Saab 95 vs Honda Fit
OK, so here’s a comparison that not many people are likely to make, but it’s a story that deserves to be told, nonetheless, because it encapsulates the feelings of many people when it comes to old-vs-new cars.
So, without further delay……
In the red corner, we have an old and rather funny looking Saab 95 wagon:
And in the blue corner we have a modern and technologically-superior-in-every-way Honda Fit.
The story comes from Jim W. It was told via a VSaab circular email and Jim’s kindly given me permission to reproduce it here.
This is why it’s good to have a classic in your perfect garage plans…..
Obviously for daily transportation needs a modern car, such as a Honda Fit S (’m leasing one) is much, much more practical than a vintage SAAB.
But not everyone wants or needs to be practical all the time, and if such a person wants a Saab 95 (I had to sell mine because it looked like I was about to lose my job) then why not? Let the story end there…..
Or not, because my ownership of the 95 and my tenure with the Fit overlapped a bit, so I had an interesting opportunity to make a head-to-head “lifestyle” comparison: not about the cars themselves (as noted, the Fit obviously is a superior built car in every way) but in terms of what they did for my life.
The Fit is wonderfully reliable and holds a lot of stuff (although its load bay isn’t as long as a 95’s.) The bottom seat cushion is too short and the steering wheel is too far away, and it isn’t as easy to get in and out of as a 95, but no biggie.
The Fit feels agile and fun to drive, and in terms of quantitative performance it would smoke any but the most extreme streetable vintage SAAB.
But driving mine doesn’t put a smile on my face the way driving my 95 always did.
The 95 was commodious and welcoming in a way that a Fit just isn’t. Sliding easily onto that slippery vinyl seat, relaxing into that comfortably upright driving position, and grabbing that big, conveniently spaced steering wheel made me feel ready for fun, even if I was only going to the office or the grocery store. The bright, airy interior, with its warm colors and big windows, put me in a good mood. And while I never let people ride in the third seat because of its lack of crash protection, it was a great spot for sitting, conveniently canopied by the raised tailgate, to watch a sandlot baseball game or a sunset.
And it was a completely usable everyday car: carrying people, carrying stuff, starting dependably, keeping up easily with around-town traffic, and getting reasonably good gas mileage.
Working in Corporate America as I do, a lot of my time is spent doing mindless crap; often, driving my 95 was the one bright spot in my day.
Meanwhile, owning the 95 was probably as close as I’ll ever come to being a celebrity. I loved the way people I passed would point, smile, nudge their friends; it was pleasant to think that my car was a small bright spot in their day, too. Some people think my Sonett is pretty cool, but it just doesn’t inspire affection the way a 95 does.
True story: The 95 was still my daily driver when I was in the process of ordering my Fit (at that time there was a three-month waiting list for them.) One day I needed to go over some details with my salesperson, so I drove the 95 out to the dealership and parked it in the customer parking area at the edge of the new-car lot. My salesperson was away from her desk, so I had about 20 minutes to sit and people-watch.
My attention was caught by a young guy who was there to meet his salesman and, together, try to get his wife’s blessing on his plan to buy a Pilot SUV. Of course the salesman wanted to help with this process, so they met the wife together at the door.
“See anything you like?” said the salesman jovially, gesturing across the new Hondas on the lot.
“The one I really like is THAT one!” said the wife enthusiastically, smiling brightly and pointing… to my 95.
“Well, I’m afraid we can’t sell you that one,” the salesman said, “but I suppose there’s no harm in going over and having a look.”
I watched the three of them making their way around my 95, smiling and gesturing at its various quirky details until my salesperson got back to her desk. I have no idea if the young guy ever got his Pilot or not.
– jw, 95-less in ne
A great story. Saabs have always been like that for me, too. Maybe that’s because until relatively recently, all I had were older ones 
Whatever.
I’d like to thank Jim W for putting his thoughts into words, and allowing me to share them all here.
