Date: 11 Feb 1999 16:15:42 -0500 From: lparkernopsamy.edu (Lloyd R. Parker) Subject: Re: SAAB 9-5 or Charysler 300M ?
Mark Orr (morrnopsamu.caS*) wrote: : A couple of things to say on this, the LHS and its brethren are all very : impressive designs, Chrysler leads auto design right now. Chryco has always had : a poor (and deserved) reputation for manufactring quality. I also wager you : will get better service from a Saab dealer then a Chrysler dealer. The 300 M is : a bigger car though. While the styling is excellent, my guess is that it will : start to look "old" well before the classic lines of the 9-5. In the way a 63 Chevy's styling is classic? Put a 9-5 side by side with most any sedan from the past 30 years and get people to tell them apart. The Saab says "generic sedan" from all angles. At least the 9-3 has some unique styling cues. GM seems to homogenize everything these days. : The 9-5 is : particularly good looking in light colours that bring out its subtle lines. I : think the Saab will be the more satisfying car in the longer term, regardless : of your initial instincts. Besides, its much cooler to say "I drive a Saab" : then "I drive a Chrysler", so I think the Saab wins on snob appeal. I'd guess 80% of the public has no real idea of what "sob" means except "to cry." OTOH, Chrysler is a recognized, somewhat prestigious nameplate. Face it, the only foreign nameplates the public perceives as prestigious are Mercedes, BMW, Ferrari, Porsche, Jaguar, and Rolls-Royce. Maybe you can add Lexus to the list.