Thunderbolt from Finland: 2000 Saab 93 Viggen

This next car comes as a tip from Johnny Bouncewell who writes: Man, I don't NEED another Viggen but this one sure is tempting.  Right number of doors, OEM wheels, and the proper six speed transmission.  Yes JB, you are correct, the combination of a 2.3 liter turbo-4 boosted to 230 horsepower is cool, but only 138 examples of the 3-door made it into the USA for the 2000 MY (764 over the 5 year model span)...so it is cool and rare. Find this 2000 Saab 93 Viggen offered for $5000 in Albuquerque, NM via craigslist.

Basic Transport: 2006 Saab 9-2X Linear

The Subaru WRX was a suped up version of the standard base Subaru Impreza  -- the WRX added a turbocharger and some fun sometime in the 2001 model year.  In 2005 Saab got into the all-wheel-drive fun game and launched the 9-2X which was available in WRX-turbo Aero version and in the basic non-turbo Linear model.  This next car is the slow and steady non-turbo and slushbox equipped Linear, but the asking price is almost scrap value low. Find this 2006 Saab 9-2X Linear offered for $1800 in Maynard, MA via saabnet.com. Tip from BarbPaddles.

Cheap Project: 1972 Saab 96 V4

This next car comes as a tip from Erik202 who writes: If you’re going to buy what amounts to a rolling shell with potential you could do much much worse. Yup, the seller admits that the powertrain has been disassembled, but the German built Taunus V4 is one of those little engines that you can rebuild in your garage with a pair of pliers, a 6-pack of Heineken, and a jar of Loctite. And this is the kind of car that you will drive everywhere because you won't worry about rock chips but you will worry about missing out on beautiful mountain views because you are grabbing fistfuls of opposite-lock. Find this 1972 Saab 96 V4 offered for $2500 CAD ($1800 USD) in Calgary, AB via kijiji.net.

Ice Blue Survivor: 1979 Saab 900 Turbo

How hard can it be to import a vehicle from Latvia?  Ignoring the current Coronavirus induced global shipping issues, I have to think that getting a car from Latvia imported into the USA and legal to drive on the street might be difficult for even the most seasoned car importer. But this next Saab Turbo is sooooooooo much nicer than the average Saab story that you find driving around on the mean streets of anytown USA.  And this car reminds me so much of the Draken 99 EMS that I want to ignore all of the warning signs and buy it.  Find this 1979 Saab 900 Turbo here on eBay bidding for $8600 in Latvia with a few hours to go.

Shoulda Had a V4: 1974 Saab Sonett III

I've seen what happens when people buy the first year of a new car when it is released...and it usually isn't pretty.  The new model comes with new technology that always has some teething issues, so I generally recommend that people avoid the first few years of production...but what about the last year or so?  If the factory is being shut, will the assembly people care if your car is assembled correctly, or will they ignore the fine print on their work orders.  I think I'd take a risk on this next car because I can't imagine that any assembly issues haven't been worked out in the past 45 years. Find this 1974 Saab Sonett III offered for $6,500 in Anacortes, WA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Pile o' Receipts: 1993 Saab 900

How often do you find a one owner car from the early 1990s?-- it isn't common for people to keep a car that long...except maybe rotting in a field or in some pigeon filled barn.  And few people have the endurance to own something like a 90s Saab for 3 decades because those receipts are gonna be piled up AND not cheap.  But if you want to buy one, this next car looks like the one to get. Find this 1993 Saab 900 offered for $5795 in Indianapolis, IN via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Almost Gold: 2001 SAAB 9-3 Viggen

The Christian feast of the Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th, (the word Epiphany comes from the ancient Greek work Τheophaneia meaning "vision of God") and is a commemoration of the three Magi visiting the infant Jesus.  Around here we celebrate the Epiphany by posting 3 cars, one for each of the magi, next up is Melchior who brought a gift of gold..but unfortunately all I could find is silver...which is close enough for a baby who is probably going to play with the packaging and the bubble wrap and couldn't tell the difference between gold and silver or a Viggen and an Aero. Find this 2001 SAAB 9-3 Viggen offered for $6000 in Seattle, WA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Almost Christmas: 1986 SAAB 900S

This next car comes as a tip from Erik202 who writes: I have a lot of cars on my kijiji and craigslist watch lists....I’m probably not getting any of them but maybe someone will rescue this one.  Find this 1986 SAAB 900S offered for $2900 CAD ($2205 USD) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada via Kijiji.ca.

