What’s your perfect real-world garage?
In the wake of unfortunate circumstances that unfolded almost a year ago, I find myself today without a car that I loved a heck of a lot - my Saab 9-3 Viggen. Fortunately, though, my personal cloud had a silver lining, and after some successful arguments with my insurers, I think we’ve got a scaled down version of what I’d consider to be almost the ideal set of cars parked in our driveway.
What’s the ideal mix, Swade style? It’s three cars, as follows:
One - the dependable one.
One thing you definitely need is one reasonably modern and reliable vehicle. This is the car that the Mrs drives (you don’t want her getting stranded) and that you can drive if and when one of the others isn’t working.
It’s not that modern now, but our 1994 Saab 9000 is ultra dependable and has almost all the modern conveniences. We’ve had it for around 5 years now and have only had the radiator go in an unexpected manner. Everything else has been just routine maintenance. It’s taken us on family holidays all around the state and has always eaten up the miles with style.
Two - the classic.
If you’re a car enthusiast with an affinity for a particular type of car, then you’ll probably want to add an iconic example of the brand to your garage. Something that really typifies that brand for you. The age is immaterial. It’s the example that matters. Ideally, this is a car that you won’t do too much with. Modifications should be minimal as the preservation of the brand is of some significance.
For me, that’s my 1985 Saab 900 Aero. It’s classic Saab. An icon of the brand. The design is instantly recognisable and it’s turbocharged, just like a Saab should be in my mind.
Three - the fun car.
If you’re fortunate enough to have your modern, dependable car as your fun car, then congratulations. That was the case when I had my Viggen, but we’ve chosen to tread a different path now.
My fun car is essentially an expendable fun car - the Alfa Romeo 33. Hopefully it’ll never get to a point where I might lose the car, but if it does then I won’t be taking the hit I did a year ago. It’s done its job perfectly so far. It’s totally unrefined, uncomfortable and quite primitive. But that doesn’t really matter. It handles like a go kart, has a lot of power for its weight (the best weight reduction strategy for this car would be for me to diet and exercise) and it’s got more character than sack full of grand-pappies.
——
So that’s my ideal mix in theory, and the way it’s played out in reality.
- A reasonable modern and dependable car - Saab 9000
A classic that sums up what I love about Saab - Saab 900 Aero
A fun car for club events and general hoonage - Alfa 33
That’s the way it is now, but I’m not sure that’s how I’d like it to be. Those three are all pretty affordable in today’s dollars and didn’t break our bank to purchase, though the maintenance could prove to be a pain.
If we had some spare cash laying around then I wouldn’t mind keeping the configuration but changing that collection to:
- Dependable, modern car - Saab 9-5 Aero
Classic car - Saab 99 Turbo or Saab Sonett III
Fun car - Probably another type of Alfa, or if I were to feel greedy, a Viggen
——
So what’s your ideal setup and what cars would you choose to fulfill it? Would they all be Saabs or would you throw something else into the mix as well?
This might be a good time to mention that earlier this year I met three of the most prominent executives from SaabUSA during my visit to Detroit. One of them has a classic Buick in the shed. Another has a Porsche 911, and the final one has a 1980s Ferrari. So don’t feel traitorous if they’re not all Saabs, ok?
Fire away with your thoughts in comments, but keep it real. No fantasy garages here. Something attainable in terms of both configuration and the cars you’d use to fill the spots available.
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Eh.. I would have to say that a Saab 99 turbo is more fun than an Alfa… Or just as…
I totally agree, Tom, but I’d be too scared to run a 99T at the same pace as I’d run the Alfa. That’s the point of having the expendable fun car. If you lose it, it’s sad but it’s not a life-changing loss.
99 Turbos are so rare here, you’d have rocks in your head if you abused one nowadays. Too rare to use as a track car. It’s almost getting to be that way for 900 parts here in Australia as well. As I wrote last week, trying to find a good 900 gearbox here is next to impossible.
Mine would be:
Classic: 900 Aero (have)
Daily: 9-3 Aero (have)
Family wagon: 2002 9-5 Aero Sport combi in black
2/3 there!!
a.
Now on our Garage:
Dependable car - 9-3 Sport Combi TTiD A ´08
A Classic - 900 T16S Aero 1991
Fun car is missing, and ideal for me would be 900 Convertible 87-93.
Hmmmm….
Dependable: 1993 900T 5d.
Classic: 1992 900 Aero Turbo-S Convertible
Fun: 1992 900 Aero Turbo-S
Easy, they’re already in the garage!
DB
The now missing 900 i-16 convertible was dependable, classic and fun.
