1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Thank you all for the GREAT feedback!
I'm in Mass, so salt is a reality, though much less so than Montreal, where I lived before moving to the USA 3 yrs ago. Honestly, I've been feeling guilty driving my Jag in the stuff, and it's a pretty horrible winter car, even with proper tires (I got it 2 yrs ago from Florida, underside still looks great, thinking it should be kept that way).
Sooo, I'm looking at an older Saab, not to keep it going forever, but to get maybe 3 fun yrs out of a nice one, then resell it without taking too much of a bath. My 9-5 Aero could take its place then once it loses its states as our primary vehicle (it's getting to be cosmetically a little rough though drives great, fitted Bilstein HDs, new bushings, etc.). An Alfa Giulia comes to mind, once they get cheap enough, to take over from the 9-5.
I've driven a Viggen before, yes its squirrely, but I LIKE a lively (if somewhat less than competent) car. The 9-3 hatches are more fun than my 9-5 Aero, in my opinion, despite being much less refined, less comfy, less speedy, less stable, etc. I think there's a perverted logic in this: My '61 MGA has 155 section tires that don't stick. Its handling is incredibly lively at close to legal speeds, and it is FUN!!! :-)
I had a 2007 BMW 328xi coupe for less than a year, felt clinical, sterile even. We kept fighting for the keys to the Saab. The Jag XK8 that replaced it is a much more communicative car (awesome steering feel), even if it's heavy and more of a GT / less nimble.
I also like character. The old 900s have more of that than perhaps anything shy of an air cooled 911. I think I'd like one. Of each! ;-)
I work 50hr weeks and travel a lot and I'm not interested enough to have my playtime filled by wrenching, even though in retirement it's something I'd like to learn.
Can I reasonably expect to put 8-10k miles on a '93 900 Turbo that looks to be in decent shape and has been adequately maintained, for no more than what should average out to $2,500/yr in repairs, paying a competent mechanic to handle the work? Or am I way, way off? Also don't want to worry all the time of getting stranded, I do travel Boston / Montreal regularly...
Thanks again!!!
Best,
Rick
posted by 65.242.24...
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