Comments on: The end of the world as we know it http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/10/the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it.html Saab 9-1, 9-3, 9-4x, 9-5, 9-7x News Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:34:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: vz http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/10/the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it.html#comment-53915 vz Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:03:16 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=8803#comment-53915 Well Richo, I have to honest...I do think the new CTS is very good looking especially when compared to the euros. as is this http://www.autoblog.com/photos/cadillac-cts-coupe-concept/685767/ or this: http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=25106 which is the new SRX If these cars offend the aussie sensibility of attractive cars then I plead guilty of cultural mis-understanding and offer apologies. Well Richo, I have to honest…I do think the new CTS is very good looking especially when compared to the euros.

as is this
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/cadillac-cts-coupe-concept/685767/

or this:
http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=25106
which is the new SRX

If these cars offend the aussie sensibility of attractive cars then I plead guilty of cultural mis-understanding and offer apologies.

]]> By: Jeff http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/10/the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it.html#comment-53912 Jeff Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:49:19 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=8803#comment-53912 I swear I remember reading an Aussie on here say "unfortunately, most of us measure a car's worth by how much you can swing the bum out" and I swear it was either Richo or Swade himself, but I'm probably remembering wrong. The CTS is supposed to change the whole "pimpmobile land yacht" image, anyway, and the new smaller Caddy will do even more for that, whenever it shows up. Let's just see what happens once the economy takes an upturn. Once <a href="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c284/Rorschock/s640x480.jpg" rel="nofollow">this</a> is fixed. I swear I remember reading an Aussie on here say “unfortunately, most of us measure a car’s worth by how much you can swing the bum out” and I swear it was either Richo or Swade himself, but I’m probably remembering wrong.

The CTS is supposed to change the whole “pimpmobile land yacht” image, anyway, and the new smaller Caddy will do even more for that, whenever it shows up. Let’s just see what happens once the economy takes an upturn.

Once this is fixed.

]]> By: PT http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/10/the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it.html#comment-53904 PT Fri, 10 Oct 2008 05:56:04 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=8803#comment-53904 Good points Bruce. If we could just get Saab to slightly reposition themselves near Subaru/Honda/Volkswagen as well I think the whole picture is much more reasonable. Agree that success for Caddy is probably good for GM but it must certainly come at Saabs expense in the short term in terms of marketing spend and product investment. Long term, a healthy GM could mean a healthy Saab but thats way off right now. I can't see one model from Caddy being anything more than a novelty. Holden and Ford own the RWD value for money space here and they will not be moved on quickly. There will be some cannibilisation of HSV and the Statesmen but perhaps the Caddy will really on attract those who would have otherwise gone for a 300C. Good points Bruce. If we could just get Saab to slightly reposition themselves near Subaru/Honda/Volkswagen as well I think the whole picture is much more reasonable.

Agree that success for Caddy is probably good for GM but it must certainly come at Saabs expense in the short term in terms of marketing spend and product investment. Long term, a healthy GM could mean a healthy Saab but thats way off right now.

I can’t see one model from Caddy being anything more than a novelty. Holden and Ford own the RWD value for money space here and they will not be moved on quickly. There will be some cannibilisation of HSV and the Statesmen but perhaps the Caddy will really on attract those who would have otherwise gone for a 300C.

]]> By: Jono http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/10/the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it.html#comment-53896 Jono Fri, 10 Oct 2008 02:44:28 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=8803#comment-53896 it just looks ridiculous bling is not a good thing it just looks ridiculous
bling is not a good thing

