We have owned over 30 vehicles in the 40 plus years that my wife and I have been driving. Several of them have been GM products, and three have been Saabs, a 1974 99, a 2003 9-5, and the 2005 9-5 Aero that we now own. At this time, our stable also includes a Dodge truck, a Jeep Wrangler, a Ford van, and a Porsche Boxster. Yes, we're a "more vehicles than drivers" family!

I like to shift my own gears, and so does my wife. And not with steering wheel paddles or joysticks, either. That limits our choices, and is one big reason why we went with the 9-5's. There simply are not many other premium sedans/wagons out there that offer a manual transmission.

If Saab wasn't around, I don't know of any other GM products that would be a suitable replacement for the 9-5 Aero. The Cadillac CTS is available with a stick, but I don't like the way it looks. The new Pontiac G8 is supposed to be available with a manual, but I don't think I would want to replace the sweet turbo 2.3 Saab with a big V8.

As a native of Detroit, I like to support American car companies, but if they don't offer vehicles that appeal to me, I buy something else. That has included in the past several VW, Audi, Volvo, and Mercedes Benz vehicles (all but one, a 300D, had manual transmissions). So, if Saab is not around when it's time to replace the 9-5 Aero, I will probably look to BMW, Audi, VW, or, maybe, Volvo. I wonder if the new Porsche Panamera will come with a manual, and, if so, what it will cost...?

John.

posted by 75.174.24...

http://www.saabnet.com/tsn/bb/9-5/index.html?bID=118885

• OK, here's my informal poll question---, Bill H., Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:56:39
  • ok, in case anyone from GM reads this, John in Bismarck, Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:09:46 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Am I the only one..., Caarma , Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:27:57
  • GM is probably not going to dump Saab but..., turrbo , Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:13:21
    • Re: GM is probably not going to dump Saab but..., Erik919kt, Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:15:23
    • Re: If GM turn around effort fail...., Red93SEInBrklyn, Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:30:46
  • Can't think of a single GM vehicle that appeals, ursaw, Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:49:40
  • Most recent news is no dumping of Saab..., Scott Paterson , Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:16:11
  • Many other GM products to consider- Saturn, Cadillac, Caarma , Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:13:33
  • Nope, I would run very quickly to Audi., B Millar , Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:34:12
  • Consider another GM brand ?, JMJ in NC, Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:45:27
  • So many issues, so little time..., Noel, Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:40:37
    • Ridiculously overpriced, no...., mikef, Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:04:57
  • Having bought 2, Mattias.se, Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:35:26
  • Re: OK, here's my informal poll question---, Seanster, Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:30:26
    • Re: Saab is a brand misunderstood...., Red93SEInBrklyn, Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:54:26
  • I wouldn't PUNISH GM for dropping SAAB, Aero'ed, Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:52:48
  • Re: OK, here's my informal poll question---, DE , Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:51:38
  • I would look at GM, but more at others., Mike in Anchorage, Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:09:45
  • Re: OK, here's my informal poll question---, steve, Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:12:46
    • SAAB is an afterthought, PT, Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:11:17
    • What's good for GM is good for America, PT, Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:50:49
      • Re: What's good for GM is good for America, steve, Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:24:47

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