What if……….
Regular visitors here will know that I’m currently awaiting notice as to whether my Viggen will be repaired or written off. If it’s written off, then I have a decision to make, which is not proving to be an easy one. Of course, I’d prefer that the decision is taken out of my hands a\due to the car being repaired, but……
Recently, we’ve been looking around for a car for our young bloke. He was going to take over my 900 Aero, but we had a chat about it and figured that he’d be better off without me stressing out over the car all the time 
. It’s been fun looking around, though, and it’s amazing how many cars that I wanted to own in my younger years have come down in price.
Which got me thinking……
What if my car was written off, and I kept the 900 as a regular driver and then cycled through all those cars I wanted over the years? A sort of Viggen-funded automotive Valhalla of sorts. The theory would be that I’d have a starting fund of around $20K and I’d have to find a good example of the car for a cheap price, drive it and look after it for 6 months, then move it on for as close to that price as possible, maybe even a small profit to cover stamp duties etc. Then I get the next one off the list.
It’s a very attractive thought. Here’s some of the cars I’d enjoy cycling through and their current asking price, which I’d have to talk down a bit:
- Porsche 944 - $15,000 - My brother-in-law would be pleased.
Alfa GTV V6 - 14,900 - Have always been hot on these.
BMW 635CSi - $20,000 - Probably the only BMW I’d ever consider.
Jaguar XJS - $16,490 - Have loved Jags since I was a kid…..
MG BGT - $16,000 - ….and MG’s as well. I think it’s my Dad’s influence.
Mazda RX-7 - $6,250 - I’d prefer metallic blue
Nissan 300ZX - $16,000 - A friend had one when it was knew and it made an impression.
Peugeot 205 GTi - $5,490 - one of the first hot hatches.
Honda CRX - $9,000 - the pocket rocket.
Pontiac Trans-Am - $20,000 - no way I’d actually buy this, but loved it when I was a kid.
Triumph TR6 - $20,000 - again, for some reason I like British.
Volvo 850R - $10,400 - cheaper than a P1800
Alfa Romeo 105 series GTV 2000 - $7,500 - classic Italian, which means trouble.
Wouldn’t that be a little bit of fun?
Hopefully, though, the Viggen will get fixed so I don’t have to make a decision.
More from this category
- Site problems II
- Mamma Mia - Volvo’s summer road trip songs!
- Site problems
- Welcome to the new TS. Same as the old one really.
More from this author
Subscribe to this author
Recent Comments
- 2-don on Friday Snippets
- Jeff on Friday Snippets
- Jeff on Lance Cole: The Saab Psychosis
- Jeff on Friday Snippets
- Jeff on Saab 9-1 - the opinion
- Markac on Saab 9-1 - the opinion
- Swade on Friday Snippets
- rogan2915 on Lance Cole: The Saab Psychosis
- zippy on Friday Snippets
- joemama on Saab 9-1 - the opinion
Good idea in theroy, but I doubt it would play out so well. Those cars would probably end up needing repairs either right away or before the six monts is up. People tend to neglect the small things if they are going to sell it.
Yeah, I know. It’s a pipe dream as the cars wouldn’t sell that quickly anyway. I’d never be able to do it consistently at 6 months. But geez it’d be fun.
Maybe I’d try a few of the cheaper ones first just to see how it goes. Though if I were to do this and not get the Porsche, my Canadian Porsche-loving brother-in-law would never forgive me!
Swade,
You must have been a playboy in your previous life.
The cars you have chosen are all supermodels!
Nice to look at, but would you really want to own one for more than a night.
The Jag XJS, forget it mate, you will never see your money again.
That guy will throw a party when he sells that one!
Now the Porsche 944, excellent car, underrated, good resale. So Hot!
It’s a neat idea, don’t know how well it would work out, but neat nonetheless. Here’s what I think of all your choices, because opinions are fun:
944 - Meh. These cars always make me think of that guy from Sixteen Candles.
GTV - Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh not a fan.
635CSi - The “i” stands for “irritating”.
XJS - XJ yes yes yes yes yes!
MGB - Very fun. They’re not fast, but they sure do feel like it.
RX-7 - First-gen RX-7s will always be cool, especially if you swap in one of the turbo Wankels.
300ZX - Bleh. They’re not bad cars, but they have that “I’m 19 and I like to drift” image. I like 240Z’s and 280Z’s, though.
205 - I don’t know and have no opinion.
CRX - Soooooooooo fun. I can’t believe they junked them for the Del Sol.
