAAB is that bad in build quality, then >, StanleyB, Wed, 7 Nov 2001 11:40:06
        • There are enough complaints about Boxster build qual nm, JMC, Thu, 8 Nov 2001 09:43:45
    • Re: I switched from SAAB to VOLVO, because >, Ilkka83, Wed, 7 Nov 2001 10:34:06
  • Re: Saab vs. Volvo (need input ASAP), Jay, Tue, 6 Nov 2001 22:44:47
  • We've had 2 850 GLT's, good cars......., Tyler, Tue, 6 Nov 2001 17:49:06
    • 5 cylinder sound is music to my ears, nickR, Tue, 6 Nov 2001 17:53:59
  • Re: Saab vs. Volvo (need input ASAP), Geoff Waters, Tue, 6 Nov 2001 17:41:50 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Is the saab v6,n/a or t? n/m, Joe , Tue, 6 Nov 2001 17:23:08
    • No turbo on the V6 900. the 9-5 V6 is turbo. n/m, Dave Westlake, Wed, 7 Nov 2001 08:23:46
  • Ive heard horror stories about both of these cars, nickR, Tue, 6 Nov 2001 17:16:21
  • I say the Saab... but have you driven each one yet? n/m, Adrian, Tue, 6 Nov 2001 16:52:03

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