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OK, done it. After my very real mid-life crisis in November, and after much researching and costing etc, I got me an October 05 Saab Vector 1.8t convertible auto with heated seats, metalic Parchment Silver bodywork with slate grey leather, 14k on the clock. Whoop-de-doo, pick it up day after new year!
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I'm still torn. Saw a metallic blue one today that looked lovely. My friends are split 50/50 regarding the image. I'm going to do some more research on servicing costs etc before I decide. Hope you enjoy it.
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let me know how good it is...im 40 on friday so i may want a mid life crisis :):):)
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sometimes a little bit too much opinion....but its only because i care !!!
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Why would you give a stuff about what other people think about the 'image' of your car.
MTC
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Because I'm not sure either!
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Why don't you just buy it safely smug in the knowledge that you haven't been a sheep and bought something German?
I used to thing German is everything. Look where that got me with my VW woes.
Just buy what your heart yearns for - life's too short to worry about what others think.
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Swedish or German?
Since Saab were bought by GM they are more or less a branch of Opel. The 9000 was the last real Saab.
Isnt the 9-3 a vectra or astra in drag ?
I'm sure I read that Saab are even moving manufacture out of Sweden.
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"Since Saab were bought by GM they are more or less a branch of Opel. The 9000 was the last real Saab."
It is funny, every SAAB fan has a different model that "was last of the real SAABs". The 9000 isn't a brilliant candidate, given that it was developed with Alpha Romeo and Lancia. The GM 900 and 9-5 could be argued by some to be the last, in that SAAB proper in Sweden still had a stake in the company during their development. The new 9-3 could be argued to be because it was the final car developed in Trollhattan rather than at the new GM site in Germany. Even the 900 classic might be on shaky ground to some, as GM bought its first stake when it was still in production, and the name of the company changed from SAAB (Svenska Aeroplan AB) to Saab Automobile AB (AB means Ltd.).
I think what we can surmise is that SAAB's unique character and qualities have been eroded away slowly - thus making it difficult to pin down when they stopped being "special". Nevertheless, they are still good cars (although I think the 9-5 is showing its age - I speak as an owner of one), and best of all it's not one of the German crop for the unthinking masses who care more of fashion than they do of individuality.
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Glad your so easily pleased! My ongoing MLC ongoing with cars, but has also had me joining the gym and flirting with the bar maid at my local and ending up going down the road of being a trainee dirty old man!!
But as someone has pointed out life too short and we'r a long time dead!.....Enjoy!
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Make the most of it before all the moaners arrive telling you what a load of rubbish Saabs are ( or whatever car it is that they take a dislike to) Ignore all the 'it's just a Vectra\Astra in disguise' jibes and enjoy it. I've had various Saabs and I've enjoyed them all. None have been faultless ( but the faults have been evenly spread through all the models I've owned-ignore the 'Saabs were only any good when Saabs were independent' rubbish) but just enjoy the Saab ownership experience.
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Good advice from Lordwoody. The car I have most enjoyed in the last 20 years was a 'Vauxhall' Saab 900 - quiet, fast enough, and very comfortable. It followed an Audi 80, and Audi 100, and a BMW 318 and 10 years on it's still the only car I would choose again apart from my present Honda.
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For me the solution was a big black BMW bike. Much better at making you feel younger than being stuck in a traffic queue.
The bar maids are less than attractive round here, when I'm sober anyway.
Enjoy the SAAB.
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I wasna fu but just had plenty.
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Good luck with the SAAB of course bit if a scuttle shaking convertible was the 'answer' it must have been a very bad crisis!
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I think I was the first to suggest SAAB in your original thread so I'm especially pleased for you and I can't understand why anyone would post some negative comments telling you you haven't bought a 'real SAAB' - what possible benefit can accrue from that other than to make them feel smug?
I've owned two SAAB's each over three years and I have no idea whatsoever whether they were real/imaginary/bogus/authentic/whatever - they were both good cars that gave me very little trouble over a combined 150,000 miles, hence recommending the brand to you.
I hope you have a ball in your new car it sounds great.