Trans Am - A Smokey? Ugh. All flash and no ’stache. Malaise-era pony cars are a joke. Go for a first-gen Trans Am, you could use it for practical lessons on car repair. And you could wedge such huge engines in there! Cadillac 8.2L FTW.
TR6 - I love these things. My dad’s friend has one. I’ve only seen it driving once, though.
850R - There’s a reason it’s cheaper than the P1800.
2000 - Much cooler than the other GTV.
Lawn Mower - $110.00
There are some serious hoon-mobiles on that list… ;P
Damn, I meant “bandit” up there, not “smokey”. That’s totally backwards.
The 635 CSi has the exact same interior my old 86 Camry had in it!!!
Jeff, enjoyed the counter-comms. The 300ZX made it up there by virtue of the fact there weren’t any decent 280s for sale. Don’t think I’d have the energy to wrestle with a 260.
Richo. You’re a goose.
Swade. Go the 6er!!
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u281/Hergest/8-1.jpg
Camry interior indeed.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u281/Hergest/4-1.jpg
Swade,
I know of a blue viggen in NSW for sale and dare i say it creams all those cars, and with the change left over and your current mods installed on the NEW Vig it would be a serious machine.
a.
You could buy another Viggen or buy your wreck from the insurers, buy another 9-3 and turn it into a Viggen. That would be fun!
Most of these cars are called - MONEY PITS - especially the XJS, BMW and Alfa.
The Porschaa is the best bet -but ONLY if you get the camshaft inspected prior to buying -otherwise it will be a money crevasse.
DO NOT travel in any Peugeot 205, those things fold up like a crisp bag, the doors are hollow and the roof collapses at the drop of fart.
If the Wiggen - as they say in Germnay - gets written down, why not just buy a cheap 93 shell and transfer all the bits?
You know it makes sense mate…
If its not to be a Saab ( joses 93…….) I reckon a 944 S2 in good shape would be hard to beat. Even practical with the hatch back. The alternative would be a very aged 911 or possibly a decent 928 but you’d be lucky to get a manual transmission. Nice motor though.
Swade,
You should budget $2,000 on top of the asking price to catch-up on regular maintenance.
Having driven most of the cars on your list, I can tell you that I would take a Viggen over any of them. I hope you don’t blow $20,000 to find-out the same thing.
PT, you’re supposed to be buying Jose’s car, aren’t you? Time to commit!
Al, I think I know the Viggen you’re talking about, but I’m not sure I’m affluent enough to get that one. I’m also quite sure he’s cashing in. He’s only had it a few months.
Swadey,
I made a mistake its not the “affluent” one i was thinking of, but a black one at a dealer thats wants $16k
a.
It’s a really nice thought, I must admit. I guess there isn’t a “change of ownership-fee” in Australia (approx US$ 300 - 4000 here)? I’ve always wanted a 944 for as long as I can remember, and I almost bought a 924 with 944 styling before buying my first car (embarrased) .
In the end though, I think it might make you miss your Viggen and love Saab even more.
I had no idea that they ever sold the Pontiac Trans Am in Australia. I guess you do learn something new every day… and now that I’ve done that, I can go back to sleep.
Edonis
We don’t have a change of ownership fee but there is stamp duty charged. The buyer has to pay this (3-4% of the purchase price) on registration of the transfer.
In Queensland, where I live, they vary the percentage depending upon the size of the engine, most SAABs being 4 cylinders, qualify for the 3% rate. But V8s are taxed at 4%.
One of my friends recently got a 1990 Porsche 944 S2 (the 16v version) it’s clocked 160k km and he bought it for ithink 65k swedish which is about 11k US$. Very nice car I must say….comfortable, but with some bite when you feel like it. Only thing that was annoying was the lack of a 6th gear…
I always wanted a Honda CRX. What a great little fuel efficient car.
A Mazda RX-7 is an interesting choice although I would have to take that rotary engine out of it, throw it in the trash and find something else to power it. Those things were nothing but trouble.
Hopefully the Viggen is raised from the dead.
What a bunch of crap cars! And those prices are about 50% more than they’re actually worth. In the case of the XJS, about 75% out.
What’s wrong with a Mercedes 240D?
DB
Swade, it would appear that you have the reseach on the list. If the car can be sold in the specified time period, then that is good. It should be fun. In the US, there is a TV show about buying/fixing/selling a house within a month or so, very interesting from a project management stand point. Good luck!
