Done to death car vs car for X situation, yawn...

[Ghost91]

This is becoming a little boring by now, I understand...

But you lot always seem to have decent and valid things to say!

So here goes anyway

My diesel alfa has now provisionally sold... Want something petrol for commuting - 30 miles each way

Not too bothered about consumption but 20 and above ideal

I want something retro

I've seen two cars now, that I really want! I'm a saab enthusiast currently saab less though. I'm looking at a lovely 900 tomorrow from '94, looks great and with a couple of touches like possibly a whale tail spoiler and some super aero wheels it'll look (imo) even better! One owner from new, 120k full history present.

But, there's this bargain 300E merc for sale. It's had all the important stuff done, belts, brakes, comprehensive service, brand new tyres, low warranted mileage with all old MOT's. Seller wants a grand for it. Could do with tidying up a bit inside and out but it still looks nice, quite retro and would make a lovely motorway cruiser albeit a thirsty one.

The Saabs more expensive but I know them, and already like them... The merc would be all new to me but im told the w124's are great engines and will go on for years - maybe something different would be good.

Can anyone help me decide??

I plan to run it as a daily and long trips at weekends sometimes, but do have a modern backup car should they go catastrophically wrong so whilst reliability is a factor, not too big a deal if one goes bang.

Oh and I'm 23, so while both are a bit grandad-ish (maybe not as much as my old 9000) I'm thinking perhaps the Saabs a bit more cool and I wouldn't look quite so silly in it. When I say I've seen the cars I mean online and also on a saab specialist dealer website - I'm viewing the saab as it's more expensive than the merc but at a grand Id rather just buy that one than travel miles twice, and if it's no good (which I doubt judging by advert - can always walk if not as described) then it's no big deal) Any thoughts appreciated

Edited by Ghost91 on Monday 4th May 00:13

[gazza285]

Saab. All day.

[Ghost91]

I think that's what I want to hear to be honest! The merc is just cheap and looks a good buy so I guess I was wondering if everyone was gonna tell me how awesome they are and if I should pick that instead... And I wouldn't mind something barhe like to waft in but I've always wanted a classic 900 as well! Id have both if I had room!!

[mr TICKHILL]

I've had 2 w124s and 3 saabs 900, 9000 and a 9-5 loved them all, if you've not had a Mercedes at a grand your not going to lose any money if you decide its not for you in a few months

[pboyall]

A friend has a Saab for sale ... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-T-Saab-9-3-S-2-0-Tu...

[Ghost91]

mr TICKHILL said:

I've had 2 w124s and 3 saabs 900, 9000 and a 9-5 loved them all, if you've not had a Mercedes at a grand your not going to lose any money if you decide its not for you in a few months

This is true. To be honest I could easily get a years depreciation free motoring if not more! The saab is more likely to go up in value though. I'm hoping all will become clear after I've viewed the saab today but probably not....

[Ghost91]

pboyall said:

A friend has a Saab for sale ... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-T-Saab-9-3-S-2-0-Tu...

Thank you for that. I'm really after a classic 900 though, pre GM. I have had some newer Saabs, 9-3 convertible and 9-5, plus a 900 banger to tide me over while my golf was in the garage for two weeks - but you can't beat the older ones for build quality.

[mywifeshusband]

Saab. I'm on my sixth one and am contemplating number seven.
The Saab is more stylish and you'll always get your money back on that as easy as the Mercedes.
Join UKSaabs as well.

[Ghost91]

mywifeshusband said:

Saab. I'm on my sixth one and am contemplating number seven.
The Saab is more stylish and you'll always get your money back on that as easy as the Mercedes.
Join UKSaabs as well.

Already there, great forum! There's also a facebook group (if you're on facebook) called 'Saab nuts!' Which is quite friendly and helpful, if you're not already on there.

I ideally want a t16 but for the money I want to spend it will only really buy a slightly ropey high miler - whereas I've seen a couple of immaculate 900i's which look the business. Not sure if I'll get on with something that slow though so I'll see later today I guess. High miles has never put me off with a saab but 190k for something without a full history makes me a little nervous even with that fantastic engine...

[mr TICKHILL]

Ghost91 said:

pboyall said:

A friend has a Saab for sale ... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-T-Saab-9-3-S-2-0-Tu...

Thank you for that. I'm really after a classic 900 though, pre GM. I have had some newer Saabs, 9-3 convertible and 9-5, plus a 900 banger to tide me over while my golf was in the garage for two weeks - but you can't beat the older ones for build quality.

I thought that about the 9000 vs the 9-5 it didn't seem as well built, but that may have been the rose tinted glasses effect

[Ghost91]

mr TICKHILL said:

I thought that about the 9000 vs the 9-5 it didn't seem as well built, but that may have been the rose tinted glasses effect

I would of trusted my 9000 to get me anywhere... I went to Newcastle in it several times, yorkshire and back, and southampton and back several times all from the Midlands with no bother, and it was my daily driver. I stupidly got rid of it as it needed a small amount of welding under the windscreen and new tyres, so back then to me it wasn't worth fixing..:. Lesson learned! Plenty of people get on really well with their 9-5's... I think I just bought a dog. I once changed the two gearbox mounts on my convertible, and if IIRC there was one saab and one GM one. Saab one was perfectly intact and useable after 130,000 miles, and the GM one was shot to bits....

[mr TICKHILL]

I don't think you'll enjoy a non-turbo saab, I had one for a few days while getting a fuel pump fitted it was ok once you got up to speed, but it seemed to take forever

[Ghost91]

mr TICKHILL said:

I don't think you'll enjoy a non-turbo saab, I had one for a few days while getting a fuel pump fitted it was ok once you got up to speed, but it seemed to take forever

This is what I'm thinking... Only one way to find out I guess. I'll let you know how I get on later today - failing that they've also got a 9-3 aero going cheap so maybe that'll do for a bit

[Ghost91]

I'm back from the test drive.... The car is in amazing nick, excellent history, no rust at all only on the sunroof painted panel thing which is easy to remove and get painted, same with the fuel filler cap. It was loads quicker than expected! Definitely fine for me, perhaps until I can pay more for a decent t16. Even had nearly new pirellis all round, garage seemed very honest and they had tons of old Saabs knocking around for me to perv on.

If they'll re do the headlining for me in the sale price I think I'll have it :-)

[mr TICKHILL]

Ghost91 said:

I'm back from the test drive.... The car is in amazing nick, excellent history, no rust at all only on the sunroof painted panel thing which is easy to remove and get painted, same with the fuel filler cap. It was loads quicker than expected! Definitely fine for me, perhaps until I can pay more for a decent t16. Even had nearly new pirellis all round, garage seemed very honest and they had tons of old Saabs knocking around for me to perv on.

If they'll re do the headlining for me in the sale price I think I'll have it :-)

nice