Just a few small observations as we enter the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend here in the United States. Some things for which to be thankful.

9. Saab’s continued existence. Gents, you know that Saab wouldn’t have made it out of the 1990’s if it weren’t for General Motors. Now, for better or for worse, it is Saab’s role to help GM make it out of this decade. Let’s hope that Saab leads the way.
8. The 9-3x. I know that some don’t like it, but at this point I’m grateful for a new model, any new model.
7. Saabs will continue to be made in Sweden. It’s a small thing to me where the cars are built (after all, my 900 was built in Finland), but it’s still a thing.
6. The Saab concept cars are very good, even if they are just concepts.
5. I can see the light at the end of the 9-5 tunnel. My troublesome 9-5 will be, hopefully, soon fully functional thanks to a trip to my indy mechanic and a few hours of wrench turning.
4. The BLS is no more. Even though I believe that Cadillac will succeed with their great line up, the BLS was truly a waste of time.
3. Saabs are safe. One actually saved me from a great deal of injury, and I should recount that story for those of you who care to read.
2. That the new 9-5 and the 9-4x are close at hand. The dealers need new product to succeed.
1. Swade didn’t stop TS. For that we all can certainly rejoice.

We haven’t done a top nine list in a while, so I decided to do two. Inspired by a couple of reader comments, some that I honestly felt misconstrued my message, I contemplated BMW as a competitor to Saab or any other favorite automotive brand. So, here’s my top nine run down of what I envy about Bimmer and what I don’t envy about their company and automobiles.

(Please, save the “Saab doesn’t compete with BMW” rhetoric because they do. BMW may not be aligned as closely as other brands to compete with Saab automobiles, but they are a competitor.)

Top Nine things that I envy about BMW

9. Their presence in motor sport. BMW has a significant technical and financial stake in several forms of auto racing — rally, open-wheel racing, road racing and club motor sports such as SCCA, etc.

8. The dual-roof 5-series sport wagon of the middle 1990’s. Quite simply the coolest, most sporting wagon since the retractable-roofed Studebaker Wagonaire of the 1960’s. If the Saab Sport Combis came equipped with a gaping open roof like this, I’d buy it. Why? It’s the ultimate hauler combined with the panoramic view of a convertible. What a great mix of practicality and motoring fun.

If the 9-5 Wagon had a roof like this, I'd buy it

7. Tuning partners. BMW has upgrade and aftermarket parts available from a number of outlets in virtually any location in the world. The options are myriad here in the United States where Saab really hasn’t any real infrastructure for mods.

6. Precision. I grudgingly admit that in the last decade or so, the Bavarians have surpassed virtually all other automakers when it comes to manufacturing execution and automation. This is NOT a Germany vs. the world issue; a great number of BMW automobiles are built in Greer, South Carolina, USA and they are still of very, very high quality. Bimmers are made with close tolerances because they’ve instituted a culture of uncompromising standards. The culture has served them well.

5. 1968-1975 2002. What an iconic car! Believe it or not, the 2002 was based upon a design at least four years old when introduced, but the refinements found in the 2002 made all the difference. Boxy and upright, the BMW 2002 certainly wasn’t intended to be a looker, but somehow it became one. Its unique departure created a design following that has endured for years. Good on them.

The BMW 2002 is a timeless classic.

4. Design margin. Say what you will about some aspects of modern BMWs and their lack of room for error, but the engineers in Munich have retained many of the important standards that brought them to the fore in the automotive world — oversized brakes, fewer lock-to-lock turns, bullet-proof transmissions and power plants that leisurely exceed the requirements of typical point A-to-point B transportation.

3. The 1971-1975 3.0 CS/CSi (aka E9). One of the all-time great automobiles ever made on a production line, the 3.0 CS created a new class of cars that proved that the Germans had plenty of artistic talent to pair with their engineering prowess. The father of the modern European sedan in so many ways. The BMW 3.0 CS is one of my all-time favorites.

