Date: Tue, 02 Jun 1998 14:23:43 -0700 From: Justin VanAbrahams <jvanabranopsamnet> Subject: Re: SAAB depreciation? / Reliability of late models
Joshua Landess wrote: > > Although I regretted my post a little, as it was a bit flippant, I > don't believe my statement is THAT far off. Most new cars are > over-priced in the sense that, if one is merely seeking reliable > transportation with some confort and speed and safety, this can be had > for a few thousand dollars, with a couple thousand left over to budget > for repairs and upkeep in the first year. The inevitable result of > years of automakers striving to make better longer-lasting cars, lead > by the geniuses at Honda, et. al., is that they've succeeded and a > decent used car can get you very far. The luxury automotive market is not so much about "getting there" as "getting there in style" - if you've got the cash to spend on a car packed with creature comforts, why not do it? Obviously, a $30,000 car isn't for everyone - my roommate drives a bloody Saturn and likes it quite a bit - it gets him from point A to point B reliably. But for me, I enjoy more than just about anything the *service* that comes along with a higher-end car, and perhaps the prestige of owning it - people I know definitely respect my Saab more than my friends' Hondas, Toyotas, and Fords. Yeah, I could have bought a Honda, but I simply don't see the level of service from Honda that I do from Saab. Even my now 8 year old SPG still commands respect at the dealership, and for a 23-year-old it's quite welcome. :) > I've read one or two reviews of newer Saabs which specifically > questioned the price, moreso than the reviewers seemed to concern > themselves with the prices of comparable BMW's, Acuras, Lexus's, > (what-ever). It was pointed out that, given the 4 cylinder engine > issue, it was difficult to justify a $30k-$40k car as executive > transport. 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... :) -Justin
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