RE: Saab Convertible Celebrates 25th Anniversary
Discussion
I've become a massive fan of Saabs.
I picked up a 9-5 Aero for really not much money, as a general hack. It is left at a station car park for a lot of its life when I commute to work. In 18months it has never missed a beat. It was awesome last winter in the freezing cold. It's lovely and comfortable with leather, aircon and all the toys. It's quiet and genuinely quick too. It does 30mpg, which is bearable, and all for the price of a new set of alloys if I ordered a new BMW..
Massively underrated cars. And I love the fact that the brand does not really say anything about me. It is a classless car. I could be minted or skint, it's impossible to tell. I like it that way.
I picked up a 9-5 Aero for really not much money, as a general hack. It is left at a station car park for a lot of its life when I commute to work. In 18months it has never missed a beat. It was awesome last winter in the freezing cold. It's lovely and comfortable with leather, aircon and all the toys. It's quiet and genuinely quick too. It does 30mpg, which is bearable, and all for the price of a new set of alloys if I ordered a new BMW..
Massively underrated cars. And I love the fact that the brand does not really say anything about me. It is a classless car. I could be minted or skint, it's impossible to tell. I like it that way.
g3org3y said:
But are happy driving an inferior quality car? I think one would be hard pushed to suggest the 9-3 or 9-5 were 'technically' better than the 3er or 5er equivalent.
'technically' I think they are comparable, but maybe not better - comparing production year with production year. Why do you believe they are inferior quality? I suspect if you read the dedicated SAAB or BMW forums you will find equal amounts of good and bad with each of them.I chose a SAAB convertible over Audi, BMW, Merc et al because I wanted something slightly different and it appealed to me, personal taste I suppose. If I had wanted more exclusivity without a roof I'd have had a Corniche or Interceptor. At the other end of the scale, if I had wanted economy without a roof I could have had a MINI D. As it is I have a little bit of both, and not what's parked in my neighbours drive and their neighbours drive etc etc.
Oddball RS said:
Is it really a 'Birthday' when they haven't made a car for months?
They were producing 94X in Mexico actually and it was only 6 weeks closed in Trollhatten not months 
The cabrio is also pretty good car with a funky tonneau cover that slides horizontally. Its no sports car but not everyone wants a sports car
g3org3y said:
SAAB. The choice for individuals who can't afford a BMW or a Mercedes, but bought under the pretense that they are 'too individual' to own said aforementioned brands.
[/controversial]
Perhaps some people just like it for what it is, I think they are about the best looking Saloon derived convertible, as for cant afford, have you seen how much the convertibles cost.[/controversial]
I myself didnt see buying a Saab as being individual or a cost based choice, I just kind of like them and despite being Vectra based I didnt want a Vectra.
I think the Saab covertible can be viewed in 2x categories - GM & genuine Saab.
Certainly IMO the original Saab 900 cab from the early 80/90's was vastly superior to the offerings BMW or Audi were producing at the time in every way. It was very distinctive (and still is) with lots of style and relative rarity on the road (compare to Bauer or E30 cabs of the time), practical, very well built, reliable, great quality interior, good road manners if not a sports car, and refined other than some scuttle shake typical of the period.
Over 4 years of ownership of my exmaple in the early 90's, left outside all year I had no major issues & plenty of enjoyable motoring and long continental tours to recollect. The newer GM exapmles although differnet to the herd, never really struck the same chord with me, combined with the GM association & styling they became a different type of product & more mass produced.
Its great they are still made though, lets hope the new Saab owners produce something again more worthy of the original values.
Certainly IMO the original Saab 900 cab from the early 80/90's was vastly superior to the offerings BMW or Audi were producing at the time in every way. It was very distinctive (and still is) with lots of style and relative rarity on the road (compare to Bauer or E30 cabs of the time), practical, very well built, reliable, great quality interior, good road manners if not a sports car, and refined other than some scuttle shake typical of the period.
Over 4 years of ownership of my exmaple in the early 90's, left outside all year I had no major issues & plenty of enjoyable motoring and long continental tours to recollect. The newer GM exapmles although differnet to the herd, never really struck the same chord with me, combined with the GM association & styling they became a different type of product & more mass produced.
