It looks like you are using an ad blocker. That's okay. Who doesn't? But without advertising revenue, we can't keep making this site awesome. Click the link below for instructions on disabling adblock.
Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post.
Register to become a member today!
Subaru or Saab or VW wagon? Need help pros and cons about each
Subarus can be expensive if you blow a head gasket or get a clapped-out turbo model. SAABs are expensive to fix and hard to find a good mechanic. VWs are expensive to repair, but slightly less hard to find a good mechanic.
Insurance will probably be cheapest on the Subaru, unless you get a turbocharged model.
Where are you living? What will you be using it for? Specific models you are looking at? Price range? All three are great car makers, we just need a little more info to be able to give you an educated decision.
Subarus can be expensive if you blow a head gasket or get a clapped-out turbo model. SAABs are expensive to fix and hard to find a good mechanic. VWs are expensive to repair, but slightly less hard to find a good mechanic.
Insurance will probably be cheapest on the Subaru, unless you get a turbocharged model.
For reference, we currently own a 2014 Outback. We used to have a Volvo XC90, and I had a SAAB 9000SPG before that. My wife had a 1.8T Jetta before the Volvo.
VW TDIs have crazy good fuel economy. dunno about Saabs but pretty much every Subaru I've driven (4) gets around 20-25 miles per gallon where the TDI my dad has right now gets about 45 miles per gallon.
that's definitely a good selling point for me. also the fact you can go 680 miles on a tank of gas is nice.
VW TDI wagon. I would buy one tomorrow. Fast, handles great and gets like 50 MPG. Really loved driving this car. Took it up I-70 out of Denver. It was able to accelerate to 80 mph, up Lookout Mountain like it was nothing.
Having said that. I drive a Mazda 5. You should check one of these out.
I bought mine NEW for $18k. It is the sport model with 6 speed manual transmission. This is my second Mazda 5 and I love it. I just wish it had a turbo in it, but it still does 75 MPH over the passes. It has 6 seats but the handling isn't that much different than the TDI. Gas mileage is great; but not as good as the TDI. It is just incredibly versatile. I would have been so stoked to have one when I was in college. It's great to have the room to haul crap, and still have the ability to seat 6 people when you need to. If you like sticks, and are shopping for used, make sure you pick up a later model that has the 6 speed. It is key. My first one was a 5 speed and it revved way too high cruising on the highway at 75. With the 6 speed, 75 MPH you are at barely 3k RPMs.
Mr.HuckVW TDI wagon. I would buy one tomorrow. Fast, handles great and gets like 50 MPG. Really loved driving this car. Took it up I-70 out of Denver. It was able to accelerate to 80 mph, up Lookout Mountain like it was nothing.
Having said that. I drive a Mazda 5. You should check one of these out.
I bought mine NEW for $18k. It is the sport model with 6 speed manual transmission. This is my second Mazda 5 and I love it. I just wish it had a turbo in it, but it still does 75 MPH over the passes. It has 6 seats but the handling isn't that much different than the TDI. Gas mileage is great; but not as good as the TDI. It is just incredibly versatile. I would have been so stoked to have one when I was in college. It's great to have the room to haul crap, and still have the ability to seat 6 people when you need to. If you like sticks, and are shopping for used, make sure you pick up a later model that has the 6 speed. It is key. My first one was a 5 speed and it revved way too high cruising on the highway at 75. With the 6 speed, 75 MPH you are at barely 3k RPMs.
I read a build on reddit once about a guy who turbo'd one of these and gave it a nice power boost. Super clean job forgot when it was maybe 6 months ago?
KravtZI read a build on reddit once about a guy who turbo'd one of these and gave it a nice power boost. Super clean job forgot when it was maybe 6 months ago?
Yeah, I've heard of that and others. One build in CA. was ridiculous. They spent a shit ton of money on it. There is a local outfit in Parker that tricks out Mazdas. If I do anything now I void the factory warranty so I will wait. Thinking I might get someone to dump a turbo into it and give it to my son before he goes to college. The ideal situation as I understand it is to find a Mazda 3 Speed that has somehow been totaled but the motor, tranny and frame are still intact. Apparently you could pull the chassis off of a 5 and bolt it to the 3 Speed. By that time, there will be bigger things that need to be replaced and it will make more sense. The problem is, I may be too tempted to keep it for myself :-)
If you want good 4wheel drive car get an audi quattro or a subaru. I'd prefer more audi, but that's just my opinion. Audi is the same group/company as vw so in my experiences parts aren't too expensive, at least here in eu.
I'm kind of looking at any model to be honest for the vw I love the passat wagon but I love the golf hatchback, then for the subaru I love the legacy station wagon and also the wrx but I can't afford a wrx , for the saab 9-2 or the 9-3. I'm basically looking for a good car to drive around and go skiing at hills all over, I'm moving to alberta soon as well so a car great in the snow is important to me.
Thanks for all the replies!
I have to replace my 04 XC 70. (Don't want to but its overheating on long trips cant take it to my uncles on Thanksgiving for example.)
Im leaning towards getting a 2011 XC 70 instead of a new 14 or 15 Forester not sure though but leaning towards the same thing I have now but 7-8 years newer.
6000 mile round trip ski vacations are kind of my thing its great to have nice reliable wheels with good gas and AWD.
PeppermillRenoI have to replace my 04 XC 70. (Don't want to but its overheating on long trips cant take it to my uncles on Thanksgiving for example.)
Im leaning towards getting a 2011 XC 70 instead of a new 14 or 15 Forester not sure though but leaning towards the same thing I have now but 7-8 years newer.
6000 mile round trip ski vacations are kind of my thing its great to have nice reliable wheels with good gas and AWD.
I'd say go used and get the 2011... saves so much money and cheaper to insure
I've got a jetta sedan (wish it was a wagon) and its got a lot of awesome features. For example theres a panel on the drivers side where fuel cap and trunk can be locked where only a key can open it, as well as an option to lock the seats so they don't fold down. Both just security features so that if somebody breaks into your car the stuff in your trunk will be safe.
I also live in a non mountainous area (Saskatchewan) and the roads are usually fine so AWD wasn't a huge deal for me. I can testify to maintenance being expensive though $$$.
I have an '08 Saab 9-3 that I bought 4 years ago for $8,000 with only 25,000 miles. I love it, haven't had major problems but have definitely heard stories about people who have.
Like somebody said the only problem is finding people who can work on them, I actually found a place near me that used to sell saabs so i can get it fixed there. Only problem with that is that you have to get the chip or computer or whatever reset and they can't reset it there. So basically you just have a notification that you can easily turn off, it isn't that big of a deal (unless you have OCD).
I was torn between Saab and Subaru and then i got a banging deal (actually i don't know shit about cars but it seemed like a bangin' deal)
Also, they are both safe as shit. (so i hear, never personally tested this)
