When is it time to let go?

[Jesda]

3.5 years and 40,000 miles later, I've gotten quite a bit of fun out of my old Saab 900 turbo. There's nothing like it, anywhere, ever. The seats are incredible, the turbo (after a bit of lag) boosts with authority, and the 4-cylinder engine produces a smooth, satisfying buzz.

Until recently, the 3-speed automatic shifted promptly and crisply. Unfortunately, the gearbox is due for a replacement or rebuild. A rebuild might run me $1500 while swapping with a manual will require a donor car and a bit of labor, probably $2000-$2500 in the end.

On top of that, I'm going to need to overhaul the AC which will cost $600-$800 for new lines, a compressor (need one from specific model years for best longevity), receiver, and probably a condenser.

I've also got rust developing on the rear wheel arch which will cost $350-$400 to remedy and paint properly. The front suspension is making some groans and squeaks as well, call it another $700 to rehab all of that.


So, do I keep on keeping on for 4 grand? I'd expect a good 5-10 years of mostly trouble-free motoring after that (everything else on the car has been replaced and the ragtop is only about 5-7 years old). The book value according to NADA for a 'clean' 91 turbo vert is $6000. I've already sunken in $12000 over the last three years.



My other option is this 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman S that's come into my hands. I could have it for $225/mo, low interest, at wholesale value, and with only 25,000 miles it's unlikely to lose much value. I could flip it for a small profit or break even after a couple years. It's a six-speed with a sport package, leather seats, satellite radio, heated seats and mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, and basically every option available except for power seats and a premium sound system.

The run-flat tires are a bit harsh as is the sport suspension, the clutch is on the heavy side, and bumps in the road can cause it to squirm about, but it's roomy enough for four adults, it's quick, the dog loves it, and it got 34 mpg on a trip I just took from Dallas. Compare that to my 3-speed Saab which only gets 17/21 mpg.





1. Should I buy the Mini? It lacks a warranty.

2. Should I sell my old Saab while it's still worth something, or do I keep it and piece it together slowly as a drivable classic? It feels like part of my identity.

[gwoods]

keep the Saab

[nissangirl74]

Why not keep them both? Use the Mini as a dependable, fuel-efficient daily, and the Saab as your project car.

Never base a restoration on a monetary number. When you pass it, it will just make you sick to your stomach. Do you love the Saab? Sounds like you do. Keep it. Fix it. Drive it to brunch on Sundays.

[AZhitman]

Option 3: Skip the sure-to-fail Mini, sell the Saab, and let us find you a southwestern, geriatric-owned 900 Turbo with low miles, no rust, and impeccable maintenance.

We get a visit with The Pants, and you get hooked up for another 50K miles of Newton-approved Swedish awesomeness.

[IBCoupe]

I'm with Bex. Put money into the Saab as you feel you can and want to. If it's part of your identity, you're not going to be happy parting with it, but you're also not going to be happy keeping it as your daily, as that means the Saab will be controlling your wallet, and not the other way around: whenever it wants something fixed, you will have little choice but to fix it.

I'd say keep the Saab, but let it ease its way into retirement, and learn to love something new.

[EDIT: The only caveat I'd add is that you should ignore this advice if you'd need the funds from selling the Saab to get into the Mini, or something else that you'd enjoy]

[WDRacing]

Keep the Saab. It's a sought after classic. Any older car without a warranty will eat into your budget to keep it in good shape. But a classic is a classic. I may be a bit biased, I've had a thing for old 900 turbo's since my Dad had one when I was growing up. From your OP I can see you have an attachment to it.

[elwesso]

I'm kinda with Greg. Go out west and find a minty old person owned one, and make yours a parts car. You know you want to be a quirky Swedish car hoarder!!!

I think this Saab is probably the longest you've owned a car, other than maybe your green Q back in the day?

[Jesda]

I guess as a dealer it would be pretty silly to get into personal debt with any vehicle since I always have something from inventory to drive around town in. I'm enamored with the Clubman S but owning a German-British car out of warranty gives me cause for concern. I also want to avoid putting road trip miles on a vehicle I intend to resell, thus the reason I considered taking ownership.

[Jesda]

I think this Saab is probably the longest you've owned a car, other than maybe your green Q back in the day?

It sure is. I think second in line is the 1992 Seville STS which started at 137k in 2007 and went to someone in Kansas at just under 200k in 2010 or 2011. It's still registered and being driven in Nebraska!

[frapjap]

Keep the Saab.

The only example I have for you is that I occasionally want to sell my Trans Am, especially after it sits all winter or during a period of rain in the summer. Its not that it can't be driven in the rain, its that more morons forget how to drive appropriately when moisture hits the ground and I cannot allow the car to fall victim to some hapless halfwit with a license and sub par insurance. But I digress, when the engine gets fired up and I tear a** out of the off camber turn right next to my house, three things happen:
1. Immediate satisfaction when the torque pushes me into the seat and the rear end breaks loose and swings just a little.
2. HUGE smile.
3. A realization that I could never sell the car, and if I did, I'd be regretting it as soon as the exhaust note pulled away from me for the last time.

You can argue in favor of the two folders for it which are FULL of historical receipts and records of the cash spent, and how little the car is actually driven these days (changing that this year), that I already have two other cars, but at the end of the day- and you hit the nail on the head- its part of your identity.
In summary, hold onto it, at least until you find something you love WAY more. Like a Miata. Or a C5.

[themadscientist]

Option 3: Skip the sure-to-fail Mini,

Sure to fail? Elaboration good sir!

[gwoods]

Mini like all BMW products is a rolling hole to throw money into after warranty expires.

I like Gregs idea of finding a rust free 900 turbo here in Phoenix. I'd sure love to meet the pants and can offer you a terrifying ride in the passenger seat of my Jag as a bonus.

