Thank You R819GHR
Discussion
My Saab 900XS was carted off to be scrapped yesterday after someone ran into the back of me.
It was my first Saab, I bought it 3 years ago with 98k on the clock and it just clocked 160k recently.
In that time it failed only once with a snapped auxiliary drive belt which cost me all of £18 and about an hour to repair myself.
I even managed to fill the engine with water after driving a bit too enthusiastically through a ford - well, I say 'through', I didn't actually make it out of the other side and had to paddle out.
The RAC came along, towed it out of the ford, took out the plugs and turned over the engine while I stood and laughed hysterically watching the water being fired vertically out of the cylinders. Apart from the first 2 miles when it coughed and spluttered it was fine.
On Monday evening a muppet with his head up his arse ran into the back of me while I stood with my indicator and brakes on waiting to turn right. This was on a road with at least 200yds visibility in broad daylight. He said he was doing about 50mph, but knowing the road (A453 to Notts) I would be willing to bet money it was much faster.
I've got whiplash but not a single cut or bruise which is testament to this car I think. Had I been in the TVR I dread to think where I'd be right now.
So here's a big THANK YOU to R819 GHR for 3 years of comfortable and faultless driving, and for the protection you gave me on Monday. And to Saab, for making this wonderful car.
and the bloody brake lights even still worked as they put it on the truck
It was my first Saab, I bought it 3 years ago with 98k on the clock and it just clocked 160k recently.
In that time it failed only once with a snapped auxiliary drive belt which cost me all of £18 and about an hour to repair myself.
I even managed to fill the engine with water after driving a bit too enthusiastically through a ford - well, I say 'through', I didn't actually make it out of the other side and had to paddle out.
The RAC came along, towed it out of the ford, took out the plugs and turned over the engine while I stood and laughed hysterically watching the water being fired vertically out of the cylinders. Apart from the first 2 miles when it coughed and spluttered it was fine.
On Monday evening a muppet with his head up his arse ran into the back of me while I stood with my indicator and brakes on waiting to turn right. This was on a road with at least 200yds visibility in broad daylight. He said he was doing about 50mph, but knowing the road (A453 to Notts) I would be willing to bet money it was much faster.
I've got whiplash but not a single cut or bruise which is testament to this car I think. Had I been in the TVR I dread to think where I'd be right now.
So here's a big THANK YOU to R819 GHR for 3 years of comfortable and faultless driving, and for the protection you gave me on Monday. And to Saab, for making this wonderful car.
and the bloody brake lights even still worked as they put it on the truck
Blimey Duncan, that was quick. I didn't think this forum was very well frequented by the look of the posts in it.
The other driver was in an M reg Ford Escort which had the front end folded back as far as the wheels. In one way I felt sorry for him too as he'd only had the car since the weekend.
Anyone want to hazard a guess at what our replacement 'family' car will be ?
Requirements:
Can't be boring - absolutely first and foremost.
Decent fuel economy
Decent load carrying capacity
Comfortable
Aircon
Manual
The other driver was in an M reg Ford Escort which had the front end folded back as far as the wheels. In one way I felt sorry for him too as he'd only had the car since the weekend.
Anyone want to hazard a guess at what our replacement 'family' car will be ?
Requirements:
Can't be boring - absolutely first and foremost.
Decent fuel economy
Decent load carrying capacity
Comfortable
Aircon
Manual
Barreti said:
Blimey Duncan, that was quick. I didn't think this forum was very well frequented by the look of the posts in it.
The other driver was in an M reg Ford Escort which had the front end folded back as far as the wheels. In one way I felt sorry for him too as he'd only had the car since the weekend.
Anyone want to hazard a guess at what our replacement 'family' car will be ?
Requirements:
Can't be boring - absolutely first and foremost.
Decent fuel economy
Decent load carrying capacity
Comfortable
Aircon
Manual
Tricky...The other driver was in an M reg Ford Escort which had the front end folded back as far as the wheels. In one way I felt sorry for him too as he'd only had the car since the weekend.
Anyone want to hazard a guess at what our replacement 'family' car will be ?
Requirements:
Can't be boring - absolutely first and foremost.
Decent fuel economy
Decent load carrying capacity
Comfortable
Aircon
Manual
My choice would be a Saab, that's why I had one.
Has it got to be reliable as well or could it be a little bit exciting/quirky?
