Comments on: A cautionary note

By: 1985 Gripen

1985 Gripen — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 00:43:12 +0000

Your wish is SAAB’s command, turboboy… in three years.

By: turboboy

turboboy — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 19:30:40 +0000

i would be honored to join you swadeboy in our exclusive club for as you know us boys TELL IT LIKE IT IS. i know about the cosmetic refreshes of the 9-5 but what is needed is a truly new 9-5.

By: mattlach

mattlach — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 11:07:50 +0000

That being said, ever consider that they may intentionally be driving these things on public roads so that pictures get leaked, and they can read the blogs to see what people think of them? Lending our opinions in the blogs may be a good thing

That being said I think the current gen 9-5 is hideous. The pics weve seen thus far of the 9-3 facelift don’t excite me (in fact I think the front grille bulge looks a little awkward) but I don’t hate it, like I don’t the current 9-5.

By: sethsev7n

sethsev7n — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 02:40:09 +0000

I can agree on that.. everyone I know who owns an SS or that has driven or ridden in one has mentioned something about the cheap interior quality. I think they should have allocated resources to fixing that rather than a restyle, but I’m not complaining either. Hopefully the next gen 9-3 will have a much better interior.

By: Wilfried

Wilfried — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 02:29:45 +0000

“They can’t really do a refresh each year!”

That’s what i liked a few years ago about saab: long and very slow changing modelswitches – and i hope saab contiuous this tradition a little. In the motoring industrie spectrum saab is at the completetely opposite point than hyundai, toyota and the likes. Where the corolla changes more in a year than a saab might do in 10 years. Apart from the more than neccessary updates in terms of build quality, motoring power and efficiency etc., what was designwise important to me: a formal shape started in the late ’60 s 99-model wich lasted till the ’93 900 turbo S. Wow that’s nearly 25 years. Except from nice but odd examples like a lotus super sevens or vw beetles, this long lasting design streching has is only equivalent in the citroen ds/id and the citroen cx’s.
I don’t care what background is responsible for these long lasting and slowly changing model-cyclus, even if it has to do with a shortage of money to develop something completely new. And yes i disliked the 9000 compared with the fluid and elegant 900 back then when i was a teenager, the 95 when it first appeared didn’t give me any sense of excitement either. Coming closer towards the end of it’s cyclus, the 95 with it’s rather agressive front styling screamed at me: buy me, drive me, love me … And if saab brings out in a few years an ultimative 75years anniversary-edition, specced with XWD and BioPower (when available at the gas-station, of course) , i would consider a second one. Certainly only when i’m not tempted by the hyundai-camry-whateverlooking cars that scream at me: look at me, drive me, use my 10-year warranty…

By: Talonderiel

Talonderiel — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 02:02:41 +0000

Maybe it’s the young blood in me, or stupidity, but I believe that there needs to be more then just looks to this refresh…. If the car looks like that (which I don’t see as a negative…. nor an amazing masterpiece) AND HAS AWD/XWD and a competitive engine.. I’ll have no problem buying it.

Hell, until recently the Italians have gotten away while fugly designs because they perform in the arena

my .02 USD

By: Ken H

Ken H — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 01:28:28 +0000

The 9-5 mule is without the Dame Edna glasses, for me that is enough said…

For me the 9-3 facelift as it looks on the spyshots is not all that bad. But it smells quite a lot of changes for the sake of change, the purpose seems to have gone awol.

In my opinion the 9-3SS/SC did not need dramatic restyling, what it really needs is major improvement on component quality and refinement.

By: Saaboy

Saaboy — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 23:52:57 +0000

Welcome Swadeboy! unfortunately, tturboboy hasn’t yet accepted my invitation.

The good news: you’re the first joining member! The bad news: no real mumblings to listen to just yet.

By: eggsngrits

eggsngrits — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 22:20:18 +0000

Well, I like the 9-5. I like what I see of the 9-3. Swade’s right: nothing to get too pessimistic about yet.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 21:58:33 +0000

I guess I’m biased because I have a ’06 9-5 but I agree with Ronald, I think it looks better in person. I’m not sure why some people don’t think it looks like a Saab. Despite the front and rear refresh, the body lines haven’t changed much in 8 or 9 years.

BTW, I think the new 9-3 photos look VERY promising so maybe I’m in the minority?