Comments on: Melbourne Snippets

By: Bruce

Bruce — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 03:57:36 +0000

I like the “Dame Edna” nickname for the current 9-5 . . . at many levels. The good news: When we pull up in parking people often comment on the good looks. The bad news: Then they ask what kind of car it is. We should be optimistic, however; the General does seem to be getting its bread-and-butter cars up to a much higher standard, and the fact that a Cobalt or HHR as the hp of my 9-5 does not bother me in the least. And Swade, ENG is right–get that old Alfa out of your dreams and spend your fun time driving rather than fixing. My 1971 1750 Spider Veloce (bought new) was tremendous fun for the 50% of the time when it actually ran. Otherwise it was an electrically tempermental rustbucket in the 7 years I owned it.

By: LP

LP — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 02:45:13 +0000

2.0T with XWD, Bluetooth and European delivery for 2009 are great news. Good enough, in fact, that I won’t go into a tirade about how it should have come years ago. (Sorry, couldn’t help myself.)

Thank you for the update. Much appreciated!

By: Robert L

Robert L — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 23:47:26 +0000

I still like the 93 SC 2.0T FWD 6 speed as is, just waiting for the EDP is become active so I can start planning my trip.

By: Scott

Scott — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 14:59:48 +0000

$22,995.00 is what the Chevy Cobalt Coupe SS costs…I just don’t see how GM could do this to Saab. Who would have thought that the Caviler’s replacement would be able to beat a Saab…Frustrating especially when you own one…

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 14:29:32 +0000

I agree, the 2.8 V6 will be around for some time.

By: PT

PT — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 10:55:41 +0000

From my limited perspective,at Its hard to see the Saab 2.8 V6 going. Apart from the fact that Sasb keep their engines for a long, long time, this engine is key to a lot of Saab engines and also external sales (Alfa Romeo for one). Its block is apparently quite variable and allows for a lot of different configs. It runs as a 3.+ litre in Holden Commodores here in Australia for instance. Relative to the Saab this is a low- spec engine BTW.

Anyway, I reckon that the General has got to squeeze every cent out of every singel investment so the 2.8 in some form is gunna be hanging around .

By: mo

mo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 05:24:24 +0000

talonderiel sorry to tell you that the 3.8 V6 is about to be chopped or already is. Ive forgot but either this is its last year or last year was. My family loved that engine as it powered many of our cars, awesome reliability and pretty good mileage. I dont they should use the 3.2 – that engine always had problems in its life. the 3.6 engine imo should be used in at least in the 9-5, which we have had two cars with is a very nice engine, gets good mileage and good power, a great replacement for the 3.8.

By: mo

mo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 05:18:31 +0000

charles so far the only cars that use the 2.8 turbo are the Cadillac BLS ,Opel Vectra,Opel Signum, and Saab 9-3.

By: Talonderiel

Talonderiel — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 05:09:33 +0000

Charles, I agree… I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a Variant of the 3.6L, that resides in the CTS/STS, in the next gen 9-3 and 9-5 …

Prolly something like 3.2L for the 9-3 and the 3.6L for the 9-5… of course, both turbo’d if not twin-turbo’d …. Hell, the 3.8L V6 in my 98 Buick LeSabre is pretty powerful, I’d love to see the 3800 series II engines twin-turbo charged and with the VVT/DI tech

By: Charles

Charles — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:34:25 +0000

I can see the 2.8 disappearing. Who else uses it? I know the non turbo’d version was used in the 1st generation CTS, but no longer.