BMW 3.0 CS, one of my all-time faves.

2. Reputation. I am very jealous of BMW’s reputation for quality and performance. I envy the rapport and devotion that Bimmer enjoys with the automotive journalistic community, and I know that Saab’s sales and marketing team covets BMW’s reputation in the market as a car for people with aspirations of driving the best car that they can afford.

1. Independence. I know that I’m pandering to this crowd with this statement, but do envy BMW’s autonomy and independence to create the cars they want to create without a care about what any corporate giant like GM thinks. It’s a luxury that we Saabisti don’t have.

Top nine things that I don’t envy about BMW

9. The cost of maintenance. I’ll predict that some of you will comment that Saab maintenance costs a lot, too, or that BMW isn’t really that costly in the long run, etc. Fine. Parts and service are still too expensive even if those things are true. That is, if Saab is truly in the Bimmer range for maintenance costs, Saab is too expensive as well.

8. The BMW Dealer network. I’m not enamored of Cadillac-HUMMER-Saab dealer combinations, either, but the BMW dealer network is pretty compact and has the elitist reputation that can be a barrier to some prospective customers. Saab has a history of inviting, neighborly dealers. Even though the “old-school Saab” dealers could be going the way of the dinosaur, it doesn’t change the fact the BMW’s dealers are even less accommodating in comparison.

7. Mini. I don’t dislike Mini and the revival of the Cooper. In fact, I think that it’s a great concept and it’s well executed. I simply don’t feel any jealousy because Saab doesn’t have a similar line of tiny cars.

6. Advertising. We’ve all taken shots at Saab’s “Born from Jets” advertising that said little about the cars and leven less about the experience of driving a Saab. On the other hand, have you seen the most recent BMW ads here in North America? A car driving on a magically suspended and dramatically banked glass track? Huh? What does that say about anything automotive? And in the interest of good taste, I’ll not mention those ridiculous billboards featuring the Mini Clubman. Ouch.

Click here for video

5. The X6 Sports Activity Coupe. How could anyone look at this vehicle and think, “Yes, I want the sporting practicality of an SUV, but I want to seriously curtail the cargo capacity for the sake of a swoopy rear roofline.” Perhaps even more vain than the Hummer H2, and that’s saying something.

The BMW X6, perhaps more vain than the HUMMER H2

4. BMW Sailing. Yes, there really is a BMW sailing team. I guess that it’s a marketing boondoggle of sorts. I’m very happy that Saab hasn’t seen the need to sponsor an America’s Cup yacht.

3. Price. Let’s face facts: BMW’s are expensive cars. One can argue that Saabs aren’t cheap, but they are still not as pricy as BMW, and even if they were on par, I wouldn’t like Bimmer pricing any better — it would still be too high.

2. Reputation. (Waits for wheels to turn.) That’s right, I envy and then I don’t envy BMW’s reputation. The part of Bimmer’s rep that I wouldn’t want for Saab? The part that comes from years of stereotypes about Bimmer drivers and the machanics that fix them. Like it or not, BMW has a hallowed place as the conveyance of the rich and vacant, the chariot of the heartless corporate raider and the car of the snotty spoiled brat from Beverly Hills. The mechanics are said to equally take full advantage of these same characters, raking their wallet whenever the car needs so much as an air filter. These are connotations that I, frankly, am glad that do not fetter Saab.

1. Styling. With the exceptions of the aforementioned 2002 and 3.0 CS, I think that BMW’s are generally ugly. Certainly the Z3 and Z4 have their moments, and I think that the 1990’s 5-series sedans and 7-series coupes were good-looking cars, but the rest, especially the Bimmers of the last ten years, have been unattractive. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the front fascia of the newer 3-series cars resembles a stylized female pig. I also find it very strange that other car makers tend to copy certain elements of the BMW style “language” in their own models: the Acura TL is a great example. I wouldn’t want any other marque so closely following Saab, that’s for sure.

