That Avis Commercial

Posted by eggsngrits on February 27th, 2008 15 Comments Printer-Friendly

I guessing that those of you outside the US have not seen this advertisment.

Avis is one of the largest car rental companies in the United States. I’m not particularly sold on their service, but that’s another story that is likely best shared in a different forum.

Meant to highlight the high-tech amenities of an Avis automobile, this series of advertisments features the convenience and ease of renting a better car to drive on longer trips. In this case, the upgrade includes a Garmin GPS navigation system that may be included for additional charge with the rental.

Hence the perfection of using the Saab classic 900 — hip enough that the driver cannot be dismissed as a total dweeb, but low-tech enough that the Avis car and the attendant upgrades are seen in stark contrast to the daily driver.

Click to watch.

Stills

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Comments

1985 Gripen said:

See, we Americans LIKE to drink in the car. This guy left his coffee on the roof.

Other things I noticed: one of his brake lights is out and he’s missing the little plastic cap on the rear of the rain gutter/roof rack mount (in the foreground when he’s rummaging in the back seat).

Yes, I am just that sick. It’s the OCD.

I like that they used a red C900. Not a whole heck of a lot of brightly-colored Saabs out on the road. I know that the Lime Yellow and Electric Blue and Lynx (or Saffron) Yellow and Monte Carlo Yellow and Talladega Red are all signature Saab colors, but it seems like everyone who actually buys a Saab in the U.S. gets it in a silver/gray or black shade. What up wit dat, people (says the guy with Rose Quartz Metallic and Steel Gray Saabs)?

-February 27th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
1985 Gripen said:

…And shouldn’t the car have a Swedish accent?

-February 27th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Jeff said:

When the Saab asked if the guy looked back, he should have come back for the coffee, and the Saab should have sighed.

-February 27th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
mo said:

i wish i could have gotten my car in red but not to gripen’s liking i had to get it in gray which is also a fantastic color imo.

-February 27th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Swade said:

Avis might have nav, but they’ve got nothing that looks that cool

-February 27th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Mag-X said:

@1985 Gripen
Agreed on the colors thing. Why can’t we have green on green anymore? How rad-tastic would a bright green 9-3SS SportCombi be?
http://saabmedia.net/models/900/brochures/1979/index.html

-February 27th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Golfhunter said:

Nowdays , Avis rent the new convertible Saab aswell

-February 27th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Edonis said:

Shame he kicked the door closed. I would never do that to my Saab.. But fun to see such a nice 900 in an Avis commercial

-February 27th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
orientman said:

What a coincidence! I’ve just to returned from Sweden where I rented Saab 9-3 SportCombi 1.8t from Avis to drive from Stockholm to Trollhattan and all the way long I couldn’t stop thinking how I miss my old classic 900 (which stayed at home in Warsaw). By the way: this travel was my 30th birthday present from my lovely wife (you cannot imagine how big surprise it was!). This are our photos from this trip:

http://malin.piatka.pl/original/?galerie=Trzydziestka-1
http://malin.piatka.pl/original/?galerie=Trzydziestka-2 (subtitles are in polish

and my saab before the wedding last year:

http://malin.piatka.pl/original/?galerie=Slub-sesja&photo=36

PS I’ve never driven 9-3 before. It’s great car, but it’s strange I couldn’t find good position in it (if enough place for legs, than to far from steering wheel and the opposite… I’m 187cm tall), old 900 is much better in that regard also visibility is much much better (I’ve got one with glass sunroof).

-February 27th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Jeff said:

I wish you could rent a Saab here. All we get are Tauri and Impalas.

-February 27th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
eggsngrits said:

O-man: great pics!!

Jeff: and don’t forget the occasional PT Cruiser or Hyundai. Loads of fun. Oy.

-February 27th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Tim in Denver said:

orientman - I am about the same height as you are, and I feel the same way about the 9-3 steering either being too far away or the pedals too close….

-February 28th, 2008 at 1:29 am
1985 Gripen said:

Mag-X: I love that green on green! Green is my favorite color. Those old photos sure do make the car look dated and gaudy, but I think it’s great. However, I’m sure the camp novelty of it would wear off quickly.

-February 28th, 2008 at 2:19 am
PGAero said:

orientman,
Congrats on the marriage. Great looking car too. IT made me want a C900.

Avis, I’d rent the C900. Even pay extra for it. Sure, I’d drive the others, but where’s the character?

-February 28th, 2008 at 3:44 am
900_S said:

The world needs more color… and stripes.

-March 1st, 2008 at 5:08 am