Since I have no history with Saab, but am strongly considering a first-time Saab 9-5 purchase, you can credibly discount this opinion, or chalk it up to Saab/GM's intentions to expand the Saab experience beyond the core franchise (as in, "there goes the neighborhood!").

"Have you ever seen a wood instrument panel in an airplane?"

Yes. Looks fine.

More to the point, however, might be the sales approach Saab is taking here. The 9-5 Arc is "luxury" first, "Sport" second. So, the wood on the dash shouldn't necessarily match the view that a Pilot would prefer, it should match the expectations of the executives who the pilot is hired to fly. Corporate jet interiors are awash in leather and beautiful wood trim. So, the driver of the Saab Arc is, perhaps, envisioned to be the executive who rides in the corporate jet - safety, style, luxury, performance, all in balance.

The Pilot of that jet, or the executive who flies himself, would be the natural match for the Aero as a first choice. Hence the aluminum look. The Aluminum look also matches up with what Audi has done with their sporty A4 and S4 interiors for several years, and that BMW copied in their most recent changes.

As to preferring "that the entire dashboard were some kind of matte finish gray or black plastic", that's exactly the look that drove me away from a Volvo and into the Saab dealership in the first place. I'm looking at new vehicles, however, so I don't have the appreciation for the legacy which you speak of so fondly (OG900).

Interesting discussion!

posted by 66.100.2...

• That horrible new wood in the '02's, Guy, Sat, 8 Dec 2001 20:34:41
  • Let the stoning begin., brian@saabcenter.com, Fri, 14 Dec 2001 17:06:33
  • Horrible new wood & why 10 spoke wheels?, PaulD, Mon, 10 Dec 2001 09:52:03
    • I kinda like the new 10-spokes, plus..., Jon , Mon, 10 Dec 2001 11:07:57
      • The Aeros dont have wood..., brian@saabcenter.com, Fri, 14 Dec 2001 17:08:24
    • to each his own,, vatenor, Mon, 10 Dec 2001 10:18:28
      • Top-side oil changer, Jim, Mon, 10 Dec 2001 10:58:01
        • oops, I thought I was at the top of the thread list nm, Jim, Mon, 10 Dec 2001 10:59:41
  • Woodstock... Dashes in 9-5s, Coolknight, Mon, 10 Dec 2001 05:54:07
  • Re: That horrible new wood in the '02's, Robert L., Sun, 9 Dec 2001 23:59:38
  • Re: That horrible new wood in the '02's, vatenor, Sun, 9 Dec 2001 15:13:44
    • Re: That horrible new wood in the '02's, redirector, Sun, 9 Dec 2001 16:03:07 <-- Viewing This Message
      • Re: That horrible new wood in the '02's, Lou, Sun, 9 Dec 2001 17:26:21
    • Re: That horrible new wood in the '02's, Göran Larsson, Sun, 9 Dec 2001 15:54:54
      • You have luck of geography!, redirector, Sun, 9 Dec 2001 16:09:25
    • Re: That horrible new wood in the '02's, GORM, Sun, 9 Dec 2001 15:20:52
  • Re: That horrible new wood in the '02's, '01 9-5 SE Wagon "Snaab", Sun, 9 Dec 2001 13:52:30
  • Don't forget there were compaints on the older models.., keeton, Sun, 9 Dec 2001 13:50:33
    • My 2k aero had the haze on the wood, but it went away.., Jon , Mon, 10 Dec 2001 11:01:50
  • look on the bright side..., Neil, Sat, 8 Dec 2001 23:57:21
    • looks like you are one of the 2 in 10!, Guy, Sun, 9 Dec 2001 08:05:23
      • Re: Maybe there are 99-01 owners to swap with, larryw , Sun, 9 Dec 2001 19:37:12
      • You're right..., Neil, Sun, 9 Dec 2001 09:59:54
        • Re: You're right..., Lou, Sun, 9 Dec 2001 10:19:27
          • Re: You're right..., Neil, Sun, 9 Dec 2001 10:38:33
        • I meant premium package..., Neil, Sun, 9 Dec 2001 10:06:29
  • Re: That horrible new wood in the '02's, LHD, Sat, 8 Dec 2001 20:56:04
    • A friend has a '95 Acura legend, that looks like..., Jon , Mon, 10 Dec 2001 10:57:04
    • Re: That horrible new wood in the '02's, Paul , Sun, 9 Dec 2001 18:13:35
    • Re: That horrible new wood in the '02's, GORM, Sat, 8 Dec 2001 23:07:12

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