The 2007 Acura TL looks a lot like a Bimmer.

So there you have it, my dual top-nine list. Comments are open.

If you’re looking for some Saab stuff to delve into while Swade’s on vacation, I’ve prepared a list of suggestions:

9. “Best of TrollhattanSaab” in the lower right. “Saab are Swedish” is certainly entertaining.

8. The Spirit of Saab website.

7. The Pride of Ownership competition archives. Vaidas won!

6. The Saab Wiki at GMNext. Write something while you’re there!!

5. The chat with chief Saab designer, Anthony Lo.

4. The archives of Swade’s trip to Trollhattan about this time last year. Some great pics!

3. Ditto Swade’s trip to the Detroit autoshow earlier this year.

2. Check out all of those great mods from Hirsch. US fans need to find alternate suppliers.

1. Finally, check out the collection of Saab Videos posted on this site. Hours of enjoyment to be had. I especially like the ones with Anthony Lo and the video ride-along with Jay Leno in his Saab 93b.

Enjoy.

Oh, and one more thing: If you run out of things to read, buy a car and/or parts from Niddvale or Saab of Hunterdon or pick up that badly needed accessory from ElkParts. These people support this site; please patronize them in return.

I’m sure there are reasonable people out there for whom horses are a hobby that consumes their every thought. There are stamp collectors, gardeners, painters, trekkies, pigeon fanciers, football fans and fetishists. It takes all types to make up a world.

Me? I love to drive.

I love the connection between man and machine.

I love the way I can see so much of where I live in such a pleasurable way.

I have no idea how they do it, but I love the way engineers make everything fit. It must be a skill as some cars are so much more enjoyable to drive than others.

I love the feeling of a sweeping right-hander.

I love seeing a view open up as you pass over a crest.

I love overtaking.

I love the kick of a turbo and the breathless manner in which my Saabs get up hills.

I love a good exhaust note, especially in a tunnel.

I love a unknown road, some good music and good company. Do you need much more than that on a weekend?

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This is one of my favourite bits of road. It’s about 10 minutes or so from my place and it’s called Grasstree Hill.

View Larger Map

Grasstree Hill is one of the stages in the famous tarmac rally we have here every year, called Targa Tasmania. The event happens next month and already the do-gooding ninnies around the state are calling for it to be banned as they see it as a form of organised hooning for the rich. Don’t get me started.

We’re fortunate here in Tasmania in that we have some absolutely spectacular driving roads, most within an hour of one of our four main cities, and all pretty decently surfaced as well. It really is a driver’s paradise here.

Last weekend we took the WRX out for some filming and discovered yet another fantastic bit of road. I’m hoping to finish editing the video from that trip in the next week, but here’s a couple of screenshots to whet the appetite:

Of course, great roads are pointless if you don’t have a car that’s up to driving them.

Yet another reason why I love my Saabs. The low end torque makes getting up to speed an absolute breeze. The absolute masses of power and torque available in the Viggen make the drive exciting (ok, it’s partly because you’ve got to work so much to keep that chassis under control) and the cabin makes almost any drive a joy.

Again, it’s the total package in a Saab that makes it so worthwhile. I can leave home in my 900, be at Grasstree Hill in around 10 minutes, spend 15 minutes or so doing a return trip and then call into the hardware store on my way home and fill the hatch up with all manner of stuff to take home.

What other car gives you the best of both worlds like the Saab hatch does?

1. The name means “Thunderbolt”, which is pretty much the coolest name there is for a performance variant of a car, especially from Sweden with all the Nordic mythology and everything else.

2. It’ll sound like snobbery, but the exclusivity that comes with the Viggen badge when it’s accompanied by a package that’s available in no other Saab – means something.

