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12k or about to spend on one of the above. I prefer a manual but would obviously have to go auto for some of above. I am tempted by the 9-5 aero,not so keen on the Merc & BMW bad/smug image. Would the Jag be too expensive compared with the rest. What does anybody think.
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I think your reasons for rejecting the two German cars is wrongly misplaced, as either would be the best choice from your list of options. The greatest cost in car ownership is depreciation, and both BMW & M.Benz are near the top for retaining their value and for reliability. The cost of Saab servicing is also horrendous and although Jaguar reliability has improved, I don`t think you will get too much of an XJ for 12k!! My choice would certainly be the BeeM 528, the handling and general feel good factor when driving takes (IMHO )a lot of beating.
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I was not rejecting the German cars outright, just a bit suspect of the image & inflated price.Everybody seems to aspire to them , which puts me off a bit. Maybe I should bite the bullet & go for a 528. Do they cost a lot to service?
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Been driving my brothers s class 320 today.
P plate,97k on the clock.
Like new!
No competition in my eyes.
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I'm sure Dude is exactly right. Your money will be safer in either of the German marques, which one I don't know - that's your choice! The BM always seems to be the press's choice although I'm sure both are excellent. It's a fair old wedge to put into a motor, so it makes sense to minimise your loss as far as you can. All will be expensive to service though - I'd look for a good specialist.
Cheers Baz
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Father has just spent 10900 on an Sreg xj8 3.2 sport. Lots of extras, 69 000miles, fJsh. Great car great condition. The quality is so much better than the last xj6 he had. You simply cannot fault value for money on these cars. It should be reliable but what a lot of car for the money!
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Sorry, meant to add that there are quite a lot of similar jags for similar prices since the used car market is so flat at the moment.
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Whichever you like best.
From what you say, it sounds like the Jag is the one for you, although the cost of ownership might be quite high.
Probably cheapest to keep would be the BMW, then the Mercedes or Saab, then the Jag, although they're not as bad as they used to be. Can you find a good, local independent specialist dealer or garage - it will need quite a lot of work, although in fairness it is a class above the others you've mentioned.
Personally it'd be the BMW every time, but drive them all, find which one you're most comfortable with, and choose a good example. None is a bad car, although I like the idea of the Saab better as a £5k high miler than a real executive express. Oh and Mercs are great, they just don't really do it for me.
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Why not consider a Volvo S80 instead of the Saab? Volvo is their own developed platform, rather than a GM Vectra rework, and is all the better for it, IMHO.
There's a 200bhp 2.9 or a 272bhp Twin Turbo T6, or a 200bhp 2.4T which is excellent, though probably a bit too new.
Great interior, much more room than most of the others on your list.
Yes, I am biased - I do drive one. However, I considered the BMW and the Sabb before I bought it.
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Sorry to take issue with you DBCohen, but it was the Saab 9-3 that was based on the Vectra platform, and not the 9-5 as you mentioned. The depreciation on the Volvo will also be far higher than the Beem or Merc and servicing costs on Volvos are truly horrendous - I remember reading an article in Auto Express some time back on vehicle spare parts prices & maintenance costs, and Volvo were very close to the top behind Suburu.
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New 9-3 is based on the current Vectra, the 9-5 is based on the old, smaller Vectra. Weird, huh?
Of course, the first 9-3 and the 900 before it were based on the erm... Cavalier. No, really.
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You have got me trawling the web & car mags about Volvo t6s as another option.
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The 528 is probably the 'best' car and values are much more reasonable these days. But the 9-5 is a surprisingly good car with high depreciation so you could get a good 3yr old well within your budget.
If I had your budget and was looking at these cars I'd be either spending less and getting the Saab or going for an S plate BMW 540 with a few miles on it. At a fleet auction of course.
PB.
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I recently bought a 528, 88K touring manual p-reg. An immaculate car, average 31 mpg(33 over a run), over 4 years old you get 10% discount on servicing from BMW and performance, space and build quality are first class. Slightly younger image than merc I personally feel, and you don't need a new mortgage to service one (unlike a merc franchise service). However, ensure that should you go for the 528 you go for post Sep 98-it will have the steel linings that the earlier cars didn't=longer life expectancy(engine!). Once I drove the BM I stopped looking so I couldn't offer my opinion on them. Good luck
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Finger trouble on my last post I'm afraid! I obviously couldn't offer my opinion on the Saab or Jag.
Typing lessons in order I think!
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A national search on Autotrader came up with several MG ZT190s, S80 T6s and one S60 T5 which meet your price criterea. All bar the T6 can be had as manual and all would give a stonking drive.
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Buy whichever one you fancy the most. I once was shopping for a particular car, but couldn't find a "good 'un" at the right price so bought something else.
I was never happy with the car, or myself for buying it, and ended up selling it at knockdown price just to "get rid", so that I could buy the car I intended buying in the first place.
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