Viggen Update - waiting…

May 8th, 2008 · 23 Comments

Drew B has little to do during the work day, so he was able to stop by and snap the following pics of my Viggen looking quite lonely in my repairer’s yard.

Despite the fact that it’s been there for over a week now, I still haven’t received a quote from the repairer yet. I spoke with the repairer this morning and he said he’d try and have the quote done by the end of this week. Getting the quote will be the major step in finding out whether it’s going to be fixed or written off.

Fingers crossed.

On another domestic note, I got my 900 back from Stu the Lens Genius, who’s been looking after it for the last two months while I had the Subaru WRX. Stu was sad to see it go.

I was planning on selling the 900 to feed my Alfa fetish whilst the Viggen affair drew to its conclusion. After getting it back last night, I drove down to our local shopping center to pick up our 17 year old from work. He seemed quite keen on the car all of a sudden, so it seems the 900 is staying to become his first car.

Much better than the Honda he was looking at, don’t you think?

Tags: Troll stuff

23 responses so far ↓

1 Saaby // May 8, 2008 at 3:25 pm

Right on. I drove my parents’ and siblings’ cars until I finally got my first car at 21, but it is a 9000 and I love it. We’ve had some, uhh, adventures together already…but you said it right: If I wanted B-O-R-I-N-G I would’ve bought a Honda!
2 Jeff // May 8, 2008 at 3:28 pm

Definitely the best first car for any kid. It’ll spoil him, though. I’m speaking from experience.
3 Mag-X // May 8, 2008 at 4:13 pm

Look out. My 900 was my first car, and it makes for quite an addiction.
4 ctm // May 8, 2008 at 5:04 pm

Poor Viggen, having to sit there next to a BMW…
5 alaero // May 8, 2008 at 5:30 pm

Tell drew to get back to work and stop stalking Viggen’s

a.
6 Gunnar // May 8, 2008 at 5:43 pm

Poor, poor Viggen. At least it’s in the best of company
7 Brett // May 8, 2008 at 6:09 pm

What’s that! You Tasmanians allow your youth to learn to drive in and own those turbo charged death machines!
Aren’t you paying attention to what your betters in NSW and Vic. have done to protect our youngsters from themselves.;^))
8 saabill // May 8, 2008 at 7:16 pm

saab spotting is drew’s job
9 Eirik // May 8, 2008 at 7:55 pm

Great choice, I wish I had a 900aero as my first car

But if this was MY son, I’d probably remove the APC-fuse until he’s had the car a year or so (Making it run on base boost pressure)
10 swade // May 8, 2008 at 8:06 pm

The APC is actually removed! I’m not totally sure what the setup is as I’m mechanically illiterate, but it’s running a manual boost control as far as I know.
11 PT // May 8, 2008 at 8:56 pm

A very nice first car. You might want to put some compulsory conditions on the deal though steve. Wash once a month for istance……… No reflection on your family - more on my own, very messy, younger days..
12 MarkS // May 8, 2008 at 9:10 pm

Swade, you were planning to sell your 900 to get an Alpha?? Good GOD…someone check this man’s vital signs!!!! I nearly choked on my coffee just now!!
13 No.9 // May 8, 2008 at 10:21 pm

Imagine a modern interpretation of that car and it’s absolutely inimitable profile! What a lost opportunity
14 Danni // May 8, 2008 at 10:57 pm

Swade - tell him if he wants a washing machine which works metronomically 365 days a year, he should get the Honda. My wife is on a second itiration of the Honda Civic VTEC (MY08 VTEC VXi purchased new on 15 Feb) and although it is a vast improved in terms of ride and handling and comfort and safety (8-airbags), it is really bland and the get-up and go of the screaming VTEC of the early 90’s is gone. I wish I was as lucky as this 17-year old. Good boy to deserve a 900 at such an early age. Just kerb his testosterone - ask his dad!
15 J // May 9, 2008 at 2:33 am

I’ll take your LB Viggen over that Bimmer, with or without the front bumper.
16 NineTwoX // May 9, 2008 at 6:02 am

IMO, depends on the Honda he was looking at and the purpose of it. An EG or EK hatch could make an amazing project/auto-x car. They have tons of aftermarket support and some really nice engine swaps.
17 WooDz // May 9, 2008 at 8:00 am

Swade.. Just tell him if he bends the 900 around a tree.
You’ll just have to bend his nuts round a branding iron!

I’m sure he won’t take it over 30…

For about a week away….

Lucky lucky kid
18 Markac // May 9, 2008 at 11:54 am

A 16S Aero at 17! Has your son got an insurance quote yet? Insurance companies seem to love turbos and teens. At least two mainland states bar you from driving powerful cars until you have a few years driving experience. Perhaps a late 80s EMS hatch or 2 door?
19 swade // May 9, 2008 at 11:56 am

The car is still under my name and he’ll be a shared driver. We haven’t got a quote yet but it was $40 extra a month when we put his slightly older brother on the policy to drive the 9000CS. Geoff knows he has to cover the added cost of the premium. We’ll see how we go.
20 Markac // May 9, 2008 at 12:21 pm

Your son’s really lucky. My first real car was a VW fastback with swing axles and cross ply re-treads. It was quite exciting on a wet day! I soon put some Pirelli radials on it. BTW that was in Tasmania too!
21 Jeff // May 9, 2008 at 1:27 pm

My dad’s first car was a Beetle. His second was a Mustang II. His third was a Honda Prelude. Ford Escort, Dodge Intrepid, Saab 900S, Acura TL.

He says the Mustang was the worst (of course) and he loves Hondas.

Oh well, at least he isn’t into Toyoters like my friend’s dad.
22 rogan2915 // May 9, 2008 at 1:28 pm

Sounds like insurance over there is pretty harsh compared to the U.S……

I’m 17 now, and insuring my ‘03 9-3 SS Vector wasn’t any more expensive than it would have been to insure me on pretty much any car of that age/value. I was 16 when I got the car.

And don’t flame me. I paid for it.
23 SaabFreak // May 11, 2008 at 12:08 am

I’m still remembering I wanted to buy a new VW Golf…..because I was real crazy on those cars. Till somebody drag me too the Saab dealer and gave me an Saab 93 for a testride. After driving it I was in love with this car. At the moment I’m driving my third Saab and orderd my fourth Saab….a Vector Sport 93 TTiD SS :). My conclusion…..once driving a Saab…….you allways stay driving a Saab.

BTW….I still love the VW GTI MK1 :P:P:P