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I’ve passed on the original Saab 9-3 Monte Carlo I was looking at, but there’s still light at the end of the prospective purchase tunnel.
There are currently two options on the table.
Option 1 – 1999 Saab 9-3 Monte Carlo (another one)
This one is for sale in Sydney. It’s asking price is $9,000. It’s done 125,000 kms and if the photos are correct then it looks pretty straight and – importantly – has the original Monte Carlo 16-inch rims on it.
I’ve left a message for the dealer to get some more details but he hasn’t called me back yet. The one reason I’m a little reserved about this one is that the licence plate on the photographed vehice isn’t the same as the plate listed in the advertisement.
Option 2 – 2000 Saab 9-3 Viggen
There’s also a black 9-3 Viggen 5-door for sale in Sydney. It’s currently listed on Ebay on a no reserve auction starting at $14,750.
It’s got the orange interior, which I’m not a huge fan of but could learn to love. It’s got 94,000 kms on the clock, aftermarket rims that look pretty cool (the originals get thrown in with the sale as well) and from the item description from the 100%-rated seller, it sounds like it’s been looked after pretty well.
——
The dilemma:
The problem is the $6,000 price differential. With the money I’ve saved so far and the sale of my two current cars, the Monte would fit right into my budget with no stress at all.
It’s a model that I’ve always loved. It’s a limited edition. It’s distinctive. It’s very well appointed. It’s got 90% of the Viggen’s power and 80% of the Viggen’s torque for only 61% of the Viggen’s price.
Let’s not forget that whatever car I buy is going to be a car that I’ll be really interested in playing with, too, in terms of modifications. $6,000 in savings on the price can get you a heck of a lot of gear over the course of a year.
The Viggen does have that extra cachet, though, doesn’t it?
Even in 5-door form it looks the goods. The interior’s got that something extra about it with those seats and the carbon fibre. All up, it’s just an incredible base to start working from.
What a bunch of choices.
Is a 5-door Viggen worth 1.6 times the 3-door Monte?
–
37 responses so far ↓
1 alaero
// Dec 23, 2008 at 8:57 am
Viggen any day.
But the $6k difference is a hell of a lot of money for mods..
But if it where me, i would go the Viggen.
a.
2 Dan9-1
// Dec 23, 2008 at 9:05 am
big fan of the orange seats… i got to gets me some of those!!
3 Jörgen Trued
// Dec 23, 2008 at 9:16 am
You can not do the calculations with percentage etc. etc. It is all about emotions and psychology. Go with the Viggen. They are truly unique!
4 PT
// Dec 23, 2008 at 9:26 am
Both apealling but the Vig would be my preference – particularly with 5 doors.
Not sure about the after-market wheels though – although they look great. Everyone I have spoken to recommends staying with original SAAB wheels due to relatively unique set up. You can make any wheel fit but it may not be optimally balanced or located.
The Monte is a car you’ve always had a soft spot for and you’ve owned a Viggen so perhaps thats the way to approach it. As you say, give your account at Elkparts a pounding and you’ll never notice the difference.
Richo will never talk to you if you buy a Viggen thats not his.
5 swade
// Dec 23, 2008 at 9:34 am
Richo and I have chatted. My finances just don’t extend far enough and there’s no way I’d push him to sell it below what it’s worth.
6 Markac
// Dec 23, 2008 at 9:52 am
I think with $6000 you can gradually tailor the Monte into something you really like and that could be fun (I need to start on mine!). You could even put in Viggen seats! Montes have a lot of potential. Have a look at the UK Monte link I added before. If the the Viggen was a coupe, I might be tempted. I’m just not personally into 5 doors. Coupe Saabs have always been my thing. Hopefully we can buy them again some day…
P.S. Just bought myself a DSLR for Christmas. Hopefully I can take some real good Monte pics soon as I get the hang of it!
7 ColorCode252
// Dec 23, 2008 at 9:53 am
Considering the budget and modification plans, the ‘99 9-3 Monte Carlo is the best bet. Plus, it’s a 3-door.
That black viggen with the orange interior is “wow” just like the lightning blues with the two-tone interior. A few months back I saw a for sale advert here in the US for a 3-door black viggen with the orange interior. If I recall, there were only two cars brought here in the US.
Keep us posted . . .
