PICK OF THE DAY: Refreshed Low-Mile Saab 99 GL

Saab was always a company that did things differently and to anyone who’s owned one, those differences forged a relationship like few other cars can match. From its beginnings as an automaker in the late ‘40s (spawned from an aircraft company), the cars evoked a palpable personality, instantly engaging their owners. Unfortunately, when you own not just a car, but the entire company—namely you are GM (Saab was a wholly-owned subsidiary since 2000)—doing things differently doesn’t have the same level of charm. The “overthinking” that went into even the latest cars proved too costly and simply did not meet fiscal expectations. For a brief time, Saab was saved by exotic automaker, Spyker, only for Spyker to face bankruptcy themselves months later. Sale of its Saab division was blocked by former owner GM and Saab, as we knew it for over 55 years, breathed its last breath, although a non-breathing all-electric car based on the last Saab 9-3 is said to be in production, though no details have been announced on when and where the car will be available.  In the meantime, we have the used Saab market to play with. Fortunately, the cars were not only innovative, but made to last and there are hundreds on the market at any given time, with continued parts availability. To clarify, by “made to last,” they are durable (rally proven), but not necessarily reliable. The quirkiness that makes them so lovable also makes them finicky and temperamental at times. They key, as with any other car, is to find one that has been well cared for. That may seem obvious—and it is—but because Saabs were well-thought out and well-made, their flaws can be covered up. As a car that has any residual value, it’s probably best to avoid any GM-era cars (2000-2012). The cars that are seeing some appreciation are the early cars, most definitely the 92, 93, 95 and 96. The Saab 99, too, is enjoying some healthy growth, due in part to being more advanced than its predecessors in the first place and that refreshed and restored examples are increasingly coming onto the market.  They also have a look that’s fast becoming iconic: the arched tail (whether in coupé or Wagonback form), the curvaceous front fender line and the four headlamp nose (this was US only but expatriated in European markets) are an aesthetic that is like nothing else on the road. This example has had a high-quality restoration in 2011, comprising of new paint in its lovely Alpine White, and a new interior. The motor is said to be original with only the occasional drip or two. The Inca wheels complete the Saab look while its original steel wheels and chrome hubcaps are included in the sale. The seller discloses the odometer stopped working at just over 55,000 miles in 2012, but estimates another 10,000 miles since. In any case, that is not much for a car that can easily go half a million with proper care. Find it here on The Saab Network Classifieds in Charlotteville VA for $5,900.