I'm interested in buying a new car. I've always driven SAABs but am interested in a wagon with a 3rd seat. Anyone have any input re: my best bets volvo, Saab or something else. I have two small kids and am frequently carting others around and really think I need to seat 6 passengers.
What to buy
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Re: What to buy (Poritz)
If every passenger is adult sized, I'd opt for the 3 row XC90.
If every passenger is adult sized, I'd opt for the 3 row XC90.
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Re: What to buy (rbjork)
ditto on the XC90, BMW X5 or the smaller Lexus SUV. I don't know much about the Honda Pilot. I'm not sure you'll find the room for 6 folks comfortably in a wagon and the cross-over SUVs might be the best option. You could also consider an Audi allroad or A6 wagon - a good size wagon with all wheel drive, although a little more than the Volvo V70 offerings.<p>The third row seating in the wagons is mainly for two kids, if that will work then the V70 might do it. Does Saab offer a rear area seat for kids? I'm not familiar with Saab wagons. Good luck.<p>
ditto on the XC90, BMW X5 or the smaller Lexus SUV. I don't know much about the Honda Pilot. I'm not sure you'll find the room for 6 folks comfortably in a wagon and the cross-over SUVs might be the best option. You could also consider an Audi allroad or A6 wagon - a good size wagon with all wheel drive, although a little more than the Volvo V70 offerings.<p>The third row seating in the wagons is mainly for two kids, if that will work then the V70 might do it. Does Saab offer a rear area seat for kids? I'm not familiar with Saab wagons. Good luck.<p>
Re: What to buy (rbjork)
Hi, and welcome to Swedespeed! The V70 and/or XC70 (isn't that what it's called now?) are nice options. I just checked out the new ones at the dealership last week when I was in for an oil change, and they're niiiice. Those integrated booster seats are trick! (If I had it to do over again, I'd have custom-ordered one for my S60.) They are <I>such</I> an elegant solution versus what's out there on the market today...gaudy and ill-fitting boosters with crappy padding. The Volvo integrated boosters look good, to boot! (I'm sure several others here will chime in saying the same...)<p>As for your "vehicular needs", if you've just got two little ones, and if the 5th and 6th passengers you're referring to are the in-laws and grandparents who only visit once every couple of months, then a Volvo <I>wagon</I> definitely ought to be on your must-see list. However, if you're carting around passengers 5 and 6 more than once a week, let's say, and they're not smallish adults or kids, then perhaps you <I>do</I> need more passenger-carrying capacity than the wagons have to offer. <p>It's funny, I've only got one kid, yet when I was car-shopping for the vehicle I had prior to this one I managed to convince myself that I needed all that space (in a minivan) just because both sets of grandparents came to town every couple of months, and it was nice for all of us to be able to go to dinner together in one car. However, in hindsight, I was toting around a lot of extra weight and size for 100% of my driving miles, which was a major inconvenience a lot of the time (parking, etc.) and a waste of gas. I truly only needed the ability to carry 6 on rare occasions, probably less than 1% of my driving miles. (Although I must admit, I *did* like sitting up high in traffic! Minivans and SUVs do have their perks.)<p>Ask yourself the same...do you truly want/need a larger SUV-like vehicle for the passenger carrying and cargo carrying (meaning the XC90 or other SUVs), or could a "normal-sized" car (in other words, one of the wagons, Volvo or otherwise) fit the bill? If a car would work, I'd look at the wagons. <p><b><i>WHY WAGONS?</i></b> They're far more maneuverable and predictable in emergency "avoidance" situations. They get better gas mileage. The stop quicker. And although I can't speak for the XC90 and its fit, finish, craftsmanship, and road manners, cars typically have better vehicle dynamic characteristics than SUVs. In my opinion, the level of refinement in cars in this segment tends to be higher than that of SUVs. (I suppose some will argue with this statement, but that's what I think.)<p>Wish I knew more about Saabs so I could compare and contrast their offerings versus Volvo's, but I don't. Maybe somebody else does?! Either way, good luck, and happy "hunting" for your new car!!! I'd definitely check out a V70 or Cross Country if I were you... <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emsmile.gif" BORDER="0"> Keep us posted!<BR><BR>
