Save a Saab

[mikioi]

I have a 1993 turbo convertible in excellent condition but the tran is slipping bad (AT). This is my only transportation and I live in Arlington Texas (the largest city in the world without public transportation) I am turning it in to the dump (crasher) this coming week, so I can buy a car with the Obama down payment. If anyone would rescue it, I would appreciate. Just can't afford to keep it, but it breaks my heart to send it that road. It has no rust, no body damage of any kind, engine runs strong, new tires, new brakes and rotors, front end was completly rebuild 1 1/2 year ago by a certified Saab. 4500$ is what I get for trashing it. Tan leather interior, parade top cover, original owner's manual, complete tool kit, alarm, original premium radio, spare, all lining in good condition. Back window panel is not leaking, but is need of replacement (fabric is worn out, top was probably replaced omiting that panel) Has normal road wear on original paint.

Lynn 817-719-1079
Don't know how to post pictures here, but will send on request

[900t]

Nobody will pay you 4500 for that, but would you get that much from Obama either?

[euromobile900]

The Cash for Clunkers program (is that really what it's called?) allows you to get $4500 for a car IF you get a new car with some better mileage rating, IIRC. I thought the rules went something like, "Junk a car that gets 20mpg or less, and we'll give you $4500 toward a new car that gets 10mpg better than what you threw out."

[thereisnospork]

I'm 99% sure it won't qualify: it needs to have an updated combined epa rating of 18 or less. (unless its a truck, not that they get more than 18mpg anyway)

cars.gov for details.

sorry, it's the governments fault for passing retarded laws.

[euromobile900]

Well it works for lots of Americans. Made my parents ditch their minivan, which is more than I can say I've done for their sorry automotive situation. (I was pushing for my father to install a 9000 2.3t engine and gearbox in it)

Maybe the turbo autobox cars got lower than 18

[tucksayre]

Originally Posted by thereisnospork

I'm 99% sure it won't qualify: it needs to have an updated combined epa rating of 18 or less. (unless its a truck, not that they get more than 18mpg anyway)

cars.gov for details.

sorry, it's the governments fault for passing retarded laws.

It does qualify (but only the autos). The combined for a turbo auto is 18 and the n/a is 17!! Drivable condition is another question...a slipping trans might prevent a dealer from taking it.

[thereisnospork]

Originally Posted by tucksayre

It does qualify (but only the autos). The combined for a turbo auto is 18 and the n/a is 17!! Drivable condition is another question...a slipping trans might prevent a dealer from taking it.

I stand corrected then. but so long as you can drive it to the dealer I think they'd (have to?) take it.

[Steve Corgan]

Originally Posted by tucksayre

It does qualify (but only the autos). The combined for a turbo auto is 18 and the n/a is 17!! Drivable condition is another question...a slipping trans might prevent a dealer from taking it.

That seems rather low even for an automatic. Are you sure?

[tucksayre]

I was about to say 'nah' on it too, but I decided to go check and was amazed. The manuals only have a combined of 21, which I have never approached even with city driving for a whole tank of gas.

[Matt88S]

This really isn't the right place for this, but since it's such a serious issue I'm going to leave it alone for a bit. You also posted your other post in the wrong for sale forum, you need the one below that, the first one is for our friends on the other side of the pond.

A bit of clarification though, are you looking for a buyer at $4500, or someone to rescue it from the salvage?

I don't see anyone buying it at $4500, not when they can buy nice examples of C900 verts for less than it would cost them to replace the trans on yours. Sad but true. Your car is looking at $4500 + $2-3000 to replace the trans, which is just more than people are going to pay.

On the other hand, inquire about buying the car back after it's scrapped. The dealer probably doesn't give a rip, all they care is that they are making money and selling cars. Say you want it for parts or something. It will have a Salvage title, but that can be changed to a Rebuilt title at a later date. Resale value will be worthless as everyone will assume it was totaled, flooded, or somehow ruined and pieced back together, but, for an enthusiast who's in the known it wouldn't be a big deal since they would simply be driving the vehicle.

Personally I've made the Fort Worth run several times, but I have cars coming out my ears and I'm running out of room and inclination to fiddle with the things.

Aside from that, they may not allow you to buy it back.

[euromobile900]

I believe the EPA changed their mileage ratings to be more "realistic" (read: using more lead-footed and pig-headed driving style) than they used to be. I believe we car enthusiasts drive quite efficiently, on account of being in tune with our machines and so forth. The EPA ratings used to reflect use by fairly good drivers, but most drivers just don't take the time to understand their cars' operation. I've ridden with quite a few who just don't pay any attention at all to their machines, and it is exasperating! So the EPA lowered their mileage ratings to reflect these people. It's probably a more equitable assessment of the way the average person drives.

To illustrate, the minivan my parents are trading in gets 17mpg EPA revised rating, or 21mpg old rating. My dad and I can get it to do 25mpg. Mom gets about 21. Grandpa gets 18.

EDIT: Thanks Matt, for keeping this topic open. I agree it's a serious issue--this new program, which I personally think is pretty cool on the whole, has the potentially disastrous side effect of wiping out a fair chunk of all the autobox 900s in the USA.

[mikioi]

New MPG

16
City
17
Combined
19
Hwy

It does qualify. This is the rating from EPA
It will drive to the dealer, so I am not concerned about it being approved. It is just sad to think it will be destroyed.

