Only new Saab was our first, bought in Salem, MA in 1984. Had to wait a month to get it! Then it hung around as a daily driver for 19 years, finally donated it when it hit 20. Never saw the dealer after the warranty ended in '86 or '87. It was DIY or an indy the rest of the time.

Next was 7-year-old '96 9K. The a 9 yr old 9K. Then a CPO '03 9-5, then an '99 9-3. All are still running and 90% of maintenance is DIY. None will ever see a dealer. And only the 9-5 came from a dealer.

Cars built to last and that have "just enough technology" work well for our family. I don't care who makes the car, I don't want to have to go to a dealership, and I want to be able to run a car to 200K. And I'm perverse enough to *like* having an older car with a bunch of miles.

One of my clients is a German digital press manufacturer that builds very long-lasting machines. So much so that it makes it harder for them to sell new ones to existing (loyal) customers. Same kind of problem.

OTOH, the old Saab biz model of decade-long model life has affected the company big time, and GM did nothing to help the situation. As others note, the constant flow of new models from Japan has helped make them more successful and made cars more of a style/fashion statement than they were before.

In some ways the demise of Saab is the also the end of an era.

• Maybe we're to blame, No Snaab, Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:43:42
  • I'm not sure on this. Any CFO here?, Siegfried, Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:13:17
  • My view..., Otis, Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:50:45
  • Re: Maybe we're to blame, Bob Bitchen, Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:23:26
  • Not my fault!, Pat, Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:13:31
  • Insightful. I know many folks that buy new though., Mike Johnson, Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:08:18
  • So then, if Saab was to do what every other, bender , Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:18:08
    • Re: So then, if Saab was to do what every other, No Snaab, Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:01:03
      • Subarus, Erik919kt, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:08:47
    • And, also, I understand your point but, bender , Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:24:13
  • Owned 12. 3 have been new., Saabpilot , Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:17:01
  • Re: Maybe we're to blame, swede-murphy , Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:21:20
    • True on MB and BMW, but they have, Noel, Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:51:40
  • I guess I'm guilty as charged, Noel, Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:45:28 <-- Viewing This Message
    • I bought a new one......, Mark from Toronto, Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:42:06
      • I tried to buy a new one past spring, pony, Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:56:32
  • Re: Maybe we're to blame, EGD , Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:03:54
    • I'm definitely to blame!, James, Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:43:59
  • Re: Maybe we're to blame, ToddF, Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:55:16
  • good post! <nm>, Scott Paterson , Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:08:45
  • There are some pretty old Honda's on the road as well., Mark from Toronto, Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:35:17
    • Re: There are some pretty old Honda's on the road as well., kkelley, Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:37:15
    • GM killed saab, fraero95, Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:52:29

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