2003-2011 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
 | [Main 93 Bulletin Board | BBFAQ |
Prev by Date | Next by Date | Post Followup ]
Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos
I'm shopping RIGHT NOW and I have to agree Posted by Saabpilot [Email]  (#134) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Saabpilot) on Thu, 15 May 2008 19:44:32
In Reply to: Re: Chevy 9-3 is just a few years away, SprocketSaab, Thu, 15 May 2008 19:17:18 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
I've owned 9 Saabs from 99's to 900's to 9000's, including my present 2003 9-5 Aero. As I've recently posted, a major promotion at work has given me the ability to lease any car I want and spend up to a certain amount of money. I love the 9-5, but the lack of interior storage space has it crossed off my list.
I've been looking at 9-3's, and I mean seriously looking at 9-3's for about two weeks. I've also test driven the Volvo S80, Acura TL Type S, Acura RL, Lexus IS-250 AWD and Lexus IS-350. I am trying so hard to convince myself that a 10th Saab is in my immediate future.
Yet I'm absolutely astounded that Saab / GM has missed the technology intergration boat. Acura and Lexus have so tightly integrated satellite navigation, bluetooth audio including phonebook integration and driver user profiles that it's simply amazing. I'm a business traveler and while these things may seem like toys to some of you reading this, for a serious business traveler they are important. My Motorola IHF-1000 Bluetooth system I installed in my 9-5 has changed the way I use cell phones in the car and has upped my personal level of driving safety exponentially. What I can't believe, really can't believe is that in order to do a retrofit installation of Bluetooth in a 9-3 (because Saab doesn't offer an integrated system), I will have to unplug OnStar and never use it. Why?
Saab is not a stupid company. GM is not a stupid company. But man are they losing market share by missing this boat. The Acura RL AWD I drove last night is such a superior car to anything Saab is producing that it's not even funny. The "good" news for Saab is that my budget will not support an RL unless I find a demonstrator at a good price (I did). The RL is probably dead for me though, because there is no way to install a rack of any kind and I'm an avid mountain biker. If I can't carry my bike, I'm not happy.
I loved the Lexus. It's off the list mostly because of high price. Their lease rates stink. [This will be a business lease.]
I love, absolutely love the entire principle of Saab. After all, I've owned 9. I like the styling of the new 9-3. I wasn't impressed when it was unveiled at the SOC last year, but then again I really wasn't car shopping at that time so I didn't pay alot of attention. Now that I've looked at it more in depth, I'm fairly impressed with all but the lack of technology integration. But, I'm scared as heck about the comments you all have made about the interior plastic being inferior quality.
Combined with my shock at the fact there is still no Bluetooth integration, I'm being pushed away by the Saab brand I love so much. Why, why, why is GM / Saab pushing loyal buyers like me into looking at Japanese cars? I'm trying so hard to tell myself why I should not buy an Acura TL Type S. My emotional loyalty to Saab has me leaning the direction of the 9-3, but the rational side of my brain tells me to get the Acura. I want the utility of a 9-3 Combi...but tomorrow night I'm looking at VW Passat wagons. I keep telling myself if I get the 9-3 and end up hating it or regretting it, it's only a 2 year business lease and hopefully by then Saab will have integrated modern features that business drivers need instead of being 5 years behind the rest of the market.
Saab, behind? The people who invented passenger car turbocharging, heated seats and so many other things? My first car was a '74 99LE and I always loved the fact that it was so far ahead of the other cars built at that time. No more.
Help me, GM. Help me....
, Thu, 15 May 2008 19:44:32 <-- Viewing This Message, Fri, 16 May 2008 18:17:20
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