[Modified by Lisa62, 3:15 PM 10-22-2002]
Hi, and welcome to Swedespeed! The V70 and/or XC70 (isn't that what it's called now?) are nice options. I just checked out the new ones at the dealership last week when I was in for an oil change, and they're niiiice. Those integrated booster seats are trick! (If I had it to do over again, I'd have custom-ordered one for my S60.) They are <I>such</I> an elegant solution versus what's out there on the market today...gaudy and ill-fitting boosters with crappy padding. The Volvo integrated boosters look good, to boot! (I'm sure several others here will chime in saying the same...)<p>As for your "vehicular needs", if you've just got two little ones, and if the 5th and 6th passengers you're referring to are the in-laws and grandparents who only visit once every couple of months, then a Volvo <I>wagon</I> definitely ought to be on your must-see list. However, if you're carting around passengers 5 and 6 more than once a week, let's say, and they're not smallish adults or kids, then perhaps you <I>do</I> need more passenger-carrying capacity than the wagons have to offer. <p>It's funny, I've only got one kid, yet when I was car-shopping for the vehicle I had prior to this one I managed to convince myself that I needed all that space (in a minivan) just because both sets of grandparents came to town every couple of months, and it was nice for all of us to be able to go to dinner together in one car. However, in hindsight, I was toting around a lot of extra weight and size for 100% of my driving miles, which was a major inconvenience a lot of the time (parking, etc.) and a waste of gas. I truly only needed the ability to carry 6 on rare occasions, probably less than 1% of my driving miles. (Although I must admit, I *did* like sitting up high in traffic! Minivans and SUVs do have their perks.)<p>Ask yourself the same...do you truly want/need a larger SUV-like vehicle for the passenger carrying and cargo carrying (meaning the XC90 or other SUVs), or could a "normal-sized" car (in other words, one of the wagons, Volvo or otherwise) fit the bill? If a car would work, I'd look at the wagons. <p><b><i>WHY WAGONS?</i></b> They're far more maneuverable and predictable in emergency "avoidance" situations. They get better gas mileage. The stop quicker. And although I can't speak for the XC90 and its fit, finish, craftsmanship, and road manners, cars typically have better vehicle dynamic characteristics than SUVs. In my opinion, the level of refinement in cars in this segment tends to be higher than that of SUVs. (I suppose some will argue with this statement, but that's what I think.)<p>Wish I knew more about Saabs so I could compare and contrast their offerings versus Volvo's, but I don't. Maybe somebody else does?! Either way, good luck, and happy "hunting" for your new car!!! I'd definitely check out a V70 or Cross Country if I were you... <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emsmile.gif" BORDER="0"> Keep us posted!<BR><BR>
[Modified by Lisa62, 3:15 PM 10-22-2002]
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Re: What to buy (83caddy16v)
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>ditto on the XC90, BMW X5 or the smaller Lexus SUV. I don't know much about the Honda Pilot. I'm not sure you'll find the room for 6 folks comfortably in a wagon and the cross-over SUVs might be the best option. You could also consider an Audi allroad or A6 wagon - a good size wagon with all wheel drive, although a little more than the Volvo V70 offerings.<p>The third row seating in the wagons is mainly for two kids, if that will work then the V70 might do it. Does Saab offer a rear area seat for kids? I'm not familiar with Saab wagons. Good luck.<p><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><p>BMW X5s and Lexus RX300s do not have the capacity for a 3rd row seat. The Audi A6, I think, does not offer that option either and if it does it will be at least a tough squeeze...