It’s my distinct pleasure to inform you that this entry contains no new about GM’s financial woes or Saab’s future.
——
If anyone’s looking to pick up some rare-ish scale model Saabs, Ivan the T-shirt specialist is selling off some of his collection. You can view what he’s got available here. Personally, I’d have gone for the RC Saab 99 if it were still available, but that one went quite quickly.
Another personal fave is this 99T that looks just like my old one.
—
As mentioned in passing the other day, Saab 99 and 900 author, Lance Cole, is bunking down at Trollhattan Central this weekend. This is he, reading Trollhattan Saab on the machine where most of it is made every day:
We had a good day today, heading into town this morning to look over all the Italian cars on show at the Club Motori Italia show on Parliament House lawns. There were around 15 or so cars on display, nicluding three Ferraris and one Lamborghini Uracco.
Here are two of the Ferraris, which are owned by a husband and wife pair – must be a nice garage at their place.
This Fiat X-19 was in very nice shape:
The old and new Fiat 500s were there, too, facing off for a nice comparo as to how much bigger cars have got in order to meet safety standards as well as ride and comfort expactations:
After that we had a quick lunch and then headed off to visit with local Saabnut, Drew B. Drew gave Lance the grand tour of the various warehouses around Hobart that house his growing collection of Saabs. There was even an old V4 amongst them that I’d forgotten about!
This is the rare steel-bumpered 99 Drew’s stripped back ready for re-painting. How often would a Saab 99 remind you of a Chevy Camaro?
Tomorrow, we head north for a Saab Car Club drive to a town called Ross, where we’ll stop for lunch. The Turbo X will be in attendance, as will a Saab 9-3 TTiD. Both are being made available by the local dealer for club members to take turns driving as we snake our way through the Coal River Valley.
Drew, being the club Chairman and keeper of the Saab flame, has just stopped short of refusing my attendance if I rock up in my Alfa, and has therefore thrown me the keys to this 1993 Saab 900 that he recently nursed back to health.
I’m not so keen on the 5-door, but it’s quite comfortable, has a redbox and should get us up and back with no trouble.
——
Who’d like to help out one of our Aussie mates?
He’s looking at two different cars at the moment: a 2006 9-3 SportCombi and a 2003 9-5 Wagon.
The 2006 9-3 SportCombi is Fusion Blue in color, is a Linear spec car with parchment interior, a 2.0t engine with only 10,000km on the clock. Asking price is $29,800.
The 2003 9-5 wagon is also a Linear, has a black leather interior with woodgrain dash and a 2.3t that’s done around 50,000km. Asking price is $25,995
Personally, I think I’d go for the 9-5 if it checked out OK. 2003 was a great year for the 9-5. The engine was sorted out by then, it looks great, I think the kids would be more comfortable in the back (not to mention the driver being a bit more comfortable in the front) and it’s just a great, versatile car.
For 4K less, I think it’d be my choice.
–
9-5, because i want the 9-3 at that price
a.
I’d probably take the 9-3, or, failing that, at least try to get the 9-5 down below $20K.
Drew B
I’m envious! The compendium of information that Sir Lance must be! Have a great weekend!
Does he like squeaks and rattles? If not, go for the 9-5.
A question of design – and my winner is: 9-3!
I’d have the 9-5 everyday.
Two thoughts:
#1 From the way he writes, I thought Lance Cole was a crotchity old man. Sorry, old man.
#2 The 9-3s are harder to come by around NE Ohio, but even so those prices are a bit higher than we are seeing. It’s just too bad we couldn’t ship you one.
The engine was not sorted out in 2003, the updated engine came 2004.
Yeah, I’d take the 9-5 however be very careful and make sure its not full of the dreaded sludge……
Chris
i thought the same about the camaro. and that lance was much older.
looks like you have a pretty nice view there swadey.
I’m new here, but if they could be of assistance to your Aussie mate; then here are my thoughts / experience.
