Sat in one this morning...

[lbh2315]

Obsevations:

- Great front end, very smooth lines, very Saab

- Sweet sounding engine, bet it drives great

- Very swift low to ground look, good exterior fit and finish

- Interior
- how was that as a description, it is Trailblazer and GM city in there, the only thing that even idenitifes that it is a Saab is the middle ignition, but even that is GMified, the radio is classic Chevy, the controls classic Chevy, the steering wheel is classic Chevy, the seats are class Chevy
- yes, the interior is nice and has a definite upscale look to it - but you just know right away this is not a Saab - and is not European

My overall take - this car is going to be a nightmare of 9-2x proportions
- It would sell very well at 30K
- It would sell pretty well at 35K
- It will barely sell at 40K
- Saab will have sales numbers at 9-2x levels at anything over 40K

At just over 40K, you can get into a Volvo XC90, an Infiniti FX35, a loaded BMW X3, a base BMW X5, an Acura MDX, a new Mercedes, or an SRX. And now we want to try and sell a 43K Trailblazer. Just not going to happen. WHo is the market for this car? True Saabophiles will NOT like it. Those looking to spend 40-45K will definitely take a look at it - and when they compare to the others in the price range, I can bet you dollars to donuts that other salespeople point out that it is merely a rebadged Trailblazer. I don't know about you, but I take the Volvo or the Beemer in a heartbeat. This is a really bad move for Saab. The service manager at my dealership told me this morning that next years version would have Saab seats, better dash, Saab leather, etc. Why not do that this year at the launch - instead you are going to alienate many potential buyers and also get VERY VERY VERY VERY ngative press - all of whom will say this is nothing more than a better Trailblazer.

[Lodro]

Originally Posted by lbh2315

The service manager at my dealership told me this morning that next years version would have Saab seats, better dash, Saab leather, etc. Why not do that this year at the launch - instead you are going to alienate many potential buyers and also get VERY VERY VERY VERY ngative press....

Wow, do I agree with you. No Saab leather? With no EPS, STRIKE TWO (at least). Why not take the time and get it right?? My wife has been driving the Viggen and I just sat in it for the first time in a long time. OMG, its the leather smell that half makes that car. I never fail to get comments on it from people who haven't been in a Saab before.

Originally Posted by lbh2315

Why not do that this year at the launch - instead you are going to alienate many potential buyers and also get VERY VERY VERY VERY ngative press - all of whom will say this is nothing more than a better Trailblazer.

What about the 5000 people who signed up for the free OnStar and XM for the car? They aren't alienated by the standard GM knobs and such. Yes, if you sit in it all the time there are certain things that will remind you it's not a true Saab. But it looks better than the Rainier, Envoy Denali, and a loaded Trailblazer for one thing. I prefer it over the Volvo, because I think that's the most sterile cabin this side of 40 grand. And I think there is just enough Saab ingenuity (the key slot, the vents, the cupholder) to show this isn't your average SUV, but at the same time, make those who feel too strange in a 9-5 or 9-3 feel right at home.

When I sat in it, I wasn't especially fond of the beige leather on the black plastic panels, but that's just something subjective. It's better built and designed than the Chevy or Volvo, and some of the controls feel better than that of the 9-3 and 9-5. My only suggestion would be the seats, since I could really feel the difference between the 9-5 and 9-7, but they were still relatively comfortable.

[candiazoo]

A Nashua couple was picking up their new Caddy in Manchester... they realized they had not pressed the "OnStar" (you know the deal, you press the button on the right car and you win it)... they did it and won another car!!!!

Heh. What would you do with 2 caddies?

Sorry for the GM/onstar related aside.