8 Richo
// Dec 23, 2008 at 9:56 am
ok ok ok Swade, I’ll sell for 50k (sigh)
9 Jörgen Trued
// Dec 23, 2008 at 9:58 am
Or buy this one from UK and have someone do the repairs.
10 dip
// Dec 23, 2008 at 10:11 am
mmm… imagine those orange Viggen seats in the Monte Carlo!. Buy both, combine the best parts and sell the rest ;]
11 Markac
// Dec 23, 2008 at 10:20 am
I wish I could have the best of both worlds, but it’s only a dream…
12 zippy
// Dec 23, 2008 at 11:24 am
Viggen, 110pc!!!
13 Rogan
// Dec 23, 2008 at 11:38 am
That viggen is amazing. It’s worth it.
14 Wulf (NW Michigan, USA)
// Dec 23, 2008 at 12:16 pm
How about a 9-5? I don’t know about their prices in your corner of the world but a 9-5 Aero is an awesome car as you know.
15 Swade
// Dec 23, 2008 at 12:51 pm
We’ll look at a 9-5 (probably an Aero) when the 9000 conks out. My wife only drives and automatic and I’d be happy to get a 9-5 auto.
If I get this Viggen, we’ll have to keep the 9000 going for a while, too. The Mrs doesn’t like to change cars too often.
16 swade
// Dec 23, 2008 at 2:37 pm
The Monte Carlo dealer’s let the whole day pass by without returning my call. Richo found a bad writeup about him, too, so along with my concerns about the ad, it looks like that one’s off the radar now.
So that leaves the Viggen, and what an attractive prospect it is…..
My problem is that I’ve got to draw down some money from our home loan to get it and that’s going to take three business days. With Christmas interrupting (Santa’s a JERK!) that puts me out to Monday or Tuesday next week at the earliest.
The auction for the Viggen ends in four days – let’s hope no-one bids.
17 Dr.Agan
// Dec 23, 2008 at 3:15 pm
i think viggen hands down especially with the added practicality of 5 doors, how can you ever go wrong!!!!!!!
you Aussies have it so good down there, it’s time to move out of the great white north calgary specifically!!!!
18 DamoG
// Dec 23, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Mmmm…Viggen-ly goodness *insert a Homer Simpson drool sound here*.
Bugger the MC…that colour is a shocker lol
19 Markac
// Dec 23, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Don’t worry. There are other Montes and other Viggens and Monte Carlo yellow ain’t that bad. At least it’s not like getting into a black car on a 40 degrees Celsius Adelaide day!
20 sab
// Dec 23, 2008 at 3:35 pm
i think there is a guy in the club here in Melbourne that has his black Viggen for sale as well if interested Swadey? Let me know and I can send you details.
sab
21 Alex
// Dec 23, 2008 at 3:41 pm
How is this even a question?
It’s a friggin viggen, of course it’s worth more than an MCY (which under it’s fancy paintjob is still just a plain-jane milquetoast old OG9-3).
That orange/black interior alone would make me choose it over the MCY, around these parts orange interior viggens are even rarer than the yellow ones.
22 Drew B
// Dec 23, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I’d take the Monte over the Viggen in this case, mainly because the 3d boody looks better than the 5d, and it’s a lot cheaper. And the Vig doesn’t have its original wheels, either.
DB
23 alaero
// Dec 23, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Drew,
The seller is selling the Viggen with the Lenso wheels as well as the paper mache viggen wheels.
Call me when u get a chance.
Alex
24 Markac
// Dec 23, 2008 at 4:42 pm
You could always go for this Viggen ‘vert. I’m sure you could haggle the dealer down a bit.
Tanzanite?
25 swade
// Dec 23, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Al’s right, there, Drew. The original Viggen wheels come with the car as well, though I’m quite keen on the aftermarket wheels he’s fitted. Whilst I’d prefer a 3-door as well, the 5-door does look pretty good in black. It’s not as conservative as the blue 5-door.
26 Joe Lobo
// Dec 23, 2008 at 5:43 pm
My earlier comment somehow never made it permanently !!! Swade, I’ve seen this car side by side on traffic lights close to my office in my older grey Aero. This Viggen is superb and will rival my coupe, I raved to Ferd after seeing it and should have stopped the driver to exchange details. If you want me to go and see it and add more tangible feedback I’m happy to do so. Even my car bra will come in handy so, it’s a no brainer mate. Your old stomping ground is waiting, get the funds stretched and go for it !!!
