Is Subaru Saab's Saving Grace?

[IAMCANADIAN]

Some of us might be skeptical of this decision after seeing the 9-2x, it is a good car, but it lacks any saab-ness whatsoever except for the styling. The 9-6x is supposed to look like the 9-X concept, which is better than the Tribeca body in which the 9-6x's platform is derived from. The interior however, is supposedly going to be the Tribeca's. But Saab and Subaru are working together to work on this car, so the interior should hopefully be more saab than subaru. The 9-2x wasn't what we thought it would be, and even GM admits they rushed into it, but rest assured the next gen 9-2x should look much more saab, according to GM. Some good points about working with Subaru is that Saab can use Subaru's AWD platforms for SUVs and Wagons without having to spend money designing new architectures. In fact the Saab 9000 was a fiat platform and Saab's platforms today are related to opel's and other GM's in many ways. Plus the fact that Subaru's are a bit quirky as well which will create a more balance between the two since Saab's are very quirky in a good way and that quirkyness has had great customer retention, but it isn't always easy to get those buyers that GM desperately hopes for. A few little things about the 9-7x some have complained about that I'll clear up for you guys. The nightpanel feature isn't on the 9-7x, this feature has been around in Saab's for 12 years, why doesn't the 9-7x have them? Well GM said that they were going to have it but they would have to re-work the whole electrical system which wasn't worth it since most people don't use it, we have owned 2 Saab's and haven't used it once. Some have complained that the 9-7x doesn't have turbocharged engines, well the engines that are used in it have a lot of power and it wouldn't make sense to put a turbocharged 4-cylinder or 6-cylinder in there when they can use perfectly good engines. Remember as well that not all saab's had turbo, that was only available on top of the line Saab's. Finally, who cares that the 9-7x's roots are from the Trailblazer's, some could say that the 9-3 is essentially a more upscale version of the malibu, that's almost like the 9-7x, yes, the body is somewhat similar, but the interior is quite different, the chassis is lowered, it's got AWD, in the end, it's quite a different car than its siblings. Therefore it's quite clear that Subaru is going to be Saab's saving grace and hopefully will attract new buyers while keeping current ones. To prove that the 9-7x attracts Saab loyalists, I asked my mom on what she thought of the 9-7x she liked it, it felt like a true saab to her but it has more versatility, I told her that it's an envoy that's been heavily saab-ified and she said she didn't notice it, she said it feel sporty and would easily consider one. So maybe GM is doing good with Saab, forget about the 9-2x, focus on the other models that will be coming in the future.

[mgescuro]

I think 9-7X pre-order have exceeded expectations and is higher than the sales of the 9-2X in its first year. That in and of itself is a very good thing.

Having driven the 9-7X, it does feel very "Saab-y." THe leather is SRX level. The dash materials are high quality. THe wood is a very good looking fake wood. Etc. Most magazines have thought it was a respectable attempt. It does need to be MORE differentiated from Ranier and Envoy, but it's not too bad.

I don't agree with using the Tribeca interior on the 9-6X. As nice as it may look in photos... it really isn't very Saab-like.

I really want NightPanel back in the Saabs. I used to laugh about this feature, but it is quite helpful when driving. I use it consistently.

Oh well.. looks like Saabs are deterioriating slowly.

[1BadPig]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Oh well.. looks like Saabs are deterioriating slowly.

Especially with the new front end/nose job...

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by 1BadPig

Especially with the new front end/nose job...

Ain't that the truth!!
THey're supposed to be moving towards the nose as seen on the 9-X and 9-3X.... but I just don't see it.

My only hope is that the car is still camo'd.... and that really isn't the nose of the new 9-5. And that Saab is just fooling around with using the corporate radio and climate controls. Cause it's just too sad to see that in the 9-5.

[gmsickofan]

Some of us might be skeptical of this decision after seeing the 9-2x, it is a good car, but it lacks any saab-ness whatsoever except for the styling.

I disagree. What's not Saab about a turbocharged 4-banger in a quirky little 5-door hatchback......from a minor manufacturer related to GM?

The 9-7x is the one that's not Saabish - it has a pushrod V8 rumbling underhood in a truckish SUV.

[IAMCANADIAN]

Originally Posted by gmsickofan

I disagree. What's not Saab about a turbocharged 4-banger in a quirky little 5-door hatchback......from a minor manufacturer related to GM?

The 9-7x is the one that's not Saabish - it has a pushrod V8 rumbling underhood in a truckish SUV.

a flat 4, the ignition position, seat comfort are what makes it lack any real saab-ness. The 9-7x does have a pushrod V8, but they have used OHV engines in the past, naturally aspirated engines have been used in Saab's before, there's no need for a turbocharged 4 in this SUV.