Both 9-3 1ste gen and 9-5 last gen are dependable, future classics and just a bit less fun than the 900. Well, being both diesels the unrefinement of the 2,2 is remarkable against the new and smoother 1,9 and a bit annoying.
I guess 9-3 TTid Aero Convertible would be the ultimate. Not unreachable but at the moment still a bit of a fantasy.
So it is more dependable than real classic and real fun, right now.
I can’t see the fun-factor in an old italian shed of the week, which might be unreliable, no matter how good the pedrigree, the design or whatever. So I guess I’ll save the money for the TTid eventually or of course a simple standard caterham super 7, that unites all 3 factors in one car, just with a bit cramped cockpit … Budget is comparable with the 9-3 convertible somehow. Lotus Elise or Europa S would be tempting if there wasn’t the price tag.
Dependable - ‘08 Saab 9-3 Aero
Classic - ‘97 Pontiac Firebird TransAM WS6
Fun - ‘01 Jeep Wrangler Sport
How’s that for a mix? I actually had a ‘96 TA and ‘01 Jeep. I had a little road indiscrection (accident) with the TA long ago and the Jeep traded in for my current daily driver a Jeep Liberty. Soon I hope to have the Liberty traded for the Saab.
…some day maybe I’ll reaquire the other two.
dependable fun: 9-5 Aero (not dame Edna model)
classic fun : 900 aero vert
Dependable - 08 Saab 9-3 SC Vector TiD (already there)
Classic - 65 Volvo P1800 (already there)
Fun - Mazda MX5-Miata
My wife also have a (boring) Chevrolet (Daewo) Kalos that will be replaced by a Citroen C3 diesel (her decision) in a month .
I have already owned 3 Alfa 33 and 2 Alfa Sprint and one Alfa 75 V6 that all could be placed in category Un-dependable.
Currently:
• 1999 Chevy Venture (family vehicle)
• 1982 Jaguar XJ-S (daily driver, classic, fun-car)
Except for the two bungy cords holding down the van’s hood and the heater not working in the Jag, I’m satisfied with what we have.
The big question for me is whether to park/sell the Jag and start driving a demo vehicle at the dealership.
Hrmm mine would look something like this…
Daily driver (comfortable, resonably fast, good milage) - Maybe my current 9-3 Vector or maybe a Turbo X, something like that.
Utility car (Would need to be big and have AWD) - maybe an Audi A6 Avant or dare I say it, a Subaru Legacy GT
Super fast fun car (self-explanitory) - Lots of stuff I’d take in here, maybe Corvette, Pontiac GTO (Monaro), an older M3 or M5, RS4, WRX STI, Evo, etc.
My real gararge is my perfect garage:
Dependable Car: 1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo
Classic Car: 1973 Saab Sonett III
Fun Car: 2005 Saab 9-2X Aero Sport
-Scott
Oh, and there are 3 non-saab cars I have in mind, sharing the 3 described virtues:
Option is the Lotus Elan from the nineties.
Reliable Isuzu machine. Front wheel drive. Brilliant overengineered and hefty price tag when new. Uncluttered straightforward clear design. Overal dashboard form with the looks of the 9-5. Leightweight and fast enough for me.
The other option I have in mind is the Honda S 2000, which has lot in common with the first option, just the RWD and the cramped cockpit and the fuel consumption give the Lotus its first place on this list.
3th option is the Mazda RX-7. In every aspect the complete opposite of all saabs driven till now. Just a bit more practical than option 1 & 2. Being a tintop & high oil consumption puts it in last place on this list.
What I have currently:
1. The ultimate: MY01 9-5 Aero manual sedan cosmic blue
2. Daily commute for the Mrs: MY08 Honda Civic VXi 1800cc manual sedan champagne silver
3. Runabout: Hyundai Matrix 1.6 GLS manual, green.
What I would change would be # 3: Alfa Romeo 75 2.5V6 Cloverleaf in original condition. This is the last batch of rear-wheel drive Alfa Romeo saloon with the De Dion live rear-axle and has the handling and leech-like grip of a honey badger. My cup will then be filled to the brim.
Current stable:
2002 9-5 Arc (V6)
1997 Honda Accord EX-V6
Ideal:
Dependable, modern: post ‘06 9-5 Aero or a 9-4x Aero (for the Mrs.)
Classic: either a 900 SPG or Viggen
Fun car: TURBO-X, of course!
You know, I could even satisfy all three with the T-X……hmmm…very tempting.
I posted my list in the comments on the Snaab entry a week or so ago. Here’s my modified list to include other options.
