Post Your Last Purchase XXVIII

[Scepticalscribe]

Found this online. And after walking away from a crash in a 9-3 that should've killed me, it seemed fitting.

Now, that is a wonderful t-shirt! Usually, I detest t-shirts with messages, or logos, but that is brilliant.

Nice cars. Do they still manufacture them now?

Sigh. No, unfortunately.

Not any more, but there are still a few thousand of them in storage of the 2014 Year model. They stopped manufacturing them around May i think. The new stab basically the 9-3 2008 facelift with a new interior and the 9-5 2011 engine. Splendid car.

the simple answer is no, SAAB doesn't exist anymore

the complex answer is that there are some leftovers from production lines you could (can?) buy, and the company itself was bought by a Dutch businessman who intends to jump-start it, but then he backed out or something and it was purchased by a Chinese corporation who intends to jump-start it....



this reminds me the "got milk" campaign

Thanks for all of this information; I had followed the sad saga of the slowly developing demise of Saab with genuine regret. The last I had heard was that a Chinese company had bought Saab, but I didn't know what had happened after that.

That's too bad. I really liked them and was going to buy one but then decided not to have a car after I sold mine back in 2002 or whenever that was! I liked them because they still had 5-door hatchbacks which most manufacturers were stopping.

The Chinese are buying everything. They own Volvo also!

Yes, I really liked them, too. They are one of my all time favourite cars, and - if I ever had to buy one, this would have been high on my list.

Your info is about two years out of date. Saab exists. Owned by a swedish-chinese company called Nevs AB, National Electric Vehicle Sweden. Due to lack of funding from their investors they recently shut down production and the company is in the middle of a reconstruction.

You can still buy the news Saabs though. They have enough of them in stock.

Also, there is one 2014 year Saab 9-3 in the US. There is one in Israel as well.

Fascinating. Is this a genuine restructuring or another word for a complete cessation of production?

Don't mess with DaKKs when it comes to the history of SAAB! Haha!

I was honestly very fond of SAABs back in the day. My father had a 1989 SAAB 9000 Turbo when I was born and a few years on. I still remember it well! However, the SAAB was traded for an Audi 100 and later on, an Audi A6. That was that. However, my father still talks about the SAAB from time to time, saying it was his absolute favorite car. (He's still had quite a few nice cars, the Audis mentioned, a Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo, a few Volvos and come monday a 2014 A6 3.0TDI)

As much as I liked SAABs, they were unfortunately left in the dust come the 21st century. I actually think that GM killed SAAB. (No offense, americans). The first gen 9-5 was produced for 13 years (1997-2010). In that time, BMW had produced the E39, E60 and even F10. Three generations of cars. Volvo had produced three generations of V70's as well (yes, debatable..) Who was going to buy the 12 year old 9-5 in 2009? After 12 years on the market, it was bashed even by the Swedish, most loyal magazines for being left behind. The engines were rubbish compared to the competition, the same goes for the chassis and maybe most importantly - the safety ratings.

Needless to say, they didn't sell enough to be profitable, and GM decided not to invest in new products. Too bad that they didn't realize that the reason SAAB was not profitable was that that they didn't invest in them in the first place!
Sure, they produced the 9-3 which was a decent car, which actually sold very well, the 9-7X (worthless for any market other than the US, wasn't even sold here in Sweden) and the 9-2X (same thing..)

When the new 9-5 finally arrived - it was all way too late. Not only that, but the car was based on an Opel Insignia - while being priced to target the BMW 5er, Audi A6, et.c. Again - who in their right mind would buy one?

That said, I think that the New-Generation (NG) Saab 9-5 Sport Combi is one of the best looking estate-cars that has ever been produced. I would still love to have one. I mean just look at it!

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Spyker couldn't save SAAB and I don't really think that NEVS will be able to save SAAB either (well, whatever is left of SAAB in their vehicles). Why? Well it's a 12 year old 9-3 with a new engine for an expensive price. If NEVS on the other hand would have gotten their hands on the new 9-5 cars, 9-4X and the parts for the new 9-3 (which was already finalized) that could have been a good starting point to bring SAAB back into life.

SAAB should never have targeted the germans in the first place. They should have kept their cars at a competitive price point, and focused on their core values - I.e. Turbo-charged cars, safety, 5-door hatchbacks, the Aero-moniker, et.c.

I would love to see SAAB come back to life, but I never think it's going to happen, unfortunately.

OK enough OT, I just had to!

Excellent and informative post. Thank you for it.

 

[kellen]

Very nice indeed; how do you find writing with it? Actually, I have that model, - I bought it in the past year - and like it a lot, but prefer the 145, which has been discontinued.

I have had my 144 for several years and must say that it is easily the most comfortable pen I have ever written with and can be used for hours without tiring hand or wrist.

It arrives Monday. Nib has been professionally ground to 0.3, which will compliment my Boheme BB and my 146 Stainless Fine nib. I like a more fine nib as long as it isn't scratchy.

 

[DaKKs]

Fascinating. Is this a genuine restructuring or another word for a complete cessation of production?

