Melancholy essay about the future of my c900

[KR900]

I've been feeling a bit blah about my 900. My excitement over the car has really waned. While I bought the car 18 months ago for autocross, I haven't made time for the sport all year. During the past two months, the 900 has mostly sat around while I drove one of our air-conditioned cars instead. I was truly excited about my 900 from the day I bought it until sometime this summer. All of the modifications and work to get the car going were really exciting. When I waxed it, it really got shiny. When I got the seat stitched, it was a nice car again, etc...
Now the wax has worn off, the seat has ripped in another location, I'm tired of all of my cassettes, and the headliner is sagging more than ever. The car needs an oil change, new spark plugs, and new plug wires. It really probably needs a brake fluid flush and maybe even new pads. And it would look much better with lowering springs and turbo's rear spoiler. I'm having a hard time getting excited about doing any of it (or spending the money to have it done).

Last spring I drove the 900 to a lot of jobsites to allow it to earn me some mileage-reimbursement money, and as the weather has cooled the past few weeks, I've driven it to a couple of local jobsites. Today the 900 had its first ferry trip in my stewardship (and its second) as I used the famous Washington State Ferries service to get to a jobsite and back. But I need it to be a bit better car if I'm going to do keep doing that, which probably means a new stereo and a rejuvinated headliner.

I'm in kind of a transitional period with the car. I'm pretty sure I'll keep it over this winter and attempt to autocross it next year. But I need to take the time to do that, or the car probably isn't worth keeping around. I love having a classic 900, but now I really want a cool one, a 900 turbo in great condition. Mine is a non-turbo that is unlikely to ever be in great condition. That's what I get for buying an $800 car.

I did get a compliment on the car this morning though. When I climbed out of the car at the bank to run to the ATM, a mid-40s guy climbing into a Dodge Caliber rental car said "I like that stripe." I said "Thanks." He spoke again, saying "It really makes your car look sporty. It's really cool." So the 900 did get a bit of love today, even though it wasn't necessarily from me.

[woywitka]

Get a turbo convertible or an SPG and fall in love.


Seriously a 900 turbo is fun like a roller coaster. An old wooden one.

Today I found myself with a big smile on my face like an idiot driving it. It just never gets old. I used a new Vacuum my mom bought that works really well and the carpets now look like showroom and adds this "luxury" feeling.

[cdaly]

Originally Posted by KR900

Now the wax has worn off, the seat has ripped in another location, I'm tired of all of my cassettes, and the headliner is sagging more than ever. The car needs an oil change, new spark plugs, and new plug wires. It really probably needs a brake fluid flush and maybe even new pads. And it would look much better with lowering springs and turbo's rear spoiler. I'm having a hard time getting excited about doing any of it (or spending the money to have it done).

$100 for the necessary bits and an afternoon will address most of that. The ripped seat is just seams letting go. A sailmaker's needle and suitable thread is all you need for that.

Once that's done, fall in love again or sell it for $1500...

[Tomarse]

Sometimes you need to make a shopping list and put aside a few days to work through the list of jobs so that you can like a car again.
Looks like you need to do the springs, headlining, stereo and the plugs/leads+oilchange and fix the seat.
Then drive it for a bit and see if you like it again

[SteveTheFolkie]

Pop one of these http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony-...oductDetail.do in your trunk (CD changer - holds 10 CD's - feeds through your radio antenna - minimal wiring - no dash hacking - keeps the stock head unit in place) - for better tunes - perhaps upgrade your speakers.

Purchase the material and some spray glue to re-do the headliner - follow instructions listed somewhere on the forum to remove and refurbish - re-install.

Remove seat covers, re-stitch or patch where required - re-install.

Give her a tune up and change her oil.

Flush the hydrualics, change the brake pads - heck - go wild and do the rotors if you need to.

When it's hot outside - roll down the danged windows.

At least YOUR paint shines!

And smile, dangit, unlike the majority of the slobs trundling down the road you're driving a real car!

Steve

[KR900]

Originally Posted by SteveTheFolkie

Pop one of these http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony-...oductDetail.do in your trunk (CD changer - holds 10 CD's - feeds through your radio antenna - minimal wiring - no dash hacking - keeps the stock head unit in place) - for better tunes - perhaps upgrade your speakers.

And smile, dangit, unlike the majority of the slobs trundling down the road you're driving a real car!

Steve

So true about the 'real car' comment I agree, after sitting in traffic with a thousand tan Toyotas this afternoon for 90 minutes!

Unfortunately I can't use the FM modulator as my radio's FM band is permanently silent. Something is wrong with it, the sound used to stop after about 5 seconds of FM reception, but now there is no FM at all. I've contemplated getting a new head unit but don't like the electronica look, so I'm stuck with the classy AM/Cassette sound system.

