Saab - Why do you like them?

[jamieduff1981]

I've only ever driven two Saabs, both mid-90s 93s and thought they were fairly forgettable experiences to be honest.

They seem to crop up often on PH threads on wishlists or what car threads. Someone even mentioned a 95 aero as the weekend car on a thread last night.

I'm convinced I must be missing something as they seem pretty mediocre to drive and aren't very quick either. I'd be interested to read from past or present owners what the special appeal is. I won't be rushing out to buy one but I'd like to understand why some do

[jamieduff1981]

Ok, what's a proper Saab then for the benefit of the likes of me? As far as I am aware, there were never models you could call quick. I understand the desire to avoid German tedium and have strived to myself. Using them as the benchmark though, even what must be the 'full fat' Saabs fall a long way short of the German halo models in terms of performance and the FWD must have been caused a lack of credibility as a 'quick' car? Noone evrr tosses up a Saab against an M3 in what car threads.

It would appear that at best, the quick Saabs were more like competitors for things like the Accord Type R or 620Ti/800 Vitesse?

[jamieduff1981]

drivin_me_nuts said:

indeed, go drive a properly sorted original 900. lovely in T16 turbo form with a little tweak or two along the way.

So what should it be compared to? I've driven quite a wide spread of cars, some worse than a Saab and some better.

If it's lovely compared to a Cavalier or Escort then fair enough. It's probably not going to feel lovely next to a V8 Jag though. I guess I'm struggling to place it other than by value when new or a few years old. I understand the first reply completely - good used value following heavy depreciation. That makes good economic sense yet that can't be everything because of replies such as your own.

A T16 900 would go for similar money to pretty much any older car you fancy so the 3-year old value aspect is gone yet it's still supposed to be lovely which can be stiff competition

[jamieduff1981]

Thanks for all the reaponses

I think I've got a better idea of what they're all about.