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[Kate]

I've seen a Saab 9-5 estate for sale near me. Would it be a good Omega alternative?

Can you think of a better alternative?

TIA.

[Doctor Gollum]

E Class if you are after a proper estate car...

Anything within budget will be rustier or more work than the Omega... That said this is true of anything much below a grand

[Nick W]

You'd be better off buying the Vectra it's based on.
Far more choice, cheaper to buy and run.



If you must have a big estate car for practical use, you're looking at an E-class or Volvo.

[Bigron]

Will this review help you, Kate?

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/car-reviews/saab/9-5/207842/

Ron.

[Kate]

Thanks

[Nick W]

Also bear in mind that although these cars are now dirt cheap to buy just like Omegas, none of them were ever cheap to own. And they still aren't. Buying cheap examples means you'll be looking at a never ending list of expensive jobs that the previous owners wouldn't pay for. Just like cheap Omegas.

[Kate]

Do you mean cam belts and other service items?

[Viral_Jim]

What year is it, also manual or auto, and what engine?

Specific years and engines had particular issues.

As a marque specific forum, uksaabs.com is good. More tightly moderates than the OOF, but it’s the only forum that I’ve ever found to be as good for technical assistance.

In terms of size, it’s smaller than the omega, but more than big enough for most domestic applications.

[Nick W]

Do you mean cam belts and other service items?

No, those are the jobs that get done.
For example, any Omega that you buy will need the front suspension replaced for it to drive properly. That's £200 per side in parts if you source them cost effectively, at least 3 hours work, an alignment session plus a pair of tyres. To have that done will cost more than the car.
So Saabs and petrol BMWs frequently have serious engine issues, A6 Audis front suspension will make your wallet bleed(as will the electrics), E-class, Volvo and 5-series auto boxes(and you'll struggle to find any with a manual box) are weak and all the diesels are likely to be at the end of their life.


There are good ones of each out there, but it's a real gamble as to whether you find them.

[Kate]

Thanks for the advice

I remember years ago when cars were more simple. They were much easier to repair. It's a shame classic cars are so expensive now. I bought a Morris Minor off a oof member once. I wish I still had it.

[Bigron]

Funnily enough, your quest for an alternative to an Omega prompted me to look up the Morris Minor (Traveller, actually) - phew, the prices!
Around £7,000 for a basket case, to nearly £30,000 for a shiny example!!! 

Ron.

[ians]

I have one Kate. Diesel estate.  Goes pretty well really.
Not as big as a mig estate if you need it for load lugging.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Vauxhall Signum.

[Kieran]

I have spent plenty of time looking for a motor to replace my Omega estate. As well as the occasional trip to the tip I also tow a caravan. Thought about a E class but found some problems with them and expensive to get repaired. After much deliberation I think the Subaru Forester might tick all the boxes. Not the best looking estate but seems tough and durable which can tow a caravan.

[tunnie]

Question: Would a Saab 9-5 be a good Omega alternative.

Answer: No, it's FWD.

I've tried FWD as a replacement, I missed RWD far more than I thought I would.