I have been smiling like the Cheshire Cat since finding my new (to me) Saab last week. I didn't realize how miserable I felt, at least when it comes to personal transportation, ever since my beloved classic 900 blew its transmission and had to go the great Trollhatten in the Sky.
My wife spotted a very nice 1996 Saab 900S in the Akron area, and we went out and took a look and ended up driving 'er home last weekend.
This little black beauty has got a sunroof, a five-speed manual transmission, and a few nice bells and whistles. Best of all, it is a joy to drive. It has low miles and is overall in great shape, although like every Saab it's got a few "issues." Fortunately they are cosmetic and nothing too serious. I'll be tinkering with it forever.
It's a pleasure to drive this car and I hope I can keep it for many, many years. There's nothing like a Saab. This is my fourth model (I've had a 96, a 99, a classic 900, and now a New Generation 900), and each model has its pluses and minuses. This new one is a bit smoother to drive, with a more cushy, less racy suspension. It seems bigger and more Americanized, but that was expected since GM bought a big share of Saab in 1994. But it still has enough Swedish blood in it to separate it from the pack, in my opinion.
It sounds kind of weird but I guess I'm not genuinely happy driving anything else, at least not as my own car. I'll drive anything but when it comes to owning a car, Saabs seem to fit my personality perfectly. Maybe I have some Swedish blood in me that I'm unaware of. I've never driven a Ferrari, so I can't rule the Prancing Horse as another possible perfect fit for my driving personality. I don't expect to take that test anytime soon, however. Ha!
* * *
The photo above of a beautiful 1994 Saab 900S is similar in appearance to mine, but it belongs to a guy named Robert in Colorado who has a website devoted to Saabs.
Robert is incredibly skilled at working on cars and he details, in words and photos, all the restoration and mechanical work he has done on his car and on his wife's V-6 Saab.
His blue 900S is about as perfect as can be, inside and out. I've already emailed him for some advice and he is extremely knowledgable about every aspect of Saabs and glad to give advice.
If you're interested, you can read Robert's Saab stories here.

Toledo, Ohio
May 16, 2008