I never thought I’d see the words Saab and monster and truck in the same sentence, let alone all running together. But here we are. Maybe it’s not a true monster truck, but it certainly looks capable of traversing some rugged terrain.

The things people do with their Saabs, eh? Better than the Saab Junkyard, I guess.

I hope someone gets some video of this in action. I’d love to see it.

Hmmmm. V4 or two stroke?

Thanks Per H!

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The clutch is being replaced on my C900 today.

I’m going to hate doing this. I’m going to lose heaps of money selling a car that ideally, I’d love to keep. We just don’t have the room, though, and I don’t have the income to keep paying the registration. Ads will go up this weekend.

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SaabRobz has just started an interesting group on Flickr – the Saab Junkyard.

Lots of interesting photos of junked and abandoned Saab there. It’s sad to see some less-than-dignified ends for some of these cars, but it’s amazing how many of them still manage to retain their beauty.

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There’s a good (and not-so-good) review of the Saab 9-3 with XWD over at The Street.

Good:

Historically, Audi and Subaru are known as the winter powerhouses building bulletproof [AWD] systems. Saab brought its “A” game, though, because, during a recent ice storm that coated the tri-state region, the car held up remarkably well.

The SportCombi managed to maintain traction. When I forced it out of stability, its movements were predictable and composed. Pushing through slush and snow, the 9-3 does not panic and squirm. Instead, it surges onward, plowing onward.

So, not only is it good during unruly conditions, it manages to provide some thrills on nice, sunny days. With its significant power and sharp steering, the 9-3 corners with limited body roll.

Saab’s XWD system is doing well in winter road tests. I just hope that that fact is resonating with consumers. I have a feeling, though, that the XWD ‘noise’ isn’t loud enough to drown out the other noises being made in relation to Saab.

The not-so-good:

On a jaunt to Princeton, New Jersey, I found myself passing Newark International Airport where a large, commercial aircraft was taking off. Burying the throttle, I wanted to see if the jet builders ensured this Saab would end up in the sky. As the revs climbed and the speedometer counted hastily upwards like an altimeter, I did not end up airborne, much to my chagrin. I firmly believe take off was imminent, though.

>Wince<

Thanks Kroum!

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Much has been made in today’s automotive media about Alan Mullaly, CEO at Ford, calling a customer to thank him for cancelling his Prius order and subsequently choosing a Ford Fusion Hybrid.

Some of the outlets are even saying words to the effect of “why would he bother?” which is absolutely stunning to me.

Former SaabUSA chief Bob Sinclair was famous for his calls to customers, which he’d choose at random every month. These calls were made for a number of reasons; for sales, for service, in response to a letter he’d received.

Obviously the customers were absolutely thrilled and the good part is that everyone in the organisation knew that every interaction they had with a customer could end up in a conversation involving that customer and the boss.

Good PR. Good motivation. More of it, I say.

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Big versions available at Flickr.

In November last year I asked if anyone had bought a new Saab in 2008. Well….. new, used or otherwise.

We had a pretty good response rate with 76 commenters chipping in about their new cars. I’m yet to bill Saab for services rendered in that regard

I thought it might be worth checking out people’s intentions for 2009.

Later this year, if all the pundits are correct (and providing Saab are still around) we’ll have the 9-3x to consider as well as the all-new Saab 9-5. One a variation on a great existing model and one a much anticipated all-new model.

So, are you considering upgrading or changing your current vehicle during 2009? Maybe you’re a newbie to Saab and considering one for the first time? Maybe you’re a Saab owner already and considering a change to another make (Nooooooooooo!)

Maybe you’re like me and can’t afford to buy new. Maybe you’re thinking about picking up a used Saab or even adding a classic Saab to your garage.

If you’ve got plans for this year, let us know. And if you’re cautious, let us know why.

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Personally, I’ve done my share of Saab purchases in the last few years. I bought the Viggen in 2005, then crashed it in 2007. I bought the C900 to get me around in 2007 and then the Monte Carlo in the first few days of 2009.

I’m currently working on selling the 900 and will spend my 2009 automotive dollars on getting the Monte Carlo up to scratch.

If I make a Saab purchase this year, it’ll be an unexpected one and the most likely scenario for that is my wife’s 9000 popping it’s thongs and needing replacement. In that event we’ll most likely look for a 2002 or so Saab 9-5. The 9000 is running pretty well, though, so I’m expecting a purchase-free year.

