Postby TurboBudapest » Sun Jul 17, 2016 12:36 am
Am also guilty as charged Hutch. I fell in love with Saabs in 1985 when I was ten years old. I lived in Luxembourg at the time (although we are American), and my father's colleague had a silver Saab 900 T16S with red interior including dash (what later would become the SPG). For me, this was the coolest car on the road after the Porsche 911. We went on to own three Saab 9000 (including an early 1987 9000T16S and a 1996 Aero - all of which wer purchased new), as well as a C900. Driving pre-GM designed Saabs take me back to my childhood always. For this reason I love all things Saab pre-GM (the 9000 Aero is the one exception). Now I am a 41 year old lawyer with disposable income, and a good chunck on my budget goes on Saabs. I had been searching for seven years for a 1985 900 T16S with red interior, bod cladding, silver and the Euro "aero" spec (SPG in the US) just like the one I sat in as a ten year old. I eventually found one in Italy, and purchased it sight unseen and had it transported to Budapest where I currently live. It was of course in much worse shape than expected, but surprisingly original without the rust in the usual places (but rust in places you never see rust in - wierd).
Long story short, I had a sympathetic restoration done over a year period (even hunted down a perfect condition red dash - rarer than hen's teeth), and spent a ton of money on rare accessories and original parts. Probably several times what the car was worth. But I really don't care - I did not buy it as an investment, but rather to fulfill a childhood dream. This was the car I promised myself when I was ten that I would buy if I had money. And the ten year old in me cheers every time I get into this car.
As to the accessories, I remember as a kid going to the Saab garage, and they had a vitrine with all the accessories that could be bought (most of which was interchangable between the 9000 and the C9000. Instrument clusters, steering wheels and such. I love original Saab accessories for this reason.
As to the other Saabs in the garage? I have:
- A mint 1978 99 turbo which was subject to a nut an bolt restoration a few years back. This car goes like a wild hog high on concaine. Love this thing (although don't love the slow and heavy steering!).
- A 1980 96 - one of the last several 100 produced. This car has been sitting at my Saab specialist for a year now waiting for his time to free up, so that we can do a nut and bold restoration. This is a very historic car, and the interior is in perfect shape (car sat in a garage in Trolhattan for almost 15 years before I bought it).
- 1993 C900 Convertible. I purchased this at the end of last year - why I waited till I was 40 to buy a convertible I don't know....
- 1996 9000 Aero - this is the only car that I have modified, with Maptun chip upgrade, bigger intercooler, a bunch of suspension upgrades from Abbot racing, and brake upgrades to name a few.
- the wife's car is a 2006 9-3 SC which we purchased less than a year old as an early return from a car leasing program. Somewhat less characterful, but this car is still really great. Very convenient, economical (I have the hirsch tuned diesel engine that is fast and frugal), the station wagon has real Saab hauling capability and it has proven pretty reliable. It is in prestine condition with only about 80K miles on it, so do not see any reason to trade it for something newer (especially as Saabs are no longer available).
The way I see it, I spent less on my five classic Saabs than I would have on a well optioned E class Mercedes. I also believe my cars pretty much keep their value. An I love each of them dearly. Sometimes when I have to drive to Vienna or Belgrade for a business trip, I take the 1978 99 Turbo for kicks - makes the trip a bit of an adventure. And it is so much more fun to drive these old cars rather than some characterles new car (although the new E class Mercedes is very nice and is one of the first new cars that tempts me in a while). The 9000 Aero is a suprisingly good long distance for our family of four as well. Not to mention the C900 - its luggage capacity is amazing, and as my kids are very small, it actually helps that we can easily reach back to hand them passi's, drinks and comforting hands. Actually, last year we went on a 1500 mile round trip the four of us in the 1985 C900 SPG. We fit two large strollers, a foldable baby bed and four suitcases into the trunk (plus some loose bags). All in a stylish comfortable coupe - what car can do that today!
So yes, I guess those of us who grew up in the 80s lusting after these cars are now coming up age and are willing to spend major money on these cars and their accessories now. As a result prices are appreciating and the C900 is less of a budget classic that it once was. The really cheap C900s are in bad shape or of low spec nowadays. Good quality well speced cars are going up seriously in value. A good 900 SPG can go for USD 15K plush in Europe now by way of example (and are rarely available for less than 8K). In any event, USD 750 for a whate tail in good shape with solid rubber is more than fair in current market conditions - because it is a rare accessory that makes the C900 look even more bada$$.....
amazing how SAAB parts can go for more than entire cars.