Owing to its aerospace origins, Saab used to tout that its automobiles have been “born from jets.” Today’s Nice Price or No Dice 9-3 will not be fighter jet quick, however with a six-speed stick, it must be simply as partaking. Let’s determine what that enjoyable would possibly simply be price.
By all accounts, Volkswagen AG is the most important automaker on the planet, with a worldwide footprint that serves just about everybody however the penguins in Antarctica. Volkswagen additionally builds automobiles all throughout the globe, though once more, Antarctica loses out. At current, so does Australia. VW’s Victoria manufacturing plant was bought to Nissan in 1976, bringing an finish to almost 20 years of down-under automobile meeting for the model. Before that occurred, nevertheless, the manufacturing facility popped out the 1965 VW Squareback Panel Van that was the thing of our curiosity yesterday. That automobile had an interesting historical past and appeared to be in fairly fine condition. Unfortunately, the $24,000 asking didn’t do it any favors. Quite a lot of you grumbled about that, and that grumbling manifested in a 70 p.c No Dice loss. Crikey!
Interestingly, Saab and Volkswagen have a connection in the identical means that we apparently are all simply six folks away from Kevin Bacon. The earliest of Saabs — the 92 — used a two-stroke two-cylinder engine that was primarily based on a design by the German automobile and bike maker, DKW.
Along with Audi, Horch, and Wanderer, that firm was as soon as a part of the mighty Auto Union group. WWII broke up the band, leaving DKW to go it by itself. The firm was finally purchased by Volkswagen in 1964, with the final DKW-designed automobile being rebranded and bought as an Audi thus finishing the circle of life.
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Ok, sufficient of the historical past lesson. We’ve received to get cracking and take a look at this 2007 Saab 9-3 SportCombi. It’s a fairly fascinating wagon on a few fronts. First, it’s in seemingly terrific form, having just a bit over 105,000 miles beneath its belt. That averages to about 6,500 miles a yr. You don’t see too many of those at present with such low mileage.
The second is the distinctive drivetrain making these miles doable. The engine is Saab’s 2.0-liter turbo 4, which, in 2007, managed a good 210 horsepower. New for this mannequin yr was a six-speed guide changing the sooner normal five-cog field. This wagon sports activities the stick. That’s proper, it is a row-yer-own wagon with sufficient gears to maintain any obsessive shifter joyful. The advert additionally mentions a model new clutch to maintain these gears transferring.
Other checks within the plus column embody a clear title, shiny paint, handsome manufacturing facility alloy wheels with no apparent marring, and a Yakima roof rack already put in. The grey inside is upholstered in leather-based and reveals solely mild put on. Yes, the ignition swap is between the seats, a nod to Saab’s quirky previous. And sure, that may be a company GM double-DIN head unit within the sprint. That’s about the one proof of GM’s possession of Saab when this automobile was constructed. Everything else, just like the shared Epsilon platform and the Ecotec-based engine, is all fairly properly hidden.
This is a dealer-offered automobile and in response to the advert, that vendor will supply as much as $250 in journey reimbursement in the event you come and purchase a automobile. The dealership additionally touts that it’s going to ship nationwide, together with to Alaska and Hawaii.
I don’t assume we’ll need to avail ourselves of both of these enticements. After all, we’re simply right here for the beer, er… the value. That’s $11,995 and earlier than you go voting willy-nilly, take into account that Saab isn’t making automobiles like this anymore. It’s not making any automobiles in any respect having closed that wing down again in 2011. If somebody needs to nonetheless benefit from the Saab expertise, this SportCombi seems like a robust entry into the membership.
What do you assume? Is this 9-3 wagon price that $11,995 asking? Or, for asking that a lot would you not be keen to take care of this vendor?
You determine!
Seattle, Washington, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
H/T to Jann Denny for the hookup!
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Source: jalopnik.com