Buying a Saab

[manek]

Way off-topic I know, but the mrs and I have scraped together enough shillings to replace her old runabout with a slightly less battered motor for under about £3k.

We're looking at a couple of Saab 900s tomorrow, both high milers, but I gather that as long they're in good nick and have been well looked-after, that shouldn't matter. Anyone got any specific experience or thoughts?

PS: Always been a fan of Gary Numan...


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[Mazz]

Manek

Why buy a second hand Vauxhall when, for the same money, you can have a decent 944?!


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[manek]

Because, my dear chap, it wasn't yet Vauxhall at the age of car I'm buying and b) you can't get as much stuff in a 944! And c) it'll cost more to run. And d) Mrs Manek won't countenance it (guess the real reason).

We have a fun car. We also need a sensible one...


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[Mazz]

Guessed as much - just joking :wink:
.

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[James Ball]

Don't joke about it - the same thing occurred to me. Does the Saab really have more space? I would have thought you'd be much better off with the 944. £3000 would get a cracking 2.7

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[bosch]

Are you kidding??? The 900 has a huge boot and is a decent five seater, and they also last for starship mileage. As ever with these things, buy the best condition/spec, lowest mileage you can afford.

Personally my money would go on a E34 525 SE BMW or E30 325i Touring - far nicer to drive.

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[James Ball]

Ah. I don't know the Saab range very well - I was thinking the 2-door convertible one.

I'll get my coat...


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[Mazz]

Well Bosch, funny you should say that. After manek told me off for being so impertinent, I had almost finished penning a reply along the same lines i.e. why not buy a BMW (I was going to suggest the 1993 3 series - was that E30 or E36). But as I'd "mentioned the war once and got away with it", I chose not to push my luck. After all, it is fair to say that running costs on the BMW could be high


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[noony]

Manek

your gf must be very amicable if she allows her car to cost just a fraction of what yours did!


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[bosch]

Mazz - great minds an' all that (I notice also we have same year, colour & LHD 993 - don't park at Sevenoaks do you?).
I would avoid early E36 series (prior to 1995) as they have dubious build quality. The running costs would be similar as long as you avoid main dealers for service (the BM s are more economical than the 900, and lighter on tyres). My brother-in-law used to sware by 900s - his last one clocked up 257k miles and in fact he died before it did.

Manek - take a look at and drive a 525i se and "feel the quality"

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[manek]

Quote: Originally posted by Mazz on 26 March 2004

Well Bosch, funny you should say that. After manek told me off for being so impertinent, I had almost finished penning a reply along the same lines i.e. why not buy a BMW (I was going to suggest the 1993 3 series - was that E30 or E36). But as I'd "mentioned the war once and got away with it", I chose not to push my luck. After all, it is fair to say that running costs on the BMW could be high

Sorry Mazz -- it wasn't meant to sound that way!

And bosch - nice idea but I wouldn't get away with a Beemer either...


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[Mazz]

Quote: Originally posted by bosch on 26 March 2004

Mazz - great minds an' all that (I notice also we have same year, colour & LHD 993 - don't park at Sevenoaks do you?).

I sure do....just about every day. Which one are you - I haven't spotted any other 993 C2 LHD in silver

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[bosch]

Mazz - being a lazy git I don't get in til late, but I usually park on the lower bit by the entrance or on the ramp

Manek - any weekend joy on the Saab front, or were you too busy dazzling other road users :wink:

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[Hendo]

Quote: Originally posted by bosch on 29 March 2004

Mazz - being a lazy git I don't get in til late, but I usually park on the lower bit by the entrance or on the ramp

Mazz, I've seen bosch's and thought it was yours until I saw it didnt have a big bit of glass in the roof.

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[bosch]

Hendo, does that make yours midnight blue?

That just leaves two others - a Cobalt blue 964 and a midnight 993 C4 coupe (ignoring the 996s and 968 for the moment).

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