Hello all, I'm planning on selling my '92 Scirocco and getting something a bit (read: lot) more comfortable.
I only drive around 5k miles a year, mostly on the motorway but with the odd jaunt to Wales, Scotland or the Lakes.
My budget is only £500 to £1,000 and I want something comfortable, reliable and pleasant to drive. Because of my low mileage, fuel economy isn't so important.
So I've narrowed my choice down to either a Toyota Camry 2.2 or V6 from around 1992 to 1994, or a Saab 9000 2.0 or 2.3 ecopower from the same period.
I've seen sub-100k mileage, FSH examples of both of these in my price range - and studied the breakdown on this excellent site - but are there any other options I should consider?
And the car-by-car breakdowns on here warns about the autobox on the Saab - does anyone know what mileage they tend to fail?
Thanks in advance.
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And the car-by-car breakdowns on here warns about the autobox on the Saab - does anyone know what mileage they tend to fail?
Like all these things, depends how they are treated. Take a look at the Saab 9000 forum at tinyurl.com/cuo4z
- this will give you some idea of what problems you might get. And there are things you can do to make the autobox less likely to fail, and pre-purchase checks. But you don't state that you need an auto, so why not go for a manual as they tend not to give any trouble?
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Can't speak for Saabs but I have had 4 Toyota's over the last 20 years - Still run a Celica GT as 2nd car and have owned it for 7 yrs. I have found Toyotas to be rock solid and provided you buy a Camry with a FSH and one that has been looked after you will find it hard to beat in terms of reliabity. The Saab will almost certainly give you greater driving pleasure. If you are worried about the Saab autobox why not go for a manual?
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Camry is good.
Also consider the Nissan QX 2.0 or 3.0 from 1995-2000. Pretty much bulletproof.
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Slightly different, my mate bought a Peugeot 607 on Ebay for £350 and hasn't had to spend a single penny on it yet. Big luxury cruiser and all the electrics and air con work.
He reckoned that whenever it breaks down, he would be able to sell its parts and get more for them than he paid for the car.
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Slightly different, my mate bought a Peugeot 607 on Ebay for £350
I presume you mean a 605 - i know the 607 depreciates badly but not that badly!
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An old SAAB will drain your wallet like nothing on earth
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Sorry Kev, yeah meant 605!
Oops!
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Hi - At the age and price range you mention look at Vauxhall Senator/Carlton. Great to drive and parts ( at that age you are going to need parts whatever you drive) are relatively cheap and plentiful. I have had two Senators over the past 12 years and recommend them highly.
Regards DougB.
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Absolutely anything in good condition. Don't get hung up on one make or model unless you're in no hurry whatsoever.
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Daewoo Leganza - full CDX specification for a couple of thou.
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I took a test drive in a 605 several years ago and was very impressed with it. Superb ride comfort, good handling and loads of space. I was seduced by an Alfa in the end.
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I would seriously look at the Omega, these are tough cars which are nice and big and a bargain to buy. Tnere are also still a lot of fairly new un-abused ones on the market as they only stopped making them about a year ago.
With regard to Saab, I agree with an earler post, Saab service is extremely expensive and will bleed you dry !
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You might find a nice unmolested Honda Accord for your budget- boring but reliable.
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For reliability go for the Toyota. With SWMBO's J-reg Starlet I've found the car generally stays trouble-free for long periods between repairs. Contrast that with older European cars which often have 3 or 4 faults at any time and you have to make the decision which one is most urgent.
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I was asking about the Saab autobox becuase most cars seem to have it, even though manual is my usual preference. The warnings here are making me think twice about the Saab though.
Are non-specialists not able to work on them? I live near a GSF shop, so had assumed parts might not be too painful.
I like the Pug 605, but had ruled it out due to bad reputation and prejudice against French cars. Similar story for the Alfa 164.
The Omega is an interesting proposition, but I'm a bit daunted by the list of problems on the car-by-car breakdown. Didn't realise they were so cheap now though. May investigate further.
I had been looking at Accords online, along with Mondeos, Audi 80s, Cavaliers and Primeras - but it seemed bigger cars offered more for the moolah.
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SAAB 9000s are based on the Alfa 164, share components etc, which is why it is not as highly rated and rusts (much)more than the 900.
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Have a look at a MKIII Scorpio - 2.0-2.9 litre engine choice, a few manual but most auto, all the toys you could want, easily obtainable for <1K£. Get a facelift 92-93 for preference.
On my fourth now.
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I can sympathise re. Scirocco. I had a GTX model, lovely car but very harsh suspension.
I would suggest a Volvo 960 3.0 24v. Cheap but tough and reliable.
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SAAB 9000s are based on the Alfa 164, share components etc, which is why it is not as highly rated and rusts (much)more than the 900.
I find that surprising, as 164s don't tend to rust badly.
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