S80 pre or post '06?

[grandtourer]

Originally Posted by S40 Squared

Hmm, we have owned 3 S80's:

1. 51 plate 2.4 140bhp (bought new) 30MPG
2. 03 plate D5 SE auto (bought 1 year old and fully loaded) 44MPG
3. 57 plate S80 2.4d SE Lux Geartronic (again, bought 1 year old and fully loaded) 38MPG

I've also owned an S60 2.5T which was very quick.

Of the ones you've had, which is quietest, and which had best ride and handling?

[S40 Squared]

Petrol was quietest by miles and had the nice 5 cylinder growl.

Both D5's sound sweet (but in a different way) with them being 5 cylinders also. The pre 2006 shape sounded the best when on the move - relaxing 5cyl hum/better engine note when cruising on the motorway. The latest model is more refined in other aspects.

The latest model is best for ride and handling. Turning circle is much smaller and the car can be chucked about on a fast A-road. It is no 5-series though, but better than the 03 S80 we had - that was a barge, but used for motorways a lot. It served us well and did decent MPG.

Consider your mileage and then go for a D5 - more everyday power and flexibility.

[grandtourer]

Thanks that's helpful. I'll have to drive one and see how it feels. The jag is very quiet with a smooth V6 diesel and handles very well but the interior is cramped and the seats not comfortable or supportive for a bad back.

Another option is to see if I can find a garage who'll fit some Volvo seats into the jag, but I'm dubious as to whether any kind of non-standard alteration like that would really be successful.

[RM955I]

SAAB 95s had great seats....generally praised for their comfort. The problem is you're buying into a dead brand but that's down to individual feelings on the subject

[p.swan]

The most comfortable car I've ever had was a Saab 95, which I'd still have if some idiot hadn't ploughed into it and written it off. It wasn't just the seats, which were the best car seats EVER, but also the ride/handling combination which made rapid cross country progress very easy and comfortable. Also the totally effortless, unstressed power from the low pressure turbo 2.3. Tons of overtaking torque at the squeeze of a toe. It was a dream to drive and a three hour non stop drive felt like 15 minutes. Because people are panicking about them now some fantastic bargains can be picked up too....

[p.swan]

Forgot to mention, in a recent Which? survey the Saab 95 came out as the most comfortable Executive car, beating E class, 5 series, A6 etc..

[grandtourer]

I'd go along with that, I had a 2.3t Saab 9-5 for a year and the seats are incredible. Plus the ride is brilliant, it's hugely powerful, it's very quiet (a big factor in reducing exhaustion on long drives) and it's a quality car.

I'd have another one in a heartbeat but for one thing - the General Motors underpinnings (this is the same problem on Vectras and Signums i've tested) mean that you can only adjust the reach of the steering wheel a few inches. So once i've pulled the seat back to the correct position for my legs, my arms our out-stretched and since my back problem affects my shoulders I couldn't live with it.

I've since learned that when testing a car, you have to set the seat to the correct position, and make sure you can easily rest your wrist on the steering wheel.

I did ask one Saab dealer if it would be possible to extend the steering column a few inches but he said no due to all the electrics.

[grandtourer]

you know if I could find a mechanic who could extend the reach of the steering wheel that's exactly what I'd do, that Saab was magnificant.