I recently purchased a 2005 (MY 2006) 9-3ss vector in fusion blue with parchment sport leather / textile interior. A friend owns a 2003 (MY2004) 9-5 250bhp aero estate, not sure of the Saab colour, but not unlike that of the one pictured above, with grey leather interior.
As mine is a 1.9 TiD 150bhp I cannot make much comment on engines, save to say that the Aero has had regular 6000ml / 6 month oil changes and I’m not aware of there having been any issues with the engine.
From a practical standpoint I’ve never before gone for a really light coloured interior (re trying to keep it clean and free from marks), but buying used can limit choice. Now that I’ve had it for 2 months I’d say that I’m still concious that it could be marked easily, but in practice I’m not using it whilst wearing working gear and the problem has not arisen otherwise. If anything I feel it makes the cabin feel airier than the all black interior of my previous VW Passat. Both cars have or had black dash areas and I like(d) that. The aero now has a woodgrain dash and console and I’m not so keen.
In the end these things come down to personal taste, but if my comments help in any way; glad to have been of service.
I have a 2003 9-5 Linear 2.3t sedan and have put more than 40 of its 70,000 miles on it personally. The shop says that sludge can be an issue. I love this car. Compared to the old 9-3 Combi I had, it is smoother, quieter, better handling, much more responsive, better driving feel, better gas mileage, more comfortable. It has the Triumph-derived real SAAB motor. The only thing that I would change is that I would add the hatch or get the Wagon.
That being said there is something effeminate about the 9-5 before Dame Edna and I would never get grey car. So go for the 9-3.
Swade,
Make sure you pressure Lance into writing a follow-up to his 99/900 book.
It’s a great book, and I would love to read about the birth of the 9000, NG900, 9-3 and 9-5. I’m sure that most of the key players are still around and willing to talk.
Lance,
As I wrote above, I loved the book. It really made me realize that the things I love about my Saab, and some of the oddities, did not happen by accident. I had an “aha!” moment every few pages when I found out why Saab CV joints last many times longer than other makes, or why the steel is so thick, or why the design of the A pillars is so complex. It really made me appreciate all of the little details in my car.
Hi Lance, good to meet you back in Sydney. Looking forward to getting together on your return trip.
Sounds like you guys have a great day ahead. Enjoy!
Thanks for the thoughts on the 93 vs 95 everyone. Its not a bad problem to have – both cars seem pretty sweet. Will keep you posted.
Sounds like a brilliant day you blokes will have down there. Ahhh the simple life of itinerant car tragics…..
Go with the 9-5. It just has a bit more character.
I have quite a lot of Saab literature, but not the Book on the 99 and 900 of Lance Cole. Anyone have one for sale?
If adults will regularly travel in the rear seat, especially 6-footers or for longer distances, it’s the 9-5.
Crotichy old man here. Not sure how to take that Andy! Swade assures me that my writing is mature – that is what you meant wasn’t it….Anyway- I am much older than i look in that photo and am enjoying being a grumpy old man.
Tasmania is stunning- Scotland, Africa, Australia, all rolled into one.
Swade and his mates are Saab nuts through and through and we are having great fun.
SW – nice pad, appears to be a very comfy couch, a very nice view.
I say go with the 9-3 unless you need the space, otherwise the 9-5 wins
The 9-3 in question, if it is the one shown, was originally sold buy our dealership 4 months ago, and just traded last week when the gent who bought it upgraded to a new 08 with the Saab Exchange Program.
And the winner is……….the 93. I found out that it still has 18 months of SAAB warranty and that was the clincher for us. Newer, safer car with warranty beats older, safe car with minimal warranty cover.
Thanks to everyone for their advice – we have read it and discussed deeply – and especially to Ferd, Turbin, Swade & Lance here at T-Saab. Special mention to Peter at Heartland Saab Parramatta. Even though this car wasn’t his sale, nor was I really a contender for a new car, it was an ex-demonstrator from their fleet and he was happy to provide information and background about it. Appreciated and maybe next time it’ll be a new one.
Now, where’s the phone number for BSR…………..