What car to get next?
Moderator: RichardW
What car to get next?
Ive still got a few months before ill be in a position to move onto something else and im really not sure what to get. It will probably be a Dyane, BX16V, solid CX, or, sorry to think non Citroen:-), a Saab 99 or 900. My milage has decreased somewhat so I just need something interesting and good looking in an ungly kind of way, but must be reasanably depenadable as I will be using it for some commuting.
If I go with the Saab plan, I imagine I will wont to change back to Cit after a year or so but I think I need a change away as ive never ownerd a non Citroen car and want to try something else.
Anyone got any experience with Saabs? Good or bad idea?
Cheers.
If I go with the Saab plan, I imagine I will wont to change back to Cit after a year or so but I think I need a change away as ive never ownerd a non Citroen car and want to try something else.
Anyone got any experience with Saabs? Good or bad idea?
Cheers.
-
- Posts: 192
- Joined: 01 Sep 2004, 14:20
- Location:
- My Cars:
How about a SAAB 9000? I have never owned one, but a neighbour of mine use to and he couldent stop raving about it. Its based on the "Type 4" platform, and if you dont like the look of the 9000 what about a Alfa 164 Super T-spark (nice engine), Fiat Croma (treat with caution) or a Lancia Thema ie turbo. If I wanted something different I would go for the Lancia. I can't remember the last time I saw one (buy 2 - 1 for parts, 1 to drive) on the road. But it's something to think about if you want something different.....
I don't think Saab's are as expensive as they used to be as long as you don't use main dealers for bits or service.
Now that there are more specialists around like two stroke to turbo, parts are not as shockingly expensive as they once were, and they are well catered for by gsf and the other company- a bit like Citroens really!!!
As for dependability, well, any car can be made dependable, no matter how old or weird looking it is, as long as you can get the bits!
Now that there are more specialists around like two stroke to turbo, parts are not as shockingly expensive as they once were, and they are well catered for by gsf and the other company- a bit like Citroens really!!!
As for dependability, well, any car can be made dependable, no matter how old or weird looking it is, as long as you can get the bits!
I really loved my old SAAB9000.[8D] Turbo, auto, cruise, acc, leather the lot! Overtake at 60mph with a boot and you're pushing the ton before you realise[:D]. Other half used to hate her head banging against the headrest every time I booted it! The bloody thing cost me a bomb - new steering rack, fuel pump, tyres, fuel[B)]. The alloys were dented and leaking, the cruise packed in, the acc motors to control the heating flaps broke linkages, the turbo control played up and I had a white hot turbo[:0] and eventually it died at 175k with cracked pistons[xx(]. It was one hell of a job getting the head and the sump off - you think Cits are hard to work on... And with a piston at nearly £100 each it became a plush garden shed![:(]
- Kowalski
- Posts: 2557
- Joined: 15 Oct 2003, 17:41
- Location: North East, United Kingdom
- My Cars: Ex 05 C5 2.0 HDI Exclusive 145k
Ex 97 Xantia 1.9TD SX 144k
Ex 94 Xantia Dimension 1.9TD 199k
My Dad had Saabs a 99 (which broke its timing chain), a 900 (ate its clutch and heater matrix) and a 9000 (ate its head gasket), he has a Lancia Thema Turbo 16v (snapped cambelt) that is rusting (only the Italians can make fully galvanised cars that rust).
All in all, the Saab 9000 would be the only one I would recommend, the 99 and 900 weren't common enough that parts were cheap and they'll be a nightmare to get bits for. The Lancia was fun, it shared its engine with the Delta Integrale but didn't share its 4x4 system, its turbo seemed to have two states, 'off' or 'on'. When you put your foot down, you had to grip the steering wheel and wait, then when the turbo came in you usually had to take your foot off the accelarator again or you'd run into the back of the car in front.
All in all, the Saab 9000 would be the only one I would recommend, the 99 and 900 weren't common enough that parts were cheap and they'll be a nightmare to get bits for. The Lancia was fun, it shared its engine with the Delta Integrale but didn't share its 4x4 system, its turbo seemed to have two states, 'off' or 'on'. When you put your foot down, you had to grip the steering wheel and wait, then when the turbo came in you usually had to take your foot off the accelarator again or you'd run into the back of the car in front.
Umm interesting. Yeah it may well be a BX16V because of Saab parts cost and I know what to look for in a BX. I drove for a car auction today and was pleased to get back behind the wheel of my BX- the seat in the BX surpassed the comfort of every single car seat I sat in including expensive Mercs. Mind you the clutch was heavier than all of the cars I drove! I think my stategy will be to wait for the time and then see whats out there at the time and go for it rather than having a car in mind now. I think my first choice will be the 16V but if theres a good 1980's Saab 99 available first ill go with that.
theres a couple of pretty imaculate BX's going at the moment, take a look at www.bx16v.com/forum
Yeah they do seem thirsty too-think it must be the weight of them, as well as the fact that their not as aerodynamic as they look. Yep its definatlety a Citroen again I reckon. Cheers for pointing that forum out Vanny- there are some really nice ones on there-Think that silver one would be lovely; only problem is that it will be mid October before ill be able to swap cars due to finances so ill have to check out whats available at the time.
-
- Posts: 1801
- Joined: 19 Dec 2002, 14:46
- Location: United Kingdom
- My Cars:
Nobody ever bought a SAAB because it was cheap to run. The old 900 Turbo (I had ten of them over ten years) is the best car I have ever driven but it is extremely costly, parts costing more than those for a 911. For go, stop, stick and steer, it was in a class of its own. Well built and durable, I only got out because I had the opportunity to buy a new car for once. If you do not have deep pockets and lots of know how (And £500 to rebuild the gearbox every two years,) then leave it alone.