3. While we’re talking about the Viggen badge – it’s awesome.

4. It has the third best seats Saab have ever put into a car. The best, IMHO are still the seats in the 9000 Aero, followed closely by the ventilated seats in the Saab 9-5 Aero from 2003. The Viggen seats, especially in my favourite blue and black – and yes, I’m biased – are visually stunning and incredibly comfortable.

5. The Viggen features Saab’s button interior and in the Australian version of the Viggen, it’s trimmed in carbon fibre. It’s an acquired taste, but it’s incredibly distinctive. The leather trim, right down to the gear knob and steering wheel, makes for a very comfortable and stimulating driving environment and the two-tone treatment is, again, quite distinct. The button controls are logically laid out, are easy to use and look absolutely awesome at night. The car’s also incredibly well equipped and has great ergonomics.

6. One of Saab’s hallmarks is an element of understatement. Considering the Viggen’s capabilities, it fits right into this understated mold. Sit it next to another Saab and you can tell there’s something special about it, no doubt. But it’s not a car that screams performance like a hotted up ricemobile or an M-Sport BMW. It’s elegant and athletic, with just a hint of what’s to come when you get behind the wheel.

7. And when you get behind the wheel, the darn thing just goes like stink!! I’ve driven fast cars that are so luxurious that they don’t feel anywhere near as fast as they really are. Audi S4, anyone? The Viggen feels every bit as fast as it is. You have to pay attention in this car if you’re planning to give it the boot, as I found out last year. At the same time, though, it’s perfectly driveable in everyday situations. It’s an extraordinarily well mannered car.

8. The Viggen, probably more than any Saab before or since, has way too much engine for the chassis. I know it might sound crazy to have this on a list like this, but the fact that you can spend a bundle on it is actually quite exciting. There are certain modifications that are needed to get this car up to it’s potential. It’s somewhat of a blight on Saab that they didn’t get it done from the get-go. But it’s also fun planning the customisations that you’re going to do in order to get things just right.

9. I’m not a GM-hater. I couldn’t run this blog if I was as like it or not, the future of Saab lies in GM’s hands. But it is special to me that the Viggen was the last major product development prior to GM taking 100% ownership of Saab in 2000. It ain’t 100% pure like the 900, but it’s close. And there hasn’t been a radical model development quite like it since. Maybe the Turbo X will take that mantle.

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The Saab 9-3 Viggen took a fair battering from the press. It’d be easy to read what they said about it and dismiss the car. But take it from me, this is one Saab with a hell of a personality.

My one hope is that the battering the car took doesn’t mean that the Viggen name is dead. Ask any owner and they’ll tell you that the beating the car took doesn’t represent how they feel about the car. But fling enough mud and some of it will stick.

“Viggen” is a worthy name for a high performance Saab and hopefully there’ll be a car in the future that’s good enough to cancel out the baggage and deliver that ownership experience again.

OK, you TrollhattanSaab freaks that can’t get enough and you’ve just got to visit during the Christmas break, here’s something to keep you very busy — maybe not in such a good way.

Here’s a quick display of the Top 9 most ricey Saabs that I have on my hard drive at the moment. For those of you that haven’t heard the term, ‘rice‘ or ‘ricey‘ it is the equivalent of “Barry Boys” in the U.K. That is, a car with overly flashy mods that may or may not have a thing to do with actual performance — mostly just being showy. I must say that some have taken these terms as somewhat pejorative against Asian makes specifically, and I’m certain that’s where the term got its start. However, as one can see in this group of photos, ricey applies in equal measure to all makes, all peoples and all continents.

Frankly, I can’t stand some of these cars — it goes against the purist in me. On the other hand, most of the cars have great elements, they simply went a little too far. Judge for yourself, it’s strictly a personal opinion, so no flame, please!!

Let’s get started, shall we?

[Read the rest of this entry →]

What a crap day!

It’s becoming increasingly clear around here that 2008 is quite possibly going to be a much different year to 2007. What that’s going to mean for Trollhattan Saab, I’m not sure right now. Things couldn’t get much worse, so they’ve got to get better, right?

