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So my 2000 9-5 Saab was misbheaving a bit in the last 12 months. Christmas-tree dash on way home from vacation (so I pulled the ABS and had it rebuilt for $139, problem solved).
Then the siren would continue to go off... finally pulled the darn thing and had it rebuilt for $39, problem solved.
Leaking valve cover gasket, but hey, at 9 years and 90K, had it fixed along with the 90K service.
Finally, the blend door problem returned after having it repaired last summer... this time bought the graphite/alum piece and had it installed for just $80 in labor.
So began to covet an older Benz wagon, and found a rare, low miles 1987 turbo diesel in great shape for $8500... almost collectable, only 1500 imported, and a Benz. The W124 cars are a hoot to drive (solid, precision tank-like, princely road feel).
So drove a way to buy one... driving the wagon up some 380 miles to do the deal. Night fell during my trip up, so turned on the night panel... had the music blaring on what I still think is the best car audio system I've yet heard... vented seats on low, V6 effortlessly pulling me from 70-90 for mountain passes... and I knew a problem was occuring.
I was falling in love all over again.
Made it to the dealer the next morning and took the test-drive. My driving notes -- not nearly as comfortable, nearly as much cargo capacity but not as much rear-seat room, soft seats (they needed to be re-stuffed), and gutless from 0-10 MPH and a little better from 15-40, but at 75 didn't feel like it wanted to cruise at the speeds I'm used to when on the highway (75-85)...
So finished the test drive. Maybe it's unfair to compare a 1987 turbo diesel Benz with a 2000 9-5 LPT V6, to compare 22 year old MB-Tex seats to the Saab vented-kind, to compare the stock Becker audio to the HK-tuned audio... the memory seats (with side mirror adjustments), the cupholder (the W124 and maybe the E39 BMW are the only classes of car with worse cup holders than Saab), the auto-dimming mirror, the thoughtful map-light, you get the idea...
I walked away from the Benz. Had trouble digesting the fact that the 1987 vehicle was worth twice the price of my 2000 vehicle... but wasn't ready to give it all up (the tinsel, the comfort, the power) quite yet.
I guess I'm such a nut job that I needed to put 800 miles on the car to realize what I've got! Saab is still a terrific used car value (if you can swing $1200-1800/yr in upkeep/repair.)
So rather than saying "goodbye and thank you for everything," I guess I'm here to say "I'm still here!"
A
posted by 71.56.7...
, Wed, 29 Apr 2009 08:22:43
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