Ron_H

I drove me "other car" tonight and am a bit disoriented. My 928 needs lots of work. That means taking it off the street and tearing into it for several weekends or even weeks and repairing all the things that are irritating, like motor mounts and steering rack and non-functional back up lights and mystery cooling system leak, ad infinitum. I had a back up car but sold it 'cause it was just sitting in the garage for a couple of years; who wants to trade their 928 for a practical car like a Rabbit?

But things have gone from bad to worse and too many gremlins are lurking in my 928. I really don't know why; it only has about 225,000 miles on it. What could be causing so many faults? So Nicole needed something I had and she needed a newer Saab...............hmmm..........we made a deal. Now I have her old car: WaSAABi. Nice car really. Shiny and well maintained, and everything (seems like most everything works, even the cruise control (I think it has cruise control... I never use my 928 cruise control). So off I go to the gym tonight in a "new" car and one better suited to my driving habits lately: not too many road trips these days, but lots of town driving in traffic.

But as I'm roaring down the expressway on the way to the gym, I'm thinking about the seating position which is closer to a living room chair and odd to say the least. I'm thinking how other people will now think I'm a rational and normal guy. Of course I'm also stuck in the right lane while pondering my new image because my V-1 doesn't seem to want to work in this car. And I'm feeling deprived because I identify with small sedans rather than sticking my nose in the air in arrogant impatience when around other lessor machines on the road while in the 928. Now I know why speed limits are so absurdly founded on 85th percentile levels and why some people can't understand how anyone could do what a 928 can do. Of course they've never known a 928 or anything near it, and never realize the potential of the car which would frighten drivers of lesser machines. We sometimes forget how much we take for granted.

I am humbled by this Saab machine, as I remain in the right lane all the way to the gym. I think to myself: " I could even take a nice lady out in this thing and not worry about her screaming to slow down or asking what kind of nut I am."
Why I could even drive it to church and people would trust me as I drove up in it. A civilized machine for transportation. Novel idea this Saab. I might even grow to like it and the comfort it offers for four people......if I could find three other people to ride in it. But wait! This car will also be the vehicle for teaching my girlfriend to drive. She is afraid of the 928. OK. Now I am not hurt by my feeling of anonymity at giving up my 928 and joining the masses. This car will serve a useful purpose. I hope I can maintain it as well as Nicole has so my friend may drive it for years to come. But if I drive it too long, I may need a go to a shrink to re-define my identity. Does anyone really want to be just a "normal" guy??

S4ordie

Damn Ron, you're all civiliized and everything now. Figure out what the best wheel tire combo that still fits in those wheel wells and at least make it look more imposing. Soon you'll begin to fantasize about big Buicks. Better get started on that list of 928 gottados.

P.S. was great to meet you at the dinner for Heinrich.

Ron_H

Yes Dan, nice meeting you too. I had to miss the races Sunday but maybe we'll all get together again soon.

RKD in OKC

Drone on dude.

Since I get my monthly drive fast time in at the track I drive much less agressively in traffic, well maybe I let the revs go up a little more than I should before I shift because it sounds so good, but I don't accelerate too much faster than those around me, really...Oh and my passengers don't complain nearly as much about my acceleration since they started wearing those neck braces.

Nicole

Haha - great write-up, Ron!!!

One advantage of being considered more "average" is that people won't tailgate you as much. I always feel a big difference when driving the 928. It seems like every tan Honda or Toyota will follow me at a 10-feet distance at 85 mph... not so when I'm in a Saab.

I'm glad you are getting acquainted with waSAABi. It's a faithful little fellow, who has taken me to many interesting places over the past 10 years... never super fast or "flashy", but always comfortably and reliably. And thinking of all the stuff I've hauled in it; how many SUV owners' jaws dropped when they saw what fits in there... Lots of memories connected with waSAABi, and I must say I was a little sad to see you drive off in it.

But I'm confident that you will be a good adoptive parent. Just remember, it's not a young baby (nor "babe") anymore at age 15. Car years are more like dog years, I believe. At 149k miles, it has some "life experience", which is not necessarily a bad thing. There is a lot of life left, if it's properly taken care-of.