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When I took my wife to the Honda dealership to look at a Fit, I parked my 92X adjacent to their new car lot. When we were leaving the dealership, a lady was looking my 92X over while telling her family how she liked this one.
A few years ago, I was driving somewhere in my silver 88 900T when I had to stop at a traffic light. Going the other way was a classic 60’s Ford Mustang. As it pulled into the intersection the driver and front passenger both turned to gawk at the Saab. That still makes me laugh.
Honda Fit - or Jazz in the UK.
Good car- clever design - and safer than old Hondas - but terrible ride quality - recently tweaked by Honda, but on low profile alloys and tyres its urban hell on British crap roads. Americans get nice roads.
Oh and if you buy the auto expect potential bills.
Friends here have 3 year old Jazz manual that has just cost them a huge amount of money despite warranty.
Useful car - like the old ninety five.
Lance - Are you refering to the CVT transmission? The NA market doesn’t get the CVT, only the 5spd automatic. In addition, our only engine choice is the 1.5L and not the 1.2L/1.4L.
and here is a saab sonett http://bil.feber.se/art/57602/snart_kan_en_ny_lancia_stratos/
I was actually considering a new Fit before I bought my 9-5 Wagon (”pre-owned”). My wife wasn’t convinced of the safety of a compact car, though I’m fairly certain the Fit is highly rated in crash tests. The Saab was a no-brainer, of course, in terms of safety.
Looking ahead, we can expect to see lighter, smaller, affordable cars with smaller engines, less hp, and better fuel economy. Looking back to to the days of the Saab series 95/96, we see…….well, the same thing. To be honest, I wouldn’t mind seeing a new generation of minimalist Saabs that look like them (though I guess strokers would have to go.) Hell, make them in India or China to keep costs down. I believe this would offer Saab a potential mass market in parts of the world where the auto industry is growing, not contracting. Saab has always been an innovative brand, but it hasn’t always been a premium brand. Frankly, I prefer the old-school pre-99 Saabs over the more upscale cars that came later. Could there be room for both?
carl: I can’t see how a new Lancia Stratos connects to a Saab Sonnet? Perhaps it’s Lancia saying it needs a sports car to boost it’s image? I suppose it’s the same for Saab, apart from the convertible it’s all boring 4 door sedans and wagons. It really needs something else, at least a sports coupe. And no, SUVs are not very exciting and not ‘very Saab’.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/233343/
Neat story. The 95 really would be a nice addition to the “ideal garage”, taking of the classic position.
The Fit is very cute. But that’s about it. For all it’s hype of being modern, technologically forward, and efficient, it’s sibling (the Civic) is more roomy, more useful, still fun to drive, and is more fuel efficient. I highly doubt I would ever choose a Fit over a Civic. What am I missing?
Great story! Swade, which one did you say was funny looking?
I’m telling you, the retro-car thing featuring the Mini, Beetle, Mustang, FJ Cruiser, etc. could work for Saab. An updated 900 or 95? Fuggedaboudit.
Nate - You are correct that the Fit isn’t modern or technologically forward. The current Fit was released in Japan in 2001 so regardless of it being in the North American market for 2yrs, it’s still quite an older design.
The second generation Fit should be coming soon which will include a new 1.5L with I-VTEC (118HP/107ft-lbs tq), an improved chassis (164% more rigid), and an updated look. I wouldn’t doubt that the new generation Fit will have better fuel economy than the current civic.
When comparing the Civic to the Fit for roomyness, it’s true the Fit is smaller vehicle, but it’s not significantly smaller inside than the Civic. For being a smaller vehicle the Fit offers more carge volume than a Civic and it’s hatchback/fold-down seat system makes the Fit useful than a Civic.
I’ve owned 2 Civics and a Fit and the Fit is still more useful. Try fitting a 42″ LCD tv still in the box while keeping it upright in a Civic. Not possible.
NineTwoX - I actually took the time to look up some specs on the Fit. Looks like you’re right.
Nearly identical passenger room in most categories (the Fit wins if comparing headroom). And better cargo room for the Fit.
The more you know….