[woywitka]

Originally Posted by KR900

So true about the 'real car' comment I agree, after sitting in traffic with a thousand tan Toyotas this afternoon for 90 minutes!

Unfortunately I can't use the FM modulator as my radio's FM band is permanently silent. Something is wrong with it, the sound used to stop after about 5 seconds of FM reception, but now there is no FM at all. I've contemplated getting a new head unit but don't like the electronica look, so I'm stuck with the classy AM/Cassette sound system.

I now what you mean about the look; however, I found a unit that looks quite nice!

Get a USED clarion off ebay, you can even get the CD player that goes in the lower DIN slot.

[DanComden]

Radio: I'll give you the Clarion out of my '86. No idea if it works or not but it would take a few minutes to swap and find out.

Seat: covers are cheap or there's a guy in Shoreline who installed a spring kit and resewed some panels in one of my seats for about $75.

Headliner: I think I'll be holding a clinic in the near future. Just as soon as I can find and install some outer C/V joints that is. Anyhow I'll PM you if you want to check it out.

Other work: most of what you listed isn't hard, it's just making the time. Looks like it could be done in an evening with another pair of hands. Let me know.

To feel better come over and look at the to-do list on my garage white board. Better yet, grab a friend and come out for a rally and have fun driving your car. There's a Friday Nighter next week, in fact. www.nwrally.com

[silversaab96]

Originally Posted by KR900

I've been feeling a bit blah about my 900

With all due respect, it's you, not the car...

Originally Posted by KR900

...... I need to take the time to do that, or the car probably isn't worth keeping around

Been there, done that. MAKE the time and you'll fall in love all over again. You aren't the first and you won't be the last. And about getting a turbo - I have an auto N/A and a turbo manual, and while the turbo goes like stink and the N/A wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding unless it is going over 80kph, it still drives just like the turbo whipping around a roundabout or whizzing around country roads. Enjoy this car while you have it, and look forward to getting a turbo. Oh and by the way, your car looks great.

[nnamssorxela]

I got my car for $300 and have had it for over a year and 1/2. It's a bucket of trash, but it's getting better every second I have free time. I picked up an airflow kit, whale tail spoiler, a bunch of other goodies for about $40 from my local junk yard. before I got this I planned on selling it, but now the fire is burning again. Like you I have no A/C and drive it everyday in the 100* heat and did all summer. It is also a N/A but that doesnt mean it can't look pretty. I'm in the process of starting a DIY window tint, and DIY paint job (<---might take a while as it's my first time, but I plan on practicing on a few of my friends junkers and making some money on the side by doing this, probably enough to cancel out the costs of the equipment paint etc, maybe even the car!!). Anyways, don't loose hope in your ole saab. There are definitly faster and more luxuraious cars out there, it's all about what you want.
-Alex

EDIT:blaupunkt makes some very stellar looking head units that have that factory appeal (the textured black). The one I was looking at had 4,000 color choiced for the screen so you could match it to your interior!

[SteveTheFolkie]

if you want to broaden your search for an "authentic" stereo include VW - they used DIN chassis Clarions in the MK3 series (some that used 6CD changers mounted under the pass seat) - there's also nothing that says you can't leave the OEM radio in the dash slot and pop a new gaudy model in the glovebox -

[TheRedBaron]

Originally Posted by KR900

I've contemplated getting a new head unit but don't like the electronica look, so I'm stuck with the classy AM/Cassette sound system.

Then get a Nakamichi - OEM "classic" look, fantastic sound! http://search.stores.ebay.com/w-w-w-...268997QQsofpZ0

[KR900]

Originally Posted by DanComden

Radio: I'll give you the Clarion out of my '86. No idea if it works or not but it would take a few minutes to swap and find out.

Seat: covers are cheap or there's a guy in Shoreline who installed a spring kit and resewed some panels in one of my seats for about $75.

Headliner: I think I'll be holding a clinic in the near future. Just as soon as I can find and install some outer C/V joints that is. Anyhow I'll PM you if you want to check it out.

Other work: most of what you listed isn't hard, it's just making the time. Looks like it could be done in an evening with another pair of hands. Let me know.

To feel better come over and look at the to-do list on my garage white board. Better yet, grab a friend and come out for a rally and have fun driving your car. There's a Friday Nighter next week, in fact. www.nwrally.com

Thanks Dan. Definately let me know about your headliner clinic. I'll be in touch about the radio too.

[KR900]

I just ordered the spark plugs and wires. I already have the oil and filter. You all have motivated me to get to work.

I'll keep you posted-