SAAB - the end of an era?

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

007fair

Senior Member
Location
Glasgow Brr ..
pre GM SAAB had an identity. GM onwards this identity slowly eroded until they couldn't keep up with the Germans for desirability, or the far East for every thing else.
Shame - but they are not the first or the last. Its capitalism baby.
 

yello

Guest
I had a 1986 900i and loved it. Yes, it was heavy (solid I'd have said ;)), thirsty and generally relatively expensive to run but I liked the way it drove and I loved the looks/style - still do. I used to take it to a specialist garage in Walthamstow for services and they were good at keeping costs down.

I know Saab are having problems and have had them in the past but it does look like the end of the road for them. I'll miss their styling.
 

Proto

Legendary Member
General motors killed Saab with mediocrity. Shame.

First they put it into intesnsive care with mediocrity, but finally killed it by refusing to allow any Chinese investment.

Two Chinese companies were very interested in buying part or all of SAAB, going as afar as putting in many millions of Euros whilst negotiations took place. When finally all seemed agreed, GM point blank refused to allow any of their technology to be used by a Chinese competitor. Game over.

First SAAB I drove was a 99 back in the seventies, when I was a teenager. Loved it. More recently had a 9-3 2.0t, and loved that too. I sort of inherited a Volvo V50 D5, a fine car but it wasn't quite big enough and it was very thirsty (fabbo engine though, serious grunt), and I finally got peed off with the Geartronic transmission, so looked around for alternatives. The V70 was the obvious choice but after driving a couple, I couldn't find any enthusiasm for buying one. I just didn't want one. So I went looking for a SAAB.

So, I currently drive a 2008 9-5 Vector Sport TiD estate, and I love it. Big', comfy, economical, fastish, style and character. Can't think of a car I'd rather have.
 
Top Bottom