]]> By: Bruce http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/10/the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it.html#comment-53895 Bruce Fri, 10 Oct 2008 02:40:57 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=8803#comment-53895 Caddy and Saab rarely have cross-over sales. Different demographics. GM knows it. We can live with the fact that the CTS is, in fact, a very fine car, but . . . most of us would not buy one (I would if it were called something else and were not RWD). The CTS is almost exactly the same size as the current 9-5. The similarity ends there. Saab is indeed the GM premium brand in Europe; we do have a legitimate gripe that we keep getting show cars (sparkling as they are) and not enough new stuff on the showroom floor. At least the Dame Edna really looks different from the previous 9-5s, it initiated some of the current style language on a car you can buy. making the car better each year or five is not good enough. I still think we have a problem and an asset mixed together reflected right here on TS. Yes it is important that people want buy used Saabs, but i they are going to be super bargains, then some buyers who are concerned about resale values will be turned off. But GM-Saab (dealers aside) does not thrive on used cars. Those of us who will keep our Saabs for 10+ years can be happy with their longevity. But that very longevity keeps us out of the showrooms. Saab has moved from "different" economy and family car to "entry premium," which is nice for the image. But that means fewer of us at TS will be able to afford to buy one, even if we wanted to. So here at TS we have a mix of new Saab buyers and old Saab buyers and Saab aspirers. Can WE find a way to remain a community and can WE help move some of those new models. Last week I told my Saab manager that he is very welcome to give my phone number (or call me himself) if anyone in the showroom looks at the 9-5 and hesitates, should they want to talk to a happy owner. I think all three (are there others) demographics who are regulars (or casuals) at TS need to talk up our new, old, or aspiring Saabs and help create a line-up at the door. This website is a blessing as starting points. Let's not lose too much energy on Caddy-envy. Caddy and Saab rarely have cross-over sales. Different demographics. GM knows it. We can live with the fact that the CTS is, in fact, a very fine car, but . . . most of us would not buy one (I would if it were called something else and were not RWD). The CTS is almost exactly the same size as the current 9-5. The similarity ends there. Saab is indeed the GM premium brand in Europe; we do have a legitimate gripe that we keep getting show cars (sparkling as they are) and not enough new stuff on the showroom floor. At least the Dame Edna really looks different from the previous 9-5s, it initiated some of the current style language on a car you can buy. making the car better each year or five is not good enough. I still think we have a problem and an asset mixed together reflected right here on TS. Yes it is important that people want buy used Saabs, but i they are going to be super bargains, then some buyers who are concerned about resale values will be turned off. But GM-Saab (dealers aside) does not thrive on used cars. Those of us who will keep our Saabs for 10+ years can be happy with their longevity. But that very longevity keeps us out of the showrooms. Saab has moved from “different” economy and family car to “entry premium,” which is nice for the image. But that means fewer of us at TS will be able to afford to buy one, even if we wanted to. So here at TS we have a mix of new Saab buyers and old Saab buyers and Saab aspirers.

Can WE find a way to remain a community and can WE help move some of those new models. Last week I told my Saab manager that he is very welcome to give my phone number (or call me himself) if anyone in the showroom looks at the 9-5 and hesitates, should they want to talk to a happy owner. I think all three (are there others) demographics who are regulars (or casuals) at TS need to talk up our new, old, or aspiring Saabs and help create a line-up at the door. This website is a blessing as starting points. Let’s not lose too much energy on Caddy-envy.

]]> By: eggsngrits http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/10/the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it.html#comment-53887 eggsngrits Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:54:30 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=8803#comment-53887 Richo: Indeed I did. The CTS is a very good-looking car, even more so in person. The two-seater is even better-looking. Richo: Indeed I did. The CTS is a very good-looking car, even more so in person. The two-seater is even better-looking.

]]> By: Richo http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/10/the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it.html#comment-53884 Richo Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:42:46 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=8803#comment-53884 Jeff - Sales of those cars is declining at such an alarming rate Ford and Holden don't know what to do. The CTS will take few customers away from Commodore, and after all that's that GM want. They're marketing CTS against the BMW, Audi, and Merc... and it just wont stack up. Lets now site back for the next 18 months and re-visit these posts. And vz, it takes more than one car to build a reputation. Caddy and the other directly imported Seppo cars have a poor reputation here in Oz, they just don't wash and never have. If it's muscle you want you can't go past the local cars that have a HUGE amount of history and desire for those who are in to them, and the others either want a small car (Asian built) or a European. It's a dead mans market here for Caddy, no matter what they have. I mean the name alone.... Cadillac..... gawd! Oh, and did someone say <a href="http://www.cadillac.com.au" rel="nofollow">this</a> was good looking???? Jeff – Sales of those cars is declining at such an alarming rate Ford and Holden don’t know what to do. The CTS will take few customers away from Commodore, and after all that’s that GM want. They’re marketing CTS against the BMW, Audi, and Merc… and it just wont stack up.

