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, Sat, 11 Jan 2003 16:39:43
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Yes, I prefer the 99/900 styling cues. Yes, I would prefer new cars evolving those styling cues. Yes, I think the 9-5 could be better with those styling cues.
I'm actually making two points in my previous post:
1) SAAB is all over the styling map.
2) I agree with andy that the 9-3SS is too much of a "me too" sedan.
Taking the first point, SAAB is all over the styling map. The late 9000 was a logical progression of the early 9000 (and I agree with you that it was better looking and, I think, a little less generic). If that was going to be the new styling direction, then so be it. The 9-5 should have been a progression of that and the new 9-3 should have also shared themes. I'm arguing that this theme sharing that most European manufacturers do is a good thing and I think SAAB should do it.
They didn't do that. Instead, the 9-5 went back to the older styling cues seeming to reassert the identity with those styling cues, then just a few years later they come out the the 9-3SS which is in an even different direction. On this point, I'm just asserting that they need shared styling direction to facilitate a shared indentity much the way all the other European manufacturers do. Period.
As for point 2. We simply disagree aesthetically. I don't think the world need another "me too" sedan. I don't particularly like the styling direction and think that it is too vanilla. As much as I think Bangle is screwing things up at BMW, he is doing what he is doing so that BMWs are sure to have an identity and not become plain vanilla. With the 9-3SS, in my opinion, SAAB has gone the opposite direction and tried to become plain vanilla.
Let's face it, SAAB sells about 35,000 cars a year in the US. Being a johny-come-lately to the "me too" sport sedan market is not going to make a big enough splash. The similarly powered IS300, 3.0 FWD A4, or 9-3SS Vector all cost about the same. SAAB needs to find a market an give them a compelling reason to buy the 9-3 instead.
With the A4 typically placing 2nd in just about every review (with the BMW 3 placing first), putting out a car that says "hey look over here, for about the same money you can buy this 9-3 and it is trying to be what those cars are" is not going to get you big sales. Audi gave a reason for people to buy thier cars: it handles and performs almost as good as a BMW for a little bit less money and, by the way, you can get this cool quattro thing! I just don't see a story to tell with the 9-3. Do something unique! I think one of those unique elements should be styling. Find a market and give them a compeling reason to buy your car.
Dave D
90 SPG
03 9-5
posted by 66.167.14...
, Sat, 11 Jan 2003 12:53:09, Sat, 11 Jan 2003 16:39:43, Sun, 12 Jan 2003 14:36:52
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