saablog

No matter how many vehicles I own, no matter how fancy they are, my 1995 Saab 900 coupe will always stand out as a fondly remembered favorite. That is the vehicle that fit me best, that I was most comfortable in, that I’ve gotten the most enjoyment out of.

I bought my black 1995 900 S coupe in October of 1996, one year old with 30,000 miles on it. The previous August, my parents had purchased their 1995 900 SE coupe, a beautiful black turbo coupe with black leather interior, manual transmission, three-spoke wheels, and every option box checked.  It was my dream car, but when it was time to buy my own I didn’t have quite enough money, so I got the lesser S model, with it’s non-turbocharged motor, cloth seats, manual climate control, and no sunroof. I loved both cars fiercely, in the way that one can love such machines. I was saddened when my parents traded theirs in, and was devastated after I sold mine.

Today Ani, Luisa and I went shopping at the Target store at Northgate. We drove her black 9-5. When we returned to the parking garage, a black 1995 Saab 900 SE turbo coupe was parked next to our 9-5. It was in stunning condition. Shiny paint, rich leather upholstery, few dings, original wheels, spoiler… flawless for a 12 year old car.

As Ani and I struggled to get a fussy Luisa into her seat, I kept glancing at that 900. Ani knows how strongly I feel about the car, especially in a black-on-black combination with three spoke wheels. While we can’t go back in time, we can surely relive memories, and I have been reliving plenty of them today after my encounter with my favorite Saab. I’d love to have a black ‘95 3-door again, preferably an SE turbo coupe just like my parents had. For now, I’ll have to survive with the memories.

A parting shot, showing the subtle spoiler. Images courtesy Saab, via my dog-eared copy of the 1995 900 sales brochure.  Hopefully my parents will grace the Saablog with their comments about their stunning 900 SE.