<p>The Saab 9-5 wagon is not a bad car. I just do not like its rear style as its "D" pillar is very awkward adn it contributes to the many blind spots that that car has. And if you compare the average 9-5 wagon (2.3L Linear) to the average V70 wagon (2.4T), you will find that the 2.4T has many more advantages; the 9-5 has not Electronic Brake Assistance while the V70 does, the V70 2.4T has more HP (197 vs. 185, I think), the V70 2.4T has more torque (210 vs. 207, again if my memory serves me right), the V70 2.4T's wheelbase is a full 2" longer than that of the 9-5 which would contribute to a better ride, the V70 2.4T is a little wider by .5" (small advantage but an advantage nonetheless! Heehee!), the V70 2.4T weighs about 250lbs. less, has more leg room and head room than the 9-5, front power seat is standard while you have to pay extra in the 9-5, the V70 2.4T has standard memory on the side mirrors while that is not available in the SOB <IMG SRC="http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/whinging.gif" BORDER="0">wagon, there is no head protection for rear passengers in the Saab while this is a staple at any Volvo...anyway, I am not sure that you can fit a practical 3rd seat (if any) in the 9-5...<p>V70 is the choice man! Put all the conmparison stuff behind you and get a 2.4T or (even better a T5) and start having fun! <p><br>Yannis
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>ditto on the XC90, BMW X5 or the smaller Lexus SUV. I don't know much about the Honda Pilot. I'm not sure you'll find the room for 6 folks comfortably in a wagon and the cross-over SUVs might be the best option. You could also consider an Audi allroad or A6 wagon - a good size wagon with all wheel drive, although a little more than the Volvo V70 offerings.<p>The third row seating in the wagons is mainly for two kids, if that will work then the V70 might do it. Does Saab offer a rear area seat for kids? I'm not familiar with Saab wagons. Good luck.<p><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><p>BMW X5s and Lexus RX300s do not have the capacity for a 3rd row seat. The Audi A6, I think, does not offer that option either and if it does it will be at least a tough squeeze...<p>The Saab 9-5 wagon is not a bad car. I just do not like its rear style as its "D" pillar is very awkward adn it contributes to the many blind spots that that car has. And if you compare the average 9-5 wagon (2.3L Linear) to the average V70 wagon (2.4T), you will find that the 2.4T has many more advantages; the 9-5 has not Electronic Brake Assistance while the V70 does, the V70 2.4T has more HP (197 vs. 185, I think), the V70 2.4T has more torque (210 vs. 207, again if my memory serves me right), the V70 2.4T's wheelbase is a full 2" longer than that of the 9-5 which would contribute to a better ride, the V70 2.4T is a little wider by .5" (small advantage but an advantage nonetheless! Heehee!), the V70 2.4T weighs about 250lbs. less, has more leg room and head room than the 9-5, front power seat is standard while you have to pay extra in the 9-5, the V70 2.4T has standard memory on the side mirrors while that is not available in the SOB <IMG SRC="http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/whinging.gif" BORDER="0">wagon, there is no head protection for rear passengers in the Saab while this is a staple at any Volvo...anyway, I am not sure that you can fit a practical 3rd seat (if any) in the 9-5...<p>V70 is the choice man! Put all the conmparison stuff behind you and get a 2.4T or (even better a T5) and start having fun! <p><br>Yannis
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Re: What to buy (rbjork)
BMW BMW!!! <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emsmile.gif" BORDER="0"> They make a GREAT wagon 3 series or 5 and Ford doesn't own them NOBODY owns BMW. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emthup.gif" BORDER="0"> <p> <A HREF="http://www.swedespeed.com/resources/gallery/auto_shows/carlisle_import_02/volvo_rwd/pages/04.html" TARGET="_blank">http://www.swedespeed.com/resources/gallery/auto_shows/carlisle_import_02/volvo_rwd/pages/04.html</a>
BMW BMW!!! <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emsmile.gif" BORDER="0"> They make a GREAT wagon 3 series or 5 and Ford doesn't own them NOBODY owns BMW. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emthup.gif" BORDER="0"> <p> <A HREF="http://www.swedespeed.com/resources/gallery/auto_shows/carlisle_import_02/volvo_rwd/pages/04.html" TARGET="_blank">http://www.swedespeed.com/resources/gallery/auto_shows/carlisle_import_02/volvo_rwd/pages/04.html</a>
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