BLS Wagon 1.9 150 bhp auto

Brilliant. I thought I was taking a gamble, but have been delighted with this American/Swede!

St.Davids Saab bought a job lot 48 of BLS saloons and wagons in Dec 2009. I had no intention of buying one, but stumbled across these attractive cars whilst looking for a small hatch for my son.
I say I bought this used, but actually it was registered on 31 Dec 2009 and when I collected mine it had just 20 miles on the clock. 16 months on it now has 35,000 and I have used the car in 15 countries & prefer it over our 2010 BMW 320.
Here are the goods bits.
1: Looks, it turns heads - nobody can make it out and folk often take a second look.
2: Comfort. Electrically adjusted Heated Leather Saab seats - excellent.
3: Economy between 39-49mpg on an auto, usually about 42. I reckon that's great.
4: So was the £15,772 price I paid, especially as we lost only £2500 on our Volvo C30 D5 auto - we certainly got a good deal.
5: Suspension - very good over bumps & ruts (far better than BMWs we have run).
6: Sat Nav gives 3 route options, and flags up Red, Amber or Green hold up guides, & is easily understood.
7: Excellent kit count, it even has elec folding mirrors!
8: Coped well in the snow.
Here are the bad bits;
1: Corners like a ship, so I just go more slowly & let the torque pull me down the straights.
2: Corrosion on wheels (my car was built in 2008 and probably sat in a field for a year).
3: Tarnished brightwork on tailplate begrudgingly replaced under warranty.
4: Servicing costs roughly 80% higher than BMW.
5: Parts & Warranty claim on a minor break down in London left me car less for 17 days after the 5 day courtesy car was handed back.
6: Offered only £7000 as a trade in after 16 months at a Renault dealer.
7: Sport Button is useless, as it only locks the car in low gears rather than re-mapping the throttle.
8: Bose sound system is only just good enough.

In summary out of the 50 odd cars I have bought this one has surpassed my expectations & warrants a spot in the top 5. It just goes to show the journalists don't always get it right, and also it shows how a good discount (£9000 in effect) can transform an OK car into a great one.

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