The heat wave here in Australia’s causing some serious damage. Several people have died, the new big wheel scenic ride in Melbourne has been closed indefinitely due to damage from the heat, and it’s taken its toll on a huge number of vehicles as well.

The biggest impact was in my home state, Victoria, where they had almost a continuous week of 40+ degrees celcius.

One of our Saab mates, Bill, lives in Victoria and sent in this photo, which was taken during the week, as well as a few words about the durability of his Saab:

We have had a run of 40+ days for the last week and the nights are now extremely hot. Saturday was 33C at 11pm and last night our bedroom wing was 34C at midnight – and this section is more modern and all insulated!

Our daughter has returned to uni in Wagga (Charles Sturt) so we helped her move back yesterday. On the way back home it was reading 46C on the 9-5’s SID. We were cruising at 100-110 km and the temp needle on the 9-5 still sat on half way, it never moved. We set the air conditioner at 16-17C and were almost cold by the time we reached home. I hear people say “why buy a Swedish car? It wont handle the heat…..” Well, we saw two cars on the side of the road that had over heated……both Australian made!

This is what I love about SAAB. It will take whatever is thrown at it with ease. It kept us comfortable and safe.

I think we will retire to Hobart if this heat keeps up.

Good to hear some people taking my suggestion on board, even if it’s just a little…..

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An in a show of fairness, here’s one of our counsins from Western Sweden handling some even crazier heat in Western Australia today…..

Thanks to Chris D for sending it in….

I’m not sure I could be more pleased with the result of the CAR Magazine hot hatch poll.

You have a satisfied crowd, a great result for Saab and a surprise sprint to the finish for a fitting third placegetter.

The final results saw the Lancia Delta Integrale sustain it’s run in the last 10 days and runaway as a clear winner of the poll. The Lancia won 28% of the total vote and finished up with 6,969 votes.

The Saab 99 Turbo, based on solid support from various forums around the world, gathered 24%, or 5,800 votes, to finish in a clear second place.

The Volkwagen Golf GTI had occupied third place from around week two of the four-week polling period. It wouldn’t have been my choice if I had a second vote. My second vote would have gone to the car that ended up in third place – the Alfa Romeo Alfasud!!

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I’ve owned two Saab 99 Turbos in my lifetime as well as an Alfasud Sprint. The Alfa 33 that I own now is a modern version of the same car but with a 16V engine, so I’m pretty happy with this result. All I need is a ‘Grale and I’ll have owned all three!

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Hopefully CAR Magazine will do at least one article based on the results. I’d prefer if they did two articles, actually.

The first could be on the cars themselves and why they are so revered by the people that love them and voted for them.

The second article could be on the phenomena of obscure vehicle loving, which in Saab’s case is probably a fairly new revelation for CAR Magazine.

My thanks to all who participated in the vote.

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I’m pretty confident that the Swedish government won’t hang Saab out to dry. I can’t help but feel that Saab have a bright future with the proposed independence plan being worked on at the moment.

Still, the good people living in Trollhattan – a city I had the distinct pleasure of visiting and falling in love with back in 2007 – are nervous. And not without reason, too. I’m confident in Saab’s future, but I’m sitting here at home in Australia, far away from the fallout of Saab were to go under.

Reuters have an article from Trollhattan today, where they’ve been talking to some locals about the impact that it would have if Saab were to close down.

“If Saab fell, there would probably be no money for anything beyond the absolute necessities in this municipality,” said Akerlund. “Many street lights would probably have to go dark.”

In Sweden, midwinter days bring just six hours of light.

It’s as if the local economy has gone into suspended animation. Akerlund, who sits on the municipality’s council, says tax revenues in the region are already declining and the town’s budget now needs to be revised.

The few people moving about on Trollhattan’s frigid streets say they are contemplating the possible demise of a company that has been making cars here for six decades.

“Everything is standing still at the moment,” said resident Amanda Frendberg, 24, in a deserted bar. “Nobody dares to buy a house for example, with all this talk about closing Saab down.”

Trollhattan is a beautiful little city. Perhaps I visited during an idyllic time, but I absolutely loved the place and the people I met there. In an ideal word, I’d love to go work for Saab and live right where it all began. The winters might be a trial, but I couldn’t imagine a work or living situation that I’d love more.