So seeing I’m in such a cheery mood (NOT) I thought I’d list all the things that are annoying me right now. Maybe they’re annoying you too.

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1. The fact that with the release of the ridiculously ugly X6, BMW will have at least as many turbocharged engines as Saab, and more than twice the publicity about it.

2. The fact that Volvo ‘own’ safety and Saab have a relationship with safety that exists only in the minds of really interested parties.

3. The fact that US dealers still can’t sell Hirsch upgrades or accessories, despite Hirsch being ready to go, and covering all development and compliance costs.

4. The fact that Subaru can claim to be the only car company in Australia with a full range of 5-star ANCAP rated cars and Saab Oz can’t even respond to my email on the subject.

5. The fact that turbocharging is “the next big thing” and Saab have no firmly established Turbocharging identity outside of Sweden.

6. The fact that diesels are coming to the US and GM couldn’t read the wind and be prepared for it.

7. The fact that you can get more grunt in a Chevy HHR SS than you can with a Saab 9-3 with the same engine.

8. The fact that GM are sucking a whole lot of expertise out of Saab and giving them a shoestring budget when it comes to actually marketing and selling the cars

9. The fact that I know exactly what Turbin is going to write in comments when he reads this.

——

The good news is that there is a lot to look forward to in 2008, despite the lack of news going ’round at the moment.

The 9-4x reveal in Detroit should be somewhat exciting. News services are reporting that the 9-1 concept will shown in London in July – but they’re wrong and they’re all following each other around like a bunch of internet sheep. Let them be wrong.

Hopefully, for a bunch of readers here, there will some new Saab deliveries and amongst them will some Turbo-X’s. I’m also hoping that I’ll get a working Viggen back in my garage.

2008 will also see the Saab XWD system come to market, finally, and I’m sure you’ll join me in hoping that that leads to some increased interest in the brand.

This isn’t me signing off for the year, but given that this has been a reflecive post it’d be remiss of me to skip saying that I hope your 2007 has been a great one, and that your 2008 will be 10 times better again!

Egss n Grits has been hard at work this weekend, coming up with a couple of top 9 lists pertaining to me trying to get to Sweden in June for Saab Festival.

Very, very good.

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Top nine ways for Swade to save money on the trip to Sweden:

9. Buy tickets early for a cheaper fare.

8. Lie about his age to book at the child rate.

7. Stow away on a boat to Namibia, ask Danni to drive the rest of the way.

6. Mail himself to Namibia, ask Danni to drive the rest of the way.

5. Forge the name ‘Erik Carlsson’ on passport, then request tickets from the Saab marketing department while disguising your voice.

4. Hire yourself out as Mr. Batish’s personal valet for the trip.

3. Win the Nobel prize.

2. Waive extradition to Sweden on that long-forgotten ‘crimes against humanity’ charge.

1. Apply for political asylum at the Swedish Embassy in Canberra due to the ‘oppressive, Holden-dominant Australian tyranny’.

—–

If I fail at these though (and I’m almost willing to give a few of them a try – how much is parcel-post to Namibia these days?) then I’m going to have to do things the ‘hard’ way and save some hard-earned.

Eggs has a list for that, too….

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Top nine potential fundraisers for Swade’s trip to Sweden

9. Trollhattan Saab t-shirts (click here – SW )

8. The TrollhattanSaab.net tip jar. (resisting that urge – SW)

7. Paid drug studies. (Those needles will hurt, my friend!)

6. Insurance fraud.

5. Selling family heirlooms on eBay.

4. Selling the dog on eBay. (Never! – SW, Woof! – Charli)

3. Selling the Viggen on eBay. (Ouch – SW)

2. Begging.

1. Three words: Swade the gigolo. (At the rate I’d attract I’d have had to start in 1934 – SW)