Yes, it has a cruise control, among many other amenities. And last time I tried it, it worked. But I hardly ever used it. It's basically "like new". The cruise control.

As to the V1 - it will work in waSAABi - I never drove without. That would be like unprotected... well, you know what. But the springs on the plug are very tight so it won't lose contact on bumps and restart the detector every time. You'll probably have to wiggle it in, maybe with a tiny hint of force until the springs have loosened a bit.

Anyway... you had something I needed: Knowledge and experience in residential architecture.

If anyone here ever needs architectural design work or other architectural consulting done - be it a remodel, and addition, or an all new home: Contact Ron! He is incredibly knowledgeable, is a great listener and problem solver, and provides excellent service!!!

Ron: Thank you very much for all your expert advice on my upcoming house project. Some of the challenges involved I could not have figured out without tapping into your vast knowledge and experience. You rock!!!

Talking about "rocking" - waSAABi's moose kind-of "rocks", because it's a rare prancing moose...

tailpipe

Hey wait a minute I own a big old buick I needed it to pick up all my porsche parts to keep the 928s happy note the avitar pic lol

cali4sun

Just be careful, if we hear that you've added a Volvo to your fleet you will have crossed over to the Dark Side!

'89 S4 GP White/Black
'76 912E Silver/Black sunroof

roberth58

Ron, If you're feeling a little too civilized then grab your VISA and do a little shopping at these sites. Your SAAB will love you and you'll have a big grin on your face while driving it.

Swedish Dynamics
Group 9 Performance
Abott Racing
SAS
Jak Stoll Performance

Bob H.

Nicole

Are you a Saab guy? It seems there are a few here, but they rarely "come out"... See you on saabcentral.com!

www.genuinesaab.com has a steering rack brace and rear sway bar that I'm eyeing. But I had to spend a big waddle of money on some preventive maintenance on the 9-3's turbo engine, so it'll be a little while.

For years people told me I had a Saab with the wrong engine (V6), and really needed a turbo. When I finally found a nice low mileage turbo, I learned that the really good Saab engines are the ones up to 1999 - the year before they cheapened it down and made mine... Can't win, it seems. The V6 was definitely smoother, more fuel efficient, and very reliable as long as the timing belt was taken care of properly (not a new concept to us 928 owners, but to many others who ruined these engines with their ignorance). Best of all: In the winter it already started heating the cabin after the first mile of driving.

Having bought the later 9-3 model was almost like buying the last generation 928 (GTS) and having oiling and other problems that you wouldn't have with the older ones. Annoying!

S4ordie

Prancing Moose Didn't quite pick up on that at first.

Nicole

Well... If a Northern Italian Ferrari has a prancing wild horse, and Porsche in Germany uses from the city crest of Stuttgart ("stud garden") in its logo, then a Swedish automobile needs an equivalent that reflects its environment.

S4ordie

Makes perfect sense to me, except Swedes correctly call the North American "Moose" an Elk.

Nicole

I got scolded for calling it a prancing "elk" in the OT Random Picture Thread. I don't dare to utter that word anymore.

roberth58

Yes, I'm a closet SAAB guy, on my 3rd one, but I'm a purist, 900's only exist until 1993 or 94 for the convertible. Picked up a 93 turbo vert last week that needs some love, but for $700 running with a good top you cant go wrong, Thank god Alabamers cant work on them furrin cars. And being a glutton for punishment I just bought, as in last night, a 1979 928, 5 speed, no rub strips, no sunroof that also needs some love. I'm going to be a busy boy

Bob H.

Nicole

^^That should keep you out of trouble for a while!

See, I think Saabs and 928s are a natural combination. They both have practical hatch backs and don't give a rat's behind about conforming to what the majority thinks a car should look like. They both have unique characters...

Let me know, if you want some prancing moose (elk) decals. I'm thinking of having a few more made. Should be cheap, if we order a nice batch.