We see some spectacular members cars threads on RMS. GTRs and M4s and other stunning machinery. And yet there seems to be, unexplainably, a growing fan base of a now defunct Swedish car manufacturer who's cars are based on even less loved Vauxhall.
Not even a month has passed since @Cess professing his love of all things Saab on the blog. Since then I sold the 335, and as fate would have it was lent a Petrol Saab 9-3 turbo for daily duties.
Something strange happened. Despite the power sapping and lazy auto box aside, and a poor 25mpg to boot, this was a really comfortable and a little bit unusual of a daily. And they also have a bit of a cult following. Most strange was never at one point did I feel like I was driving a Vectra. Thankfully.
Although I had planned to step directly into the 335s replacement, that wasn't working out and I needed a temporary solution to get about. You know where this is going (or well some will at least - more than one person has said to me, you're gonna buy a what?!)
A cursory browse of Gumtree and such showed any number of diesel examples at around £3k, for a car under 10 years old (facelift) and around 100k on the clock. Most had leather and a plethora of mod cons, returned decent fuel economy and the Fiat sourced GM shared engine actually seemed to last more than you would think.
And so my car hunt became a two car hunt. Classifieds were checked multiple times a day until I pounced on a car across the water. A deposit was hastily sent on what my detailed market research told me was "the one". Low number of owners. Comprehensive service history. Vector spec with skirts, 17" upgrade rims, and not black. Really Saab must have had a black paint stockpile somewhere or gave black at discount. They're everywhere.
So getting to the point, and without further ado I present my latest and greatest....
As you might suspect I'm on the high seas whilst sampling the delights that the early 90s themed European Highlander has to offer.
Earlier the Saab dispatched both the M6 and A75 with ease and both passenger and driver arrived at the port of Cairnryan refreshed. In the sort of relaxed mood that the chap who does the voice recording "Welcome Aboard. European Highlander. ". I bet he drives a Saab too!
Needless to say a list of improvements have been bouncing about my head. A boot liner has already been procured via eBay, and the dashboard lends itself to the very JDM-esqe method of fitting a double din head unit so I'm excited at the prospect of putting apple car play in place of the prehistoric 9-3 wireless.
So give me hell. I can take it. Surprisingly though I've had several texts asking me if she was a good one.
Definitely something weird going on here....
Not even a month has passed since @Cess professing his love of all things Saab on the blog. Since then I sold the 335, and as fate would have it was lent a Petrol Saab 9-3 turbo for daily duties.
Something strange happened. Despite the power sapping and lazy auto box aside, and a poor 25mpg to boot, this was a really comfortable and a little bit unusual of a daily. And they also have a bit of a cult following. Most strange was never at one point did I feel like I was driving a Vectra. Thankfully.
Although I had planned to step directly into the 335s replacement, that wasn't working out and I needed a temporary solution to get about. You know where this is going (or well some will at least - more than one person has said to me, you're gonna buy a what?!)
A cursory browse of Gumtree and such showed any number of diesel examples at around £3k, for a car under 10 years old (facelift) and around 100k on the clock. Most had leather and a plethora of mod cons, returned decent fuel economy and the Fiat sourced GM shared engine actually seemed to last more than you would think.
And so my car hunt became a two car hunt. Classifieds were checked multiple times a day until I pounced on a car across the water. A deposit was hastily sent on what my detailed market research told me was "the one". Low number of owners. Comprehensive service history. Vector spec with skirts, 17" upgrade rims, and not black. Really Saab must have had a black paint stockpile somewhere or gave black at discount. They're everywhere.
So getting to the point, and without further ado I present my latest and greatest....
As you might suspect I'm on the high seas whilst sampling the delights that the early 90s themed European Highlander has to offer.
Earlier the Saab dispatched both the M6 and A75 with ease and both passenger and driver arrived at the port of Cairnryan refreshed. In the sort of relaxed mood that the chap who does the voice recording "Welcome Aboard. European Highlander. ". I bet he drives a Saab too!
Needless to say a list of improvements have been bouncing about my head. A boot liner has already been procured via eBay, and the dashboard lends itself to the very JDM-esqe method of fitting a double din head unit so I'm excited at the prospect of putting apple car play in place of the prehistoric 9-3 wireless.
So give me hell. I can take it. Surprisingly though I've had several texts asking me if she was a good one.
Definitely something weird going on here....