The Saab brand that exists in my noggin is practical, durable, handsome but not in a pretty way, well-engineered, adequate performance, comfortable for driver and passengers, has personality, fun to drive. The car expects regular maintenance and likes to be owned by someone who enjoys it properly.

I don't know what brand it matches up with, which is why I hope Saab survives.

In the US, Mercedes has become almost ridiculously pretentious. Also crammed with useless and fragile electronic gadgetry.

BMW around these parts (New England) seems to be attracting more owners who like to bling their cars up. I'm not bashing this trend as much as saying that Saab owners generally don't do so, so the brands must be different.

I've driven Volvos. Swedish Buicks.

I've heard folks say that Subaru is the new Saab, but the brand of Subaru is strongly IDed with a single feature -- 4-wheel drive. True, Subie brochures actually talk about engineering, which is a plus, and up in the rock-ribbed state of Maine, an immigration of second-hand Subarus is replacing the population of second-hand Saabs. But it seems to me that this shift is attributable to the 4wd rather than a broadly based affection for the vehicle.

So I'd say Saabs are unique, which is why I'm feeling a little apprehensive these days. My missus has noticed that when I park my '99 9-5 in the driveway, I now loiter around it picking the maple leaves out from under the wipers and such, acting as if I've become increasingly aware that, after ten happy years, I'm closer to the end than the beginning. I don't know what I'd replace it with. Maybe a Mustang convertible.



posted by 72.195.141...

• What cars do you compare SAAB to?, moeman, Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:50:17
  • Oldsmobile,Pontiac,Saturn,Studebaker,Packard, U2bC, Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:38:31
    • Error...., Herb Hirsch , Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:42:31
      • and more..., Noel, Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:51:26
    • Troll alert! (nm), turrbo , Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:41:34
      • Not a troll.Been here for a decade.Just tired of crud., U2bC, Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:46:02
        • I find it hard not to be pessimistic, Mike Johnson, Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:08:25
          • Re: I find it hard not to be pessimistic, rico567, Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:48:18
        • More or less agree, Noel, Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:04:20
  • It's like two old Porsche taglines:, Noel, Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:40:57
  • Re: What cars do you compare SAAB to?, KevinM, Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:04:22 <-- Viewing This Message
  • mercedes and volvo., earthbone, Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:07:59
    • Re: mercedes and volvo., Ron, Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:28:38
  • Re: What cars do you compare SAAB to?, rico567, Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:07:47
    • Re: What cars do you compare SAAB to?, JohnA , Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:23:15
    • Re: What cars do you compare SAAB to?, SENewhouse, Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:31:53
      • Re: What cars do you compare SAAB to?, rico567, Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:09:59
        • Re: What cars do you compare SAAB to?, SENewhouse, Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:01:31

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