Used Car Face-Off: Ordinary-Wagons-Turned-Luxury Edition

"Amoore100" (amoore100)
06/10/2016 at 22:10 • Filed to: Used Car Face-Off, Volvo, Saab, Jaguar

With the good news that Oppo is safe for now, let’s head back to our roots with a comparison between three Euro wagons. The ones featured today are all FWD and have generally more plebeian underpinnings in the form of the Opel Vectra, the Ford Focus, and the larger Ford Mondeo. However, the wagons themselves all compete as near-luxury models, thus the question is either which starting point was the best or which manufacturer has done the best job in hiding its foundations? That’s for you to decide; here are the options:

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No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. This 146K mile 9-3 has none other than a manual 6 speed Saab F40 transmission behind its 2.o turbocharged Ecotec 4. Besides that, it looks in rather good condition, with clean leather as well as that extremely fetching Fusion Blue Metallic adorning the sleek facelifted lines which debuted in 2008. Is this orphaned Swede a nice price? Or do the Opel traits hidden beneath the Scandinavian shell betray your trust?

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If the Saab 9-3 was a Vectra in disguise, the X-Type was akin to its competitor, the Mondeo. Here is a wagon version of the X-Type, an extremely rare variant which only sold in quadruple digits here in the states. Automatic only, of course, but with only 92K miles, do you prefer a Ford V6 over an Opel turbo four?

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Ok, so the V50 is a size smaller than the two others because of its Focus basis in comparison to the other two family cars. Still, this V50 carries the highest price tag with its 103K miles, but it does have a six speed mated to its completely Swedish turbo 5. Is this enough to complete the deal, or is the price simply too high for a glorified economy hatch?

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DISCUSSION (16)

shop-teacher > Amoore100
06/10/2016 at 22:25

I wanna go with the Volvo, but the back seat is too damn small. I find the X-type visually offensive, so it’s gotta be the Saab. It’s lovely, although future parts availability would worry me.

not for canada - australian in disguise > Amoore100
06/10/2016 at 22:36

I’m digging the Jag. Yeah, it’s not gonna be reliable. But it’s a Jaaaag, and it’s got a bigger load space than the Volvo. And it’s not a Vectra/Malibu.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > shop-teacher
06/10/2016 at 22:40

It is largely a parts bin car under its skin. It is based on the GM Epsilon 1 platform(shared with the 2004-2012 Malibu), the engine is also part if the GM 2L Ecotec family and was shared with other GM products. I would not worry about most parts except the Saab parts (body panels, interior trim, etc).

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Amoore100
06/10/2016 at 22:43

A Ford-owned Jag, a GM-owned Saab, or a whomever-at-that-time (Ford?)- owned Volvo...

I’ll go Saaaaaab because it looks better — AND LOOKS ARE ALL THAT MATTERS

Amoore100 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/10/2016 at 22:49

Ford indeed. The Saab does look best, but I think the Volvo drives best, while the Jag is most comfortable. Just depends on what you want ;)

Amoore100 > not for canada - australian in disguise
06/10/2016 at 22:50

Haha, big and not a GM product is usually the way to go!

Amoore100 > shop-teacher
06/10/2016 at 22:51

The back seat has been ok so far, but we’ve only had teenagers back there who are relatively short. The X-Type is meh, but could be worse, and the Saab is relatively enticing, though the Ecotec 4 is a bit...meh

shop-teacher > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
06/10/2016 at 22:56

True, but those parts will become unobtanium before too long.

shop-teacher > Amoore100
06/10/2016 at 22:57

Mine are 1 and 3, so bulky car seats ruin everything.

thatsmr > Amoore100
06/10/2016 at 23:15

I like this. Never the Jag because although I can fix cars, I don't have the time. Tha SAAB i love but had a bad experience with a great 9000cd. Volvos have great seats and will keep going even when not right. Put 100k on an S70 I bought already over 100k, by that point all repairs it needed were way more than the car was worth. If I didnt have to pass emissions where I live, I might still be driving it today though.

Amoore100 > thatsmr
06/10/2016 at 23:46

Thanks for the support! Yeah, the Jag would likely run ok, since Mondeo, but it would probably have countless electrical gremlins. Wow, you had a 9000CD? Do tell! Yeah, Volvos run well for a long time, even the newer ones. My dad has an ‘01 V70 T5 with 209K miles and it still runs great (*knock on wood*); it doesn’t smoke and starts up immediately and sounds perfectly healthy. It can even still pass CA smog testing!

Alfalfa > Amoore100
06/11/2016 at 00:10

The X-type is kind of tempting because it looks much better in wagon form plus the rarety factor, but manual and I5 makes me want Moar Volvo

Amoore100 > Alfalfa
06/11/2016 at 00:16

Well the V50's manual was never the best, and the price is kind of high. At least that’s what I keep telling myself...

RT > Amoore100
06/11/2016 at 07:42

The Saab is definitely my personal favourite, so I’ll be going for that.

cberg > Amoore100
06/11/2016 at 23:40

I’m biased since I drive a Barents blue V50 T5 Haldex AWD but I would’ve voted for that Jag if it had a manual.

A 9-5 Sportcombi Aero would easily have my click though. As much as I love 5cyls, I must admit my previous NG Saabs’ roadholding was better than the Volvo’s.

Amoore100 > cberg
06/12/2016 at 16:00

As a FWD V50 2.4i driver, call me a bit jealous ;)

Still, the little Vo makes a good first car, especially if you think of it as I do: a more refined Euro Focus with a glorious 5-cyl engine :D

I don’t think we got manual Jag estates in the states so you’re out of luck there, and if you want to check out a Used Car Face-Off with an NG Saab 9-5 Sportcombi Aero, here you are!