I would say: go for some serious Swedish steel. Like a Volvo 242 L from 1976. Preferable orange with mustard color seats.
http://home.swipnet.se/oldtimers/242.jpg
Alright… my opinions….
944 - Just get a 911, will ya?!
GTV - Doesn’t get much better than that. Not the prettiest alfa ever made, but hey, it’s an alfa.
635CSi - Beautiful. Could waste your entire 20k on maitenence though.
XJS - Ummmmm….. don’t do that to yourself.
MGB - Kinda cool but doesn’t really seem that special for some reason.
RX-7 - Friends dad has one of these, I’d bet that you’d find it less exciting than you imagine.
300ZX - YES!!!! Best looking Japanese car ever made, and nice and fast.
205 - I don’t like Puegots in general.
CRX - This was kinda ruined for me by all of the ones runing around in the US with chipping paint and exhausts the size of a small cannon.
Trans Am - Don’t get me wrong, I love my American muscle but that’s got a 3 speed auto. Enough said.
TR6 - If you insist…..
850R - Volvo R cars are awesome machines. It’s probably out of the price range but S60 R = drool.
2000 - That’s cool if you can deal with it.
Well, if it was me…
944 - turbo only
GTV - hmm italian, trouble
635CSi - nice one, but parts?
XJS - Parts, parts, parts
MGB - nice old car, slow but a nice cruiser.
RX-7 - Classic, but engine repairs.
300ZX - nah, to much “new license” feel about that.
205 - IMHO stay far away from french cars.
CRX - fun gocart, fast in the 2 first gears then nothing.
Trans Am - nah, get an older US car instead
TR6 - I’m rebuilding the electrical system on my brother inlaws. fun car, but get one with EFI.
850R - no way.
2000 - hmm italian, trouble
some other options:
Mitsubishi FTO, small and fun mini
Mitsubishi 3000GT, large sport, lodas of gadgets
BMW E30 318is, great track car
Toyota celica supra MKII with the 5M-GE
Datsun 280 ZX, classic
I always said, once a saab , always a saab. It has been the truth for 6 saabs in a row, and today it’s funeral day. I signed the order for a volvo V70 ( saab was not in the list of possible representative company cars anymore - too expensive ). I feel sad ( my wife isn’t ). Please saab executives in Sweden or Detroit, make a new old 900 at a reasonable price and you will sell MUUUUUUUUUUCH more cars around the globe. Don’t invest that much in stupid marketing campaigns, and in stupid suv’s which will be soon out of the market. Forget Biopower, and go for a small petrol engine, and a nice diesel. Just hope that someone reads this from those GM people.
I still love saab a lot !!!!
My choices:
Alfa GTV V6 - 14,900 - Have always been hot on these.
BMW 635CSi - $20,000 - Probably the only BMW I’d ever consider.
Peugeot 205 GTi - $5,490 - one of the first hot hatches.
Volvo 850R - $10,400 - cheaper than a P1800
“What’s wrong with a Mercedes 240D?”
Nothing if you’re looking to cure your insomnia…. I did have a look at Mercs for sale and there was absolutely nothing there that was interesting.
ctm, I did find an old Vovlo 2-door that was interesting (to look at, at least). Don’t know if I’d want to own one, though.
I’d love to do the Porsche thing, but I’d be scared that if I did, I wouldn’t want to sell it again.
I found a 1990 or so Benz 190E for sale here for 3k. I wanted it.
Swade, what happened to the white 9-5?
How remarkable that your list was so similar to the one I came up with when shopping for cars. I’m in a 94 9000 Aero now and pretty satisfied.
That said, two choices I think you would do well to look for - I don’t know how rare these cars are in Oz, but:
- 87-88 Mercedes Benz 190 E 2.3-16 Cosworth (the original M3 competitor)
- 94-95 Audi ur-S6 (bulletproof inline-5 turbo)
- 90? Audi S2 (slick one of a kind coupe styling)
- 91-95 Alfa Romeo 164 S/Quad (Italian soul on the 9000’s floor plan)
As you have mentioned, you’re not too much a DIY guy as far as maintenance goes - so I’d avoid the 944 altogether unless you can find a solid S2 or Turbo. The repairs will eat you alive, and with the NA engine just aren’t worth it.
The Jaguar XJS has that same problem - but worse. The shadow of Lucas, prince of darkness, still looms over the car. And the electrics of the TR6 or MG BGT? Do you enjoy self-flaggelation?
