|
|
|
Needed more work than I hoped when I bought it. Mechachanically flawless, needs roof and some welding. I don't weld, and I need a daily driver.
OK, so that is one dream shattered. Advert now in the for sale section. Needs some ideas now for "modern retro" cars that would be smaller than the saab, give average of 30MPG, but still be fun, but not yet attracting "twatmobile" Neddy Nova LaxFlower readers.
Insurance isn't such a problem as I'm 36 with 4 years NCB so I can get fully comp on a lot of "better" cars for arround £500.
Rear engined Skodas are out as there are only about 50 Estelles and Rapids left taxed and legal. Don't fancy a Lada would need to much to make it safe and comfortable (I know they have their fans). The GT4's fuel and oil consumption put me of retro J cars a little. Don't fancy a modern one. I like Starlet turbos but they are too small (can't drive Metros, Corsas, etc, as I don't fit but can drive a mini). MK1 and two escorts are two scarse. Don't particularly like modernish Skodas as they are boring, safe, comfortable but boring.
Did think about maybe a MK3 Golf TDI or early Pug 306 D-Turbo for over the winter on veg oil, as they are peanuts ATM, and I could hapilly run one over the winter substituting excitement for low cost.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hey Meatball. That's a bit of a sad tale... shame to let the swedish beast go but need must etc. How's about one of these thingys? golf II turdo diseaselCheapish - check Retro(ish) - check Easy to mod - check Cheap to run - check Veg oil compliant - check Case closed?
|
|
Last Edit: Nov 8, 2005 9:57:16 GMT by arthurbrown
|
|
|
ImpManiac
Part of things
Imps... Imps... Imps...
Posts: 868
|
|
|
IMP! IMP! IMP! Decent ones can be had for norralot (probably) and parts are not usually a problem, apart from some body panels. I used to get 40 mpg plus easily on a run from my twin Stromberg Sport-engined Imp Super, so fairly frugal on guzzoline too. Performance is certainly enough to be great fun and can surprise a few modern car drivers. Oh yeah, I'm 6'4" and fit just fine. In fact I find Imps comfortable. You won't look back! ;D Then again, I am slightly biased... I'm
|
|
Last Edit: Nov 8, 2005 10:11:48 GMT by ImpManiac
1966 Singer Chamois sprint/hillclimb car in white over blue two tone 1975 Triumph Stag long term project (over 20 years so far) in colour TBA 2003 Vauxhall Vectra GSi 3.2 in black sapphire
|
|
|
|
|
You say you've got to sell your car.
What is a C900conv ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
|
|
|
|
|
TwincamGTi: It is a Saab 900 Turbo 16V convertible. C900 means not the later NG or GM Cavalier/Vectra based version, but the proper Saab one that first appeared in 1979. ImpManiac: I thought good ones were getting rare now. I love rear engined cars. Had the 120L Estelle, my dad had an oval window swing axle beetle that he sold in the 70's for £50 because my mum got sick in it. The next owner trashed it in 2 weeks. A Fiat 126 would be cool, but a bit slow for the Mway, and a little basic. NickB: Jag would be great, I love them, my mum had a 60's S-Type she used for weddings but I need a bit smaller. I definatley was considering Golf 2 or 3 TDs.
Yes, it is a real kick in the nuts. If I had room/money it would be stored and repaired while I bought a real example of bangernomics to get about. But I don't even have a garage, never mind storage. I would have minded a little bit scruffy, as it lives outside on the street, and it tends to stop cars getting/broken into/vandalised,but I didn't want structral work, went through that with the Estelle, and was curse word off with finding bits that I needed to get sorted by my mate Mick the drunken welder. Thank god he was 50% cheaper than the proper Classis restorer place near by. A porker 924/Early 944 might be an idea, but then being street parked and being P-badged might be just too much for some semi educated little scrote with too much time and no talent.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bloody hell that is nice, someone buy the Saab, I need cash now. Would be ideal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cheers meatballturbo I know the 900. Didn't know they rotted though
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I know the feeling at the moment! However, onwards and upwards!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cheers meatballturbo I know the 900. Didn't know they rotted though Genrally they take time. Swedish steel is very thick and strong. The convertibles had a different screen surround to hardtops. Reason I know there is some rot is, I noticed some paint flaking and what looked like surface rust. Also the passenger side mirror on the stub of door pillar is bent inwards a little. As there was no frame to pull on to spring it back, I thought I could use a cold chisel to sit between the windscreen surround and the mirror mount and spring back that way. When I pulled on the chisel it sank into the screen surround. The majority of the metal there is solid, even where it sank, but it just has patches that are a little past bubbling. Hardly rotten, but needing attention. If I hadn't pushed it in, it would still probably be the same in 5 years time. My last 900 had a little inner rear arch rust, I had it patched. Some lose their entire inner arches. Most have rusty door bottoms, this one has near perfect door bottoms. I was stunned.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yep mates 99 collected mud in door bottoms and rusted, also had arch rust but that was it. Car was eventually scrapped due to mechanical failings. (local garage said thats always the way with SAABs, bodily last for ages but mechanical probs exceed value of car )
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hmm, this one has 214k on the clock. but the bottom end was rebuilt, and as it was apart the headgasket was replaced, had a second hand box, and recon turbo fitted.
