1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
I can only speak for myself about why I chose a classic Saab 900 over any other car, but I am sure that my thoughts may mirror what other owners may have experienced in their automobile careers. My relationship with my 900S has been fraught with exasperation and sweat, but I love that car of mine.
Before I bought my first Saab, I had just about owned every car and had done about everything you can do to one. I grew up in the automotive trade, so from early on I had the fortune of knowing how to service and repair everything that I have ever owned. Like building my first hot rod when I was 15. Although I liked these cars, they for the most part had no personality. Everyone has or had a hot rod Ford or Chevy or Honda or whatever. Nothing unique, just wheels that you drove until you threw it away and bought another one.
Basically, my first Saab was a $500 85 900T, which I had discovered by accident. A friend urged me to buy it, so I did. I had to put a few parts into it to make it roadworthy, but after doing that I quickly found out that this beat-up looking thing could blow the doors off of just about everything on the road and out-corner the rest. I was amazed! Not only that, but it was solid and safe enough to take a 1200 mile road trip to California at about 90 MPH a month later without a hitch. Try that with an old Honda or Chevy! And with about 3 hours under the hood with a tune-up and a few minor adjustments, I got that old thing even quicker without any problems. At that time it had 180K on it. I drove it another 25K.
I sold it about 4 months ago to purchase my present steed, a 1990 900S. That old Saab of mine is still on the road to this day, its owner very happy with it.
I bought my 900 with about 150K on it, so basically I have been at it repairing odds and ends, including both axles, a driver, an alternator, and ball joints. It has cost me a pretty penny and some time to boot, but I knew this when I bought the car. Other than that, it is perfect. 3000 miles or more without using a single drop of oil, 25-30 MPG at 70 miles per hour 5 days a week (I commute 130 miles a day across the high desert in Colorado), and very safe when it comes to transporting my family and me on a 2500 mile round trip to Oregon. Snow simply does not faze it, other than me slowing down to negotiate icy turns. I am absolutely in love with my Saab.
Personally, I don’t think that Saabs are for everyone. The parts are hard to find when you are in a pinch and not very cheap. If you cannot do most of the work yourself, you will find that either the repairs are expensive or that nobody wants to touch it. They are alternatively engineered, which means that some things on them might not be where you expect them to be, such as the alternator. But having come from a background with the big three, I find it both challenging and refreshing that someone had an original vision on how to build a great car.
I love my car. It is unique enough that me and other Saab owners check each other’s cars out when we are at the stoplight. It is the safest car that I have ever owned; my family and I stand a good chance of surviving a collision. It is speedy enough to handle high mountain passes without gasping and the corners without worry. It is the most well balanced car I have had the pleasure of owning. Yes, the parts are a bit pricey, but the good thing is that I won’t have to replace them for another 150K. For once I am excited about owning an investment, not just another car on the road.
, Thu, 14 Dec 2000 10:21:52
, Wed, 13 Dec 2000 20:41:09, Wed, 13 Dec 2000 11:11:23
, Wed, 13 Dec 2000 10:40:00, Wed, 13 Dec 2000 08:59:52
, Wed, 13 Dec 2000 07:56:41
, Wed, 13 Dec 2000 09:57:00
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