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, Tue, 20 Mar 2012 13:20:28
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My wife is the same way. I've owned Saabs since long before we met, but she is a quality time person. In case you don't know, that means fully focused on each other and nothing else. No distractions. She needs a certain amount every night or she does not feel loved. She sees the Saabs as competition. So as funny and ironic as that sounds, it's like the Saabs are "the other girl" or something and she really resents me working on them. Oh, and we have 7 right now after she told me I could only have 3. I'm working on that.
That being said, you have a couple of options, and if your fiance will listen, it is well worth explaining.
First, you could go with a new(er) car. To get a good one, you're looking at probably $10,000 more than you could get a good c900 for. So monthly payments. That's all fun and good, but it does not necessarily mean you will not be spending money on it. You will still have to do regular brake pads and rotors, tires, fluid changes, maintenance, etc at the same interval as the Saabs. Insurance alone will more than likely be more than you spend per month on parts for the c900, and with certain brands, you physically cannot do maintenance yourself without setting off a warning light or voiding some warranty. That means only the dealer can do anything for you which will bring a significant markup in price.
Second option.... a c900. Yes, you have to spend time and money on a regular basis to fix it (my former indie once said to expect to spend $2000 per year). That really isn't much. Plus, in the end you will probably be able to sell it for more than you got it for since c900 value is increasing now. Insurance is less, no loans EVER!!! YAY!!!! You can pay cash for every one if that's your thing. If something comes up that is more expensive to fix than to find a new one, just cut your losses and find a new one. Or part the old one out, keep the good parts that you spent so much money on, and you could turn a profit (just finished parting out an '85 SPG that I got for free - a rust bucket with bad wiring harness. I ended up pulling around $2500 in profit plus at least $1500 that I would not have had to spend on parts for my other c900s including new 2.5" exhaust with new cat, wheels with new tires, louvres, SPG panels, sway bars, etc).
SO when it comes down to it, you spend either money or time on your vehicle. If it's a c900, you spend more time but save a TON more money from what I have found. Plus, working on a c900 I have found it inspires me. I love being able to figure stuff out myself and feel guilty taking it in to a shop if I haven't at least tried to do it myself. I love it. My wife and I recently sat down and talked about some things that will make it easier for both of us in relation to the Saabs. I said I would stop what I'm working on when she comes home and make sure to sit down with her first to talk about her day. Then I will devote at least two days a week to just her. Then she said she would help me work on the car if I would walk her through it rather than leaving her to figure it out.
I thought that was a great trade off and huge steps in the right direction. Just some thoughts. I hope they help.
posted by 205.122.2...
, Tue, 20 Mar 2012 13:20:28
, Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:39:25, Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:41:36
, Mon, 26 Mar 2012 06:47:30
, Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:55:03, Wed, 21 Mar 2012 05:22:33, Wed, 21 Mar 2012 04:05:37, Wed, 21 Mar 2012 04:38:27
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