If I were still back in Wisconsin (yes in Madison too Mr. Lancaster), I would park mine, or only take it out on pristine road days... more common now in southern WI. Here in the drizzly PNW, my vert stays in the garage when it’s raining, and often even only if the roads are wet. The old Jeep gets the nod any other day. She does get to go up to the mountains in the spring when the roads clear. It’s pretty nice to finish up a backcountry tour with a top-down ride home. Once, on a rare sub 20 F bluebird day, I took her up, seat heaters on, heater blowin’ down parka on, dog in the back, and yes, top down! I got a lot of looks that day. I don’t miss the Wisconsin salt (but I do miss people who know how to drive in snow). I wouldn’t have my ‘87 Jeep either if I were still back there. So, convertibles in winter? Heck yeah.
Yeah I've driven all my Saabs - 900s, 99s, 90s and 9000s all year round but never my convertible - would have done in the UK but the salting is heavy here
I bought my first 900 'vert in August of 2021. I live in Madison, Wisconsin (U.S.) The roads here do get salted, so it's currently in the garage until at least March or April.
I wouldn’t drive an OG 900 convertible on Swedish winter roads with salt. My -75 99 GL Super Automatic CC is parked outside and gets started and driven a couple of times a month during the winter but only on the gravel roads, not when its mucky and filthy, only when the roads are frozen. Has nothing to do with whether it is a convertible or not though. Just a matter of caring for an old car. Even if you protect the underside from rust (regardless of the method) the salt and filth does a number on paint, rims, glass, rubber and trim too, and there’s no WAY to keep it clean unless you live in a carwash!
Live in Australia. Use all my SAABs all year round. In fact I've just agreed to buy another '93 2.1 vert NA manual in Red. Single owner from new, 120,000 KMs uncracked dash, extra Saab triple gauge cluster, fabric interior. It has lived next to the sea on the Mornington Peninsula all it's life. Not a speck of rust on it. Just some light white oxide dusting on the bare alloy components under the bonnet. $6500 AUD with a replacement roof thrown in for good measure. Are you jealous?
If I were still back in Wisconsin (yes in Madison too Mr. Lancaster), I would park mine, or only take it out on pristine road days... more common now in southern WI.
Here in the drizzly PNW, my vert stays in the garage when it’s raining, and often even only if the roads are wet. The old Jeep gets the nod any other day.
She does get to go up to the mountains in the spring when the roads clear. It’s pretty nice to finish up a backcountry tour with a top-down ride home. Once, on a rare sub 20 F bluebird day, I took her up, seat heaters on, heater blowin’ down parka on, dog in the back, and yes, top down! I got a lot of looks that day.
I don’t miss the Wisconsin salt (but I do miss people who know how to drive in snow). I wouldn’t have my ‘87 Jeep either if I were still back there.
So, convertibles in winter? Heck yeah.
love it!
I drove two C900s, two 9000s and my 9-5 are on salted roads in Scotland. Fantastic cars in winter. They never let me down. 😀
Yeah I've driven all my Saabs - 900s, 99s, 90s and 9000s all year round but never my convertible - would have done in the UK but the salting is heavy here
I bought my first 900 'vert in August of 2021. I live in Madison, Wisconsin (U.S.) The roads here do get salted, so it's currently in the garage until at least March or April.
Put it away! Mine is safe in the garage for a few months but at least I got to drive it up until a couple weeks ago
I wouldn’t drive an OG 900 convertible on Swedish winter roads with salt. My -75 99 GL Super Automatic CC is parked outside and gets started and driven a couple of times a month during the winter but only on the gravel roads, not when its mucky and filthy, only when the roads are frozen. Has nothing to do with whether it is a convertible or not though. Just a matter of caring for an old car. Even if you protect the underside from rust (regardless of the method) the salt and filth does a number on paint, rims, glass, rubber and trim too, and there’s no WAY to keep it clean unless you live in a carwash!
I agree
Live in Australia. Use all my SAABs all year round.
In fact I've just agreed to buy another '93 2.1 vert NA manual in Red.
Single owner from new, 120,000 KMs uncracked dash, extra Saab triple gauge cluster, fabric interior.
It has lived next to the sea on the Mornington Peninsula all it's life. Not a speck of rust on it. Just some light white oxide dusting on the bare alloy components under the bonnet.
$6500 AUD with a replacement roof thrown in for good measure.
Are you jealous?
Yes would be nice to own a Saab in country where a true winter doesn't really exist 😂