Basically the issue lies with the fact that their investors (The chinese, go figure) didn't supply Nevs AB with enough liquid capital. The company has enough funds to cover their expenses, they just can't use them because they're tied down in parts, real estate etc.

The restructuring is basically just a ploy to avoid further debt while they negotiate with another investor. This reconstruction rubbish extremely common in sweden. But its legal, so whatever.

Test vehicles and prototypes are still being developed, just the "refit" 9-3 Aero production was shut down. I don't think they'll ever restart production honestly, if/when mass production is restarted, they will be building the electric 9-3s, not the petrol ones. But that was the plan from the beginning anyway. The "new" 9-3 was just developed cause they had the parts and wanted some extra pocket money. It was never supposed to be mass produced on a large scale. Original production run was 1000 vehicles, that was upped to 7000 something later, but i'm pretty sure thats it for the petrol powered 9-3s. Unless they can get anywhere with the Phoenix platform.

Don't mess with DaKKs when it comes to the history of SAAB! Haha!

Hell no, haha!

 

[Pamani]

 

[Scepticalscribe]

It arrives Monday. Nib has been professionally ground to 0.3, which will compliment my Boheme BB and my 146 Stainless Fine nib. I like a more fine nib as long as it isn't scratchy.

As I have small hands, I tend to like small enough fountain pens - and I have written daily with fountain pens for three decades, now. As it happened, for years, I disliked Mont Blanc on principle, thinking them bloated status symbols used by powerful people who liked to show off.

Then, around six years ago, I inherited a somewhat battered Mont Blanc pen from a recently deceased relative and found it incredibly well balanced in my hand, and extraordinarily easy and comfortable to write with. That hooked me, and I have since bought the Meisterstuck 144 (my everyday pen for everyday use, a fantastic, reliable, perfectly balanced, comfortable pen), a sterling silver version of same, and the very same model you have written about, the 146 in platinum.

For once, the hype is completely justified; they look great but they are wonderfully well crafted for the physical act of writing.

Basically the issue lies with the fact that their investors (The chinese, go figure) didn't supply Nevs AB with enough liquid capital. The company has enough funds to cover their expenses, they just can't use them because they're tied down in parts, real estate etc.

The restructuring is basically just a ploy to avoid further debt while they negotiate with another investor. This reconstruction rubbish extremely common in sweden. But its legal, so whatever.

Test vehicles and prototypes are still being developed, just the "refit" 9-3 Aero production was shut down. I don't think they'll ever restart production honestly, if/when mass production is restarted, they will be building the electric 9-3s, not the petrol ones. But that was the plan from the beginning anyway. The "new" 9-3 was just developed cause they had the parts and wanted some extra pocket money. It was never supposed to be mass produced on a large scale. Original production run was 1000 vehicles, that was upped to 7000 something later, but i'm pretty sure thats it for the petrol powered 9-3s. Unless they can get anywhere with the Phoenix platform.



Hell no, haha!

Thank you very much for that detailed account, even if it is a somewhat depressing prognosis.

I loved the 9-3 Saab line, and, as I mentioned in my earlier post, this was one of the few models of motorcar that I would have bought, if I were to buy a car. To my way of thinking, it will be a very sad day if the name of Saab no longer graces our forecourts, or if it is no longer made, or if a motoring successor of equal calibre is never developed. Saab contributed a lot to automative history, most of it innovative, yet very worthwhile.

 

[SchneiderMan]

Some camera related things:

Sensor Swabs (pricey but highly recommended if you need to quickly and effectively clean your camera sensor - it's super easy)

A Samsung 64GB PRO Class 10 SDXC memory card.

 

[jamesthegator]

Montblanc 146 LeGrand Platinum

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*not my pic

That's my exact daily writer besides the nib. Mine is a fine point. Ink it up with some high quality diamine, noodlers, or montblanc ink (or whatever you choose) and enjoy the heck out of it. Wonderful pen!

 

[thelonelylimo]

iPad Air 2 AT&T

 

[BOOGER1]

iPad Air 2 AT&T

View attachment 515179

You will LOVE IT!!! Great BUY!!!

 

[kellen]

That's my exact daily writer besides the nib. Mine is a fine point. Ink it up with some high quality diamine, noodlers, or montblanc ink (or whatever you choose) and enjoy the heck out of it. Wonderful pen!

I rotate between my Boheme and stainless 146, the plat 146 may just be left on the home desk. I use mine every day at the hospital and just carry one pen as that tends to cut down on losses. Although I do need a ballpoint for consents as a fountain won't go through the carbon paper. Just had to have my Boheme completely redone by MB, as it was my daily for 3 years. Gem fell out, cap wouldn't post, washer was lost, loose fitting due to stripped threads. 3 weeks later its as good as new. Love using these as daily pens and not as status symbols.

 

[phibe1]

Got a new watch I really like it. I am thinking of replacing tha strap with an orange plastic or a nato black with orange stripes.
Thought was going to look bigger though.

Seiko monster:
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I got the same watch during amazon sale. Absolutely love it. I have mine on a orange gray blk nato. I was also disappointed with size at first. Now I find it to be optimal. You will love it!

