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Re: Questionable about Saabs too though Posted by Randy Thatcher [Email]  (#22)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Randy Thatcher) on Mon, 7 Mar 2005 13:30:38
In Reply to: Questionable about Saabs too though, Carolyn, Mon, 7 Mar 2005 09:45:14 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
They're "quirky", people don't know much about them, and they cost more. Seems to me there are people who want to drive appliances that are cheap and have a good value (japanese sedans). Then there's another group who want performance cars or image cars (BMW, MB, Lexus). Then there's the old guy car crowd (Lincoln, Caddy, etc). Minivan's for the kids (which are great - handle like a car, haul tons, easy to park, and ok milage for the size of vehicle). The SUV crowd... I won't pretend to understand...
SAAB doesn't fit any of those. It's more mid priced/entry luxury so it's probably off the list of the average Honda/Nissan/Toyota shopper. Seems to me many BMW owners look down their noses at our cars. I don't know what volvo did to get the bigger numbers, but I'm sure it's been there persistance on safety. They have the image. SAAB could probably do better if they focused advertising on safety and not dress shopping or airport baggage claims.
SAAB is on the right track going for the Volvo/Audi/BMW market for more sales volume. That's probably the sweet spot, but how do you get more market share? I think in today's day and age you need more power and possibly AWD. Many people I know buy on specs alone. If the SAAB HP ratings aren't even close to the competition, some folks won't even consider buying one.
So why do we buy them? Why do I own 3, and have had another before? Well, they're not cheap to buy or maintain (buying used helps, though)... It's been said a million times before, but turbo perforance, utility, and safety. I also love the seats, ergonomics, and balanced road feel. Not quite like a go-cart, but sportier than most sedans on the road. SAAB is the single best road trip car I've driven, too. I think the seats are key for this. The only seats I've liked better are Volvo seats.
If I were to leave SAAB, one of the rental cars I've enjoyed is the Maxima. But the seats suck, the thing guzzles gas, and I hate the interior. The only Toyota I enjoyed is the MR2, but it's not practical. The celica is fun, but underpowered and not too practial. Perhaps an Infiniti G35 would be a nice car to check out, but I'm sure it's a gas hog, too. I had a C-Class Benzo rental for a week and I was not very impressed. It's a nice enough car, but performance wasn't there.
Actually, I'd consider the following for gas milage, but safety and performance lack in all cases: scion xB, matrix, pontiac vibe, corolla, prius, or civic. They'd be great no-frills commuter cars. They'd also support my business of automating their plants. I'm kinda biting that hand that feeds me by buying SAAB.
my vicodin induced $0.02
Randy - with a fresh dental implant
, Mon, 7 Mar 2005 13:30:38 <-- Viewing This Message
, Mon, 7 Mar 2005 11:29:37, Mon, 7 Mar 2005 12:45:21
, Mon, 7 Mar 2005 10:44:38, Sun, 6 Mar 2005 20:19:03, Sun, 6 Mar 2005 20:16:20
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