Comments on: Business Week and the 9-3SC http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2007/02/business_week_a_1.html Saab 9-1, 9-3, 9-4x, 9-5, 9-7x News Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:34:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: 1985 Gripen http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2007/02/business_week_a_1.html#comment-9355 1985 Gripen Thu, 01 Mar 2007 11:27:37 +0000 http://s18881.gridserver.com/archives/1896#comment-9355 After stewing more on my comments above I began wondering: Aren't passengers seated in the third row (most likely children) of the Subaru Tribeca B9 (and any other three-row vehicle) more at risk in case of an accident? I would think that this would be revealed in crash tests, but I don't think ANY crash tests monitor safety in the third row. Just the front and rear seats. Maybe IIHS and NHTSA and EuroNCAP et. al. should incorporate a test of "third row" safety for vehicles whose makers choose to cram more people into their vehicles and seat them in a "third row". Maybe SAAB will be vindicated in their decision to not integrate a third row for 7 passenger seating in their vehicles. It shouldn't be about how many passengers you can fit in your vehicle, it should be about how many you can fit comfortably and safely. After stewing more on my comments above I began wondering:

Aren’t passengers seated in the third row (most likely children) of the Subaru Tribeca B9 (and any other three-row vehicle) more at risk in case of an accident?

I would think that this would be revealed in crash tests, but I don’t think ANY crash tests monitor safety in the third row. Just the front and rear seats.

Maybe IIHS and NHTSA and EuroNCAP et. al. should incorporate a test of “third row” safety for vehicles whose makers choose to cram more people into their vehicles and seat them in a “third row”. Maybe SAAB will be vindicated in their decision to not integrate a third row for 7 passenger seating in their vehicles.

It shouldn’t be about how many passengers you can fit in your vehicle, it should be about how many you can fit comfortably and safely.

]]> By: 1985 Gripen http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2007/02/business_week_a_1.html#comment-9354 1985 Gripen Wed, 28 Feb 2007 23:16:09 +0000 http://s18881.gridserver.com/archives/1896#comment-9354 I remember reading a while back that SAAB was refusing to add the third-row seat to their planned 9-6X due to safety concerns. They couldn't guarantee the safety of passengers in the third row seat that the sister Subaru Tribeca B9 had decided to integrate into their version. The third row is placed right in a "crumple zone". I don't see there's any way to put a third row seating setup into a compact wagon like the 9-3 is. MAYBE a very cramped one into the 9-5 wagon, but then how are they going to integrate the SAHR system into that third row? In the Ovlov V/XC70 isn't the third row kind of in the trunk and rear-facing? I sure wouldn't put my kids there for fear of a rear-end accident. I thought Ovlov was supposed to be "all about the safety". I remember reading a while back that SAAB was refusing to add the third-row seat to their planned 9-6X due to safety concerns. They couldn’t guarantee the safety of passengers in the third row seat that the sister Subaru Tribeca B9 had decided to integrate into their version. The third row is placed right in a “crumple zone”.

I don’t see there’s any way to put a third row seating setup into a compact wagon like the 9-3 is. MAYBE a very cramped one into the 9-5 wagon, but then how are they going to integrate the SAHR system into that third row? In the Ovlov V/XC70 isn’t the third row kind of in the trunk and rear-facing? I sure wouldn’t put my kids there for fear of a rear-end accident. I thought Ovlov was supposed to be “all about the safety”.

]]> By: Nevitz http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2007/02/business_week_a_1.html#comment-9353 Nevitz Wed, 28 Feb 2007 20:22:08 +0000 http://s18881.gridserver.com/archives/1896#comment-9353 I do remember a family member renting a Combi-esque Ovlov once that was equipped with a pop-up 3rd row seat, which was quite utilitarian I thought. I do think Saab should do the same, perhaps in the 9-5 Combi, not in the 9-3. I just found this video on YouTube that gives a really GREAT overview of the 9-3 Combi. And whats better, they get to showcase it in Fusion Blue! Check this out. http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z_K93koUPxQ I do remember a family member renting a Combi-esque Ovlov once that was equipped with a pop-up 3rd row seat, which was quite utilitarian I thought. I do think Saab should do the same, perhaps in the 9-5 Combi, not in the 9-3.

I just found this video on YouTube that gives a really GREAT overview of the 9-3 Combi. And whats better, they get to showcase it in Fusion Blue! Check this out.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z_K93koUPxQ

]]> By: Tad http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2007/02/business_week_a_1.html#comment-9352 Tad Wed, 28 Feb 2007 19:27:50 +0000 http://s18881.gridserver.com/archives/1896#comment-9352 I can't imagine a 3rd row of seats in our 9-3 SportCombi. Totally impractical and not what the car is meant to be. If you want a 3rd row, look for an SUV/XUV. As far as Saab vs. Subaru, we looked at both before we purchased. The only Subaru that was comparable to the capabilities/features of our 2.0T 9-3SC was the Legacy GT wagon. More power than the Saab, but worse gas mileage, a couple of thousand dollars higher in price, and a dime-a-dozen on the roads. We felt that the Saab interior was nicer and more comfortable. It seemed to me that we got a lot more value for our dollar with the Saab than we would have with the Subaru. We tend to keep our cars for a long time so the difference in resale values wasn't a big concern for us. I can’t imagine a 3rd row of seats in our 9-3 SportCombi. Totally impractical and not what the car is meant to be. If you want a 3rd row, look for an SUV/XUV.