27 Ken H
// Dec 23, 2008 at 6:12 pm
If you go for the Viggen, it does put an end to your buy and sell project…?
28 David Wishart
// Dec 23, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Monte Carlo is much more attractive in my opinion, especially with the wheels. The VIggen looks well used… OG9-3 looks best as 3-door!
29 ctm
// Dec 23, 2008 at 7:22 pm
You already owned a Viggen, so you should go for something else if you are still thinking of making it through a list of classic cars to own…
30 WooDz
// Dec 23, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Well the choice is all but negated now as the Monte Carlo has now been put to bed. But just to put a spanner in the works. I bet you could find a really good condition Black Aero Coupe for a good price, which would put you in a better position to tune it. My local dealer, Saab Zentrum Paderborn has his running at about 280hp. That sort power is going to cause some heat problems in the Viggen, which will cost more to keep under control than a smaller 2.0ltr engine. Plus if something horribly goes wrong with the engine, a 2.3 costs over twice as much as a 2.0ltr to replace.
You’ve had a Viggen, keep that memory sacred.
.
31 Jörgen Trued
// Dec 23, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Markac´s idea of a lightning blue Viggen Convertible, excellent choice. If You look carefully the interior has the Hirsch laser-cut aluminum pieces surrounding the radio, ACC etc.
Even has the Hirsch carbonfibre dash + the strip on the glovebox.
Must have been a good previous owner. Might have other Hirsch stuff as well. Liked the plate Victoria … on the move. Move Your Mind-… SAAB!
32 Hawkeye
// Dec 23, 2008 at 8:45 pm
All roads lead to another Saab Swadey, no matter how much you try to buy another brand, the magnetism is too great. Once Saab gets under your skin, enough said.
33 Aussielars
// Dec 23, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Taste is so divided. But I agree with Markac regarding 5-doors. Personally, I wouldn’t go for a Viggen in 5-door or convertible. Even the 3-door chassis flexes too much coming out of corners. And when it comes to the wheels, I do love the look of the Viggen marshmallow wheel, but not a fan of the alloy composition in them. I think both cars are well priced. AU$9K for a Monte Carlo really shows how understated the marque is in Australia. I would go for the Monte Carlo and upgrade it with the money I saved.
34 Rich
// Dec 23, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Swade,
I’d cool off and wait for a 3 dr electric blue Viggen to come up a bit cheaper – having owned 2 viggens – one 3dr and my present convertible I’d strongly recommend the 3 dr. The monte carlo is not as good as a later Aero – A manual 3dr 2002-2003 silver Aero would be really nice and they have the viggen body kit and less chassis squirming than a viggen (it’s not torque steer!) + the aero wheels look almost as good as viggen wheels and maybe they are not as soft + the interior is at least as good as the viggen. Maybe an aero would be cheaper than a viggen. You wouldn’t need to modify it as much as the monte carlo or possibly even the Viggen.
Not too many 3dr manual aeros around though – I reckon they would drive really nicely with a VRK and some poly bushes – maybe you wouldn’t have to change the springs or wheels. – if the monte carlo has manual airconditioning make sure those knobs aren’t binding – viggen seats are great aeros are similar I think.
Surely there will be a manual 2002 aero out there for less than 15k? Cars are really hard to sell right now and saabs are among the hardest of all to sell.
35 Markac
// Dec 23, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Rich: Montes have climate control. They are almost identical to a 2000 Aero except they have the rare B204R 147Kw T5 motor instead of a B205R 151Kw T7 engine. They were also built in Finland on the same line as the Viggens.
36 gordon
// Dec 23, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Yellow coupe vs. black 5dr. Sounds easy. Both need the same suspension work to tame the flex and both will get the same engine work. The coupe is the obvious choice. If you want 4 doors, go with the 9-5, it is superior in every way but weight. Mine even gets better mileage than my 9-3 did. All those things that you can do to tame the “quirky” handling in a 9-3, the factory already fixed in the 9-5.
What happened to the 924 and the 911 and the Falcon turbo 6 and all that?
37 gordon
// Dec 24, 2008 at 12:52 am
Actually my preferred project car would be a Hazelnut 9-3 Aero 3-door coupe (which would never be as good as a 9-5 either or maybe an orange 99 2-door sedan).