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I've seen various threads here that have developed into a Saab ( and other makes) knocking forum. I've owned a Saab 99, a 900LPT Aero, a 9000CS, a 9000CSE and currently a 7 year old 9-5. The 9000 was supposedly the last 'real' Saab. I believe this was a jointly developed platform that resulted in various large European cars (Renault 25, Alfa 164 (?) and a couple of others) It was no different from the current Saab range, which is also a shared platform.
I have had no less or more breakdowns\problems with any of the models I've owned. The supposedly 'real' Saabs were no better or worse than the current one in that respect. Currently I believe Saabs do badly on one of the reliability indexes ( indexes themselves which use all sorts of different criteria to asess reliability) but in a recent German motoring organisation did very well in customer satisfaction. Who really cares? Certain marques seem to attract a greater level of customer loyalty than others ands I believe Saab is one of these. Just enjoy it and ignore the detractors who'll all be along in a minute.
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I've come to the conclusion now that no car I'm going to own is going to be perfect so the ownership experience completely boils down to the competence of the dealer and their ability to fix things. Despite my trouble with my Golfs in the past I did like the cars (indeed, the one car I really, really want at the moment is a Mk 5 GTi). The trouble was when they did go wrong it was completely hit and miss as to whether the dealers (I dealt with several) could sort the car properly. That's why I'm scared to put £20k of my hard earned into a GTi because one day I'll have to ask the muppets at the dealer to fix it.
Contrast that with the Saab dealer I've dealt with. My 93 has had to have three visits for warranty work but each time it's been sorted efficiently and on time. The dealer always rings to let me know what's happening and I was even offered a pass to the local swanky gym last time while I waited for the car.
Therefore, it seems to me they are working harder to keep my custom and since I like the car as well I will more than likely go back to them.
Your 93 might not be as reliable as a Corolla but I know what I'd rather have. Well done for not listening to the Saab knockers - all I can say is I'm dead jealous!!!!
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As I understand it, the newer 9-3 is built on a new Epsilon platform, not the Vectra. I was also pleased with the insurance quotes, bearing in mind it is a rag top. Anything from £295 up to £450 fully comp.
On every car I have ever owned, there have been knockers on the forums I have researched. You hear horror stories with them all, I just always hope that mine will be different. Despite my crisis (mild heart attack in November) my glass will continue to be half full rather than half empty.
So listen, it is the nicest looking cabrio on the market. It's comfy, it's fast enough for me & I look forward to picking it up. If it turns out to be a bag of nails (and why should it?) then I'll just get it fixed under warranty. Damn, I am looking forward to it. I have still got two weeks before I go back to work, so it is going to get a good work out. If you see a 52 yr old guy sweep past you, hood down, wearing a spitfire pilots helmet, a silk scarf , sheepskin jacket and a big grin....that'll be me (or Ron Manager)
I appreciate all your comments.
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Just enjoy it, I'm dead jealous me! My limited experience of Saab main dealers is that they've been excellent, with great customer relations. I'm sure you won't see much or them though.
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Thank God my mid life crisis is atleast 20 years away!! :-) The joys of being 22
Ben
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Don't count your chickens. I'm 38 and mine started around 4 years ago!!!!!!!!!!!
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Well watch out for the menapause then !!!!
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Well, I picked it up just after the new year. Saab 93 Vector cabrio' 2litre light pressure turbo, auto. Took it to Norfolk for the weekend to give it a run. What a nice car!
Fast enough for me as I am no racer. The engine? it is almost silent the way I drive. Faint wind rustle from join between front/rear window on drivers side at 70 on motorway, but at 50 to 60 on A or B roads it is a relaxed and quiet cruiser. No scuttle shake, but doesn't like bumps on badly kept roads. Sad to say, weather too inclement to put the top down. Also, my backside is slightly too generous for the sporty seat, so will need to lose a few more pounds from it. (no........don't go there! I see the joke coming!) Might find a 200 or 300 mile jaunt a bit wearying on the thighs. Was delighted by apparent MPG on a run, i.e. almost 40mpg at 60 or 65, but an apparent 20 or 22 round town.
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Nice one tack! The thing that many of the posters above have missed is the word "convertible".
Personally, I'm planning my mid life crisis in about 2 years time. I see the larger convertible as a very likely solution and have a current short list of the 9-3, the 3 series or the A4.
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IanS
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It's a lovely combination that parchment with the grey leather. A friend has exactly the same model as yours and is likewise very pleased.
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