Date: 07 Aug 2001 12:56:16 GMT From: dsjkallennopsamcom (DSJKALLEN) Subject: Re: Saab and GMC
Johannes, give the guy a break. If it were not the assocation with GM, Saab would have "teamed" - if you wish to use that word" - with someone else. It was a financial necessity. Think of the possibilities -- Saab could have become part of the Fiat or Peugeot clan, or Daimler -Chrysler, or anyone else. The bottom line is this: without financial teaming with someone, it's certainly very possible that Saab would no longer be with us at all! I've been driving Saabs since 1968, and owned a '72 99E with the Triumph-built and Dolomite-derived SOHC 4. Needless to say, when Saab took over the construction of that engine (and redesigned it), it became a much better power plant. BTW . . . I owned a new Triumph GT6 and a TR6 with the 6-cylinders from the Triumph 2000 saloon, so I'm not down on Triumph per se, but the Triumph-built engine in the 99 in no way compares to the 2.0 liter that Saab built, aliet derived from the original Dolomite design. My 2001 9-5 is the best Saab I've ever owned, GM "parts bin" parts included. I dearly love my '85 900 8-valve, and my daughter's '87 900S 16-valve (which are still daily drivers), but in many ways the 9-5 is a much better car. Only time will tell if it holds up as well as the two classic 900's have. Don