Time for a SAABatical

[SaabKen]

Well like they say, there's a time & place for everything.

I've owned my 9000CSE "Matilda" since 2001. Over the years she's given me immense driving pleasure, not to mention motivated me to start up western Canada's only active and growing Saab enthusiasts club (from which I've met many many great folks, some of 'em also here on SW).

My Saab tenure also saw a great deal of maintenance. In fact more than I ever anticipated. I can almost say I'm about 75% to a brand new 9000 considering the number of things I've had repaired or replaced over the years.

To make a long story short, I'm in a position these days where I need a reliable work vehicle to get to-and-fro. Traveling is also anticipated. As I mentioned, or eluded to, in some recent threads, these new roles are not ones I wish to have Mattie take on. She's getting on (288K kms) in age, however she can easily make it to 400,000 kms with judicious local driving and TLC than I'll be able to provide in the next little while.

Therefore this past weekend I've handed over the reins of the Saab to a fellow SCWC (and SC) member, JeffCullen. I've known Jeff since pretty much the first days of SCWC, and I implicitly trust his desire and capacity to give Mattie many more happy days.

This is not to say I'm done with Saab. In fact quite the opposite. SCWC is still going strong and growing, and that won't change. I see Saab(s) back into my life at a later time. So for now, I'm merely taking a Saabatical as far as ownership goes.

So you must be wondering ......what replaced Matilda ? Well other than the '09 Honda Odyssey that joined the stable a couple of months ago (Mrs. SK's ride), I now am a proud owner of ............






















........ 2004 OutBack 3.0 H6 wagon. Automatic, 108K kms on the clock. V. clean inside out, well cared for. Haven't given "her" a name yet.

Best part is, the car's name also starts with "S", and has an "A" and "B" in it too And I gotta say, so far after a week driving it, I feel there a lot of Saab-esque quirks built into it.

So there ya go !

[Golfhunter]

I think it's a very good choice you did there .Congratulations !

[nordwulf]

Great looking car, I like this Outback better than the new generation. Any particular reason you didn't want to get a Saab wagon?

Congrats on being a wagon owner!

[SaabKen]

Thanks GF and Wulf.

Actually I like this gen (gen-2) the best of all Legacy/OB's. My parents have an '07 (gen-3) wagon and it's way more cramped inside, also theirs have the "new head restraints" that very annoying jut into the back of your skull.

Oh I would have got a Saab wagon if I can afford it (NG9-3), but really for older 9-5 wagons I just don't want to go down that path of unreliability, repairs and the constant feeling of "is something gonna breakdown this week ?". No offense to you 9-5ers.

For my current needs I really needed to go the Japanese route for time being.

Yeah, wagons rule !

[nordwulf]

The newer 2004+ 9-5 is actually a very reliable car and probably the most reliable Saab up to date. There are a few known issues of parts that need replacement at certain intervals but they are easy to fix. Scott has 200K miles on his 2005 with mostly just regular maintenance. I like how easy the 9-5 is to work on, the interior quality (<=2005) and the way it drives and handles. The sludge was a major issue up to MY03 but anything after that with the 2.3T engine is a very solid car with good gas mileage (I am getting 25mpg). I have a feeling it will be better than the Subaru H6 engine.

None of the above info matters to you now but I just wanted to set the 9-5 reliability record straight.

[Dave T]

nooooooooooo!

[Aero]

I hope you enjoy your time with the Outback and see you come back "to the light" soon!.

[SaabKen]

The newer 2004+ 9-5 is actually a very reliable car and probably the most reliable Saab up to date. There are a few known issues of parts that need replacement at certain intervals but they are easy to fix. Scott has 200K miles on his 2005 with mostly just regular maintenance. I like how easy the 9-5 is to work on, the interior quality (<=2005) and the way it drives and handles. The sludge was a major issue up to MY03 but anything after that with the 2.3T engine is a very solid car with good gas mileage (I am getting 25mpg). I have a feeling it will be better than the Subaru H6 engine.

None of the above info matters to you now but I just wanted to set the 9-5 reliability record straight.

Thanks Wulf. Not trying to smear 9-5 reliability, lol. BTW, yes the H6 is no gas-miser, it averages 19-22mpg combined and no manual tranny was offered

nooooooooooo!

No worries big guy, I won't be Saabless per-se when you come up for a meet. BTW, you coming up end of this month ?

[SaabScott]

Interesting ... I was looking for an Outback with I got my first Saab. ;-)

The H6 3.0 is a good engine ... just not nearly as much fun as a 2.3T!
And Ken, my 2005 has 197,500 MILES in it ... and only once has it ever left me at the side of the road and NEVER have I felt that I couldn't just get into it and drive out to see you for coffee! ;-)

[Dave T]

I won't be Saabless per-se when you come up for a meet. BTW, you coming up end of this month ?

I don't think I can make it this month. Maybe July?