Friday Snippets

Posted by swade on February 8th, 2008 8 Comments Printer-Friendly

Thanks to all the people who sent in banners for the website!

I just threw the red one together to have something up there while I changed from the 2-col to 3-col layout but the resulting advice and then submissions have provided some great artwork.

The one you see up there now was sent in by WooDz, but there’s a few more sitting in my inbox that I’ll install in the next day or so. I think the template I’m using here has a facility for rotating banners, so I’ll see if I can get that going.

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The Saab 9-4x is going in for its first service.

Tekniken’s Varld are reporting that the concept vehicle got a very thorough going over by the press and visitors at the Detroit Auto Show and will now go back to Bertone in Italy for a tidy-up prior it’s appearance in Geneva next month.

Being a concept car, the finish is great on the surface, but the underpinnings are often just what they need to be to hold the outward appearance together.

The 9-4x was certainly well put together, so much so that people were allowed to crawl all over it. But the work on the car continued right up until the 11th hour prior to its unveiling in Detroit, so the need for a tidy-up isn’t surprising.

It’s often difficult to get up close and personal with concept cars, so it’s great that Saab finish theirs to a standard that allows it. And the fact that the 9-4x got so much attention that it needs a tidy up is very encouraging.

Thanks ctm

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And speaking of the 9-4x, I’m hoping to finish transcribing my interview with Andrew Dyson, the lead designer of the vehicle, this weekend.

It should appear on the site Tuesday, Aussie time.

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Mike Mello from the Boston Herald just had his first experience with the 2008 Saab 9-3’s headlights.

On my way home from work the other evening, I noticed a pair of headlights in my rear-view mirror that were completely new to me. They seemed to follow my line of site as I glanced back, trying to guess the make and model. The attractive, bright white blades were like eyeliner or eyebrows, depending on your view, and were fixed over two equally icy-white beams.

Before long, I pulled to the right lane, intent on discovering the brand and found my answer as the Saab 9-3 2.0T sped ahead. Although I had already seen the 2008 9-3 in the daylight, I was unsure how this Saab’s new headlights would appear when illuminated and the view after dark took me by surprise.

They do. look. excellent.

This was my first experience with them and it certainly was a moving moment.

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We’ve noted a number of bargain 2007 model sales here in the last few weeks.

Brian W, who picked up a 9-3 aero Sport Sedan for a song recently, has let me know that there’s an Aero SportCombi in Nocturne Blue at the same dealership that’s still waiting for a new owner.

And it’s going for only $26,995, which almost $10K off the regular price.

Saab of Hunterdon have still got that silver 2007 convertible at almost $8K off as well.

Bargains!

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I’ve covered a number of dealership closures here in the last few weeks, so it’s a relief to talk about a dealership ‘opening’ as well.

Saab of Santa Monica closed their doors recently, but it’s worth noting that the closure may have actually had more to do with the lease of the building (see the comments section here). It seems that business will now be covered at related premises under the moniker of Saab of Beverley Hills.

Despite my recent look around the area I’m just not familiar enough with the lay of the land, so I’ll leave it to others to comment on how this arrangement will work out.

thanks Gripen!

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Lots of work for the rest of today….

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Comments

1985 Gripen said:

I’m a tad concerned that they still have MY2007 cars on dealer lots after the ‘08 has been on sale for around three or four months already and that they’re having to discount them about 25% to move product. It’s not like they can’t seem to keep the ’08s on dealer lots to they’re having to interest people in the ‘07 instead. I like the ‘08 primarily because of the “quiet package” or whatever that thing was called, and the new front end is growing on me, but I sure don’t think that the ‘08 is worth $10K more than the ‘07. If I had the $26K and was shopping for a new car I’d pick up that ‘07 in a second!

As for Saab of Beverly Hills, the location is actually going to be at the current Martin Cadillac dealership at the intersection of Olympic and Bundy, which is technically within Los Angeles city limits, about 5 miles from Beverly Hills proper, but “Saab of Beverly Hills” sounds better than “Saab of West L.A.”. The new location is about 2 miles away from the former Saab of Santa Monica.

-February 8th, 2008 at 10:59 am
cdp88 said:

I just saw my first MY2008 9-3 this week, in Taiwan of all places. I didn’t get to drive it because (i) they drive on the wrong side of the road here and (ii) road rules are for guidance only and i am not brave enough to try my luck.

In snow silver, with black leather interior and those headlights the 9-3 looked great. It is a huge improvement on the previous 9-3 which I found underwhelming as regards its exterior appearance. Although I don’t want to change my 9-5 yet this new 9-3 is very tempting.

The conversation about interiors here earlier this week brought to mind the high standard of SAAB interiors in the past. While I am here I have been driven around in two excellent 9000s - an Aero and a Griffin. On a purely aesthetic level I think interiors for SAAB reached their highest point in these cars. Nothing I have seen since then, including my own 9-5, has the same comfort or luxury as these vehicles. Those recaro seats are more comfortable than most lounge chairs that you sit in.

How can you improve on those interiors? I know they have achieved good ergonomics in the current SAABs but the materials are just not the same.

-February 8th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Jeff said:

Dyson? I head he kinda sucks.

…get it?

-February 8th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Tedjs said:

That 2007 SportCombi is one heck of a deal - it is the exact same car that I bought. They are including a $1000.00 owner loyalty bonus in that price as well which not everyone would be eligible for – but still, a great deal.

I will be forwarding that to a friend that needs a Saab.

-February 8th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Gunnar Heinrich said:

I like the new banner! Sharp.

-February 8th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Bruce said:

. . . and I like the 3 columns. It’s more comfortable reading the main message down the middle.

-February 8th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Jeff said:

I still haven’t seen any 2008s on the road, and believe me, I’ve been looking.

I haven’t been out much, though, because I’m driving around on a donut, and I’m avoiding the highway until tomorrow, when I’ll get a new wheel.

I’ve had my new car for like a week and I’ve already nearly destroyed it.

-February 8th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Wulf said:

I was just looking on the Saab of Orange County website and they still have eight 2007 9-3 Aero convertibles (MSRP $44-50K) and four 2007 9-7X listed. Last year, they were doing $9K rebates so they are probably doing the same thing again. That can’t really be good for values on used Saabs…

-February 9th, 2008 at 4:40 am