Today we were blessed with extraordinarily good weather, good fortune, good company and good cars. Could you ask for a better day for a car club meeting? I think not!
The day got underway with a gathering at 10am in the carpark of our local Saab dealer, Motors Saab. They opened the showroom and served some morning tea, giving all and sundry the chance to say Hi, giving people the chance to catch up once again and new folks an opportunity to get acquainted.
We set off shortly afterwards for a magnificent drive on some very picturesque B-roads, finally ending up in an old country town called Ross, where a hearty lunch was had and where yours truly had the good fortune to win a new Saab watch (the fact that Lance, as the guest of honor, drew my number out of a hat had nothing to do with it 
)
None of that makes up the real story of today’s trip, however.
Yes, we had a good time enjoying one another’s company and yes, all who wanted to got a chance to drive the Turbo X (more on that tomorrow) but there were two main local stories to come out of today.
The first one is the effort and support that the club received for this day from our local dealer, Stewart Edwards from Motors Saab in Hobart.
Motors provided five vehicles for the trip, so there was plenty of stopping and swapping of cars. People got the chance to drive various 2007 and 2008 Saab 9-3s, including TiDs, a 2.0t, the TTid and of course, the Turbo X. Motors also paid for the meal we all enjoyed at the Man O Ross Hotel.
This is the first solid connection that our club has had with out local dealership in a number of years, certainly since our main contact there, Tony B, left the dealership. There was a real sense of goodwill and relationship in the air, a real thankfulness for the support we received and I’m sure this will be the first of a number of events that give both Motors Saab and the Club an opportunity for a positive and rewarding experience.
If you’re running a car club, get your local dealer involved. It’s the best thing you can do.
The other main story was the two-pronged diesel Saab range – the TiD and the TTiD. Many of the people attending hadn’t had the opportunity to drive either of Saab’s diesel vehicles prior to today; the TTiD in particular. Both engines received a lot of praise from everyone who drove them.
I always find this sort of situation refreshing. As someone who’s driven them a number of times before, it’s easy to put on my “been there, done that” T-shirt and give the TiD a respectful nod with nary another word about how truly capable the car is. When you listen to someone for whom the TiD really is a revelation, it reminds you of those things you’ve glossed over.
The TiD really is a great engine and makes for an effortless cruising vehicle. And the TTiD? Well, it just takes it all up another notch.
We had a TTiD Aero sedan in Snow Silver for the day. I didn’t get to drive that one today, but I heard a number of very complimentary conversations going on between those who’d just got out of it and those who’d driven it earlier in the day.
These diesel Saabs are still quite new here in Australia and many are being exposed to a modern diesel for the first time. It’s great see how well people are reacting to it and I’m sure today’s drive created some interest amongst those in attendance.
As a blogger interested in Saab’s presence all around the world, I’ve got to admit being very interested in what the reaction would be if we were able to hold a day like this in markets where Saab diesels aren’t sold as yet. I’m sure they’d be very well received.
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On a personal note, I’m compelled to reveal that my favourite car of the day wasn’t the Turbo X, nor Craig Y’s brutal Maptun-tuned Saab 9-5 Aero wagon, or even Drew B’s 900 Turbo S, which was shining like a diamond once again.
For me, the most stirring moment of the day was seeing and riding in one of Saabill’s 1979 model 99 Turbos once again. Bill owns two Marble White 99T’s, one of which used to belong to me. Seeing this one cruising around again almost took my breath away.
Photo: Lance Cole
This was the first Saab Turbo. It has a funky interior, a purposeful looking exterior, a real Turbo badge on the back and a real, top-mounted boost guage on the dash. It is, in every way, exactly the car the designers and engineers wanted it to be.
I think Saab could learn a little from that. More on that later, too.
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Thanks to Drew B for organising a fantastic outing, and thanks again to Motors Saab for their cherished support. Making connections like this can only help the club, the brand and the dealership.
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Ah, was looking for that red Alfa in the photos…
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It was banned by order of the Chairman of the club, who wanted me to drive his 900 on the day anyway. On reflection, whilst the 900 was fun, the Alfa would have been more fun in the bends.
Swade, after your former comment about matching pants, I should have said: “No doubt you would have worn shorts.” I see from this last photo that I would have been right.
Tasmanians does not wear Aussie style hat as well according to the picture!
Great that You have an excellent connection with Your dealer. A symbiosis both benefit from.
Too bad that Swedish delaers are so hard flirted in this respect. One of the largest “chains” of dealerships in the area between Örebro and Linköping does not even support their own employee who competes with a SAAB car.
Many dealers are only interested in selling fleets of leasing vehicles to companies and the neglect private buyers. But hopefully that will change now when the market is going down and every prospective buyer entering the doors of a dealership is worth selling to.
Gee, if the rest of Tasmania looks as nice as this, I can see why Lance made the trip.
Though I know we will never see them in the US, it sure would be nice to have TTiD’s. How else can Saab squeeze a few more years out of the current lineup? Answer: by grabbing the mpg halo and making Saab the perfect combination of performance and economy. Only diesel can do that.
Troll96, you’ve hit the nail on the head right there. Saab have a two-engine lineup in the US right now. If they spent just a little to make diesels compliant, they’d have a whole additional range to advertise. Add Hirsch into the mix, too.
Whilst Aussie sales are crap right now, the diesels made a big impression when they first arrived and I’m sure they’d do the same there.
Here’s the other group shot, this one with Lance in it. I believe he’s trying to look older and more crochity so as to suit reader expectations, though I don’t think it’s working:
Jorgen, there’s not a lot of big hats here in Tassie, you’re right. Though the unwritten rule for club events would be to wear the club’s hat, anyway, which a few are doing here. There’s also a TS T-shirt there, too, though it’s hard to see the logo.
“the Alfa would have been more fun in the bends”. Swade, perhaps the lighter, more chuckable and more compact next 9-3 will be the kind of car you’re after? If it ever makes it to the market…
Markac, I’m sure it would. Absolutely positive.
I still had lots of fun in the bends – in the Turbo X
I haven’t even seen a Turbo X in Adelaide. There’s no branch of the Saab club here either. I tried for a long, long time to get something off the ground, but it was mostly a solo effort. Some day perhaps?
WOW !!! So there are more than 3 SCCA members in Tassie ehh ??? What made this relatively “huge” turnout come about ??? Is it because of Lance ??? Great gy BTW, very knowledgeable. Even a Turbo X is resident in Tassie. This is great and a huge inspiration to the other states except for VIC of course.
Ahhh NSW maybe ????
Good show. Glad to hear there were several options. I’m interested to know your thoughts on the diesel.