The one thing you come to understand after you visit Trollhattan is just how ingrained Saab is to the fabric of the city. There are other things going on there, but Saab is hub of the city. As with the future of the cars we all love, I find it quite objectionable that the future of such a beautiful location was placed in the hands of a bunch of board members in Detroit who couldn’t care less.

It’s a recommended read. To the people of Trollhattan – I’m thinking of you. Hopefully I’ll get to see you again some time later in the year.

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It’s nice to be able to tie up the loose ends of stories like this one.

Back in August last year I wrote about a somewhat neglected Saab 900 stretch limousine that was up for sale on Ebay. It was blowing a little smoke and was pretty rough around the edges, but it only had 45,000 miles on it and could turn out to be quite a charmer given the right amount of TLC.

Regular TS reader and commenter, Nate 9-3, certainly hopes the new owner provides that TLC because 1) the limo’s ended up being not too far away from him, and 2) he’s getting married next year and hopes that he and the future Mrs Nate 9-3 might be able to use it!

The 900 limo ended up being purchased by the family that owns Iowa City Saab. These are the same folks that once owned the Meyer Garage, which unfortunately burned down a few years ago but I’m assuming has been rebuilt now.

They have a page for the limo here.

They plan on restoring the vehicle to its former glory and offering it for use on occasions just like the one Nate is planning. From what Greg Abbott mentioned at the time of the fire, the family are real pillars of the local Saab community, so it’s great to see them taking a project like this on. I hope it promotes their business well and I’m sure the Saab locals will love it.

My thanks to Nate 9-3 for passing on the good news!

This story caught my eye in the news today:

German police were testing a 23-year-old man for traces of alcohol today after his car came off the road and soared 35 metres through the air to land in a church roof.

Police in Chemnitz in eastern Germany said the speeding car smashed through a crash barrier on Sunday night and was lifted up into the air by a metre-high bank that acted like a ramp.

The car ended up with its rear end sticking out of the church roof, seven metres up.

The driver was seriously hurt but his injuries were not life-threatening, police said.

And here’s the photo. There’s some video at the link, above.

Those who’ve been around for a while may recall a story I published on the site back in April last year – TedY’s wild ride. This latest story from Germany confirms the concept of cars getting serious air time from unexpected ramps.

Here’s the gist of Ted’s story once again:

….a narrow bridge spanning a small stream was no longer there. The often-flooded bridge had been replaced by a much larger and longer bridge, but approximately six feet higher than the original. They hadn’t elevated the roadway on either end of the bridge yet, but they had put in temporary ramps for access, but with an incline of approximately 30 degrees.

It’s funny how a 6 foot high, 30 degree incline, mimicks a wall when coming at you at 85 mph.

Having no time to brake, I planted both hands on the wheel and braced myself. The whump was so hard that I was slammed into the 3-point seat belt and my head pitched down so far that I saw the famous Saab horn button logo in front of my nose. After my head stopped bobbing around, I noticed an eerie silence, and as I looked out the windshield, I saw nothing but blackness.

Confused, I looked out the side window, and saw the shiny new stainless steel handrails of the new bridge at least 8 feet below me, receding into the background as I flew over. Looking through the windshield again, I realized the reason for the blackness was that the headlights had been aimed skyward with nothing to illuminate. But now they were starting to illuminate the roadway beneath me as the car started turning nose down while still very high in the air.

As I approached the roadway, well past the bridge and opposite ramp, I remembered watching old movies where passengers of a crashing airplane screamed as the ground came up at them. As I descended, I thought to myself “So this is how I’ll die, in an airplane crash!” Upon impact, I got another look at the famous Saab horn button logo, and when my head stopped bobbing again, I realized that I had lived through the ordeal, and amazingly, the Saab was still on the road, at about 45 mph now, but steering a little funny.

I continued slowly home where I examined the car. I had apparently stretched the upper wishbone mounting bolts on both sides because the alignment shims had fallen out, but they were conveniently laying on the unique Saab engine area floor pan. So I stuck them back in and tightened the bolts. An alignment check thereafter revealed still-perfect alignment!

I recommend that you click through and read the full text.

Ted has a master’s degree in physics and at that link he spells out the full details of height and distance travelled. It really is a wonder to behold, as is the fact that his Saab 96 kept him alive through the whole thing.

This German guy’s car kept him alive, too, but I wonder what would have happened if he’d landed back on the ground again.

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