Comments on: Saab at the 2008 Paris Motor Show

By: mark_belfast

mark_belfast — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:32:44 +0000

Moosex, unfortunately, that is my position. After 2 years lease with my 06 9-3 wagon 1.9 150 Vector Sport, I am reluctantly leaving Saab for a while. I see no model in the current line-up that warrants my hard-earned cash and have decided to take a 12-month lease on a complete wild-card choice, wait for it, a Chrysler 300c V6CRD Touring estate. Why? It’s cheap, very cheap to lease, its huge and it’ll be fun for a change. Maybe after 12 months of that I’ll again appreciate the finely designed Saab cockpit (I know the Chrysler is rather crudely designed inside).

I’m really hoping by next winter the 9-4x is available or maybe even the 9-5 (if it affordable). But the 9-3 for me is losing attraction month by month. Fine as the facelift was, I fear it is already a familiar sight and aging like Joan Rivers, how it going to look in 4 years’ time when the next gen is suggested to be ready (if we’re lucky?). The 9-3 by then will make the current 9-5 look like a spring chicken.

I have had Saabs in my family all my life and it saddens me to be leaving when I know they need me, but I can’t single handedly shore-up the aging belly of GM, I just hope the new lifelines are in place in 12 months!

By: zippy

zippy — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:04:38 +0000

While the 9-X Air is a lovely car isnt it about time we got some new models?

Cant wait for the Geneva Auto Show when they actually have a new production car on the Saab stand. And before anyone asks I can take pictures and give you a full rundown on wht she looks like in the flesh.

By: Moosex

Moosex — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:25:45 +0000

“Yes it is. I’ve just received word that it’ll be the 9-X Air only in Paris.”

Once again Saab disappoints on the new product introduction front

I have a ’08 9-3 and will be probably switching in to a new car late 2010. If Saab hasn’t introduced any interesting products (not concepts!) by then, it’s bye-bye Saab! Sad, but by any other brands measurements there would be plenty of time…

By: andy barnwell

andy barnwell — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 07:56:45 +0000

SAAB needs a small car like the 9X,my local saab dealer of 30 years is about to lose its franchise this December because it can no longer afford to buy and pre register cars and sell them at a loss plus incentives of course. I cannot name it yet since it has not been announced but I have bought two new saabs and many used cars from them and had fantastic support I am gutted that such an excellent dealer should be forced to go because they are forced to buy cars they cannot sell at a profit.

By: SaabKen

SaabKen — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 05:48:48 +0000

I can only hope we’ll see a production-ready 9-3X in Paris. It’s one car my family and I could seriously consider buying given the right pricing (+ incentives of course).

I love the 9-X concepts but am getting tired of seeing nothing BUT concepts from Saab these days. The 9-4X is a given by now so it’s simply a matter of time, as is the next 9-5. But as the bread & butter model (and the fact that the next replacement may come as late as 2012/13), the 9-3 line NEEDS the 9-3X to flush out more segments. If only there’s a 2-dr coupe to add to the range, the 9-3 could be a full brand to its own !

Crossing fingers ………

By: turbin

turbin — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 03:45:56 +0000

Hopefully the raised body will give them the room to combine diesel with the XWD system as it has been the packaging issue that has held them back. Looking forward to all the news from the show.

By: PT

PT — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:06:59 +0000

Great idea and well executed on first looks. Same thing should happen to the new 95. Its an obvious line extension with minimal R&D spend that opens up more market segments. Appeals nicely to the outdoor image that Saab has ( along with Volvo/Audi/Subaru). Would work particularly well with TTID but also 2.0T or 2.8V6.

I don’t think you need an Aero in this config – keep that as a road-based performance model.

I’d buy one.