1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Hey. Great plan. I returned to SPGs after a probably 6 year hiatus recently. I had an old land rover defender, a bmw I bought from a friend, a leased car and got viscerally pissed every time I saw (infrequently) an SPG on the road... as in why don't I still have one??!? I'm now on my 3rd SPG, 5th classic 900, and 9th car ever. Bought to be my almost-every-day driver.
So... That said... I always wanted a red one. They just look so cool. So 90-91 were the only years I considered.
Here are some of the factors that went into my process (it took me 5 MONTHS to find the right car):
1) Talladega Red (only avail in 1990 and 1991)
2) I wanted stock / unaltered condition.
3) Mileage unimportant but engine maintenance needed to be perfect.
4) Interior needed to be in good shape, not crapped out.
5) No rust / no body damage
If you get the 90 and up (90 or 91), you get airbag and antilock brakes, both of which I wanted. You also get other upgrades towards the end of the model run (ie 90, 91) that you don't get on the 85-86 and then 87-88-89 models, but that's no reason to NOT buy a great 87 or 88 if it comes up. One note: although the abs can be problematic if things go wrong, when it works, the brakes I believe are superior.
For some reason I found that the 1991 models are much rarer than the 1990 model years; however the 91's have the late style seat mounts that are direct bolt ins for the 9000 aero seats you want. Also the 88 and 89s with passive belts are direct bolt ins for 9000 aero seats, but you will have to use the later post 91 center console though with passive belt cars FYI. The 85, 86, 87, the few 88's without passive belts, and the 90s will have to have floorpan welding/modification to accept your aero seats. (which by the way is a superb alteration on these cars and it's possible, but I'm no welder so I avoided it)
Most of the 88 and 89 SPGs (US models) have the passive seatbelts. They always break, you can replace with regular belts. Not at all a dealbreaker, you'll just need another 87 and back car to take the belts from. It's a very common and easy fix. And it's a good thing cuz you get the later style seat mounts for aero seats or more common later model year 9000 seats in better shape.
My bar none absolute favorite SPG is still the black exterior / tan interior 85 SPG. Had one, great shape, sold it, kick myself for it now and then. Has the older style front nose and bumpers but with (the rare) euro lights and a painted grille, looks mean and very aggressive. Also most were up north, and most are rusted based on the few I've seen for sale in the past year or so.
I would, in general, look for a car that has been largely unmolested (ie stock). That way you have a pretty solid baseline, you know what you're getting. Then modify away if that's your direction. Over the years I've bought 2 cars, 1 in particular, that came pre-modified. And well, stripped bolts, dumb stuff and stupid mistakes... I'd rather they be my own and not the previous owner's hacks.
Also, spare yourself the agony and AVOID A CAR WITH VISIBLE RUST. i dont care where it is or how sexy it looks after the rain... rust sucks. Hood edges, underhood everywhere, under the passenger or drivers side wheelwells / driveshaft tunnels, floors, trunk floors, above the exhaust tunnel. If you get rust, it's going to be a pain in your rear. It's often treatable / doable but it's a time suck and it'll grate on your nerves. The car I bought had no real rust to speak of, however as I started to go over it with an anal fine toothed comb, there are spots I've treated with POR15 since (particularly, the a pillar behind windshield molding, battery tray, tiny spot on passenger front floorwell where I guess there's been a leak for 17 years or so). I caught it and it'll be fine.
If you get one of the rare REALLY nice SPGs out there with normal miles for the year, expect to pay $3500 - $6500 range unless you get a wickedly good steal (Note: these things aren't porsches, it is possible with these cars every now and then to get a great deal, but probably not on the classifieds here, people selling here know the rarity factor, you want the person in idaho selling her "saab 900 car" who doesn't even know its an SPG).
Also, financially, if you REALLY want to do this right, don't lie to yourself. Know that you're not saving a ton of money by buying an old car. I sold a pretty nice 25K car and now literally (amortized month to month) spend more per month to own & drive the SPG. But I like it 5 times better, so it works. My soon-to-be-wife thinks it's a money pit but likes when I'm happy, but be advised, if you keep it in prime shape, it's gonna cost you.
Hypothetically for you, here's a template (probably on the high side):
12000 TOTAL SPG BUDGET
4000 Car purchase
3000 Total A+ quality repaint (you do all prepwork to get this good price)
1300 interior (if you really want to do it right)
700 aero wheels / purchased & refinished
3000 mechanical / performance upgrades
With the above, you'd have the pimpest SPG out there, a first class reliable good looking car, and you can't put a price on the uniqueness factor. Hope it helps.
posted by 68.19.200...
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
