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Look what’s arrived:
Finally. Monte Carlo #9 is in my possession, and I’ve got to say that I’m very, very pleased.
It’s not perfect, that’s for sure, and there’s some money to be spent. It’ll need new tyres sooner rather than later and you already know about the wheels. There’s some vibration when the road is of a particular camber, too, so I think the car would benefit from a wheel alignment. My first task when I get home is to get it booked in with Steve E the mechanic and get ALL fluids flushed out and changed. Currently, there’s no coolant in the car, just water.
The good news, however, is that the engine pulls strong and the car drives really well. The interior’s clean and everything works, including all the pixels on the SID. In short, it’s a really good base to start from and I’m over the moon about it!
It’s a crap photo, but it’s all I’ve got at the moment. You can see the scuff mark on the bumper and there’s a few marks on the paint, but it should come up pretty well in time.
Click to enlarge.
Woohoo! Monte owner at last, and a very happy one at that.
28 responses so far ↓
1 SAABoy
// Jan 2, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Hurray!
I’m glad you finally took possession of it! And it’s nice to hear how happy you are about it
2 Robin Capper
// Jan 2, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Welcome to the not so new, kinda sporty, Euro hatchback owners club.
3 Markac
// Jan 2, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Bugger, you got one with a sunroof!
You might need one of these.
4 SaabKen
// Jan 2, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Congrats, Mr. SAAB
)
5 Hawkeye
// Jan 2, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Good to here your happy with it Swade. I’m looking forward to watching the improvements over time. Congrats once again.
6 ColorCode252
// Jan 2, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Very nice!
7 Ron57RC
// Jan 2, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Now that you have seen it in the metal, so to speak, I’m really pleased that the car is making you so happy.
Although you checked it out and had it inspected on your behalf it must be a relief to judge for yourself at last – I doubt that I could handle a remote purchase.
I’m looking forward to future progress reports and the results of expending a few pixels of your own.
8 Arnold
// Jan 2, 2009 at 5:45 pm
These are the moments you live for. Enjoy your new baby, but don’t push her, just savor her.
9 Mats
// Jan 2, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Time for a personal license plate? “MC SWADE”
*lol*
10 2-don
// Jan 2, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Congrats, she looks great!
11 Etienne Saabhuy
// Jan 2, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Congratulations Swade !!
Well done
12 GGrech
// Jan 2, 2009 at 6:56 pm
I am glad you are happy with her
.
She was a wonderful car to drive during the 2 years we had her for. But as I say I cant justify 2 SAABs in the 1 family. Look after her and she will give you a lot of fun
G.
13 Danni
// Jan 2, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Good luck. Now that the trepidation is over, carry that license plate over on the Aero, would you?
14 Jan
// Jan 2, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Congrats Swade! Nice looking car, we want to see more pictures
15 Robin M
// Jan 2, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Well done Swade, enjoy the trip home. The guys at the fery port must think you are taking a lot of Saabs into Tas, thats three since you have been on here (unless I missed another one, lol)
16 MarkS
// Jan 2, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Mmmmmm…………lovely. Congratulations Swade! That beauty is in good hands now…
17 CBD
// Jan 3, 2009 at 1:06 am
Another great buy, congratulations. Well done!
18 zippy
// Jan 3, 2009 at 1:07 am
Welcome back into the Saab family, swade!
19 aeronaut
// Jan 3, 2009 at 2:02 am
beautiful car!
20 Tompa
// Jan 3, 2009 at 2:39 am
Well, now we have to reinvent Lou Bega´s “Mambo No 5″ into Swade´s “Monte No 9″…
Or as it is a Full blown Turbo call it “The full Monte”.
Happy Saabing Steven!
21 SaabKen
// Jan 3, 2009 at 2:41 am
Mats, that’s a good one ! “MC Swade”
Now Swade, let’s hear some of that Saab rap.
22 Tompa
// Jan 3, 2009 at 2:45 am
By the way Swade.. I´d love to hear a full Viggen contra Monte Carlo review… One before tuning and one after.. Will you miss the Viggen to much and get one again or is the the B204 in the MC good enough for you?
Cheers/Tom
23 Karen
// Jan 3, 2009 at 4:27 am
Congratulations Swade! Remember the 9-3 was one of the ten best cars in 1999. And it LOOKS like a Saab. Hope you don’t get flagged for being a taxi because it is yellow…
24 Dave
// Jan 3, 2009 at 5:32 am
May you enjoy many great trips in the new car. Thanks for all your hard work and all the best to everyone in the new year.
25 Olav
// Jan 3, 2009 at 6:01 am
Really a good looking car, the Monte! And with four new 17″ (maybe 18″) SAAB alus this will be a winner!
Congrats, Swade! Remember to always take the longest way home
Best regards
-Olav-
26 eggsngrits
// Jan 3, 2009 at 10:48 am
Noice, and I hate you.
27 Sport Mode
// Jan 3, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Ditto with Eggs.
Hey Swade, how do the taxes/purchase/registration costs work in your neck of the woods? In my state we shell out nearly 7% every time you buy a car, which really throws a wrench into the whole 6-month-exchange program. Do you have to worry about the same?
28 VI99EN
// Jan 3, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Well done. I am also proud to report that I now own a black 5 door Viggen that totally has me hooked. Hopefully the MC provides you with many years of smiles.