Problem with them is, a 99 is now valuable, but a 900, even a rare mint Carlsson, with 200k on it is worth no more than £2k, but a convertible is worth upto £4k. Make it lower mileage and it is worth upto £7k from a dealer/trader. And it isn't just trying it on, I've seen them fetch that money. It is mad. Someone who can weld/do body work is going to get a bargain as it only needs a slight patch. And Saab specialists will do a whole roof fitted for about £800, or you can buy it from the US, import it for about £250, and spend a weekend doing it yourself.
Someone with more time and ability is goign to get themselves the car I should have had. Shame really, but it deserves a better owner, it runs like a sewing machine. An F1 sewing machine.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Favorit?
Volvo 360?
Or wait for a Rapid/Estelle to turn up....won't have to wait too long...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shame you have to sell your Saab. I have a lot of respect for the real ones. I had a 4-speed GLS, some 12 years ago, and I really couldn't fault it.
Ebay always brings up cheap >92 900 Saabs, surely its worth investing your pennies on another, albeit a hatchback. Either that or Volvo 240. If fuel costs or parts are the problem, I'd go for a late eighties VW, Passats are really cheap and unloved. You could go the J route, a same era bluebird/carina/626 estate will not let you down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I know the feeling at the moment! However, onwards and upwards! Yep exactley I only bought it in August after the most glorious week or two we had recently. Then September came, and with it rain, and it has been getting worse since. I've just had to bite the bullet and admit I love driving it, but beginning to wish I hadn't bought it. And it is making me feel absolutley god awful. I'm mean proper stressed and in pain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shame you have to sell your Saab. I have a lot of respect for the real ones. I had a 4-speed GLS, some 12 years ago, and I really couldn't fault it. Ebay always brings up cheap >92 900 Saabs, surely its worth investing your pennies on another, albeit a hatchback. Either that or Volvo 240. If fuel costs or parts are the problem, I'd go for a late eighties VW, Passats are really cheap and unloved. You could go the J route, a same era bluebird/carina/626 estate will not let you down. Like I've said, I feel really in pain over this. Have to admit, wouldn't mind a Volvo 12* series 2 door. But I have to be realistic, enough small Hatches are now retro enough, and some even have semi modern Diesel engines so are cheap to fuel. Missus is always nagging that the Estelle was too big, the Celica was borderline for the room you got. At least me old 900 hatch had acres of storage space, the boot on a convertible is full before you use it, once you put the hard roof cover in, in it's storage bag. So i can't even say it is practical for it's size, even if it is safe and fun.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I'm a big fan of the original 900 series & your Saab looks great - I can see why you don't want to have to sell it. Have to admit, wouldn't mind a Volvo 12* series 2 door. If you do choose to buy an Amazon, feel free to ask me if you have any questions / need any advice etc.
|
|
Last Edit: Nov 8, 2005 19:21:15 GMT by Paul H
|
|
|
|
|
740 turbo ;D same sort of age same origin.....built like a tank engine will last for ever....up the boost and your almost on 200bhp
|
|
once again rocking with 1117cc and 4 gears!
|
|
|
|
|
740 turbo ;D same sort of age same origin.....built like a tank engine will last for ever....up the boost and your almost on 200bhp I like them, problem is getting it past SWMBO. If she had her way, a Kia pride would be too big for me. :0 She likes little cars, and considers her Skoda Fabia to be large.
|
|
|
|
|