As far as Saab vs. Subaru, we looked at both before we purchased. The only Subaru that was comparable to the capabilities/features of our 2.0T 9-3SC was the Legacy GT wagon. More power than the Saab, but worse gas mileage, a couple of thousand dollars higher in price, and a dime-a-dozen on the roads. We felt that the Saab interior was nicer and more comfortable. It seemed to me that we got a lot more value for our dollar with the Saab than we would have with the Subaru. We tend to keep our cars for a long time so the difference in resale values wasn’t a big concern for us.

]]> By: Ronald http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2007/02/business_week_a_1.html#comment-9351 Ronald Wed, 28 Feb 2007 17:37:40 +0000 http://s18881.gridserver.com/archives/1896#comment-9351 Having a third row shouldnt even be considered as an option for 9-3 owners in my opinion. This is where the 9-5 comes in. Here in the U.S. I really cant think of any other luxury brands that have a third row seat in a wagon except Merc's E class wagon and the Volvo V70. For someone looking for a wagon/SUV/crossover that is upmarket and a German alternative, the only one is the Volvo V70. Now lets play a game of WHERES SAAB...! Having a third row shouldnt even be considered as an option for 9-3 owners in my opinion. This is where the 9-5 comes in. Here in the U.S. I really cant think of any other luxury brands that have a third row seat in a wagon except Merc’s E class wagon and the Volvo V70. For someone looking for a wagon/SUV/crossover that is upmarket and a German alternative, the only one is the Volvo V70.
Now lets play a game of WHERES SAAB…!

]]> By: Tom http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2007/02/business_week_a_1.html#comment-9350 Tom Wed, 28 Feb 2007 15:04:37 +0000 http://s18881.gridserver.com/archives/1896#comment-9350 I remember asking a SAAB sales person why SAAB didn't offer a 3rd seat in the wagons like Volvo does. She remarked, "That the crumple zone." Boy, that one-liner says it all! TL Sacramento, California I remember asking a SAAB sales person why SAAB didn’t offer a 3rd seat in the wagons like Volvo does. She remarked, “That the crumple zone.”
Boy, that one-liner says it all!
TL
Sacramento, California

]]> By: ajf http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2007/02/business_week_a_1.html#comment-9349 ajf Wed, 28 Feb 2007 11:30:22 +0000 http://s18881.gridserver.com/archives/1896#comment-9349 Swade, have you driven the current Legacy GT? I thought the interior was on par with the SS and the power was great. I think the SS interior is not as nice as my Viggen. And the new Legacy interior is much better than previous Subies or the current Impreza. I've also driven the Mazdaspeed6 which is a nice turbo deal for the price of a basic SS. Swade, have you driven the current Legacy GT? I thought the interior was on par with the SS and the power was great.

I think the SS interior is not as nice as my Viggen. And the new Legacy interior is much better than previous Subies or the current Impreza. I’ve also driven the Mazdaspeed6 which is a nice turbo deal for the price of a basic SS.

]]> By: Swade http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2007/02/business_week_a_1.html#comment-9348 Swade Wed, 28 Feb 2007 07:31:49 +0000 http://s18881.gridserver.com/archives/1896#comment-9348 Mats, spend a day at one of these media events and you'll realise how little come of these guys do to earn a living. ajf, reliability I'd agree with. I think Saab make a pretty good value proposition at the moment in the US market, though. Suubys have some pretty crappy interiors and soft paint. They get by on reliability and drivetrain but I wouldn't want to live with one, but that's just me. I know they're popular. And there's nothing wrong with a little BMW hating. Keeps them hungry. Mats, spend a day at one of these media events and you’ll realise how little come of these guys do to earn a living.

ajf, reliability I’d agree with. I think Saab make a pretty good value proposition at the moment in the US market, though. Suubys have some pretty crappy interiors and soft paint. They get by on reliability and drivetrain but I wouldn’t want to live with one, but that’s just me. I know they’re popular.

And there’s nothing wrong with a little BMW hating. Keeps them hungry.

]]> By: ajf http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2007/02/business_week_a_1.html#comment-9347 ajf Wed, 28 Feb 2007 05:23:15 +0000 http://s18881.gridserver.com/archives/1896#comment-9347 I love Saabs, but they're not going to put a dent in Subaru unless they can improve reliability and value at the same time. I love Saabs, but they’re not going to put a dent in Subaru unless they can improve reliability and value at the same time.

]]> By: sethsev7n http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2007/02/business_week_a_1.html#comment-9346 sethsev7n Wed, 28 Feb 2007 02:42:59 +0000 http://s18881.gridserver.com/archives/1896#comment-9346 Mats, its a way for the reviewer to mention additional options available, even if he didn't have the opportunity to try them out. Saaboy we're really hatin on bmws lately eh? ;) Mats, its a way for the reviewer to mention additional options available, even if he didn’t have the opportunity to try them out.

Saaboy we’re really hatin on bmws lately eh? ;)

]]>