I need it to be reasonably reliable but I'm good(ish) with spanners so although the Mrs would kill me if I had another car I always worked on it could be anything.
Quirky is good. In fact its part of the British character to be quirky.
I'm quite interested in this although I think the Mrs will think the smack in the head really has sent me mad.
ebay link
oops, I forgot, I don't have unlimited funds to we've set the limit at £5k
Quirky is good. In fact its part of the British character to be quirky.
I'm quite interested in this although I think the Mrs will think the smack in the head really has sent me mad.
ebay link
oops, I forgot, I don't have unlimited funds to we've set the limit at £5k
Edited by Barreti on Friday 6th July 11:41
You've already got a convertible in the Griff. However I am a big fan of the c900 and I've come very close to buying one on more than one occasion.
Tin top is a great drive try this: -
uksaabs link
Sold I know but show stopping examples are available anything up to £5k. Many Saab enthusiasts will confirm that a move from the ng900 to c900 is not a backward step.
Tin top is a great drive try this: -
uksaabs link
Sold I know but show stopping examples are available anything up to £5k. Many Saab enthusiasts will confirm that a move from the ng900 to c900 is not a backward step.
Barreti said:
Blimey Duncan, that was quick. I didn't think this forum was very well frequented by the look of the posts in it.
The other driver was in an M reg Ford Escort which had the front end folded back as far as the wheels. In one way I felt sorry for him too as he'd only had the car since the weekend.
Anyone want to hazard a guess at what our replacement 'family' car will be ?
Requirements:
Can't be boring - absolutely first and foremost.
Decent fuel economy
Decent load carrying capacity
Comfortable
Aircon
Manual
Its the PH standard answer for a family car........The other driver was in an M reg Ford Escort which had the front end folded back as far as the wheels. In one way I felt sorry for him too as he'd only had the car since the weekend.
Anyone want to hazard a guess at what our replacement 'family' car will be ?
Requirements:
Can't be boring - absolutely first and foremost.
Decent fuel economy
Decent load carrying capacity
Comfortable
Aircon
Manual
Skoda Octavia VRS?
Barreti said:
I need it to be reasonably reliable but I'm good(ish) with spanners so although the Mrs would kill me if I had another car I always worked on it could be anything.
Quirky is good. In fact its part of the British character to be quirky.
I'm quite interested in this although I think the Mrs will think the smack in the head really has sent me mad.
ebay link
oops, I forgot, I don't have unlimited funds to we've set the limit at £5k
Could you be tempted by a nice classic 900 Ruby? PM me if interested!Quirky is good. In fact its part of the British character to be quirky.
I'm quite interested in this although I think the Mrs will think the smack in the head really has sent me mad.
ebay link
oops, I forgot, I don't have unlimited funds to we've set the limit at £5k
Edited by Barreti on Friday 6th July 11:41
Just saw your fleet, top choice!
Fellow Saab and LR fan.
My wife had similar experience. A bloke in a Pug 405 or 6 (can't remember which) drove into the back of her GM900S (1994) at a roundabout (luckily at a much lower speed than your muppet).
Result - £1000+ damage to the Pug and none whatsoever to the Saab or my Missus. The bloke said he might as well have driven into a wall! Said Saab has just racked up 212K miles and is still going strong. Not the most exciting Saab ever made but a different order of toughness to the Cavaliers people are so fond of jibing GM900 owners about
If you want a change, a Classic 900 or even a 9000 would be a good choice
Result - £1000+ damage to the Pug and none whatsoever to the Saab or my Missus. The bloke said he might as well have driven into a wall! Said Saab has just racked up 212K miles and is still going strong. Not the most exciting Saab ever made but a different order of toughness to the Cavaliers people are so fond of jibing GM900 owners about
If you want a change, a Classic 900 or even a 9000 would be a good choice
Edited by Prof Beard on Friday 6th July 15:34
Anyone want to hazard a guess at what our replacement 'family' car will be ?
Requirements:
Can't be boring - absolutely first and foremost.
Decent fuel economy
Decent load carrying capacity
Comfortable
Aircon
I had a very similar list of requirements, which is why ( as well as the Griff ) we have a SAAB and an Impreza turbo. Three very different cars, and none are boring. An Impreza would easily fit into your budget.
