Saab 9-5 Estate - Old Man Sleeper

[SmokinWaffle]

Assuming its all as described, and we can agree on a price. 

Had a day off before the BH weekend - partner has been at a conference in London for the past 4 days so instead of laying in with her, why not get up at 05:30AM to get 3 hours worth of trains to somewhere. 

First stop, my local station via Berlingo 

Poo count: 0 (but my crystal ball says that may turn into a 1 as soon as I have the chance..) 

What am I going to look at? Well, it has an engine configuration I've never had before. Well known solid engine. Relatively high capacity but not mental. In the spec its in - becoming harder to find.

Have consistently wanted one for a good few years - and now seems like the right time with the one I've found being low mileage and a nice spec. Seller seems genuine enough for me to know he's not a total chancer. Comes with a personalised plate that means nothing to me too. 

Guesses on a postcard.

I probably won't say until I get there but brownie points for the first correct guess. Unless you get it EXACTLY spot on down to the variant of the model which I doubt. 

Why? 

Well

Berlingo is great, and I do adore the thing (it just keeps going and fits anything!) but I am starting to want something a bit quicker (read: literally anything) and comfier for longer trips as well as a bit more safety as now I have a life I rather enjoy. I'll miss it but both me and my partner are getting a little tired of the noise on longer journeys and to be frank - and I never thought I'd say this - I want something that looks a bit less tired. 

That, and I'm getting older and have some spare cash - and its been a long while since I've treated myself to something car wise. Having got out of the "classic" ownership (and not really wanting to go back as I have way more time for other stuff) with the berlingo I got for the house renno tip runs (then it stayed), but find myself yearning for something a little.... more

Onwards for hopeful success. Send good chod vibes pls. I don't have a return ticket. I even took the phone holder off the window so positive mental attitude. 

[SmokinWaffle]

I also have a backpack with some screwdrivers and tools - one of which is a big fuck off flat head I used to open a broken focus bonnet (fuck that badge lock thing ford do) for poking. Hopefully I don't get nabbed for going equipped before I get there. 

[SmokinWaffle]

Quick trip. Connection arrives in 10 minutes.

Not enough time for a poo with the added time anxiety modifier making it take 20% longer. 

Costa not open yet. 

Boo. 

Nice cool and crisp weather though. 

 

[SmokinWaffle]

Off we go. Reserved window seat. 

And I have £8.30 LNER credit from various work trips. Neat. Can get some breakfast. 

Edit: turns out I can only buy tickets with the credit? I resent paying £4.10 for a bacon roll so ill get something at the next connection. I have half an hour there anyway. 

[Sunny Jim]

Lovely day for it, hope your mission is a success. A larger capacity engine in a configuration you've not had? Maybe it's easier to guess that bit first. Is it a V8?

[SmokinWaffle]

Just now, Sunny Jim said:

Lovely day for it, hope your mission is a success. A larger capacity engine in a configuration you've not had? Maybe it's easier to guess that bit first. Is it a V8?

Thanks! Not sure if saying that would give it away....

But no, its not a V8. And most cars with a V6 aren't low maintance, so it's probably not that either. 

[loserone]

33 minutes ago, SmokinWaffle said:

only buy tickets with the credit?

Yup.  And it's discount off full price, so split ticketing is still usually much cheaper 

[Sunny Jim]

Perhaps 5 cylinders?

[SmokinWaffle]

2 minutes ago, loserone said:

Yup.  And it's discount off full price, so split ticketing is still usually much cheaper 

Wow, that's a bit crap. I'll keep it in mind through. Rare I use LNER for anything other than work and that is on a corporate card so I'm not going to waste it there. Maybe it'll come in handy eventually...

2 minutes ago, Sunny Jim said:

Perhaps 5 cylinders?

Worth considering that engine configuration isn't limited to purely cylinder count, too. 🙂 

[Sunny Jim]

A boxer engined Subaru or Porsche? Enough guesses from me for now as I have to go to work. Have a good day 👍

[St.Jude]

9 minutes ago, Sunny Jim said:

A boxer engined Subaru or Porsche? Enough guesses from me for now as I have to go to work. Have a good day 👍

Nah can't be a Subaru he said it's a well known solid engine.

[SmokinWaffle]

Last connection, final destination is one of those. 

[High Jetter]

Chodspeed. Rear engined?

[SmokinWaffle]

3 minutes ago, High Jetter said:

Chodspeed. Rear engined?

The rear is for furniture and tip runs, can't have an engine there! 

I feel I may have got everyone over excited using the word configuration. Maybe. I think it's exciting. 

Bacon roll here is even more money (£4.99!!) so I'm going to starve out of spite. Can't find the loos either so PC is still 0. I want it to be 1...

[GagaStan]

By configuration are we talking a longitudinal engine? In which case I'm guessing RWD Volvo estate

[SmokinWaffle]

Destination reached 

[Stinkwheel]

I'm going to throw hat in the ring and say straight six of some sort

[loserone]

Hang on, how is this a collection mission, you're at the destination before 9am??

[SmokinWaffle]

6 minutes ago, GagaStan said:

By configuration are we talking a longitudinal engine? In which case I'm guessing RWD Volvo estate

Nah. Done the volvo thing before. Right idea though. 

[St.Jude]

3 minutes ago, loserone said:

Hang on, how is this a collection mission, you're at the destination before 9am??

He's pushing it home.

[motorpunk]

Came here to say Volvo but am wrong. Some wild and possibly mildly racist guesses based on destination … a straight six BMW estate owned by some Eastern European that has a billion miles on it. Or some Reform voter who died in shock at last nights results and their Rover 75 estate diesel is being sold as Mavis can’t drive due to all the foreigner who keep crashing into them. (She says). No?

[mk2_craig]

I hope it’s a Passat V5.

[EyesWeldedShut]

Do Audi do a suitable chariot?

[nev_jr]

I'm compelled by the uncertainty of an accord to be reached. Chodspeed.

[SmokinWaffle]

Nobody got it! Good guesses though. 

Purchased it. 70k, two owners since new. Current one I got it off since it was 5k miles old, has the purchase receipt for 17k at that point with it. 

Full Saab specialist service history. 2.3t (185HP). Cream leather. 

Oh, and its a manual. 

Genuinely very very clean. Small oil leak and due a service. Electric mirrors don't work. Slow starter but always does it seems. Likely needs a battery. Been sitting since Jan mostly, and less than 1000 miles since last service in late 2023

Rear box is pretty shot and I couldn't get under the rear arch liners but I gave it a jolly good poke and it feels just like surface rust. Rest of the car is clean enough for me to give it a gamble. For the price I am happy to repair it, and find another 70k manual 95 estate. 

Guy sold it on behalf of his father in law who gave up driving, he got it when he retired and just used it to roll about in. 

Was up for 2300, so for £1450. I'm very pleased. 

Goes pretty rapid too. 

 

[SmokinWaffle]

And yes the cup holder works 

[Noel Tidybeard]

ooh a dame edna saaaaaab

[Schaefft]

Seems like a good deal considering the low mileage!

[Matty]

Like it. Cheap for any kind of car never mind something interesting like this!

[grogee]

Welcome to the club @SmokinWaffle. Most of us have been balls deep in these fixerating them so always ask and we'll have helpful tips. 

I did the DICk and various vac tubes on mine, plus sorted out the HVAC and changed AC compressor. Plus other bits and pieces. Mine needed ATF lines but yours won't have that problem. 

Noob tuned these GLF and are the best way to travel. Yours is an estate which is making me weak at the knees. Check for rust inner rear wheel arches. 

Enjoy