Odd question No 42!.. Used Honda CRV or Saab 9-5

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Mon 27 Feb 2017 14:21
Odd question No 42!.. Used Honda CRV or Saab 9-5 - logger

Cars ( around 2004/5 )

Honda 2.0 CRV

Saab 9-5 2.0 T saloon

Now...bear with me...Why these two totally different cars

Budget - £1000

MPG/Insurance etc - not an issue

Looks - well thats why they are in the frame..for a cheap car my wife only really likes these 2

So the question is really around the simple things, what are they like to drive and more importantly reliability and repair costs ( I have a good independent mechanic, he sources parts for anything ! )

Cheers

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Mon 27 Feb 2017 15:15
Odd question No 42!.. Used Honda CRV or Saab 9-5 - RaineMan

Much depends on what the most important criteria to you/her are? If it is reliability, then it is the Honda. However, there is a rider that at this age either could rapidly become a money pit. If on the other hand it is performance, ride and handling then it is the Saab.

Personally, at that price point I would mainly be looking for condition and history rather than a specific model. But then its’s your money your choice!

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Mon 27 Feb 2017 15:22
Odd question No 42!.. Used Honda CRV or Saab 9-5 - skidpan

.for a cheap car my wife only really likes these 2

How about looking for a new wife. It might be cheaper in the long run.

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Mon 27 Feb 2017 15:26
Odd question No 42!.. Used Honda CRV or Saab 9-5 - RaineMan

.for a cheap car my wife only really likes these 2

How about looking for a new wife. It might be cheaper in the long run.

Careful you will encourge spammers!

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Mon 27 Feb 2017 16:33
Odd question No 42!.. Used Honda CRV or Saab 9-5 - sandy56

The SAAB is a big wide car, for city use, it is more difficult to park and you will need parking sensors, ideally. I ran a 95 for a few years and loved it.

The CRV is not as wide, and some ways more practical.

I would go with whatever you prefer.

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Mon 27 Feb 2017 17:44
Odd question No 42!.. Used Honda CRV or Saab 9-5 - corax

If buying the Saab inspect the engine thoroughly. They can suffer failure from sludge blocking the strainer in the oil pick up in the sump. The aeros were the only ones to have fully synthetic oil specified in servicing which stops the engine from sludging.

The estates had huge space and they are capable of big mileage but you could really do with a specialist nearby who knows these cars.

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Mon 27 Feb 2017 19:52
Odd question No 42!.. Used Honda CRV or Saab 9-5 - SLO76
Find her a nice Accord 2.0 and tell her to see sense. It's a better made, more reliable and far more economical car than the Saab and far nicer to drive and cheaper to run then the CRV. I wouldn't have a big turbocharged executive or a 4wd on such a tight budget unless the perfect example landed on my lap for a stupid price.
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Mon 27 Feb 2017 20:54
Odd question No 42!.. Used Honda CRV or Saab 9-5 - focussed

I used to know qute a few paramedic/first responders who had CRV's of around that vintage as blue light vehicles. They all complained that the CRV had chronic understeer in the wet when pressing on, particularly on roundabouts, so be aware.

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Mon 27 Feb 2017 20:55
Odd question No 42!.. Used Honda CRV or Saab 9-5 - logger

LOL

I did think of the Accord 2.0 VTec but couldnt find a modern one for my budget

Thanks

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Mon 27 Feb 2017 22:43
Odd question No 42!.. Used Honda CRV or Saab 9-5 - SLO76

LOL

I did think of the Accord 2.0 VTec but couldnt find a modern one for my budget

Thanks

Plenty of 7th gen Accords (from 2003) on Gumtree around that sort of money. Best bet is a private sale at this budget, find a car that's been owned longterm and has a full history and you should have one the best budget cars you can buy. Don't be put off the previous model either, it was a brilliant car all round too but it is quite a bit thirstier with even the 1.8 VTEC struggling to break 30mpg when the later gen 2.0 will do 35 plus easily enough and the older car has a timing belt which needs changing every 8yrs while the Mk VII is chain driven. They are stupidly cheap though, £300 will get a decent runner and £800 buys a minter and despite the dull looks they drive very well, even the basic 1.8 has 134bhp and pulls very well. A brilliant banger runabout.
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