Reliable (and fun) (All stick-shifts):
‘03-’05 9-5 Aero Wagon
5-door Viggen
9000 Aero
Mid-90s BMW 5-Series
Fun/Classic:
1991 BMW 325is
‘87-’91 900 SPG (Beryl Green or Edwardian Grey)
‘69-’74 Alfa GTV
BMW 2002
C900 Convertible
3-door Viggen
e36 M3
e30 M3
BMW R1100RS/RT
BMW K1200GT
Utility:
Mid-90’s Chevy Silverado or K-5 Blazer
Or, perhaps something kinda classic like an old Range Rover or something.
VW Vanagon Synchro
Right now the wife and I have:
Mine: 9000 Aero, 5 spd (94K)
Hers: 2000 Subaru Legacy Outback (100K)
Ours: 1994 BMW R1100RS (32K)
Great topic Swade. It’s fun to dream.
My parents’ (not-too-bad) garage:
‘01 9-5
‘06 Chevy Trailblazer
‘89 BMW M3
~P
Besides every 92, 94 (Sonett I), 95, 99 and 900 I could get?
Dependable, modern car - Saab 9-1;
Classic car - Jaguar D-type (replica: if only…);
Fun car - 80’s/ealy 90’s Maserati: a Biturbo or maybe a Quattroporte.
Ohhh cr*p: wake up, Tiago!!!
Only cars I like that are in general population reach is as follows:
2004 or 2005 9-5 Aero
2009 Saab 9-3 Aero XWD
2009 Jaguar XF Supercharged V8
2007 Volvo S60R fully loaded.
Why 3, when 1 could be all? There are cars like BMW M3, some of the Merc AMG models, Audi RS4, and if we stretch it an Alfa Romeo 159 3,2 Q4 SW. The last one may not be recognised as the dependable one by all people, but it should be fine i think.
Cheers.
My dream list:
Dependable/Fun: Saab 9-3 vert.
Classic: Sonett II, GT-850, 99 Turbo, Studebaker Avanti R-3 and Golden Hawk
Reminds me of a song: All I have to Do is Dream. Oh well.
3 posts today Swade, you’re accelerating like a Turbo
My ideal garage:
Fun/Classic: 1970’s Porsche 911. My Dad had a 73 911T that I helped him rebuild/restored and I also learned how to drive stick on this car.
Dependable: I have a couple choices: Subaru WRX STi, Infiniti G35x, or the next generation 9-5.
Dependable/Daily: 2002 9-3 Viggen (own)
Classic: Saab 96 (want)
Fun: 1988 Saab 900T16 Convertible (own)
Honorable mentions for the classic: ‘78 99T, ‘93 900 Commemorative Edition, Saab 93
1 - Saab 9-5
2 - Bicycle
3 - Lawnmover
My dream list
Dependable, modern car - 2008 Saab 9-5 Aero Estate in black, with blacked out light surrounds.
Classic car - original Saab 92 with suicide doors
Fun car for Kerry - New shape 9-3 Convertible in white
Fun car for me - 9-7 Aero, just because I could.
Fun car for Azzy - A pink 9-3 convertible with an invite to Swade to take it for a test drive,
Now at my garage……
Saab 9-3ss 2.0t vector(My2003) Nordic stage2. Saab sport chasis, abbott brakes… As everyday car with powerful engine, fun to drive and to enjoy the everyday driving.
As a great successor for this car it will be the TurboX, for my the perfect machine for this matters, instead of an CLS AMG, 9-5 Aero or something like that.
Classic/fun or similar for weekends and some workdays. MY93 Saab 900 convertible TS(I am doing some minor jobs to leave it as new), fun, classic and convertible. For this days here in Barcelona with aroun 30º and sunny days… perfect. A convertible car, I love it, a 9-3ss as a combination for everyday and weekend car.
Saab 9000 CSE 3.0 V6, as a “joker” if everything fails, this car as a reserve. Incredibly comfort, perfect for everyday use. auto gearbox…
The only thing that I miss is the “fun” car. For my at this time one of the perfect cars is the 911(997) GT3 as a “track weekends”.
I love turbo engines, when I see the GT2 or Turbo, buffffff, but the design and sport feeling, sound and everything of the GT3 its so incredibly bufffff.
I see the new LP560-4, LP640, the Aston DBS…..
Looking at something cheaper, well the Z06, wooooaaaaoooooo for less of a 911 carrera here in Europe you can buy a Z06, 505bhp with less “interior quality”, but incredibly fun to drive.
regards
IMO, the Z06 wouldn’t offer the same driving experience as the 991 Turbo or even the GT3.