But Alfas have an appeal to me that supersede even the terrifying threat of rust and Italian electronics. I have always wanted a GTV 2000 or GTV-6 - if parts are readily available, why not?
The Volvo 850-R is a neat choice too, but I have an innate suspicion of it as the natural arch-enemy of my 9000 Aero. I am considering getting a Calvin peeing on Volvo badge for my Aero to give my Volvophile friends a hard time.
Steve C - Not to…rain…on yor parade, but those Calvin stickers are horrendous. They’re almost as bad as Bob Dylan pushing Cadillacs. Go the brainy route, translate “You roll slowly” into Latin and have that sticker-ized.
The RX-7 looks awesome. It would be pricey to repair about anything that comes along, but that rotary engine would scream a pleasant tune.
Hy heart says the Alfa but my head says 944.
oh man.
the only one I’d really consider would be the 850R. I mean the Alfa is ugly, FWD, and will fall apart. The 944 is old, overpriced, and slow. Avoid the 300ZX, too: modified twin turbo? probably all screwed up and beaten to death.
I could go for the RX-7, though.
Everyone is going to tell you how there are more practical, faster, more efficient, better handling, more reliable cars out there than that 30 year old TA.
But those cars have zero T-tops and no chickens. Get the TA.
944 - Expensive and other than 2,5 litre turbo is crap in a drivers way. But roadholding is the best!!! Nice car.. If not Porsches best!
GTV - Nice looking car but expensive in every way possiblie.
635CSi - BMW´s own Porsche 928.. Truble!
XJS - Someone wrote Yes yes yes.. R U Kiddin me?? It´s CRAP! The vehicle is an outstanding looker but tech.. Eeehhh CRAP!!!! Hade one and DONE that.. NEVER AGAIN! EXPENSIVE!!!.. But.. Classy. Buy a Rolls instead and buy Citroën parts for the hydraulic. Much more classy and cheaper.
MGB - Cool car if you feel like dooin some gritty work and welding and.. more.
RX-7 - Nice car.. Likes petrolium.. Both in Gas and oil ways. The Wankel engine has never been a success but the RX-7 is a hit comming to roadhold! Realy fun ca. Haven´t owned one but driven them and sold the follower RX8 which is a better car technicaly but inferior in most to to the RX-7. The RX-7 is cool cool cool.. BUT.. not reliable at all.
300ZX - Boooooring!
205 - French connection CRAAAAP!!!. Sold Peugeots too. Reliability is 0%. Fun to drive when they work though.
CRX - In Sweden they all rusted through (All versions). But when they worked they gave some good fun to the driver. But not by a longshot to a 900 Aero or the Escort RS2000.
Trans Am - Classic 350/350.. But.. FUN? No… Dragracer? Yes!
TR6 - Nice! Durable? No.. (Saab/ Trimph= Ol´school fun 96 and 99 style!)
850R - A Volvo with power. (225hp I-5T) Don´t let enyone let you think that the T5R where better than the 9000 AERO THAT YOU SHOULD BUY!!!!!, is better. The TR5´s times in every aspect were worse than that of the Aero. The 9000 is superiour in every aspect. . Handling, Comfort (Mega Plus over the Volvo.. 9000 seats should be revived!), Performance, durability.
Alfa GTV 2000 - Good choice. But you would have to spend alot of hours in the driveway fiddling with your engine. Otherwise, the car is a hoot!
Recommendation… Buy a 9000 AERO, A 9-5 2,3t (Hirsch) an Alfa GTV 2000. A T-A? Ok if you want the blurr but no driveability.. The TransAm and firebirds are pure for show and sound.. Not for driving. Ooooh, And yes.. Driven them too. And if you buy a GTV2000.. Turbocharge it and buy a different gearbox…
Cheers/Tom
I know you’re interested in the Alfa GTV, but what about the Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo? I don’t know if you got those in Oz but you see them all over the UK and they seem like a wonderfully Italian take on the Viggen, all the way down to the torque steer and polarizing styling.
And they can’t be any more of a headache to maintain than a V6 Alfa, so either would be an awesome choice. Also, ever consider one of the Q4 Alfas?
Finally, if you want to stay Swedish, did Australia get the 1998-2000 Volvo V70R? Those things had AWD, 250hp and a turbo, plus they were only offered as a wagon. It really doesn’t get any better than that. They also depreciate faster than a sinking ship thanks to the perceived unreliability of the AWD system. Just be religious about maintaining your tires at an the same pressure and you’ll be fine.