Hello,

It's my first time on a volvo forum and I am looking to buy a newer car and I have narrowed it down to two. I was looking to get some insight on what you guys think, but primarily the reliability of the 2007 Volvo S60 T5. Here are the cars:

1. 2007 Volvo S60 T5, 58k, auto, beautiful inside and out, just a scratch on the dashboard, one missing hubcap, and the lower part of the bumber feels 5% loose. Paint and everything else is 10 outa 10. Out the door price is $14,500, the dealer wont take less

2. 2005 Saab 9-5 Aero, 49k, auto, beautiful inside and out, but some minor scratches and scuffs. Two tone leather, black and grey. Out the door price is $11,800. (the reason I'm looing at an 05 is that its the last year model that I like)

Here I my thoughts: I drove both cars and hands down the 9-5 is sportier and more pleasurable to drive, however the S60 seems more smooth and a more solid car all around. I would like to switch to the Volvo because over the years I've been driving saabs and they are not so realiable. I still have a 01 9-5 aero 125k with a bad reverse gear synchro, but that has become a hobby car now. (I'll fix it sometimes this year) The problem is that I dont have a lot of time on my hands anymore and cannot waist too much time under my cars. I know even volvos have gotten less reliable over the years too. The positive thing is that I know everything about fixing a 9-5, but nothing about the S60. I would prefer to pay less for the saab, but the price is not a real factor. Last but not least, I already have a 9-5 aero which I will get back on the road and I'm thinking it would be nice to have an S60 as well. I'm curious to see what you think, because I'm hoping to purchase one or the other this week.

Thanks in advance.

 

Your on a Volvo forum, get the Volvo!

Seriously, it's all a personal decision. Both cars are cool, I've done my research too, and Volvo's in the year model range your talking about "seem" to have less issues, but it all comes down to how they were maintanied and how you are going to maintain them.
From your post, it seems you really want the Volvo, so go for it, what do you have to lose?

 

I have both cars you mention (a 04 9-5 and a 07 S60). They are both solid cars, but have very different personalities. The Saab is more fun to drive, the S60 is a little bit better as a highway/trip car. The Saab has a larger trunk and back seat if that matters to you. As for reliability, it depends. I do all my own work on both (and have been a Saab owner for 20+ years). If you are paying to have the work done I'd give the nod to the Volvo, it has less 'stupid' things to go wrong. If you do your own work and don't mind the occasional silly repair on the Saab then you're okay (alarm module, trunk wiring harness, DIC, and such). The Saab may be slightly more mechanic friendly, but neither are bad. Only bummer on the Volvo is the timing belt vs. the lifetime Saab chain, but at a replacement interval of around 100k it's not bad.

My summary, if you're buying for soul/personality go with the Saab (05 is a great year), if you're looking for solid transportation with just a little of that Swedish personality the Volvo is fine.

Hope this helps, let us know what you choose.

Take Care, Scott

 

Thanks guys,

The dealer let me take the Volvo on a 24 hour test drive and after test driving the 05 aero, I have to say that I'm more inclined on the Volvo. I wans't comfortable buying the aero because there were a few things that made me believe it was in an accident that was not recorded on the carfax, the small dealer seemed shady, so I wasn't confortable with that purchase. Its hard to find a really nice clean 05 9-5 aero, with low miles. Anyways after driving the Volvo quite a bit today, let me just put it to you guys this way: I'm a saab enthusiast at heart and always will be, but after driving this Volvo, I realized this: the Volvo S60 is the woman you want to marry, while the Saab 9-5 aero is the woman you wanna have some fun with. So, I have had enough fun and will still have fun, but I just want to settle down , so I will be buying the Volvo.