I am you on a GT3 though, I’ll take the RS version in Orange pls!
Have:
Reliable: ‘06 9-3 Sportcombi
Classic: ‘98 9000 Anniversary
Fun: All of the above
Want:
Reliable: ‘08 Turbo X Sportcombi
Classic: 1950 Studebaker Starlight Coupe V8
Fun: ‘92 9000 Turbo S (Carlsson) Manual
Autocar tested the Z06 and the GT2, and the Z06 was unable to follow the GT2 in pure acceleration.
The ratio price/perfromance/driving I must recognize that is incredible, in that range of price the Z06 will be the perfect decision, for me. For some more and less “radical” the Aston V8 Vantage its……buaaaa, that exhaust sound, and convertible.
When Saab decides to launch the 9-3 convertible with +300bhp XWD or similar. That will be the perfect car for me. And if they decide to launch a V8 turbo then its like go to the heaven.
something I forget……. MB 190E EVOII, mmmmmmm.
regards
My ideal garage is limited by the fact I only have one garage space at the moment. If i did have more room I would keep the following:
Reliable car - my current ride a 2004 9-5 Aero, a modern classic
Classic car - a 9000 Aero 5sp with modifications by Abbott Racing
Fun car - 9-3 MY2008 convertible, 2.0T 6sp tuned by Hirsch (this is also reliable but being a convertible I would think of it as being for fun)
My current garage fairly close to perfect (for me anyway…)
FUN AND DAILY COMMUTER FOR ME : ‘95 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 (now with Porsche Motorsport clutch and light flywheel, and Billstein racing suspension)
DEPENDABLE (WIFE) : ‘00 MB E320 Estate (4 Matic)
CLASSIC (and Dependable) ; ‘93 Saab 9000 CDI (+90,000 miles and except for battery failure has always started for us. Rusting out now though. AND ‘86 Saab 900 hatchback (.. still kickin’)
ALSO, Daughter bringing her ‘07 Saab 9-3 convert back from college in California. FUN / CLASSIC and DEPENDABLE
They just asked this at Jalopnik, only it was a fantasy, Jay Leno/Sultan of Brunei garage.
Well, I’d have four vehicles, but only three cars, so I think I still fit the criteria.
For a daily driver (dependable), I’d go with any OG9-3SE. Black, automatic (what can I say, I’m driving stick now and I’m definitely too lazy to ever do it again day in and day out), 3-door.
For a classic, I’d go with a 1970 SS396 El Camino, dark blue. Of course, I wouldn’t really treat it like a classic. That bed is there to be used, dammit! Also, since this is real world, it probably wouldn’t be a real SS396 but a clone, which doesn’t bother me one bit. As long as it’s a 4 speed.
For a fun car…Hmmmmmmmmmm…this is tough, since I’m limited to something I might actually have at some point…probably an ‘89 Pontiac Fiero with a Caddy Northstar V8 engine swap.
Last, a Harley Sportster 833 Low, black and blue two-tone. Can’t argue with 60mpg for 8k.
dependable - 1994 saab 9000 aero (got that already!)
fun - lotus exige s
classic - delorean dmc-12
My perfect garage changes every few years, but I am all about having a fun daily driver (summer and winter), so my current ’07 9-3 Aero SportCombi meets those requirements hands down. Best car I have ever owned. Really. Handles brilliantly, and has all the toys. The turbo V6 makes me act like an 18 year old again.
To satisfy my requirements for a rear wheel (classic) car that could melt the tires right off the wheels it would have to be a 1987 Buick Regal Grand National. Menacing, all black and way too much power for the chassis – the last real American muscle car. As a side note – it is (was) the first turbocharged car I ever rode in and later drove. Crazy fast in a straight line.
Third car would be for the wife. She likes fuel efficient, small and dependable so she drives a Pontiac Vibe right now. We could not argue with Toyota reliability at Pontiac prices when we got it, although it is less than exciting to drive. It would be cool to replace it with a Saab 9-x in a few years if the car ever comes to market. Otherwise I am strangely intrigued with the Saturn Astra for some reason as of late. Maybe GM will button up all its shortcomings in the next generation or build a worthy smaller Saab.
If I had the space I’d say:
Dependable: I’d have to say my 1999 9-3 Monte Carlo coupe. But I do keep the mileage down.
Classic: I’d like a 1992 16S Aero converible. Same yellow as the Monte would be nice.
Fun: I’d say a 1976 99 EMS. I’ve owned two and both great fun except for the heavy steering with the little sports steering wheel. A 99 turbo would be better, but too rare and worth a whole lot more.
