Monthly Archives: September 2007

Edmunds review the 2008 Saab 9-3

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Well, it had to happened some time. A non-glowing review of the 2008 Saab 9-3.

And wouldn’t you know it, it’s one of the serious car sites. Edmunds.com.

It wasn’t all bad news. They like the refreshed look, the quietness, the steering and they go so far as to call it “one of the most attractive entry-luxury cars on the road”. They talk up the XWD system, describing it as one that brings a new level of driver involvement, one that they claim has been absent for years. Many recent-model Saab owners may beg to differ on the absence, but that’s another thing all together.

Edmunds are a bit like C&D, in that they kneel at the alter of BMW and sing from the Audi hymnal. The areas that they pick out on the Saab are the interior, which we’ve commented on here before, and what they see as too much body roll on the Aero model.

They advise that someone considering the 2008 Saab 9-3 shop around before committing to one. I’d agree, and I’d go one further. Price up those alternatives so that include all the standard equipment you get in the 9-3. See the size of the hit you’ll take.

Then, as part of your research, go and drive a few Saabs long distance. Include some straights where you can check out the massive low-end torque as well as some twisties where you can check out exactly how bad that body roll is. My guess is that if you’re also kneeling at the same alter then you’ll be pleasantly surprised – especially if you’re driving the XWD that they’re supposedly talking about (though, there was only one XWD vehicle at the press event in the US, and that didn’t get run around the highways, but I digress).

Here’s some snippets from the article:

The sophisticated new XWD system is a bright spot, as it adds a level of driver involvement that has been absent from Saabs for years. Additionally, when equipped with XWD, the 2008 Saab 9-3 Aero picks up a higher-boost version of the turbocharged, 2.8-liter V6 rated at 280 hp. But even with its newfound grip and power, the 9-3 Aero XWD isn’t hard-edged enough to be considered a true sport sedan or sport wagon.

This one really cheesed me off. I really think the SportCombi is the best looking wagon out there and it drives just as well as the sedan does. I was following a BMW wagon through traffic last Friday morning and had to ask myself what. were. they. thinking? The SportCombi really is one of the sportier wagons out there, great looking and truly versatile.

The higher-boost version of the turbo V6 on 2008 Saab 9-3 Aero XWD models adds some excitement to the range, as it delivers noticeably sharper low-end response. The automatic transmissions can be reluctant with downshifts in “D,” but they respond with reasonable haste in sport mode…..

….Steering is light and accurate, but body roll around corners is excessive even on the more athletic Aero model. Enthusiasts would be wise to wait for a 9-3 Aero XWD, as the all-wheel-drive model’s exceptional grip makes for a more engaging driving experience.

It’s horses for courses, really. As Jay Spenchian said just over a year ago, Saab aren’t trying to make a car for a BMW buyer. Let them have them. If what you’re after is a great, versatile sport sedan or wagon that offers excellent value for money and great fun, the 9-3 should definitely be on your list.

The bulk of this review actually reads like it was written by a robot. There’s very little enthusiasm or feel there, which can only indicate that they didn’t get into the groove of this car at all. Edmunds’ head honcho, Karl Brauer, owns a Sonett III, and perhaps the individuality of that car is the standard by which all Saabs are judged. That’s a far-fetched line to draw, I know, but there’s little else to explain the lack of emotion or personality in this report.

All I can say is make sure you go and drive one. It’s got plenty of personality, both inside and out.

Saab: Nothing on Earth comes close

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Here’s one I hadn’t seen before.

Did they do this one too early? How good would it have looked with a 1988 Aero in full kit with whale tail etc?

It’s probably one that spoke to the converted more than those who didn’t know the car, but still, a great ad.

Pollhattan Saab – sort of

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Relax, just testing out a new polling system here…..

{democracy:2}

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Did it work?

If so, you should see the poll results and they’ll appear every time you refresh or return to the page. It only allows one vote per 365 days on any given poll, hence the results showing each time once you’ve placed your vote.

One curious thing I’ve noted when I host polls here – they only attract between 200 and 300 votes. My stats package tells me there’s around 4,000 individual visitors per day, and around half of these are return visitors, so they’re probably accessing the front page. Why not click a button in a poll? It’s not logging you or picking up any info. It’s just recording your vote.

Anyway, from my brief look, it appears it’s working. I don’t do polls very often, but it’s nice to have a facility that works.

Saab 9-3 Convertible – better in the real world

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Thanks Chris for forwarding this one….

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Canadian auto writer John LeBlanc has written up a quick comparison piece looking at three European convertibles:

    Audi A4 convertible
    Saab 9-3 Convertible, and
    Volvo C70

All were 2007 models and here therefore concedes that writing about the Saab in this context seems a little like yesterday’s news. That doesn’t stop the love shining through, however.

As mentioned, it’s a short comparo, but here’s a few of his notes:

Third Place – Volvo C70

As attractive visually as the C70 is, its supermodel looks don’t accurately tell the Volvo’s driving story. Despite employing the most power in the trio – plus the perceived advantage of the stick – the Volvo is slightly slower than the less powerful Saab in the 0-to-100 km/h run at just under 7.5 seconds.

Grip from the optional Pirelli P Zero Rosso rubber may be tenacious. But the Volvo’s lack of suspension travel and soft suspension only amplifies the limp chassis on less-than-perfect roads.

