# Saab 9-5 or Volvo XC70 **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [May 14, 2008, 12:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/saab-9-5-or-volvo-xc70/14008 "2008-05-14T12:35:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DeadBlazer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@DeadBlazer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/DeadBlazer)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 12:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/saab-9-5-or-volvo-xc70/14008/1 "2008-05-14T12:35:12Z")
I am looking at wagons large enough to fit three kids in car seats in the back row. This search has narrowed down to either an '05 Saab 9-5 wagon (Arc or Aero) or an '05 Volvo XC-70, with leanings towards the Saab 9-5 due to better gas mileage. I wanted to see if anybody had comments on the reliability of one car over the other. I am planning on purchasing either a certified car or an extended warranty (likely through warranty direct). Also, any other thoughts on wagons that might work (and I am not considering minivans or SUVs for many reasons, but gas mileage is a big one). I had considered the VW Passat, but was scared away by reliability on these cars in the last several years. Thanks for any thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 1:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/saab-9-5-or-volvo-xc70/14008/2 "2008-05-14T13:24:07Z")
Make sure you test out three seats across. My brother a happy owner of a Saab 9-5 Aero uses Britax(larger ones) and it looks tight to put a center one in but maybe possible with narrower seats. ---
**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 2:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/saab-9-5-or-volvo-xc70/14008/3 "2008-05-14T14:04:05Z")
Either Swede is likely to be more expensive to repair than an American or Asian model. ---
**Author:** ![DeadBlazer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@DeadBlazer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/DeadBlazer)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 3:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/saab-9-5-or-volvo-xc70/14008/4 "2008-05-14T15:32:27Z")
I have. Actually I can fit the Britax Marathon, Chicco infant carrier, and one booster. And the Britax will be replaced by a booster in about 3-5 months, so then I only have to fit two boosters and the infant carrier. It is tight, but fits. To go bigger I have to consider minivans or SUVs and for gas mileage reasons I don’t want to go there. What concerns me is the reliability reputation of the 9-5. The 9-5 is wide in the back seat though with 56" of hip room. The next closest appears to be the XC 70 at about 54". ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 4:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/saab-9-5-or-volvo-xc70/14008/5 "2008-05-14T16:43:41Z")
That great on seats. Boosters seem much more reasonable in width. With regards to reliability I believe Saab’s are average, my brother has less problems from 45k - 95k than his Nissan Maxima. If you are buying one that is not certified find a good independent shop with a reputation of knowing Saab. I believe the key to any used make especially Euro brands is a good shop. Dealers can be good but of course you pay dearly in most cases for that.