[Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
 | [Main General Bulletin Board | BBFAQ |
Prev by Date | Next by Date | Post Followup ]
Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos
The Meaning of Of SAAB, the vehicles, and the owners, Posted by MattWiltse [Email]  (#263) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from MattWiltse) on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:02:51
Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup
|
One time SAAB owner, returned. After 7 years of driving adequate vehicles, I got fed up with my "pleasant" Accord 4cyl that I use for work (commuting 35mi ea. way, as well as frequent meetings with clients). If a car is going to be this dull and uninteresting (albeit manufactured to at least an "adequate", and usually even better manner in every measurable way), it should be at least TROUBLE FREE. But alas, it fell far short of that goal... charging system issues, cooling system issues, and even a transmission.
No car is trouble free. So, one of my co-workers bought a SAAB about a year ago. An ng900. I rode in it, and the "charisma" that runs through these cars struck me all over again. The upright seating, the strange logic that seems to drive the decision making and design process that creates a vehicle that feels genuinely UNIQUE and WONDERFUL.
Then, a neighbor goes and buys a '95 9-3 Linear. Nice. A little "corporate in it's feel, but a truly wonderful car. Then the jerk goes and takes a long road trip this summer and calls me every so often, telling me (amongst other things) how great his car is doing, comfortable, fast, economical, and FUN! Like a teenage boy after his first date! And I soldier on in my practical little beige sedan.
Then, it has more problems (leaky brake caliper, electrical issues). Within days, I'm pulling into work, some jackass in an F-150 decides to drive down a two-way turn lane about 1/2 mile, at apx. 45-50 mph (through the dedicated left-turn lane I am using to turn left into my office, now skidded to a dead stop, horn blaring), sees me with inches to spare, swerves INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, back in to the turn lane, and into his own office. I was very nearly killed, and my vehicle was not "up to the task" of protecting me. That made my decision far more clear.
I came across a nice, old SAAB convertible, and I kick around the idea for a couple of days. Do you think this would really work? (My old Turbo sedan gave me over 280k mi before dying, and I drove it like young guys do, and didn't put any real money into repairs... short of it failing to actually run.) And I remember seeing the lists of high-mileage SAAB's on SAABnet, and of course, these boards that helped me to keep my car going in spite of my own self.
Had the 'vert inspected, and it was amazingly sound. I checked my employers guidelines, and there is no requirement that we drive little beige cars, in fact there is no guideline whatsoever, other than it be safe and insurable.
So, I bought the thing. I got the photos below. It is so WEIRD to get behind the wheel of a car that is so "engaging" and FUN! I'm sure I'll be here alot to ask advice, as issues come and go. A car that makes you want to go for a drive because you want to DRIVE IT. Neat.
Matt
'88 900c Turbo 'vert Auto 118k
, Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:02:51 <-- Viewing This Message
, Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:33:43, Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:49:36, Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:10:55, Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:45:03, Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:57:28, Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:51:06
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
