By Jim Brennan
Welcome to the Sunday Edition of Hooniverse Weekends. Let’s start out with a couple of cars that were found while I was cruising around on the net for no apparent reason. There are many treasures that this particular dealer has, and we will dive into them during the week. Let’s discover these two sporty, interesting cars that are offered for sale in the middle of Wisconsin.
A 1992 Saab 900 convertible isn’t really all that rare, or all that interesting, especially when it isn’t a turbo. There has been a lot of work done to this particular car in the form of converting it to a five-speed manual. According to the listing:
Extremely nice grey non-turbo convertible with black top, this car has never been driven in the winter. Converted to a five speed manual, shifts smoothly and runs strong. No leaks or Issues. Excellent unfaded original paint. No crash damage. Underbody is clean, looks like a two year old car, not 18.
Very nice black leather interior. Top boot covers, Two tool kits, Owner’s manual. Dome light does not work. Everything else is OK. Used less than 1 quart to an oil change. I drove the car all last summer, I’m selling it for college money. It is in my father’s name and he has a dealer’s license so car has a clear WI title and DOT inspection.
Yes, the rims are the only glaring issue with this car, but that can be corrected. Asking price for this car is $4,000. See the listing here.
If the Saab doesn’t light your fire, how about an Alfa Romeo GTV-6? This Alfa is a 1984 model year, with a 2.5L SOHC V-6, a 5-speed transaxle, and looks like it has been well taken care of. According to the listing:
This is a 104,xxx mile matching number, never crashed, California car. The car looks stock including the original style Pirelli P6 tires. This car has been mildly modified for increased performance.
It is very streetable, not too aggressive. It has been recently repainted. The original paint was faded and peeling from the sun, especially on the roof. he car has an extremely nice original black leather interior. There is a small repair, nicely done, to the driver’s seat bolster. The car is extremely clean with all the trim in very nice condition. Not only has the car just been repainted, the bottom has a fresh coat of chassis black paint, engine has a new timing belt and a Sta-belt manual tensioner. Transmission has been rebuilt including driveline donuts. It has new brake pads and rotors. Rebuilt rear calipers. New hatch strut. The A/C does not work. Everything else works. In general, this is an excellent driver. It’s the right year, the right color and all the right toys.
Asking price for this GTV-6 is $7,500. Is this car worth the price? See the original listing here.
Jeff Glucker
Not sure about the pricing, butI will say that the Alfa gets a "do want" frmo me. At least, without that dorky bumper: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Alfa_GTV_6.jpg
The Saab is a better deal. I'll take the Alfa.
Nail. Hammer. Head.
"Extremely nice grey non-turbo convertible with black top, this car has never been driven in the winter. "
At first I was like "Wait.. that car is in the snow." Then I thought about it and a geography class from the 5th grade which made me realize this picture very much could have been taken on a warm June Wisconsin day.
Out of the plethora of rims they could've gone with, the ones the Saab has aren't terrible, and what we've got here is a nice, quirky alternative to a used Sebring convertible. Fine and good, but I prefer my Saabs with odd numbers of doors or turbos under hood.
But that Alfa, it would give me a wild ride, take all my money, and leave me happy about the entire experience.
Quick! Buy 'em and make a James Mayesque Alfaab!
You know the saying about boats, right? "The best boat to have is someone else's boat." I feel the same way about Alfas. Wonderful cars to drive but in the long run too aggravating to own. Outside of a $499 LeMons special, there's no such thing as a cheap Alfa – ultimately.
The Saab gets my vote here. It might not be fast and the wheels aren't pretty, but a Euro droptop in quite decent-looking shape for $4,000? It needs a close inspection but I live in Miami which is convertible heaven, so that's practically a gimme assuming no hidden horrors turn up.
Amen. It cost several times what my Spider is worth to get it roadworthy and (knocks wood) reliable, even doing the work myself. Worth every penny, though.
{POOF}
I agree with Tony, the Alfa would be endless heartbreak, and where I live I'd have to drive over an hour to find parts for it, up in Tucson. I seriously doubt I could even find spark plugs or an oil filter for it here in the boonies. The Saab would be a more realistic choice, and I could drive it top-down year round here. Hey, how hard would it be to install a turbocharger on that Saab? Then you'd have something.
Would need a complete engine tear-down, low compression pistons and strengthened con-rods, at least that's what I was told when I asked about tubocharging my 9000. Much easier to just buy a Turbo in the first place. And anyway, who wants to go fast when you look this cool?!
I agree, there's no point in changing this car further apart from the wheels. This is the car to buy if this is already exactly what you want.
I would consider either of these cars, even at the asking prices. Every hoon should entertain the idea of owning a pre-GM designed Saab at some point, and four grand isn't a lot for a mechanically-sorted convertible of any stripe.
The GTV, of course, is more exciting, and actually I don't think all that overpriced as a slightly worse condition car could easily entail an extra three or four grand in ownership expenses within two years, and a lot less time on the road. There was a comparison test in July '81 Road and Track where a GTV6 crushed a 280zx turbo and a 924 turbo. You could easily pay this much for an equal-condition Datsun and almost as much for a 924. Sure, those cars will be way easier to keep running, but the rarity, charm, and superior handling of the Alfa easily justify the price of this one.
Also, did everyone look at the other vehicles on that seller's page after the teaser line up top? That red Dodge M880 is very appealing, you never see old Dodge and Chevy pickups in such good condition underneath as the ex-military ones. Thank goodness it has the power steering, though: I used to drive an M880 with manual steering as a camp truck, and you had to make sure to keep your thumbs out of the steering wheel or they'd get broken.
shhhhhh, I was keeping them secret for a while for Truck Thursday…. and wait until Wagon Wednesday for another surprise.
I figured as much, that's why I didn't link to a picture. Didn't notice any wagons on the website, yet, though.
I just looked at their whole website. How about that 5 ton wrecker? Freakin' monster.
Well, everyone needs a truck… and if you are gonna get one it might as well be the biggest possible.
I'll take the Alfa, white speckles and all.
The Saab! Because of the way the hood opens! Ok, the Alfa is probably more fun to drive and has a sweeter engine. Probably faster as well. And better handling. And it's really pretty. And you won't see another one like it anytime soon. But, the Saab's hood!…
I'll hold out for a 900 turbo. My lust for that hood mechanism knows no bounds.
You sound like you need an E30 (not so much on the pretty count). Or just take the Alfa, and buy a $500 late 80's Buick LeSabre/Park Avenue.
<img src="http://71.18.236.175/images/Main/LGN%2002%20Web.jpg" width="500">
Holy shit!! What?! But Yes!! Very yes!! Dude!! 😀
I need a moment…
It's also the only car I know that it's possible for the hood to be removed (and reinstalled!) by one person of average strength. It comes in very handy.
If the Saab had a turbo, it'd be extremely tempting. Used to own an non-turbo classic 900S and the extra power of the Turbo 16v would be welcomed.
fix the ac on the gtv-6, and i got a new track beater
I like Saabs and the quirky look of the 900's and 99's. But…but…the other one is an Alfa. Is this some kind of trick question?
I had an Alfetta once. The next day I bought a small fire extinguisher. Good thing too, because I used it 6 months later. No damage, I just had to reconnect the wire that had fallen off and grounded out. Exciting though.
I still miss hooning that car.