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To start with, I'm knackered, I've just finished a night shift that although was busy, it seemed to never end. A steady drive home, a quick power nap, get the kids up and make some brekker. Faced with the impending ULEZ and whatnot (for which there is a very good lengthy thread. If you want to talk about it, do it there) I can't keep running a diesel Saab 9-3. I was just going to cope with it, but TfL just put up a camera up on a long pole on my route to work - I can't imagine anyone wanting to vandalise that 20ft up in the air. I was going to drive most of the way, park as close to the camera as possible and walk the rest, but this scuppers it. Anyway, I was looking on eBay for a submission for 'The Price is Shite' thread last week and saw an unsuitable car, put a watch on it and promptly ignored it. My phone chirruped when I was talking to my brother with 15 minutes left on the auction. In that time, we'd looked over the MOT history/ checked the road tax and checked its ULEZ/CAZ compliance and he offered to lend me half of the money if I won, (enabler!) I bunged a bid in with three seconds to go and promptly won it for £££, and not £££££££. So vital statistics as per tradition: Miles to go: 159 each way, London will be achieved by 12:00 Turdification count = 0 (although my body clock is so messed up, literally anything can happen) Hayfever symptoms = mild to light Passengers = 1 Boom_daughter_elder (Boom_daughter_v2 is being looked after by my long-suffering brother for the day)

Sold this today. Not quite sure how I managed it but the guy had clearly decided he was having it before he arrived. Anyway, happy days. Note: photos make it look much better than it is. My paint job was shocking. Now awaiting the arrival of a granddad Saab, a 9-5. More news on Thursday hopefully.

Well here’s my new toy, one my missus has already claimed as her own despite the protests regarding its purchase. Anyway I digress, so here’s some pics a list of things to do. Negative points worthy of note; the wings are the wrong silver, several small patches of corrosion, not the best rubber but loads of tread so they’re staying, poverty spec ICE and the scuttle panel is worn and split (and lacks the mounting nuts). Positive points? There are some. For example all new shocks and springs in the last two years (including some alloy block which goes wrong?), annual service which I believe the bloke about, auto box with a fluid change two years ago, low tax (for an auto!) and otherwise a tidy example. Oh and two keys, which is nice for once. Stuff to do NoobTune FTW! Clean and treat hood [Done June ‘24] Wing mirror mounts faded and slightly corroded Aircon needs gas m9 [Done Dec ‘23] Rusty bits Wings…? Might just leave then to be honest, not sure I’m that bothered Stuff done Replaced rear calipers and new pads (Brembo). Discs were fine. (27/06/2022) Cleaned front calipers, replaced sliders and rubbers. New Brembo pads installed. (03/07/2022) Replaced bonnet badge and wheel centres. Topped tyres off as all under pressure (06/07/2022) Installed ICM2 and Aux in to the arm rest cubby. (17/07/2022) Installed new Exide battery (17/07/2022) Replaced a key fob case (17/07/2022) Brakes fettled at the garage (19/07/2022) Two new springs and one new top mount (19/07/2022) Welding and track rod end for MOT (21/02/2023) ICE Upgrade - ICM2 with Aux in installed, now with SaabPlus Bluetooth module (13/04/2023) New back box fitted (15/08/2023) Oil and filter change (07/09/2023) Plugs replaced (15/10/2023) AC inspected, serviced and recharged (12/12/2023) New radiator cap. Fuel filter replaced for MOT (05/03/2024) New aux belt fitted and tensioners etc checked at garage (22/06/2024) Roof cleaned, shampoo’s, dyed and treated [Autoglym cleanser and protector, Renovo Reviver for the dye] 23-24/06/2024 New cabin filter and Bosch windscreen wipers fitted, replaced battery tray clips (26/07/2024) It’s an odd spec. It’s a Vector with the pov spec audio but with several speakers, five I think (last count seven). It’s got memory seats, cruise, auto wipers, dimming rear view mirror, CD but no multidisc, autobox with button shift (which is brilliant by the way) and fogs. Otherwise what a joy. Well planted with a lovely gearbox and a good amount of pace, nice driving position, minimal buffeting with the roof down and my missus likes it. So far so good?

I like reading about other people's misery in trying to fix old shite so thought I should really start my own thread ...... I promise little in the way of regular updates but will do my best to keep a log.