Saab expands line to rev up sales in U.S

[NFS4]

http://www.detnews.com/2005/au.../0501/19/C01-63842.htm

If all else fails, revive a quirky brand with rebadges of existing cars :roll:

9-2X = Subaru Impreza
9-7X = Trailblazer/Envoy/Bravada/Rainier/Ascender

http://trucktrend.com/roadtest...first_saab/index1.html

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Why call the brand Saab then? Just rename it to 'Not Quite Caddillac, but Better than Buick'.

It's not a Saab if its a normal car.

 

[paulney]

Can anyone brief me in on Saabs? I never had to deal with them, and strangely enough, never read any reviews or articles about them either. As far as I can see, they tried to compete with BMW, but their design is somewhat on the ugly side. How are they performance and reliability wise?

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: paulney
Can anyone brief me in on Saabs? I never had to deal with them, and strangely enough, never read any reviews or articles about them either. As far as I can see, they tried to compete with BMW, but their design is somewhat on the ugly side. How are they performance and reliability wise?

Saabs never really competed with BMW, they never really competed with anyone. They resolutely went their own way.

In the states, they had a dedicated cult following that consisted primarily of college professors and oddball gearheads, who loved them beyond all measure. The big joke is that while they and Volvo were still exotic niche brands in the States (mid fifties to mid sixties), they were bought like Fords and Chevies in their native Sweden.

Neither company was large enough to survive on their own in this big box, megaplex, supra-multi-national world of ours.

Sigh.

 

[Emrys]

Originally posted by: paulney
Can anyone brief me in on Saabs? I never had to deal with them, and strangely enough, never read any reviews or articles about them either. As far as I can see, they tried to compete with BMW, but their design is somewhat on the ugly side. How are they performance and reliability wise?

Saab actually improved for a while when GM bought them (decent ~2000) . Early 90's and before they are known for reliablity problems, and progressed a bit through the late 90's, but the newer modles have been GMisized. The matierals being used are cheaper and there are corners that have been cut (IMO) to lower the cost of production. At the same time though the price has gone up and GM is trying to use the brand to compete with some of the 3 and 5 series BMWs and the like (audi, merc). The rebadgenering is now the next step in the saab evolution of joining GM.

Family owns a 2000 9-5 which we like a lot, have had the 2004 model as a loner and didn't like the feel of it, as I said it feels cheaper, but the price went up. Reliabilty has been fine for us, and performance is alright- it's a fun car to drive, but I wouldn't consider it a performance car at all.