If I may, please let me relieve you of your burden. You’re not breaking anything new to me with your comments.

First up, the 9-7x and 9-2x are bridge models, devised to open Saab up to new customers that wouldn’t have considered the brand before. The models that replace them (see the story again) will be designed with platform sharing in mind again, but with much greater Saab input from the get-go.

For what they are (including the limitations that the phrase implies), they’re well executed and becoming more appreciated. Go try to find a manual 9-2x Aero on the West Coast of the US right now. Can’t? Sold out?

And you can’t compare a 9-2x with a BMW 3-series. Firstly, they’re a completely different class of car. Second, BMW is a very profitable company selling over a million cars a year and is owned in it’s own right. The fact that various Saab models have been competitive with various Bimmers over the years is more a credit to the tiny Swedish company that anything else.

Now with GM, Saab has to grow or be sold off. It’s that simple. And the quickest way to grow the brand is to expand the model range. The most cost effective waay to do it is the way they’ve done it. I’m not saying it’s the best way to do it, but it’s the way that makes a fair bit of business sense given GM’s current overheads and marketshare crisis.

Before Saab can start making those IKEA-mobiles again, they have to turn a profit. It’s that simple.

As of right now, in mid 2005 their product line disgusts me. Lets start with the worst; the 9-7X. I’m not against SUVs, I actually like them and one of my cars is one. But why would anyone be interested in spending $40K+ on a Chevy Trailblazer/Ranier/Envoy/Bravada with a sportier suspension, Saab headlights and a few premium features. Seriously! This vehicle just sucks in every way. Would people be buying Mercedes-Benz M class SUVs if they were just rebadged Jeep Grand Cherokees or Dodge Durangos? No. They would just get a Grand Cherokee or a Durango. The luxury car segment attracts buyers who want well-made high end vehicles, not overpriced versions of lesser ones. The 9-7x is closest to the Buick Ranier out of all the different vehicles it shares its underpinnings with. The marques Saab and Buick should represent almost complete opposites, but GM really messed than one up.

Next up, the 9-2x. I just dont get it Saab, if you cant come up with cars on your own, you shoudnt be making cars in the first place. This is a Subaru Impreza. Everything about it is Subaru. The only differences are a few tweaks here and there, a little styling, a couple better ingredients and bam! I’m not saying its a bad car, its probably pretty fun to drive too, but its still a Subaru. You should be ashamed GM! Would the BMW 3 series be so successful if it were in fact a Honda Civic with better styling?

The 9-3 and 9-5 are the only 2 Saab models worthy of any respect at all, but unfortunately the 9-5 is way overdue for a redesign. Not a facelift. A REDESIGN. We’re in its 7th year of production with no real changes and theres nothing to be anticipated any time soon.

The 9-3 is my favorite of all current Saabs. Its got the style, the fun, the personality which used to make Saabs, well Saabs but its still a little behind in its game. All wheel drive is something it should be offering to keep up with the competition.

How come nobody else sees what serious trouble Saab is in? I know cars and the automotive market. If Saab doesnt start making its own vehicles that can hold their own against the competition, they will see an end soon. Also.. STOP BASING YOUR CARS ON BUICKS AND SUBARUS!!

I’m blessed.

Funny thing, immediately after writing this post I went outside and ran into one of my ex’s bridesmaids.

I live in a small city.

I’ll spare you the details right now, but my mother was NOT happy when my father purchased his Saab. In short she convinced herself he just got it because he was going through a mid-life crisis and wanted a fun car to drive, also I think she’s jealous because her car is, well, dang old — but his needed replacing worse than hers did.

Fast forward a few months. She still acts like it’s silly to buy a car that is fun to drive at perhaps the expensive of ultimate reliability and great-plains flat depreciation, but she does refer to the Saab as “the fun car” and is even getting to the point where she can spot them on the road.

She’s too stubborn to admit it, but I think she’s finally coming around…