I don’t see enough Turbo X’s in lists above. Some , but not enough.
Daily and Fun: Turbo X (Have).
Classic: 1959 Corvette (want).
Track: Acura NSX (want).
Back-up Track and Weekend Fun: 2006 Mazda MX-5 (had and sold for Turbo-X). (Best all-around deal in sports cars).
Dreaming: Aero X.
Assuming petrol prices don’t rise any further…
Daily and Reliable: My current 9000 Griffin 2.3T
Fun: 1996 Porsche 993 Carrera 4
Classic: 1993 900 Ruby
Workhorse: 1997 Land Rover 130 300Tdi Crew cab with box body
And if petrol price keep rising … Bicycle
I do have now my dependable fun-classic for alsmost 6 years: a ‘92 3-door 900 S sport (lpt) which is just great. but i did it last week: I ordered a MY ‘09 9-3 SC 2.0tbp Vector. As long as they are just talking about a general speed limit on german autobahn, i thought i had to get me a faster drive before it’s too late :-). so i’ll put the 900 into the classic section.
for dreams:
fun: OG 900 ‘vert
classic: Citroen SM
family: NG 9-5 Aero
thank you swade, for keeping the site up. i’m so happy with that every day!
Current: ‘01 9-5 Aero and 2006 Mazda5 minivan, both with 5 sp. manual trannies.
Ideal would be:
1. Daily driver: current Saab 9-3 Aero, 6 sp. manual, probably XWD but FWD okay, either sedan or SportCombi. I like the new Acura TSX too, but would sorely miss Saab torque.
2. Family hauler: either the Mazda5, which is wonderful, or something a little bigger like a Toyota Highlander.
3. Fun car has to be either a four seat convertible, so the kids can fit, or a muscle car. A BMW 335i convertible or Mustang Bullitt would do the trick.
Saab 93 Aero Sportcombi
Porsche 911 Carrera /BMW M5
Audi Allroad/BMWX5
Brewer 9′6″ single fin sunset gun
Dependable Car, read family vehicle. Saab 9-7X for the Mrs. (Have)
Fun Car, Saab 9-3 XWD Sport Combi (Trading in the 04 9-3 yr for one)
Classic/Fun car Pontiac Aztec. Okay, I’m just joking…..Either a 68 Pontiac GTO Convertible or a 90-92 Saab 9-3 Convertible.
Daily driver: Saab 9-5 Aero w/5-speed
Fun: My 1988 900 Turbo ‘Vert and 1970-72 Buick GSX or 1970-72 Hurst/Oldsmobile 4-4-2 (anyone up for melting a few sets of tires???)
Cruiser: 1967-8 Lincoln Continental Convertible
Hauler: 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 regular cab(equipped with the Viper V-10 engine and six-speed manual)
A slight variation, 1st two in the garage now:
Daily Driver: We have a 1st generation larger Saturn L200 2.2l Ecotec (close cousin of Opel Vectra), nearly 200,000 km, runs beautifully and no fears parking it downtown or letting the kids drive it.
Classic: 2007 “Dame Edna” 9-5 2.3T, auto, bought to keep–this car is proving super reliable (35K km in one year), as well as fun!
Fun: MINI Cooper S Traveller, manual! Maybe a Saturn Sky or Pontiac Solstice (there’s an Opel version in Europe) of course with the turbo, but I am over 6′ tall and with over a decade per foot how well I fit without too much folding of the limbs is critical!
Eggs - mine would melt faster, I’ll bet. Ten second burnouts!
As for your cruiser…you should go for the 500cid Eldo. You can “cruise” over snow drifts in those things :p
tedjs - hell yeah on the Grand National. Those things are so hard to find at decent prices, though.
Jeff: Both the 4-4-2 and GSX were equipped with the big-block 455 cu. in. (7.45 L) V-8 that were approx. 100 lbs. lighter than the Chevy 454. I’ll take your 396 cu.in. El Camino any day.
Gotta stay with the slab-side Lincoln ‘vert. One of the great American cars. May be talked into one of the mid-1960’s Eldos that were FWD.
By the way, an El Camino almost as you describe was on the auction block last night (in re-runs) on the Mecum auto auction. It was a ‘70 El Camino SS LS-6 with the Chevy 454 but with an automatic. it went for $75k. It is here.
Oh, and on the Grand National, it’s even tougher to find them complete. Those things have been ragged out by the owners.
I owned a Cutlass of similar vintage and I swear that was the low-point for GM build quality. Hope you like yours broken, because it’s gonna break a LOT.