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Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 05:38:32 GMT
From: grumpy<grumpynopsameradish.org>
Subject: Saabs is Saabs


In article <5AXy9.1754$Aq5.195565nopsamread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net>, sigurdkREMOVETHISnopsamo.com says... > I am looking to buy a Saab, and has not owned one since a 96 V4 I owned in > the '70's. > > Which is the best built (assembly quality, reliability, durability) recent > Saab model - pre-1995 900, post-95 900, or 9-3? Throw in the 9000 and 9-5, > as well, if you'd like. > > I know this subject is very subjective, and probably highly contentious, > and don't intend to start a flame-war. Just interested in this > level-headed group's "aggregate opinions"! > > Thanks, > > -- > Sigurd, California > N 32ƒ 48' > W 117ƒ 14' God save me from Marketing people who talk about "Styling cues," ... and Engineers who talk about "innovation." --- Saab succeeded when they took a fresh, hard, practical, detailed look at what kind of car their owners needed given their driving habits, AND the road and weather conditions they had to deal with, AND then created a no-compromise engineering design to *completely* satisfy those needs. The design result was a front- wheel drive car (the Saab 99) that was serviceable, safe, rugged, fun to drive, had great seats and a *very* useful hatchback trunk. That new Saab was innovative, but the innovation had *real* purpose. Innovation created its own styling cues, but they were USEful styling cues. The new Saab was fun to drive, because it was safe, easy to drive, and designed for its owners' driving habits. In those days, no marketing executive came downstairs and told Saab manufacturing to shorten the wheelbase so they could put one extra car on the assembly line, or to substitute nylon gears in the transmission so they could save three dollars a car. Not compromising *can* produce greatness WITH sales success AND lots of profits. Today, Saab owners still need these same things, but we need a Saab designed for how and where we drive *today,* not 1975. Every Saab model should serve double-duty, carrying people AND people-stuff or cargo, because Saab owners are physically active people. Plus, we need great gas mileage, maybe 50MPG or so, or an honest attempt at it. We also need owner servicability built back into our Saabs. Recently, Saabs have become typical GM technoBotches -- not quite awful, but awful damned close. Saab should redesign its cars so knowledgeable owners can perform reasonable but significant maintenance on their cars when they get to be say, five years old. No more $300 headlights, $200 car keys, $100 windshield wipers or $80 oil changes. No more four hour maintenance sessions to do simple things I can do in fifteen minutes on a Ford or a Camry. Like Katherine Hepburn said once, "It's not the money I mind; it's the injustice." Saab owners tend to be rather intolerant of "injustices" like this, and it's time that Saab (and GM) remembered that. ... and one more thing: Give me a goddam SHOP MANUAL. --- Regarding SUVs -- there is always room for another car model *IF* the manufacturer goes through an intelligent, sincere no-nonsense marketing/design drill and identifies a clear, important driving need that they can fill. If Saab chooses to just quickly transmogrify the SUV that Saturn is currently selling, then I'll buy the Saturn SUV and save $15 - 20K. I won't even look at a Saab. Not.Even.Look. To get my business, Saab better try to sell me something different that is *not* based on "styling cues," and is *worth* the difference they will charge me, AND I will be taking notes. I hope Saab is listening. --- The old Saabs were better Saabs, but I agree that time has partially passed them by. The new Saabs are better in many ways but they are not better than Acuras, and they are not compeditive with BMWs. We need a *new* Saab that is really a new *Saab* and really *does* give us that car that fits us as well today as the old 99 did in the 70s. grumpy PS: I own (and am satisfied with) a 2001 9-3.

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