[Kompresshun]

Personally i'd keep the Saab and restore it. You obviously are attached to it and it's costing you nothing but registration and insurance until you get around to completing it. If you buy another one, no matter how well it's maintained, you'll likely have to face some of the same issues you already have. Why start over again? That just seems silly and pointless.

Go buy yourself a good daily driver and keep your Saab. I also vote for the Mini as well. Don't listen to the naysayers, because every vehicle can have issues. I think they're forgetting the vehicles you've already owned in the past, so it's not like it'll be anything new to you.

[AZhitman]

Option 3: Skip the sure-to-fail Mini,

Sure to fail? Elaboration good sir!

As GW said, they're not the stellar investment that Mini would have you believe.

My sister has owned 3, and the only one worth a damn was her early Cooper S. The Coupe and the Clubman had more miles going back & forth to the dealer than they did commuting.

[asoomal]

I'm kinda with Greg. Go out west and find a minty old person owned one, and make yours a parts car. You know you want to be a quirky Swedish car hoarder!!!

I think this Saab is probably the longest you've owned a car, other than maybe your green Q back in the day?

Never ever everrr make an insurable car with a clean title a parts car!

That's like the worst thing you can do to a car.

[Bubba1]

As a guy who tends to hold onto his cars for more than a decade, I can fully understand your emotional attachment to your beloved Ducky. But there's a cost limit for that attachment, and for everyone that limit is different.

That said, if looking at the situation like a vulcan, putting a lotta money into an old Saab is probably not a logical thing to do. As it will never appreciate enough to offset the big repair expenditures you'd be putting into it. Plus, as with any old car, we all want to believe everything will be fine after putting in the big investment, but in reality, we all know there will always be another big repair coming at some point. That's just the way it is with old cars, even well made ones like Saabies.

I suspect I have a lower cost tolerance limit than you, so if it were me, I'd probably sell Ducky while I could still get a decent price, assuming it can be sold without investing a lotta money to get that price. Then I would take my time to find a new Ducky with a manual transmission, or something else you might really want...like a Miata, or a Camry . But if you do decide to sell, I would think at this point you'd want to buy what you really want, and not settle for what's easy and convenient. And the clubman sounds like it might the latter.

[gwoods]

The Coupe and the Clubman had more miles going back & forth to the dealer than they did commuting.

and if your going to do that it may as well be with pace, grace and I forget the third but buy a Jaguar

[MinisterofDOOM]

Minis are fun to drive for a front-driver, but I wouldn't want to own one. Much rather have the Saab. More interesting, topless, and not tiny.

but buy a Jaguar

Maybe it's time to go LS shopping again? They're getting more affordable every day! Find an '05 or '06 V8 (maybe even an Ultimate or LSE) and enjoy!

ALSO:
I'm not sure why, but when I catch your avatar out of the corner of my eye, Jesda, I see Sting playing Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen instead of Margaret Thatcher. I'm not sure which of the two should be most offended...

[Jesda]

Maybe it's time to go LS shopping again? They're getting more affordable every day! Find an '05 or '06 V8 (maybe even an Ultimate or LSE) and enjoy!

That's really not a bad idea. Shopping through wholesale networks I can probably save a grand on a clean one with under 100k.

ALSO:
I'm not sure why, but when I catch your avatar out of the corner of my eye, Jesda, I see Sting playing Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen instead of Margaret Thatcher. I'm not sure which of the two should be most offended.../quote]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD1HgrvWxJg[/youtube]

[Repo Man]

Jesda, I'm confused. Is it YOUR dealership, partners or what?

[Jesda]

Jesda, I'm confused. Is it YOUR dealership, partners or what?

Partners

[float_6969]

Keep the Saab. First off, as others have stated, Mini's are costly. My brother in law and his wife had them for a while (used for AutoX) and they've gotten rid of all of them as soon as they got out of warranty because they break down a lot.

I also feel the price of emotional attachment is priceless. I don't care to think about what I've spent on my S14. It doesn't matter. Every time I step on the loud pedal and my little CA18 winds up and punches me in the face when boost comes on, I love it. And I can't just go out and buy that. It's the combination of the sights, smells, and tactile feeling of driving THAT car, all put together that creates that reaction. That feeling can't be duplicated with another car. The memories I have with that car, stay with THAT car.

We're all here because we have emotional attachments to vehicles. Yes, if you're in the business of selling them, the money matters. But the Saab isn't about that for you. The Saab is Jesda. Jesda is the Saab. I can't see it any other way.

Fix the Saab. You'll be glad you did.

[IBCoupe]

I feel like there should have been some inspirational music playing in the background of that comment.

[Jesda]

Keep the Saab. First off, as others have stated, Mini's are costly. My brother in law and his wife had them for a while (used for AutoX) and they've gotten rid of all of them as soon as they got out of warranty because they break down a lot.

I also feel the price of emotional attachment is priceless. I don't care to think about what I've spent on my S14. It doesn't matter. Every time I step on the loud pedal and my little CA18 winds up and punches me in the face when boost comes on, I love it. And I can't just go out and buy that. It's the combination of the sights, smells, and tactile feeling of driving THAT car, all put together that creates that reaction. That feeling can't be duplicated with another car. The memories I have with that car, stay with THAT car.

We're all here because we have emotional attachments to vehicles. Yes, if you're in the business of selling them, the money matters. But the Saab isn't about that for you. The Saab is Jesda. Jesda is the Saab. I can't see it any other way.

Fix the Saab. You'll be glad you did.

Holy crap. That was poetic!

[float_6969]

Thanks guys

[Mr1der]

Not that there's anything wrong with it, but if you get the mini you better get ready to take it up the a**.