It's NOT an MX5...

[Sterillium]

I almost accidentally sold a car last week. I'm good like that... accidental purchases, unplanned selling, stupid whims etc etc. But I made a conscious decision NOT to get rid of a car, because I genuinely don't know what I'd replace it with.

It's nothing special, it's just an old SAAB 93 Aero Convertible. It's in great condition, it has had some under-the-bonnet fettling, extra strut braces a nice stainless steel exhaust system and some kind of magical remapping wizardry that I don't understand, but the result is a very fast, very comfortable and reliable car that I've really enjoyed zooming about in this afternoon whilst the sun was shining.



I know it's not a "classic" yet, but it could heading that way, especially in manual Aero form. But heated seats, iphone connected radio, air con etc make it genuinely useable in all sorts of ways - it has rear seats and a useable boot space too.

It ticks a lot of boxes and I can't think what else would hit the following criteria:

Fast.
Classic looks.
Roofless.
Four seats and a boot.
Reliable.
Comfortable.

Obviously if I remove the "four seats" stipulation an MX5 - although not FAST would fit well (I've had several) but I just can't see another car that would do all these things for the price of one the "bad" MOTs on one of my TVRs.

So I might keep it and slowly bring it back to as near "mint" as I can.

What other cars would you consider to tick these boxes?

Or have you ever kept a car for similarly odd reasons?

[RemyMartin81D]

I'd say a car that was notorious for epic scuttle shake and cracking it's bulkhead will never be a classic.

Not a 'rubbish' car but never a classic.

[Andy665]

That looks lovely OP - best spec and certainly a car Is like to own one day, had the next gen Aero convertible for a while but prefer this 2nd gen model

[bennettse2025]

I love those alloys

[brrapp]

CLK ?

[Cupramax]

RemyMartin81D said:

I'd say a car that was notorious for epic scuttle shake and cracking it's bulkhead will never be a classic.

Not a 'rubbish' car but never a classic.

You’ve been reading too many Internet forums, have you ever even actually driven one?

[EDLT]

RemyMartin81D said:

I'd say a car that was notorious for epic scuttle shake and cracking it's bulkhead will never be a classic.

Not a 'rubbish' car but never a classic.

Plenty of classic cars having glaring build quality and reliability issues, even if you exclude rust.

[Sterillium]

RemyMartin81D said:

I'd say a car that was notorious for epic scuttle shake and cracking it's bulkhead will never be a classic.

Not a 'rubbish' car but never a classic.

This is a valid point, but I'd argue that many cars that elevate to classic status do so completely against the tide of rational thinking, often more to do with numbers made, cult following or just plain randomness. But yes, I see what you mean.

I guess the good thing about SAABs is that they are wierd, ugly and kind of odd...

[Sterillium]

Andy665 said:

That looks lovely OP - best spec and certainly a car Is like to own one day, had the next gen Aero convertible for a while but prefer this 2nd gen model

I still massively regret selling my T16 Saloon.

[WJNB]

Enjoy it & stuff the know-it-all's. Odd & weird is good, shows you have confidence & character.
As you say it's not an MX-5 or worse a Cheapos Eunos which are now far too common.

[RemyMartin81D]

Cupramax said:

You’ve been reading too many Internet forums, have you ever even actually driven one?

Yes ive driven a viggen convertible even with the abbott racing rescue kit and it was er.....eye opening

[soad]

RS4 Convertible?

[EazyDuz]

Reminds me of those old Mk 4 astra convertibles in grey

[bobbo89]

Cupramax said:

RemyMartin81D said:

I'd say a car that was notorious for epic scuttle shake and cracking it's bulkhead will never be a classic.

Not a 'rubbish' car but never a classic.

You’ve been reading too many Internet forums, have you ever even actually driven one?

I've driven one, a 250bhp one that torque steered like fk and the bulkhead was obviously cracked (pedals move when steering). That said, there are fixes out there for these and they are lovely cars, you just need to mod them properly and do all the right things to handle the extra power you're putting through it!

Nice car BTW OP, always had a soft spot for Saab's and you've made the right decision keeping it as there really isn't anything out there that you could replace it with*

• e36 328 sport cab maybe?

[SCEtoAUX]

That is a lovely car. I was very tempted to buy something similar recently, but in the end I went with the two seater "not an MX-5" option of another MR2.

I had a 900 convertible years ago (at an age when I needed four seats) and it was wonderful.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the W209 CLK 350/500/55 more than fit the bill but you do have a nice Saab there OP.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[gnc]

had an mx5 for 10 years, then thought id uprate and get a saab convertable, worst decision ive made in a long time.

[Debaser]

Sterillium said:

It ticks a lot of boxes and I can't think what else would hit the following criteria:

Fast.
Classic looks.
Roofless.
Four seats and a boot.
Reliable.
Comfortable.

Surely a BMW 3 series convertible?

[S2r]

Volvo C70 ?

[Muddle238]

Sterillium said:

RemyMartin81D said:

I'd say a car that was notorious for epic scuttle shake and cracking it's bulkhead will never be a classic.

Not a 'rubbish' car but never a classic.

This is a valid point, but I'd argue that many cars that elevate to classic status do so completely against the tide of rational thinking, often more to do with numbers made, cult following or just plain randomness. But yes, I see what you mean.

I guess the good thing about SAABs is that they are wierd, ugly and kind of odd...

Another thing about SAAB is that kids of today who become the petrol heads of tomorrow probably won't have heard of SAAB, or if they have probably won't know much about them. Future generations will take an interest in this extinct marque in the same way I have an interest in manufacturers that no longer exist.

I suspect SAABs will continue to exist for years to come, as enthusiasts keep the brand alive despite the factories being buried a long time ago. Rightly so too, I like SAAB and there is absolutely no harm in keeping nice examples in decent condition for future generations.