Comments on: Sunday Snippets

By: MarkS.

MarkS. — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:35:26 +0000

I get SOOOO frustrated to see reviews with comments like “it’s equally good that General Motors has been able to take one chassis and make it into three distinctly different models”. This makes it sound like GM developed the Saab 9-3 (or simply badge-engineered it), when in fact Saab has poured all of it’s expertise into the development of this car. Saab has even modified the platform to a large extent in order to facilitate the design. The “expert” who wrote the article is an ignoramus, but I also blame GM in part for helping to create this perception (in so many ways…don’t get me started). I’m a long time Saab lover just trying to hang in there and remain hopeful, but it hasn’t been easy in recent years for any of us, and the resentment toward GM is growing. It’s not that I have a Bob Lutz shaped piñata hanging in my yard or anything, but…..I’m gonna need something to hit!

By: Joe Lobo

Joe Lobo — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 08:56:00 +0000

Well MarkoA where ever you are you are not alone. I can assure you that as another fervent poor follower and good mate has also been waiting since September/October and it seems now February is when his new 9-3 may arrive. Both of you at least should be proud of your patience and loyalty. If matters do not become regular (ie delivery inside 2 weeks but not more than 4) by May honestly I will be forced to look elsewhere as no matter what 9-3 I order if no supply is forthcoming another brand will have to foot the bill. I hate this and have had a lot of agonizing times about this scenario and how angry we all are. I just hope that GM clearly sorts the handling of this great cars, I really do !!!

By: MarkoA

MarkoA — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 08:43:56 +0000

“This causes a massive backlash against any supplier in any line of business. If you can’t deliver simply stay put until you are ready as this will cause less harm.”

This goes also with TTiD. Press testdrives were done in july of 2007. Dealers started taking orders right after. They promised first dealer test cars here in october.

Well, what happened. Still no testcars at the dealers. People who have ordered one, have been told to wait a bit more. And then a bit more and still no date of delivery is been given. I´ve read about this from few Saab forums and there´s already few who have cancelled their orders because of that delay. Dealers are very confused. They do not have accurate information and what can they tell to customers? Okay, fill up the order form and you´ll get your car in next 2-3-4-5-6 months, or so…
That was A BAD mistake. Do not promise anything you cannot keep.

Why do I care? Well, I ordered SC TTiD in 8th of september. Delivery date have been postponed now three times. I still do not have a date when we´ll receive the car. Now GM Finland tells me that probably at the week 8. Holy crap, that makes HALF A YEAR from the order date!! When I ordered the car, it was estimated to take 8 to 10 weeks. Now, it´s been, what, 17 weeks and counting..
I´ve already started to think about cancelling the order. I do understand that sometimes there´s things that you cannot change, like now with TTiD´s. The production of those engines is not completely at the hands of GM. But what they could do? Well, at least they could be REALLY sorry about this. They could inform customers immediately. And after 4 months of waiting, if they have to push it forward again, they should at least offer some kind of a compensation. What it is? I don´t know. But this definitely is not the way to handle it. Thank god I didn´t sell our existing car in november like I originally planned.

Okay. I´ve said it. Sorry for the venting. But it seems that Saab is in the hands of fools at the moment…

By: Joe Lobo

Joe Lobo — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 08:42:59 +0000

Well, even if that is the case what good will that be if there is no supply as dealears can’t deliver it ??? Not even a date of ETA is possible at present. So ????

By: progolf

progolf — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 07:37:02 +0000

I’m beginning to think that there won’t be a 9-4X at the Detroit show after all. Most likely we will only see the 9-3X “X-country” version of the wagon.

By: Joe Lobo

Joe Lobo — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 20:47:11 +0000

This is pathetic and only proves that all the fanfare back in June-July 07 about the Haledex XWD new generation was simply premature. I’ve seen in various industries premature releases when real product can’t be delivered well after the release is announced. This causes a massive backlash against any supplier in any line of business. If you can’t deliver simply stay put until you are ready as this will cause less harm. What we’ll see is that many loyal followers will be forced to abandon the brand. The market will simply make these individuals look elsewhere.

By: Ubermich

Ubermich — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 18:06:20 +0000

Swade, you’re definitely not the only one feeling left out right now. There is NO communication from SaabUSA right now. Actually, there hasn’t been much communication from SaabUSA since Steve Shannon took over. Dealers are REALLY feeling the heat. My local salesman said he has absolutely no CLUE when XWD is coming. All he knows is that they haven’t been allocated, which means the SOONEST will be May at this point. Then they’re stuck with the decision of “do we request any of those 8 turbo-X’s we’re allowed?” How many are going to sit here until they’re marked down ridiculously after ’09s come out?

The communications wall needs to come down at SaabUSA. That’s where Saab REALLY needs you, Swade. :p

By: ctm

ctm — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 08:51:52 +0000

Hey Swade, it’s was after all Christmas and you should have had a well-deserved rest from us here.

By: saab9x

saab9x — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 05:33:02 +0000

1. i still think xwd is an unnecessary delay when awd would have been easier and faster to put into production. if they still wanted to pursue xwd _after_ awd, then fine, go ahead. but we needed basic awd at least 2-3 years ago. i doubt that the average driver will know or feel the difference between awd and xwd, anyway.

2. when i see the ’08 subaru impreza sti, i’m frustrated that saab still doesn’t have a sport hatch or awd. if subaru can get things done, why can’t saab. designs are pushed well beyond their “best-used-by” date.

3. it’s going to be a long, harsh ride till we get to 2010-2011, when the cars arrive that should have been here 5 years ago. i hope everyone has comfortable seating. all i can say is that the cars better be worth the waiting. i’m sure i’ll need either tranquilizers or lithium.

4. interesting bob lutz quote:

“Everything we’re doing is to meet this new standard of [being the] absolute winner in its class in exterior design and interior design,” he says. “When we put the vehicles against the competition in the clinics, they must win by a wide margin on exterior appeal as well as reach.”

“We don’t want people to say ‘I love this design, it’s just great’–because that means it is probably not going to last past when the car comes out. We like designs where people are a little uncomfortable; they’re worried. We want some checkmarks in the ‘Too Much’ column.”–http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2007/12/20/lutz-gm-autos-biz-cx_jf_1221flint.html

the 9-4x needs to pass that test. if it doesn’t, i’ll be writing mr. lutz.

so to those of us waiting with bated breath for the secretive 9-4x, expect to be anything but bored.

By: SaabWookiee

SaabWookiee — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 03:15:31 +0000

I’m with you Swade and the guys who are down on Saab’s procrastination, slipping position, etc. I can’t help but feel like the Saab owner/fan community tries harder than do Saab and GM.

That said, I think there’s still a fair amount of enthusiasm and potential for them to tap and recapture if they start executing and delivering. We’re all still here, and I still commonly drive out of my way so I can pass by the Saab dealership and see the 2008s on the lot…