Thursday Snippets
What percentage of Saab US sales would you expect to be SportCombis?
The answer’s interesting seeing it’s such a cool car.
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Blog-watchers might like to note that GM Europe has a blog now, called Driving Conversations. The first post is from Carl-Peter Forster. I think this is sort of like his blog to match the blog that Bob Lutz heads up in the US (the Fastlane blog).
Whispers around the traps indicate that CPF might be “the man” after Maximum Bob retires in a few years time. Perhaps this is getting him used to the role?
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Vauxhall did it last month.
Now it’s Opel’s turn.
Will Saab also get a revised badge in the near future? And if so, what for should the revision take?
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An example of thinking that I just don’t get:
Well I just put my Saab up for sale. Kip wrote that we are selling it for $11,800 but I think we are going to try to sell it for $11,000. I am in no hurry to get rid of it. I just really need a bigger car. I have loved this car so much, it’s just that now that I have a little one I need a SUV.
The kid’s nine months old, for goodness sake! Unless she gave birth to the marshmellow man from Ghostbusters I’m sure a 9-3 Sport Sedan is plenty.
Cute kid, though. And if you do happen to click through (not necessary at all) the pause button for the music is at the bottom.
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There’s been a bunch of old Saabs hooning around in the last few weeks. Photos are tuning up all over the place Flickr. I picked this one to show because it was taken by our New York mate, Minx.
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I do not even have any kids and people always ask me “why did you buy a wagon?” Try putting anything larger than a golf bag or large suitcase in the trunk of most sedans/coupes and you have the answer to that - even if the rear seats have a pass through. The SportCombi is a much more flexible vehicle and it also rather unique on the road as you do not see a lot of them around these parts. I love my car.
Trading in a Saab that gets 30mpg in for an SUV that gets 18mpg? That makes no sense at these gas prices and I do not think they are going down anytime soon – if ever.
Swade, you do have to understand that some (not all) Americans carry so much stuff around for the youngster in addition to the kid that some of them ideally need an eighteen-wheel semi truck when going places. Multiple strollers, playpens, toys etc. It’s truly amazing the amount of stuff they need that I never had.
The 9-3 SportCombi is the MOST overlooked vehicle for sale in the U.S.
It is priced right, it looks AMAZING, it handles, it has good fuel economy, is versatile, your neighbor doesn’t have one. its fun. whats not to love?
Re: Two Cycle Race Pic
You know whose 9-3SS that is, right?
I think Saab should get a new badge; a nice minimal & modern griffin could suffice!
I always get a laugh at just how much stuff my sibblings bring for their kids when they visit. I agree with Tedjs though, a wagon is a nice alternative to a SUV.
My sister may be looking at a sportcombi and trading in her Xterra. Gas is the #1 issue.
The only gripe I have with theSportcombi is it’s almost too nice. I’d hate to ruin the rear fabric, plastic, and seat leather with the stuff I throw in my Pathfinder (2 90lb dogs, landscaping stuff, fall clean up, etc., etc.). Thus the current 2 car system supplemented by my 9-3 .Someday someone wil come up with wagon that has an actual utilitarian rear end, without me having to spring for rubber mats, seat covers, blankets, and gallons of cleaning solutions.
as a 9-3 aero sportcombi driver without kids, i agree with tedjs. i get that question all the time– “why a wagon?” we have a jeep, as well, and i’ll take my saab any day. it’s fast, it corners well, it looks sharp, and my bike fits in it easier than in the jeep. plus, getting our two 80 pound dogs in the back is easier than getting them in the jeep (the rubber mat actually works well at keeping the carpet underneath clean). i think it’s funny that people don’t question our jeep, which is larger, less efficient, and kind of silly.
Our 9-3 SS is 5, our son is 5. We always managed to bring all the stuff needed, and a lot of the times even too much stuff…
The bigger the car, the more uneccessary rubbish you load in it.
Almost can compare it to a woman’s purse… The bigger the woman’s purse, the more junk she’ll carry in it.
Swade,
To your 9-3 SportCombi US sales question, I’d guess it’s some where around 5%. Saabs are plentiful here in Boston and 9-3SCs still make my head turn.
Just goes to show that Americans have been brainwashed into thinking of SUVs as necessary. As I have told my wife, an SUV is just a jacked-up wagon with bigger wheels. Who needs an SUV when there are several nice wagons on the market? You’d think $4.00 gas would change the way people think, but apparently not.
Sadly, the wagon seems to be passé among most Americans. We own a VW Passat wagon and have been trying to sell it, but we’ve been rebuffed by a couple prospective buyers who lost interest when they found out it was a wagon. Frankly, that’s fine with me, as I love the car (but not quite as much as my 9-5).
So what’s the percentage? I’ve considered a combi but have a 02 2.0T hatch. I love it!
I was brought up in the backseat of a 1987 9000 Turbo along with my sister, and later on my father bought a 94 9000CD. There wasn’t even a need for a wagon, let a lone a bigger car. I feel that most SUVs give an impression of being a bigger vehicle than they really are. Yes, they have a little more headroom, but that’s all.
Oh, and don’t change the badge, please! I like it just the way it is!
She’s selling her Saab and hints she’d like a Toyota 4Runner. Why not a 9-7x instead?
I just don’t get it.
I’ve seen exactly two SportCombis in the metal since 2005 outside of a Saab dealership, and one of them was at my mechanic’s shop.
I like the badge too!
Hey first don’t ruin the badge !
Secondly have you ever seen a elegant or sporty wagon ? They just can’t. The 9-5 looks clumpsy in the rear end, and for the 9-3, the roofline looks strange, due to the rear door hinge? The most elegant and useable Saab i ever had was my 9000 Aero. This was replaced by a smaller 9-5 Aero sedan and i am happy i kept my OG 9-3 Areo hatch. This is even smaller but more flexible and still looks good.
The next 9-5 must be a “9000 size hatch” -only!
A slice of americana…
When will they ever learn, when will they ever learn…
Tom (Me) has got three kids.. I have never had the use for an SUV.. It´s all in culture I guess.
Sorry to say I´ll have to invest in a Chevy Transport or something due to the fact that I will be a father of four in september. Three cars again…
Regarding the Saab badge.. I´d like to see the classic Saab Aeroplane on the trunklid of the Aero models..
thanks for the pic shout-out, Swade! minxx = blix
there’s an import show in Carlisle, PA every year and the Central Penn Saab club puts together their own show within this show called Saabs @ Carlisle. this past show took place last weekend and Saab owners from all over the US made the trip (including Greg Abbott from waay across the country and his awesome SPG). the race b/w the two-strokes, with Carl’s terrific 9-3SS as the chase car, was one of many fun Saab moments that took place. it looked like every Saab ever made was represented at the show, which also included an awards ceremony and a pig roast. a number of impeccable Saabs from the GM heritage collection also made an appearance.
i had a great time and I’m sure more pics from that show will be posted by others on Flickr, or perhaps some could share theirs with this site.