Global Epsilon Platform: 2011 Saab 9-5 Turbo S

The second generation (YS3G) Saab 9-5 was released in 2010 many years after GM had diluted secret Saab sauce into a tasteless broth and is scorned for its General-ness...but in truth the 9-5 was built under Dutch based Spyker Cars. Spyker was founded in 1999 by multimillionaire  Victor Muller as a way to build the expensive and bizarrely styled C8 Spyder and Laviolette.  In 2009 GM traded Saab to Muller for a set of used Gucci crocodile skin loafers, and the new Saab lasted for about 12 months before the pants fell of the scarecrow.  Regardless, for about 2 years, the subtly styled Saab 9-5 Aero was sold around the world at a hefty $50k MSRP. Today they can be found for a fraction of that original cost. Find this 2011 Saab 9-5 Turbo S offered for $7,500 in Vancouver, WA via craigslist. Tip from ME.

Sob Story: Collection of Saab 95s and Sonetts

This next car comes as a tip from Johnny Bouncewell who writes: Holy hell, you'd have to be mad (and an eccentric engineer named Nels Nelsveronsen) to buy all of these headaches. I'm neither, but so damn tempting.  Find this...errr..these Saab 95s and Sonetts offered as a package deal for $5000 in Albuquerque, NM via craigslist.

Seller Submission: 1988 SAAB 900 Turbo

The Saab 900 Classic, built from 1978 through 1994, was the final evolution of Saab's wacky backwards-engine compact luxury cruiser that started way back in 1968 with the release of the Saab 99.  Don't be fooled by the later GM rebadged Opel/Vauxhall/Saturn abomination that later used the 900 badge -- because there was only one real Saab 900. Find this 1988 Saab 900 Turbo offered for $3,500 in Seattle, WA via craigslist. Seller submission from AB.

16V Turbo Powered: 1973 Saab 99

This next car tugs at my heartstrings a bit...not just because turbo...or because those wheels are wicked, or because manual gearbox...but mostly because I do miss the ole Draken DT project car. A more modern 16-valve turbo engine might give the 99 some needed thrust, but it won't fix the fact that this 46 year old hunk of steel was born of Jets but built by a bunch of crazy Swedes who thought exposed wiring terminals were fun and that a flywheel should be at the front of an engine. Find this 1973 Saab 99 16V Turbo here on eBay bidding for $916 with 4 days to go, located in Hatfield, MA. Tip from ME. 

A WRX By Any Other Name: 2005 Saab 9-2X Aero

The Saab 9-2X (aka the Saabaru) tones down some of the boy racer Japanime styling of the Subaru Impreza WRX, but keeps the neck-snapping turbocharged 2 liter flat-4 and asphalt-gripping all-wheel-drive.  Saab sold a few more than 10,000 examples of the odd little wagon and this next one is high mile example, but cheap. Time to lift it a few inches, add some mud tires, exo-skeleton, and skid plate for the ultimate Saabajaru.  Find this 2005 Saab 9-2X Aero offered for $4,400 in Fremont, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Soccer Ball Kicks: 1975 Saab 99 EMS Coupe

This next car really tugs at my heartstrings...because no matter how terrible a vintage Saab might be on paper with regards to acceleration, handling, reliability, parts availability...etc...it is still a sweet car, I do miss the ole Draken DT project car.  And those soccer ball alloys...hrrrnnngggg...me gusta mucho!!  And with Bosch fogs?  Welp...I wonder if the wife will forgive a second Saab "sight unseen" purchase?  The couch is comfortable anyway. Find this 1975 Saab 99 EMS offered for $6,400 in Berkeley, CA via craigslist. Tip from Safety Fast.

Little Old Lady's Car: 1968 Saab 96 V4

You know what I don't like in craigslist adverts?  Blurry photos and claims that the car was "a little old lady's car"...but this next seller gets a pass because the asking price is reasonable and the little Saab is surrounded by other oddball cars covered in painter's plastic.  The seller is my kind of car collector-- and I give any possible buyers a low chance of having your dismembered corpse stuffed into a suitcase and and a high chance of driving home with a new sweet ride. Find this 1968 Saab 96 V4 offered for $3995 in Burlingame, CA via craigslist. Tip from Erik202.

Arrest Me Red: 2004 Saab 9-5 Aero Wagon

Nobody has a Saab wagon on their car owning bucket list...because those bucket lists are mostly filled with ridiculous crap like Lamborghinis and Alfa Romeos, but you should consider putting a vintage 9-5 Aero Wagon on your list because you might be able to tick that box for a few grand and learn a few things about simple driving fun in the meantime. Find this 2004 Saab 9-5 Aero Wagon offered for $4,500 in Hershey, PA via craigslist. Tip from Aaron K.

900T Engine Swapped: 1975 Saab 99

It is always Thorsday here at DT, but today is also All Saints Day, so you might expect the next car to be a Volvo P1800...but SURPRISE, it isn't.  It is, however, powered by a later model turbo engine and in serious need of a coat of paint that doesn't look like a used piece of chewing gum and a set of shoes with an appropriate offset. Find this 1975 Saab 99 here on eBay bidding for $2499 CAD ($1910 USD) with 4 days to go, located in North York, Ontario, Canada. Tip from Bill.