Date: Wed, 03 Jun 1998 16:06:22 GMT From: joshuanopsamess.net (Joshua Landess) Subject: Re: SAAB depreciation? / Reliability of late models
On Tue, 02 Jun 1998 14:23:43 -0700, Justin VanAbrahams <jvanabranopsamnet> wrote: > >I'm actually glad you mentioned that... I've read MANY reviews >of various Saab models, and the one thing that keeps coming up >is the reviewer saying "awfully pricey for a four cylinder." >That's all fine and well, but the thing that bugs me is that >*no where* in any review do they mention "lack of power" or >"lack of smoothness." In fact, what I generally see (with the >exception of early new-gen 900s) is "we liked the car." > >What I utterly fail to understand is how the number of cylinders >affects the perceived value of a car. If the four cylinder is >every bit as smooth, fast, and powerful as other engines in >it's market, what's wrong with that? There's the "snob factor," >but quite frankly I get a charge out surprising the hell out >of passengers and other drivers when my little four banger >makes them feel inadequate... :) Porsche didn't seem to have >any problems selling the 944 (a 3.0 four) ... and there's no >shortage of bloody Acura Integras on the road. > >Anyway... what it all comes down to is personal preference. >For me, part of owning a luxury car is truly going to be the >snob factor - and snobbery partly comes from having something >different from everyone else. I like the idea that Saab only >sells a fraction of what Lexus or BMW does, because my car >is not every other car on the road... BMW has become nothing >more than an upscale Honda - it's lost its uniqueness. > >Well, that was a lot of typing... :) And I can agree with much of what you've said, but that's largely because I'm also partial to the Saab. For better or for worse, many aren't quite so convinced, at least judging by this depreciation issue. I also think the anticipated cost of transmission repairs is a factor in used-Saab purchase price and is factored in by many buyers. If Saab had designed the vehicle, in the past, to be more wallet-friendly for this repair, that would have helped somewhat. BTW, the four-banger in the Acura is a high-performance DOHC high-revving unit powering a lighter-weight chassis. Informally, I'd guess that it made a slightly better impression on me than my Saab's four-turbo setup. But while a few fours such as these are commercially successful amongst those who enjoy driving as a challenge, it's also a bit of a stretch, for others, to see them as equal to a really great six cylinder engine. I also like my Saab for snob-appeal (my friend insists on calling it a "Snaab") and agree completely with the looks and respect it gets. After all, it starts out life as a $40k car. I'm just not going to be the one to spend it. JL
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