Piston Slap: The Sportcombi's Gloomy Vue?

by Sajeev Mehta

Published: October 6th, 2014

Even Google knows our first question!

Keith writes:

Sajeev – I’ve gotta get rid of 1 of my 4 family of cars – the family consists of a 2011 Civic LX (for the kids), 2009 Taurus X (for the wife) – and the two on the chopping block – 2006 Saab 9-5 Sport Combi (with 154,000 miles) verses 2006 Saturn Vue V6 (with 131,000 miles). I enjoy different aspect of each of these cars and I’m torn over which one should go.

Here are the pros and cons of each:

2006 Saab

Pros –

· Premium feel and build quality (real wood dash, heated leather seats, sunroof, etc.)

· Above average acceleration (especially in “Sport” mode)

· Handles the curves well

· Nice sound system

· Station wagon utility

· Makes a good impression

Cons –

· Drinks high octane fuel (19 mpg city/hwy)

· Requires full synthetic oil

· Has some minor interior and exterior age spots

· Dinky side view mirrors (big is beautiful)

· After thought cup holders

· Former “wanker” car (they switched to Audi since Saab’s demise)

· Constant fear of a high dollar repair

2006 Saturn

Pros –

· I LOVE the Honda 3.5 liter V6

· SUV utility (good for runs to the garden center and the dump)

· Good sound system (user installed)

· Rides tall in the saddle

· Beautifully big mirrors

· Decent cup holders and console storage

· Did I mention the 250 hp V6?

Cons –

· Basic interior (cloth seats, hard plastic dashboard and console, no sunroof)

· Noisy at highway speeds

· The brakes SUCK

· Doesn’t impress anyone

Finally the financials –

Saab – Bought it last year for $4900.00 with 133k miles and I’ve got about $3k (including taxes and title) in the car. Present value is about $3900 and dropping fast.

Saturn – Purchased 2 ½ years ago for $7000.00 with 83k miles on the clock. Upkeep has been minimal, about $1k, and the current value is about $5000 and holding steady.

Personally I’m thinking that the Saab needs to go… but I’m not sure.

Sajeev answers:

Personally I’m thinking that the Saab obviously needs to go.

Mostly because I agree with your Pros/Cons.

If the brakes suck on the Saturn, do a brake job with aftermarket aggressive pads (either ceramic or semi metallic) and maybe these rotors are higher quality. We can’t possibly take the undesirable GM fit/finish/public perception problems out of the equation, but let’s be real: cars under $5000 have a tough time impressing most onlookers conditioned to the latest and greatest products. Especially since most folks don’t give a shit about station wagons.

Yes, the Vue lacks the “Euro wagonista” swagger. It will never have Saab grade leather/wood and Saab driving dynamics without imprudent levels of customization. But the odds of needing repairs that’ll be 50% of it’s (superior) value is less likely. Which kinda beats it all.

Off to you, Best and Brightest.

Send your queries to sajeev@thetruthaboutcars.com. Spare no details and ask for a speedy resolution if you’re in a hurry…but be realistic, and use your make/model specific forums instead of TTAC for more timely advice.

#9-5 #Cache #Reliability #Repair #ResaleValue #Saab #Saturn #SaturnVue #Sell #Sportcombi #Vue

Sajeev Mehta

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Comments

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2 of 70 comments

McKeith on Oct 08, 2014

We took THE Saab to the shop yesterday - paid $1200 +/- for new brakes, oil change, and misc fluid exchanges. Still needs a brake fluid flush and 2 new tires.

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Dusterdude on Oct 09, 2014

Dave M. Couldn't agree more re. your comments on Saab's

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