Lets now site back for the next 18 months and re-visit these posts.

And vz, it takes more than one car to build a reputation. Caddy and the other directly imported Seppo cars have a poor reputation here in Oz, they just don’t wash and never have. If it’s muscle you want you can’t go past the local cars that have a HUGE amount of history and desire for those who are in to them, and the others either want a small car (Asian built) or a European. It’s a dead mans market here for Caddy, no matter what they have. I mean the name alone…. Cadillac….. gawd!

Oh, and did someone say this was good looking????

]]> By: Richo http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/10/the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it.html#comment-53882 Richo Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:11:12 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=8803#comment-53882 "Also Richo - The 300c has been a sales success for Chrysler, which some months has outsold the Statesman, even our state premier drives one. Chrysler was about to disappear before this arrived." Yeah Trent, that's why I put 300C = 10 and NJ_Nick - exactly what I'm talking about. “Also Richo – The 300c has been a sales success for Chrysler, which some months has outsold the Statesman, even our state premier drives one. Chrysler was about to disappear before this arrived.”

Yeah Trent, that’s why I put 300C = 10

and NJ_Nick – exactly what I’m talking about.

]]> By: swade http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/10/the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it.html#comment-53881 swade Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:33:52 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=8803#comment-53881 Jeff: <blockquote>Aussies like big RWD cars that can smoke tires and swing the ass end around, and don’t tell me I’m wrong. Look at HSV and FPV. Drive a Falcon or a GTS and tell me the CTS isn’t in the exact same vein.</blockquote> Couldn't be more wrong there, Jeff. Yeah, they're all RWD cars but that's where it ends. You're completely ignoring the car culture here. A Caddy will be a socialite wannabe pimp's car here. A well-to-do Aussie bloke would still pick a top-end Commodore and if you roll up in a Caddy at a Ford/Holden event the most common word in the car park that day will be "wanker". Jeff:

Aussies like big RWD cars that can smoke tires and swing the ass end around, and don’t tell me I’m wrong. Look at HSV and FPV. Drive a Falcon or a GTS and tell me the CTS isn’t in the exact same vein.

Couldn’t be more wrong there, Jeff.

Yeah, they’re all RWD cars but that’s where it ends. You’re completely ignoring the car culture here. A Caddy will be a socialite wannabe pimp’s car here. A well-to-do Aussie bloke would still pick a top-end Commodore and if you roll up in a Caddy at a Ford/Holden event the most common word in the car park that day will be “wanker”.

]]> By: Jeff http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/10/the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it.html#comment-53878 Jeff Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:20:11 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=8803#comment-53878 ...Are some of you seriously comparing the CTS to the 300C? No. No no no no no. Even worse, the TAURUS?! What the hell is wrong with you? That's like comparing a 900 to a Camry. Aussies like big RWD cars that can smoke tires and swing the ass end around, and don't tell me I'm wrong. Look at HSV and FPV. Drive a Falcon or a GTS and tell me the CTS isn't in the exact same vein. HSV's website says "Luxury and Performance Vehicles" right on the top. The CTS will fit right in. …Are some of you seriously comparing the CTS to the 300C? No. No no no no no.

Even worse, the TAURUS?! What the hell is wrong with you? That’s like comparing a 900 to a Camry.

Aussies like big RWD cars that can smoke tires and swing the ass end around, and don’t tell me I’m wrong. Look at HSV and FPV. Drive a Falcon or a GTS and tell me the CTS isn’t in the exact same vein.

HSV’s website says “Luxury and Performance Vehicles” right on the top. The CTS will fit right in.

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