Its great they are still made though, lets hope the new Saab owners produce something again more worthy of the original values.
The original convertibles still look great today, despite many that I see around getting a little shed-y, but I find it hard to muster up much love for the second and third-generation cars. The original always seemed somewhat bespoke and innovative. The later models were always a bit too fat (as with almost all modern cars, it seems) and bland, and always tarnished by the Vectra underpinnings.
All that said, if I wanted a comfy convertible for all seasons then the latest model at least has some of its looks back - the white one with all the goodies that Chris R tested looks great!
All that said, if I wanted a comfy convertible for all seasons then the latest model at least has some of its looks back - the white one with all the goodies that Chris R tested looks great!
g3org3y said:
SAAB. The choice for individuals who can't afford a BMW or a Mercedes, but bought under the pretense that they are 'too individual' to own said aforementioned brands.
[/controversial]
I agree, i'd probably say your right for the vast majority of new saab buyers/leases. [/controversial]
If a buyer had the money to get the bmw 3/merc c/audi a4 and still wanted to not 'run with the crowd' a lexus, infiniti, jaguar, top line subaru, citreon c6 would make a better choice.
I do think the newest saabs have a very desperate vibe about them, and yes i'd agree most owners get them for lower price only.
NiceCupOfTea said:
esvcg said:
If a buyer had the money to get the bmw 3/merc c/audi a4 and still wanted to not 'run with the crowd' a lexus, infiniti, jaguar, top line subaru, citreon c6 would make a better choice.
All of whom are notable for the lack of a 4 seat convertible in their lineup!I always quite liked the Saab Convertibles, I wouldn't mind one one day.
Prob get slated but i have absolutely no idea why there is such a following for Saabs they look so boring/square and the recent ones at least are so overpriced. But then i don't understand the Ford Racing Puma thing when there are much better cars out there... my opinion thats all...
Goodfella 555 said:
the only drawback they have, is, they're not cool.
That sir, is precisely why I like Saabs. It is better to plough your own way, take the road less travelled, than join the rest of the crowd IMO. On a day to day basis with normal driving, there is frankly hardly any difference between owning a Saab convertible or, say, an A4 convertible. But I would always choose the Saab over the Audi. The Saab is also less likely to need new coil packs or have its auto gearbox self destruct, unlike the A4.
Goodfella 555 said:
I have been tempted a couple of times, they do make sense and are terrific value, they are a good niche providing safety and comfort, the only drawback they have, is, they're not cool.
Says Who….????I think they are pretty cool cabrios especially in aero trim with some Hirsch goodies on it…nice
http://www.hirsch-performance.ch/
NiceCupOfTea said:
esvcg said:
If a buyer had the money to get the bmw 3/merc c/audi a4 and still wanted to not 'run with the crowd' a lexus, infiniti, jaguar, top line subaru, citreon c6 would make a better choice.
All of whom are notable for the lack of a 4 seat convertible in their lineup!If saabs only unique selling point is a fairly old chassis 4 door convertible then they're stuffed!
SAAB's. I've really mixed feeling about them, never truly considered owning one. Driven several, the ex had an 9-3 from new and it was o.k'ish, she liked it but I reckoned it was partly due to the name plus it was her first 2.0lt.
What I would fancy is a modern 99, keeping it light, no frills with a sweet 200/250bhp turbo four and chassis & steering to match. I'll dream on I suppose.
What I would fancy is a modern 99, keeping it light, no frills with a sweet 200/250bhp turbo four and chassis & steering to match. I'll dream on I suppose.
Edited by Johnboy Mac on Thursday 2nd June 18:46
esvcg said:
NiceCupOfTea said:
esvcg said:
If a buyer had the money to get the bmw 3/merc c/audi a4 and still wanted to not 'run with the crowd' a lexus, infiniti, jaguar, top line subaru, citreon c6 would make a better choice.
All of whom are notable for the lack of a 4 seat convertible in their lineup!If saabs only unique selling point is a fairly old chassis 4 door convertible then they're stuffed!
Edited by Pistachio on Thursday 2nd June 19:07
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