[900t]

Originally Posted by euromobile900

I believe the EPA changed their mileage ratings to be more "realistic" (read: using more lead-footed and pig-headed driving style) than they used to be. I believe we car enthusiasts drive quite efficiently, on account of being in tune with our machines and so forth. The EPA ratings used to reflect use by fairly good drivers, but most drivers just don't take the time to understand their cars' operation. I've ridden with quite a few who just don't pay any attention at all to their machines, and it is exasperating! So the EPA lowered their mileage ratings to reflect these people. It's probably a more equitable assessment of the way the average person drives.

I think we can sometimes manage it, but our English friends seem to drive and get 15 mpg (US) all the time

[16saabs]

auto turbo uk about 25 uk mpg, just sold a std900 auto and was getting 29 uk mpg.
In UK you have to have owned the car for scrappage allowance, for over 12 months, does that apply to USA cars

[Matt88S]

Personally what I wonder is just how much are we saving the planet by scrapping an already made car for one that gets only 5-9 MPG better. On my automatic I get basically 21 mpg. In city, on the highway, combined, doesn't matter, 21mph period.

So a person trades their car in, gets a car that does 26 mpg driving in the city, they have gained 5mpg. How many years do they have to drive that vehicle before they overcome all the pollution that was put out having to manufacture an entire vehicle? How much immediate pollution would have been saved had the person with the 21mpg vehicle simply kept maintaining and driving their current vehicle?

I just don't see the value in going out and buying the latest and greatest in fuel economic vehicles. Maintain what you have, drive what you have, make what you have last.

A properly sorted C900 5spd should get 28-32mpg. They were built in the 80's. Maintained they will go many hundreds of miles, and are highly practical and versatile vehicles.

It would seem, if anyone was concerned with reducing pollution and saving the planet and all, that the best way would be to build quality cars that are practical, get good fuel economy, haul well, and last for 20-30 years without a hiccup.

But wait, what would that do to the new car market? And of course everyone knows the only important commodity is oil, the rest of the earths resources aren't important. Just oil.

[900t]

Originally Posted by Matt88S

Personally what I wonder is just how much are we saving the planet by scrapping an already made car for one that gets only 5-9 MPG better. On my automatic I get basically 21 mpg. In city, on the highway, combined, doesn't matter, 21mph period.

So a person trades their car in, gets a car that does 26 mpg driving in the city, they have gained 5mpg. How many years do they have to drive that vehicle before they overcome all the pollution that was put out having to manufacture an entire vehicle? How much immediate pollution would have been saved had the person with the 21mpg vehicle simply kept maintaining and driving their current vehicle?

I just don't see the value in going out and buying the latest and greatest in fuel economic vehicles. Maintain what you have, drive what you have, make what you have last.

A properly sorted C900 5spd should get 28-32mpg. They were built in the 80's. Maintained they will go many hundreds of miles, and are highly practical and versatile vehicles.

It would seem, if anyone was concerned with reducing pollution and saving the planet and all, that the best way would be to build quality cars that are practical, get good fuel economy, haul well, and last for 20-30 years without a hiccup.

But wait, what would that do to the new car market? And of course everyone knows the only important commodity is oil, the rest of the earths resources aren't important. Just oil.

Dude it has nothing to do with the environment, it has nothing to do with the economy, it is supposed to do some things like this, but as Bastiat wrote hundreds of years ago, it is all BS

[ooopseyesharted]

Originally Posted by euromobile900

Maybe the turbo autobox cars got lower than 18

Mine does 16.9 mpg on average.....totally stock.

[cghag1]

For what it's worth, your actual gas mileage is irrelevant. Cash for Clunkers only uses the government rating (www.fueleconomy.gov) to determine whether a car qualifies for the incentive.

I work for a Ford dealer, and I can tell you that we have some serious concerns about this program. Not so much for the crap that may or may not qualify, but because desirable older cars like this '93 convertible may have to be scrapped. Having said that, I completely understand the fact that this owner will not get $3,500-$4,500 any other way. Financially it makes sense to scrap the car and take the money. Emotionally is sucks.

While many newer cars will give the owner improved gas mileage, I can aso tell you that a vast majority of todays newer engines are much cleaner burning than what was out there 15-20 years ago.

[Matt88S]

Originally Posted by 900t

Dude it has nothing to do with the environment, it has nothing to do with the economy, it is supposed to do some things like this, but as Bastiat wrote hundreds of years ago, it is all BS

I'm aware of that. I thought however, that they put it out under the facade of being environmentally conscious and stimulating. Was it just supposed to be stimulating? My bad, I haven't watched the news in some years.

[KurBads]

I agree - this all sucks. It might be wise in economic terms but then you`re crushing perfect car, a late c900 convertible, zero rust etc. ... OK, it need a trans, maybe just adjusting, if not, good used replacement. Remember that it`s value (if kept ) will definately be going up, it`s 100% certain. And in years time you`ll get 2x 4500 $.
If it`s really good, send it over to Europe (repaired), and you`ll get anything from 5000 EUR up. I`ve bought an `88 `vert a year ago paying 6000 EUR and it`s not the best shape although has airflow kit, `16 aero wheels, new turbo ...
Just think twice before sending this car off to crusher .

Pics would be great to see (you just need to upload them to photobucket.com or similar, copy tabs and paste them in using

button.