I've always beleived that the early 'ugly' Saabs of he '50s and '60s were simple, sturdy, reliable cars but Saab quality went downhill with the Triumph powered, 99 series. In the mid '80s a friend owned a very troublesome 1976 Saab 99. His car had so many cooling, electrical and fuel injection problems, it gave me new respect for Fiats!
I hope that the more recent Saabs are MUCH better.
Last summer, I saw several 1959 Saab 93s vintage racing at Summit Point and V.I.R.
Neat and weird little FWD cars with 3 cylinder 2-stroke engines and column-shift 4 speeds. In June, 4 of them showed up at V.I.R. ( 12 cylinders of Swedish power! )

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

My guv'nor nearly bought a 9000 secondhand back in the early 90's,couple of years old with 234,000 miles on the clock. As usual I got to test drive it for a second opinion.Well it was a nicely built,sturdy motor but just not my cup of tea.It just didn't feel right,you know like the feeling you get sitting behind the steering wheel of a Merc.Like the Merc feels like an extension of me,man and machine in harmony(and all that bollocks) you know what I mean?
Anyways I digress the SAAB's are fine pieces of machinery.Of course the real killer of these over here is the fact they have sod all secondhand value.Alway's hankered after buying a 900 turbo ragtop for summer use,but I just haven't got the space in my lock-up and the Merc isn't going outside.
After a weeks use he/we decided it wouldn't be his latest aquisition and decided to buy a secondhand 300te instead.Bear

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W123 '82 300D red 202,000 miles

G460 '83 280 GE LWB 69,000 miles

Mercedes-Benz Club member
http://www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk/

S Klasse Club Deutschland
http://www.s-klasse-club.de/

My first was a 99 that I drove for 10 years (the 99 is a model, not the year - mine was a 1978). 4 studs perfect ski car. With the pass seat tilted forward 12 inch I had a Kaw jet ski in the back with the hatch closed completly (with tinted windows got some strange looks backing down the boat ramp with no trailer).

Next was a 88 900spg turbo. Was "on rails" on high speed corners. Does 30mpg at 90-100mph continous cruise in Montana years ago. Had no problem at 125 (max indicated) in 5th. Felt every road imperfection. Interior quality went down hill after the 99 series cars. Didn't master the snow like the 99.

Completly lost all interest after GM put the engine in sideways and moved the hood hinges to open like a buick. Many quality concerns after 1993.

DZLPWR

I had a '78 99 EMS, and had a love affair with that car. It's combination of Bilstein shocks and long travel springs which were perfectly tuned in for high speed, rough road running, made for a transendent experience in high speed motoring. No, it wasn't quick, but it was fast. There is a difference.

Then a 81 900turbo. What a POS. Dynamically though it was superior. a little bit longer wheelbase, better dash, etc. It was the rare light blue with powder blue velour interior.

I once put a refridgerator in the back! Easily the most versatile car I have ever had, bar none. Perhaps a MBZ TD would be similar.

I would be interested to know the best year/model to get, because they are dirt cheap now. The only requirement on any old SAAB is the seat must be rebuilt. Easy. And tons are in the junkyard, but most have at least 230,000 miles on them.

Oddly though, your comment about Buick hinges is an unfortunate one, because certain models of Buicks actually mimicked the SAAB! Same shape of hood and location of hinges! It was one of those weird GM sidebars that they seem to do occasionally. A good thing.
You should have chosen Oldsmobile. Yawn...

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Ed
1981 300CD (Benzina)
1968 250 S (Gina) 266,000 miles!
1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6 (Guido)
1976 Jaguar XJS-saved a V-12 from the chevy curse, what a great engine!
1988 Cadillac Eldorado (better car than you might think!)
1988 Yamaha Venture (better than a Wing!)
1977 Suzuki GS750B
1976 Yamaha XS 650 (sold)
1991 Suzuki GSX1100G (Shafty Gixser)
1981 Yamaha VX920RH (Euro "Virago")
Solex Moped
1975 Dodge P/U camper


"Time spent in the company of a cat, a beer, and this forum, is not time wasted!"

Well I have never owned or driven one but I have seen them at the auto show. I must say that the new 9 5 is awesome. Its looks are much better now, the interior is amazing, and it can be very quick (if you get the Aero).
I wouldn't mind driving a 9 5 Aero.

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1985 500SEL 124k miles
2001 Honda Civic EX