1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
The decontenting and cheapening has been going on since GM took over almost 20 years ago. The best SAAB ever was the 1991 9000 Turbo (an Aero, but not badged "Aero" in the USA (due to GM's claim to the "Aero" trademark). That car, in addition to being the quickest SAAB ever (in part due to low gearing) had richer leather than a Jaguar, paint that seemed to be 2" thick, and the best possible materials and assembly throughout.
To their credit, GM passed through some of the savings of the cheapening. (They didn't do it to be nice, of course; they were fighting a losing battle to sel volume.) But SAABs got cheaper in real terms. The 91 9000T cost 32,000 1991 dollars. My 01 9-5 Aero cost around 32,000 2001 dollars. My 04 9-5 Aero cost 32,000 2004 dollars. And, until they finally sold out, the last run of 9-5 Aeros (or "Sports" or whatever) cost 32,000... you get the idea. (I refer to "street" prices in the era of ever-increasing incentives.)
So the issue for those of us who don't have the time, patience and/or skill to work on our own cars is, do we buy a new car every 4 or 5 years to get reliability? Or do we hire a good indy to remanufacture a classic 1991 9000T? And, if the latter, is it likely that it can be done for less than $40k, or more?
I'll probably get a new or almost new car in the next year or so. And chances are it will not be a SAAB. What a shame.
But the market has voted. For all the talk of "green" cars, the market decided to shun the one car that has been "green" for decades, SAAB, with its low displacement, turbocharging, high mileage, and sophisticated engine controls that reduce emissions while improving every other aspect of performance. The market just did not demand vary many 91s, or 00's, or even SAABs, period.
Too bad.
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