My 1995 Saab 900s is slowly starting to fall apart. It still gets me from point A to B reliably and I will drive it until it can be no longer driven. However, I am trying to prepare myself for the day when my mechanic says that it's over. The car was purchased on my wedding day 14 years ago ( 1 year old demo with 2800 km) and has been a reliable and faithful servant for many years. Its built in child seats have seen the birth and growth of 2 children ages 10 and 8 and have carried everything from a small freezer to firewood. It is serviced about once a year and costs me anywhere from $600-1000 per year in maintenance costs which I am more than happy to pay. Otherwise, I get in, turn the key and drive.
The ABS brakes packed it in years ago followed shortly by the odometer, and speedometer. The radio antenna simply fell off (can still listen to NPR)and the knobs on the heater and fan controls are broken. Rust is well ensconced on both front and rear panels. The knob on the gear shifter has disintegrated. The filler material on the drivers seat is long gone, having escaped into the ether through several small holes. I have given up on purchasing hub caps as they keep falling off. I never take the car on the highway and rarely drive faster than 80km/hr. Believe it or not, the car is tight and drives like a dream and given the fact that I purchased it on my wedding day, will be sorry when it is no longer drivable. I really love this car and if I had throw away money would actually have it restored. I keep my cars a minimum of 10 years and drive them into the ground.
What I am looking for is the spiritual successor to this car;
1.manual transmission(must have-automatic is NOT an option under any circumstances)
2. 4 cylinder
3.some kind of hatchback, large trunk
4.on demand all wheel drive(my job entails having to go in at night for emergency calls and while I have always found the Saab perfectly balanced for winter driving, I need something that can negotiate a snowed in 100 ft driveway. My wife's car (Honda fit) is useless. I don't have the time to use the snow blower. It doesn't happen very often, but emergency means now, not 15 minutes from now.
5. not more than $28000 all in.
So far, I have come up with the following options:
Kia sportage Lx convenience with AWD
Jeep Patriot
Subaru (impreza, )
Suzuki
The jeep is out as there have been numerous reports of the roof leaking during rainstorms. This has been going on since inception of the vehicle and the problem is still not fixed. My local jeep dealership has an employee whose main responsiblity is to fix leaking headliners. The subaru is out as I don't have a local dealer and am not willing to drive 160 km for any warranty work;ditto for Suzuki.
I apologize for the length of this missive but would be grateful if anyone out there has any other ideas, and, if not, your opinion on the sportage would be appreciated.
