Preview: Turbo X Enthusiasm

I can't wait for SAAB to deliver a new 9-5 after this TurboX. THAT'S THE CAR THAT WOULD MAKE THE BRAND TAKE OFF!

I can't wait to see this new car.

However, Saab still needs plenty of work to regain its respect in the industry.

If GM can produce the Opel/Vauxhall Vectra as a sedan and a 5-door, why not the 9-3? And why not a 3-door version as well?

I know that Saab is trying to find new customers with the sedan and SportCombi, and granted, I own a 900 sedan myself, the brand has alienated its core buyers through the lack of hatchback models.

Saabs have always stood for safety, durability, reliability, and versatility. They've been built with a different set of values in mind than other cars are.

And while I'm glad to see a return to the clamshell hood and an emphasis on the floor-mounted ignition, these two attributes do not a Saab make.

Yes, definitely progress the division into modern times. The past doesn't need to be clung to for its own sake. But what worked in the past should remain.

Those things gave customers reasons to buy Saabs over Volvos, BMWs, Benzes, and Audis.

What "things" am I talking about? I'm talking about curved windshields, hatchback-accessed cargo areas, heated seats as standard equipment (my '89 900 is a base model and they came standard and turn on automatically for both front seats), heavier gauge steel, bumpers that could withstand mild impacts with no damage (even to the paint!), knee collision protection, and an easily servicable engine bay.

And as you well know, we need a new 9-5, a replacement for the 9-7X that isn't just badge-engineered, and a new smaller car to fit under the 9-3.

I'd buy that smaller Saab if you made it.

Nice to see some enthusiasm about Saab. Unfortunately, GM has taken so long to truly address the catastrophic situation that the competition is now light years ahead. Could'nt help but admire the new class C Mercedes. Must be the clam shell hood! I fully realize GM had a lot on it's plate before it could get to Saab so I guess late is better than never. I hope Saab comes back to it's core value and does not go overboard with electronic gismos, which pretty damn lost Mercedes. Of course buying Chrysler didn't help either. A Saab should remain the safest, comfortable, practical, fun car to drive while not being a gas guzzler. On that topic, I wish Saab became GM's window for new propulsion systems. Good luck and yes, a new 9-5 is desperately needed.

Sounds like its going to be a great car.
How about some pictures. I know that you do not want to put any pictures of it before the show but how about after. I never see nearly enough pictures on this site

Thanks

Steve Shannon said: "Saab really rocked in the mid-80s, beating sales records month after month, reaching an all-time high in 1986. Saab had cult car status."

Mr Shannon,

Would it be impolite of me to point out that those glory days in the mid-80's were well before GM had anything to do with SAAB?

Respectfully,

Gary Dikkers

Steve, I would like to agree 100% with "inline6". Current Saabs are nice, but not truly compelling. Take some of this advice, and I think I could consider one.

Steve,

I just love the Saab story.

Born from jets.

Looking forward to seeing a classic come back as always.

Because the consumer does not just buy a car, they are buying the brand itself.

In a very short time GM is creating strong brands with a world class reputation like Hummer's success in Australia and Buick's success with your Enclave.

When Saab gets its crossover(s) it will be on top and finally growing sales like the big boys and you will be high fiveing your crew before you know it.

Just work on those crossovers and let's enforce and grow Saab's reputation and expertise around green technologies in this era of heightened awareness and high oil prices.

Somebody needs to stick a fork in Saab. It's done.

GM really needs to cut a few brands to make the remaining ones viable.

Merge Buick and Pontiac into Chevy, merge Hummer and GMC, and merge Saturn Opel Vauxhall and Saab.

Then pick the best cars of each brand and make them better.

Everyone seems to have a prescription for Saab. Here's my two cents:

The 9-3 will never truly compete with the benchmark 3-series, and that's okay, it doesn't have to. It's just fine slotted in there with the Volvos and upper-level VWs of the world.

It has the speed, the handling, the looks, excellent MPGs, and the features, but it's lacking in one major area: refinement.

If the 9-3 is going to be taken seriously, the interior needs some serious revamping. Slapping the parts-bin interior into the 2007 9-3 wasn't a bad move (love the feel of the wheel), but it's not nearly enough, and it failed to remove the cheapness factor. The plastic, especially that smooth dash-face plastic, is economy-grade. That "Smart Slot," which no one uses, feels like an afterthought part that just comes off with a misplaced hand. And the mixture of wood and metal accents in the Arc models is ridiculous. One or the other, folks.

Long-term quality is key, too. My 2003 9-3 Arc has more rattles, squeaks, and groans at 66,000 miles than my 86 Acura did at 190,000. I've had to have the headlights rewired, an oil leak patched, various loose bolts and panels replaced or silenced, and much, much more (all at GM's expense--at least the CPO warranty is good).

Despite this, I love this car, and I love being a "Saab guy," even if that means less than it did in the 80s. But I am considering defecting when it's time to upgrade, because I don't want to have to deal with the same issues again--not on another $35k car. It's unnacceptable.

I have to agree with wdd. I think your assessment is the best I have ever read on Saab. I feel exactly the same way about our 9-5 by the way.

I'm new to Saab but after testing a new 9-3 I decided to order a 08 SportCombi with a manual. My friends tell me this is going to affect depreciation value but I found this car to be the perfect solution for my family. We have a dog, a 10 year old and an active lifestyle. Also, I like sports cars and my wife care about safety so we found this car to be perfect for all of us. The 4 cylinder turbo is quick and fuel consumption is good. Hopefully my long term experience will be a good one. My wife likes Honda/Acura products and getting the Saab was a risky proposition from her point of view but the good safety scores convinced her. If the car is as reliable as our past and present Honda/Acura we will stay with Saab.

A few things of note

1) Power with Fuel Economy? Is it going to be a class leader?

2) Will the Blah performance of a FWD continue, or will there be some zip and spunk built in?

3) Will the price be based on a higher European Currency or will it be affordable safety and reliability for most Amercans?

I love SAABs but I remember the horrible quality issues they displayed, I remember them being ill-suited for Southern US heat and I am shocked by the sticker price (just as with any Euro model at this point).

I read today that G.M. is coming out with a car called the Beat. Does that mean you'll be using the Sonny and Cher song, And The Beat Go's On? Also, there's a video on youtube with a 1964 Impala convertable in it that I think you ought to see. Its by Fergie, and its called,Clumsey. Its really cool!

Thanks, Corto. I've driven around 25 different 9-3s, Linears and Arcs, from MYs 2003 to 2007; GM should be paying me to study them!

cxv, your friends have a point; when I traded in a 2005 9-3 Linear with a stick, one of the first items of contention on the trade was that "no one wants a luxury car with a stick." Now, it was a short-term trade; I'd only had the car for a very short period of time, but a $31k car ($26k after the GM employee discount) traded in at $19k. Ouch. I doubt that the stick is really going to affect the value if you hold on to the car for a while.

Anyway, your wife is right: the Saab is not going to be nearly as reliable in the long-term as a Honda or Acura, nor is it going to retain its value in the same way. I speak as a former Honda and Acura owner, and current Saab owner. At least the safety is there!

Steve: I haven't been impressed with a Saab in 20 years. I've owned three pre-GM 900s and a 1993 900. I have more horsepower in my modified 1988 than the 2008 2.0T 9-3.
That being said, I was impressed enough with the Turbo-X to put down a deposit. The new engine and drive train do put Saab back where the brand was 20 years ago. I'm looking forward to driving it.