Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 07:44:51 -0800 From: "Bristlecone" <luciannopsamranv.net> Subject: Re: Saab losing it's identity ?!
Nicely put yourself. I think these two posts encapsulate a lot of Saab-owner thinking. And I don't think it's all lost on Saab. I remember a magazine ad campaign that Saab ran a few years ago. It showed a flock of sheep headed down a country road and a Saab driving the other way. I hope GM is paying attention. Bristlecone Angela Archer wrote in message <383C047E.55078AFEnopsam.com>... >Nicely put... <g> > >I just want to remind folks that I don't intend the following remarks to be >inflammatory. Kindly put away your napalm supply or save it for another >occasion. As this news group is a forum of sorts, please note that this is just >my humble opinion and two cents' worth. I don't think such a disclaimer would be >necessary, but it might be a good idea nevertheless. Having said this, here's >the message: > > >I bought a Saab because I wanted a car that reflected my own values as well as >my true personality, not what I want others to think they see. Although I >believe therein lies the gist of my posting, I wanted to mention that the Saab >line to me represents a practical, performing, reliable, and sexy, stylish >family of cars. Although I easily had the choice, I didn't _want_ to drive an >Audi, Volvo, or BMW. They are, in my opinion, fast becoming the rage of those >who feel a need to conform to a kind of vague "in-crowd" and impress, and to do >so can't be bothered to do their homework by shopping around. The myth of their >superiority is rapidly fading with the growing number of well designed >competition from the U.S., Japan, and, of course, the "other" Swedish >manufacturer, Saab. > >This is not to detract from their history of quality or performance, nor do I >say that these aren't good cars, but they may not be the _best_ cars for a given >individual, based on their real needs, desires, and lifestyles. Also, I enjoy >the relative obscurity that makes for a certain mystique about the Saab, >something lost on many people it would seem. When I visit a trendy area of this >or any other city, it's obvious where the mass appeal lies with upper income >earners: just look for anything that isn't an SUV and you'll predictably see the >Bimmers, Audis, and Volvos aplenty. On a positive note, however, if a lower mass >appeal seems to translate to a lower theft rate, so be it, and so it seems that >Saabs are much less often the target of thieves. > >It is a bit sad, though, that Mr. and Ms. J. Public wind up seeing so many of >these same makes of vehicles in films and on television that they would seem to >be the standard if you want to create the air of living glamorously. Ironically, >some of these same folks can't really afford the price tags, but I guess that's >just the nature of the human beast. As an item of trivia, strangely enough, >popular comedian Jerry Seinfeld often sported his convertible Saab on his hit N. >American sitcom. I was surprised that it wasn't yet another BMW rag top. Maybe >he had some sound advice on his choice of vehicles from someone impartial. > >Of the Saab drivers I know, and from what I've seen in this NG, I am more likely >to see enthusiasm, sanity, practicality, understatement, appreciation of >quality, safety and design, and a certain amount of eclecticism as being more >representative of the Saab driver philosophy. With reliability, safety, an >understated elegance, and with power and performance to spare, I'll keep banking >on Saab to give me my money's worth... > > >Regards, >Michael Gabriel > > >Gavin Haslett wrote: > >> I really don't think so... Saab has a history even with GM of bucking >> the GM trend and not bowing down to what GM management wanted. I heard >> recently that GM had asked Saab to build an SUV and the engineers at >> Saab refused on the basis that an SUV wasn't what Saab did... they do >> cars. >> >> Think of Saab as like the John Delorean of the modern GM... they don't >> necessarily do things the way GM management like... but GM leave them >> alone because whether they like it or not, Saab still bring in the money >> and build DAMNED fine cars. Just read up a little on the history of the >> GTO to see what I mean by that analogy! >> >> Saab will always retain its identity as far as I can see... they have >> to. They're still breaking new markets... and doing very well at it >> too... but still the majority of Saabs are sold to Saabophiles like the >> people in this NG. In fact Saab has one of the highest rankings as far >> as repeat customers... got to say something for the quality of their >> cars. >> >> Me? Well, when my 900 finally bites the dust (many moons from now if >> I can help it), I'll definitely buy another Saab. I love it, my SO loves >> it... and it's a fantastic family car at the same time as being a >> performance machine. Quite a delicate balancing act, and done better by >> Saab than any other manufacturer out there. >> >> As an aside... car magazines often rate Saab lower than say BMW because >> most magazines are written by performance car enthusiasts. The Saab >> lacks in performance next to its peers until it gets up to highway >> speeds... but it handles at least as well as a BMW and provides better >> hauling ability than most SUV's. Practical performance... something I >> don't think anyone does like Saab or ever will. Saab's been doing it for >> a LONG time... and they've got it right IMO. >> >> -- >> Gavin Haslett >> thumper_svxnopsamo.com >> http://www.geocities.com/thumper_svx >> "Ahhhh... Mountain Dew... nectar of the geeks!" >
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