Second place – Audi A4

Maybe the A4′s biggest surprise is its less-than-absorbent suspension. Potholes and dips unruffle the A4 at every opportunity.

Where the Saab absorbs the hits and continues along its merry way, the Audi’s suspension clomps and makes a bunch of un-premium noises in the process.

First Place – Saab 9-3

Although not in the Audi’s rarefied league in build quality, the 9-3 interior’s controls are well defined and simple to use…

…But where the Saab separates itself from this trio is in its predictable road manners. The Saab rolls more in the corners than the Volvo or Audi, while dealing with midcorner bumps with aplomb. The elasticity of the suspension means that where the C70 and Audi skitter over rougher roads, the 9-3 delivers a composed ride.

His 3-point summary:

WHY BUY? Real-world handling prowess, real-world pricing, supportive seats.

It’s long been a contention of mine that Saab deliver one of the best real-world driving packages out there. The combination of performance, utility, comfort and safety is second to none. It may not always get through Car and Driver’s cones in the quickest time, but in the real world – I’ll take the Saab ten times out of ten.

Saab 2007 Convertible

Sunday Snippets

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Another report of a road crash today, and another Saab survivor. Although this guy was foolishly not wearing a seat belt.

A head-on collision south of Manotick Friday night created a scene of carnage with one elderly woman and a dog dead, two people trapped for more than 30 minutes and a driver flung from his car.

That would be the Saab driver getting flung. The lady who passed away was an 87 year old woman in the back seat of the Crown Vic that was involved in the accident.

The Saab rolled off the road, ejecting the unbelted 52-year-old male drive through the driver’s side window. Paramedics say he suffered severe trauma and head-to-toe fractures because he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.

Always, always wear your seat belt. Please.

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I’ve received a sad story via email this morning of a boneheaded Saab franchise shooting one of its best people in the foot. His enthusiasm for the brand was first class and his efforts on behalf of the brand have been totally shunned by his ‘superiors’ and I believe that Saab are going to continue to struggle in his area because of it.

I’ll save the story for later. Idiots.

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I’m not sure what the Donor Rally is, but by the looks of things you can count me in!

Donor Rally Sonett

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One of the contentious issues at the Saab Round Table discussion at SOC last month was the quality and breadth of the dealer network in the US. The dealers I’ve had communications with through this website all seem to have their act together, as near as I can tell, which is a good thing.

Wouldn’t it be nice if Saab were big enough to do this with those that refused to improve:

Basically, the German automaker (Audi) has told underperformers they either need to invest in their franchises to improve sales and customer satisfaction, or sell them back. According to Automotive News, Audi has already identified six specific dealers that fall into this unfavorable category, and is even in final buyback talks with two of them.

Classy Black Saab 900 Saab O The Week

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I’m not normally into all blacked-out cars and I’m definitely not normally into black wheels, but everything on this car just seems to …. work.

The car belongs to Flickr user “Daniel_Swe” and I picked this up on my Flickr Feed. There’s a few more photos of it here, as well as a few other vehicles.

By the number plate it looks like Daniel’s in Sweden. I don’t know if you check in here, Daniel, but if you do then I just wanted to congratulate you on a pretty tasteful blackening and Viggening of your NG900..

Official retro vehicle of the Sith, anyone?

Click to enlarge.

Black Saab 900

More on that Saab hybrid business….

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There was an article published here during the week that was, well, not quite as accurate as it could have been. I covered it as it appeared to be the first article on the topic that I got access to. But it seems that the writer of the article may have either added something in translation (from German to Swedish) or just added something wrong.

Another Swedish publication, Nyteknik, has also covered the article, and once again CTM has been kind enought o provide us with a translation:

According to information from GM, the new Saab 9-1 will be available as a hybrid from day one. The new smaller Saab goes into production after 2010. Saab in Trollhättan now wants all GM hybrid cars in Europe.

According to auto industry paper Automobilwoche, GM’s new Delta platform is being developed to accept a hybrid powertrain. The paper cites sources inside GM who state that both Opel Astra and Saab 9-1 from day one will be available as hybrids. This is especially important for the US market, where Saab is marketed under it’s own brand name while Opel Astra is marketed within the Saturn brand.

The Trollhättan plant is one of four plants in Europe to produce the smaller GM cars developed on the Delta platform. The others are located in the UK, Germany and Poland. GM has decided to invest about 4 billion USD to adapt the plants for the new platform.

There is no information yet about the breakdown of the investment between the factories, but either way most of it will be used to make production of hybrids possible. There is a big difference between a hybrid powertrain and powertrain with a more common engine. The batteries are one such thing.

Continue reading →

Born from Jets invades my inbox

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Yep, the Born from Jets campaign got a little personal today.

Saab e-mailed me my own personal invitation to view the 2008 Saab Line-up.

The good news:

The use of this tagline above the cars:

Progressive Scandinavian design. Turbocharged performance. Premium standard features.

I like it. Direct and to the point, it sums up the Saab differences more or less.

The bad news:

Over use of aeronautical references, to wit:

Keep your eyes to the sky—the Saab 2008 jets are landing.
…more jet-inspired than ever.
With jets in our genes…
…take the Saab aircraft heritage to soaring heights.
Saab is flying even higher…
…first class amenities worthy of any jet owner.

The note ends with the salutation, “Enjoy your flight.” That certainly tops it off.

To that I say, “Mayday”.

Click to enlarge.

Saab email Sept 2007