 

[oMc]

 

[Nabooly]

Finally, ran out of my contacts a while ago and have been wearing my glasses since. I just cannot get used to it.

I got the 6 pack, which to my dismay Johnson has discontinued and replaced with a 12 pack. I wear my contacts for 2 months each so I don't need the 12 pack. Thankfully, I found the 6 pack still in stock at walmart contacts. Should be shipping soon.

 

[Uofmtiger]

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Finally, ran out of my contacts a while ago and have been wearing my glasses since. I just cannot get used to it.

I got the 6 pack, which to my dismay Johnson has discontinued and replaced with a 12 pack. I wear my contacts for 2 months each so I don't need the 12 pack. Thankfully, I found the 6 pack still in stock at walmart contacts. Should be shipping soon.

Darn it! I was swindled into buying a year of them. Wish I had checked WalMart instead of buying them from my doctor.

 

[Nabooly]

Darn it! I was swindled into buying a year of them. Wish I had checked WalMart instead of buying them from my doctor.

Doc's office is more expensive. I've made the mistake in the past of getting my contacts from there....but after hearing so many people talk about ordering online I thought I'd give it a try. $34 for each eye. I don't understand why they no longer manufacture the 6 pack. Each lense lasts approx. 2 months if you take good care of them.

 

[cambookpro]

Montblanc 146 LeGrand Platinum
Image
*not my pic

Wow - is it nice?

I've just bought a used but functioning Parker 51 which is probably my pen-related purchase for the year. One day I'll be able to afford a MB...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I rotate between my Boheme and stainless 146, the plat 146 may just be left on the home desk. I use mine every day at the hospital and just carry one pen as that tends to cut down on losses. Although I do need a ballpoint for consents as a fountain won't go through the carbon paper. Just had to have my Boheme completely redone by MB, as it was my daily for 3 years. Gem fell out, cap wouldn't post, washer was lost, loose fitting due to stripped threads. 3 weeks later its as good as new. Love using these as daily pens and not as status symbols.

I was in a similar situation earlier this year. This was when the black resin on my MB cracked, near the nib, and I found I couldn't use it, though I did try to carry on for a while. Anyway, this was a pen I have used daily for three years or so, and so it had worked quite a bit for its living.

Anyway, when I was home on leave I arranged to have it sent off to MB for repair - that was when I bought the platinum 146 as a temporary replacement. MB did the needful and I have my pen back, as good as new.

I completely agree with you on what an absolute pleasure it is to use these pens daily - (and not as a status symbol) they just work so well and are so utterly reliable irrespective of where they are used.

 

[Uofmtiger]

Doc's office is more expensive. I've made the mistake in the past of getting my contacts from there....but after hearing so many people talk about ordering online I thought I'd give it a try. $34 for each eye. I don't understand why they no longer manufacture the 6 pack. Each lense lasts approx. 2 months if you take good care of them.

I typically like to support my doctor even though I know I can get glasses and contacts for at Costco and WalMart for less money. However, buying more than I need is taking it too far. I usually switch to glasses when I get home from work, so mine last a couple of months, too.

 

[Nabooly]

I typically like to support my doctor even though I know I can get glasses and contacts for at Costco and WalMart for less money. However, buying more than I need is taking it too far. I usually switch to glasses when I get home from work, so mine last a couple of months, too.

I was the same way, until my eye doc merged and became a huge practice with several other docs. I've had my glasses for ~5 years and the glasses shop within the practice tried to convince me to get a new pair because mine are no longer produced. I said no thanks, I'll just get the glasses lenses from you guys.

 

[kellen]

Wow - is it nice?

Haven't gotten it yet but my similar ones are nice. Really just buying the nib in the fountain pen with a 146. The "precious resin" isn't anything to write home about. If you appreciate a good fountain pen I feel they are, but I buy them used when a good deal pops up. Went into MB in Vegas to get mine fixed, couldn't see spending $1000 for a pen. Even used they can be expensive but between pens, cars and computers thats my main interests so I don't mind it. Worse things to spend money on.

 

[thelonelylimo]

GTA V for Playstation 4 and Super Smash Bros for Nintendo 3DS.

 

[fitshaced]

Decided to stop putting it off any longer and will learn to play the guitar.

Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat

 

[Big Stevie]

Two packs of coffee beans from Has Bean

El Salvador Finca Argentina Washed Bourbon - Roasted Whole Beans (250 gr.)

Ethiopia Sidamo Kebel Kercha Guji Natural - Roasted Whole Beans (250 gr.)

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Let me now how you get on with those beans please. Ive just ordered these beans...

El Salvador Finca Noruega Washed Bourbon

 

[jjk454ss]

After a week of freezing cold it's now kind of warm out, but I'm ready for next time:

 

[CalmEnvy]

The wife and I are expecting our first son in April. We didn't have a camera yet, only really used our phones. So we decided it was time to get a camera but didn't really want to take a huge hit to the bank. That's why we settled on the Sony a3000. Was only $298 at Walmart in Canada and seems from all the reviews that it takes really good images.