In a complete left turn from Swade’s hard-hitting news coverage, I bring you some of the oddities that I’ve run across while shopping for a new convertible. Not really new, but one that’s new to me. After a brief flirtation with the notion of buying a Viggen convertible that’s reasonably close to me, I’ve decided to stay with the C900 for many reasons, but the primary one is personal preference. I’m just a classic 900 guy. The 9-3 convertibles that I’ve driven (I didn’t drive the Viggen) have also convinced me that they are just a touch smaller than I can reasonably drive regularly.
Seeing all of the nutty things that people will do to a car and seeing all of the mistakes that people make while trying to sell a car is just plain fun. You never know what in the heck these people are thinking when they choose their path. Read on for a few Saab oddities…..
1. 1989 Saab 900 Pro Stock
Here’s the first Pro Stock Saab 900 that I’ve ever seen. It’s likely the only Pro Stock 900 that I’ll ever see.
To top that, it’s Purple. Inside and out.
It’s rear wheel drive (ugh) and it’s all Ford underneath the skin (double ugh).
You’ve got to admire the ingenuity and technical know-how, but, boy is the result ever an ungainly mix.
2. Would it kill you to wash the car?
This egregious mistake comes from someone that should know better — a new-car dealer. Granted they are in Kentucky (that’s a little local humor for you), but you’d think they would know better. As Swade said very well in his recent post, pictures help sell.
This is probably a nice car. I called about it and it has a few flaws, and I’m not buying because it’s an automatic. I mentioned to the sales person (in charge of internet sales) that he should update the picture. He said that he would. Over 30 days ago. It’s still listed with the body coated with mud spray from a mild snow storm.
Do you think that they have folks calling to buy it? Probably not.
3. The man with two Sonnets
I still don’t know what to make of this; the narrative sent along with the pictures rambles on about things that aren’t relevant, not even close! However, there is a man in Florida with two Sonnets for sale, this one, which looks to be in good condition, and an orange one of similar age which is unrestored. It would be a great fourth car. I considered it, but for now I have to pass. For under $4000 for the pair, it looks to be a good deal. If the blue one runs as well as it looks, that is — and that’s completely unclear.
And, yes, that’s the best shot of the orange one. Please consider that indicative of the written description. Really.
4. Monte Carlo, anyone?
These are seemingly everywhere!! Well, they’re everywhere that I’m not.
I’m seriously considering the additional time and effort that it would require to buy one of these beauties. The closest one is about a 14-hour drive from where I live, which isn’t so bad considering that the other three are 21 hours, 22 hours and and 36 hours distant, respectively!
Naturally, they are expensive, ranging from about $2,000 to $10,000 more than the typical 900 turbo ‘vert.
I’m not so sure that they are actually worth much more than their more pedestrian 900 Turbo Convertible counterparts, that’s really the main point of contention for me. The body kit is nice, I’ll admit, but few thousand for that and a slight tweak here or there? I’m not seeing it. The lowest priced one is the most distant, and that’s an impediment to contend with.
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