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This mornings NY times ran an article about GM plans to sell or phaseout SAAB by 2010. Interestingly the article has virtually no text discussing SAAB (no big surprise there) but it does have a chart that shows peak sales year for SAAB was in 1986 at 48,250 units vs 21,368 units for 2008. I know the 1986 900 was an awesome car but I believe the turbo version went for about $35K US vs about $8k for a more common vehicle like the Honda Civic. I'm sure the same type of car (as the 900) today would be way over what I would be willing to spend in 2008 dollars ($70K?).
I think the 93 2.0T is an excellent car for the price (there were really no valid competitors given my preferences when I was looking in late '06) but it seems to have straddled the grey zone between budget cars in the low 20s and below that attract the bulk of younger drivers to more luxury sport cars in the low $30's and above that attract folks with more cash to burn. Perhaps the 9-3 was too expensive and risky for the budget minded demographic and too "cheap" for the luxury set to "step down" to. The Aero is not quite as competitive since it merely takes the mid 20s level of car and adds some pricey upgrades (that are apparently "worth it" for those who wanted them) but the overall look and feel is mid $20s car.
I sure hope my car holds up because I will be driving it until it is no longer practical to keep it alive and enjoying it thoroughly. Perhaps someone will buy the company, but realistically, in todays economic climate who would want to buy any car company?
Pat
'07 2.0T SS
'87 900T (RIP)
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