Guess what. About 3 weeks ago, someone ran into the SAAB ( is there a theme developing here? ) Only it was the side, not the back. Its really annoying, as its the new addition to the fleet, and we are still in the honeymoon stage. It basicaly needs a door and wing and a suspension arm. I have bought the salvage off the ins company and am about to get quotes to get it repaired. If its not economical, I know I could break it for parts and get more than I spent on the salvage, but it would break my heart to do it as it was such a clean tidy car. Or I could sell it "as is" ( anyone interested ), but hopefuly will be mending it... Watch this space.
Requirements:
Can't be boring - absolutely first and foremost.
Decent fuel economy
Decent load carrying capacity
Comfortable
Aircon
I had a very similar list of requirements, which is why ( as well as the Griff ) we have a SAAB and an Impreza turbo. Three very different cars, and none are boring. An Impreza would easily fit into your budget.
Guess what. About 3 weeks ago, someone ran into the SAAB ( is there a theme developing here? ) Only it was the side, not the back. Its really annoying, as its the new addition to the fleet, and we are still in the honeymoon stage. It basicaly needs a door and wing and a suspension arm. I have bought the salvage off the ins company and am about to get quotes to get it repaired. If its not economical, I know I could break it for parts and get more than I spent on the salvage, but it would break my heart to do it as it was such a clean tidy car. Or I could sell it "as is" ( anyone interested ), but hopefuly will be mending it... Watch this space.
We have had two classic 900 turbos. I really regret selling my 'G' reg 3 door one - same colour as the one in the UK Saabs link above. Wonderful cars. I think you will be pleasantly surprised if you try one. Boot space is massive.It may actually cost more to buy than another GM 900 but probably won't depreciate if buy a good late model one. Not as much safety kit as your 900 though.
We also had a 9000 - great car, written off when an elderly gent in a micra ran into the back of it whilst it was parked on the road. These are very cheap now, even the Aeros.
http://www.saabtec.co.uk/sales.php?show=000189&...
We now have a 9-5 estate - very nice car, but known for problems with oil in sump etc. 9-5 Aeros are getting cheap though if you fancied taking a chance. Good luck with the next Saab.
We also had a 9000 - great car, written off when an elderly gent in a micra ran into the back of it whilst it was parked on the road. These are very cheap now, even the Aeros.
http://www.saabtec.co.uk/sales.php?show=000189&...
We now have a 9-5 estate - very nice car, but known for problems with oil in sump etc. 9-5 Aeros are getting cheap though if you fancied taking a chance. Good luck with the next Saab.
BTW, oil sludging in 9-5s only affects the 2.3s. 
Sorry to hear of the woes - I would be gutted, the T16S is my pride and joy.
For a daily hack I think the modernity of a later Saab would be good and also the feeling that you're not running a classic into the ground (which was one thing that prompted me to buy a second car).
For 5k a very decent old shape 9-3 or 9-5 is in budget. Maybe a very nice low miles 9000 would tempt you with a few pennies left over for "toys"?
Sorry to hear of the woes - I would be gutted, the T16S is my pride and joy.
For a daily hack I think the modernity of a later Saab would be good and also the feeling that you're not running a classic into the ground (which was one thing that prompted me to buy a second car).
For 5k a very decent old shape 9-3 or 9-5 is in budget. Maybe a very nice low miles 9000 would tempt you with a few pennies left over for "toys"?
The Saab is a cat C write off. Hopefully it will be back running by the end of August ( time permitting ) 3 questions:
Firstly, when repairs are complete, can I just start driving it around again, or does it have to go through some kind of inspection or test to make sure it has been properly repaired, or I havn't just stuck my plates onto a stolen car?
Secondly, when I come to sell it, do I have to make it clear to the buyer that it was a cat c write off, or is it up to them to ask the question? ( obviously I will tell the truth if asked, but if they don't ask, do I have to say? )
Thirdly, will the DVLA try anything annoying like giving it a Q plate?
Firstly, when repairs are complete, can I just start driving it around again, or does it have to go through some kind of inspection or test to make sure it has been properly repaired, or I havn't just stuck my plates onto a stolen car?
Secondly, when I come to sell it, do I have to make it clear to the buyer that it was a cat c write off, or is it up to them to ask the question? ( obviously I will tell the truth if asked, but if they don't ask, do I have to say? )
Thirdly, will the DVLA try anything annoying like giving it a Q plate?
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