[IAMCANADIAN]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

I don't agree with using the Tribeca interior on the 9-6X. As nice as it may look in photos... it really isn't very Saab-like.

I really want NightPanel back in the Saabs. I used to laugh about this feature, but it is quite helpful when driving. I use it consistently.

Oh well.. looks like Saabs are deterioriating slowly.

The 9-3 still has nightpanel, the 9-5 will most likely still have it, saab's aren't really deteriorating slowly, the 9-6x MIGHT have the tribeca interior, but considering the fact that Saab and Subaru are working together, we really have to wait and find out, these are only rumors too, I agree though that the Tribeca interior isn't saab like, the new 9-2x is supposed to be more saab as well. The new 9-5 might have the GM corporate radio, that fuzzy pic that I saw looked as if they are still in the design process, when's this thing coming out anyways? is it for 2006 or 2007? Since the 9-5 is virtually the same, the nightpanel thing should stay, only the 9-7x doesn't have it because the electrical system would have to be re-worked, but like I said before, most people don't use it, some yes but probably not all and remember that the feature hasn't always been a saab thing, the grand prix has it too now with the HUD, the ignition position, seat comfort, engineering and FWD are what make saabs, well, saabs. On another note to some users who are all for RWD in every GM vehicle you can find, Saabs are not RWD, never have been and never will be RWD, FWD is good in the snow, don't you dare tell me it isn't, Saab has been able to control torque-steer, plus Saabs are considered to be the best handling cars in the world, that's what they're known for and they're FWD. The snow thing, FWD cars are generally better in the snow than RWD cars, some RWD cars are good in the snow like the Mazda MPV we had, but my eye doctor was going to buy a G35 Coupe but test drove it in the snow and the thing was doing donuts down the street, same thing happened with my dad when he bought a Corvette in the late 70's and the same thing happened in the snow and he used to be a cop and they learn how to drive properly in all conditions. Where FWD gives you better traction, like RWD you can turn into a skid, although some may say it isn't true, I've been in a FWD and the driver did it and the car was fine, plus saab's have stability control which gives you aid in all sorts of situations which allow winter driving to be even better.

[1BadPig]

Originally Posted by IAMCANADIAN

Saab has been able to control torque-steer

Have you ever driven the previous generation Viggen? From what I've read it (torque steer) was a beast to handle.

[IAMCANADIAN]

Originally Posted by 1BadPig

Have you ever driven the previous generation Viggen? From what I've read it (torque steer) was a beast to handle.

the 9-5 aero has 250 HP and doesn't have any from what journalists say, our 9-5 arc doesn't have any

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by 1BadPig

Have you ever driven the previous generation Viggen? From what I've read it (torque steer) was a beast to handle.

It was a beast to handle.. but once you got used to that characteristic and learned when and where to expect it, it actually proved to be a ton of fun driving!!!

[1BadPig]

Here is a picture of the Viggen beast...



j/k



Here is what C&D says about 2001 Viggen

Originally Posted by CAR&DRIVER

The 9-3 Viggen will continue to overpower its front wheels with 230 hp in three-door, five-door, and convertible configurations. http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=1

[IAMCANADIAN]

Originally Posted by 1BadPig

Here is a picture of the Viggen beast...



j/k



Here is what C&D says about 2001 Viggen

yah but look at the Viggen's 0-60 time, 6.2 Seconds!!! I think also since the 9-5 and new 9-3 are a bit heavier, they overcome the torque steer

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by IAMCANADIAN

the 9-5 aero has 250 HP and doesn't have any from what journalists say, our 9-5 arc doesn't have any

There is a little torque steer. It just takes time to adapt. The Arc doesn't have it as much as the 9-5 Aero... but it's there. Once you really floor it, it will kick in. And you will be totally surprised at first. THe 5-spd tranny does a lot to control it, compared to the 4-spd auto w/ the sport setting prior to 2002.

[1BadPig]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

It was a beast to handle.. but once you got used to that characteristic and learned when and where to expect it, it actually proved to be a ton of fun driving!!!

I agree. I had a first generation Honda CRX Si... talk about torque steer! It was fun

[IAMCANADIAN]

I love the sport mode in the 9-5, it gives you a lot of ooomph, if i could afford the insurance, i would've gotten a 9-3 Viggen, but I kinda hoped it would have an auto as well as a 5-speed since i love that sport mode, but with a 0-60 of 6.2 Seconds, who needs it, how is the 2.0L 205 HP SE model for acceleration with auto?