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well, we might not see the (GM) discounting that we were used to seeing on Saabs going forward ($10k), but the price gap is still not that big between Saabs and Subarus up here in Canada (so numbers below are in Canadian $, roughly on par with US, except cars cost more here):
If you want an Outback with leather seats + any level of performance comparable to a Saab, you're looking at 6 cylinders and >$38k msrp. The 2.5L non-turbo is 170hp and 170lb-ft of torque and only gets that torque at higher RPMs... it's been ages since we've seen a Saab with those numbers. the 3.6L looks better on paper, but may still lack low end torque. I've driven older big engine Subies + not been impressed. We put 3000+ miles on a modern 4 cylinder Legacy wagon 2 years ago, and it was gutless on the highway (with terrible fuel economy).
If you want a Forester, to get anywhere comparable engine performance to a Saab, you're looking at a 2.5XT, which is the turbo version + has leather seats. BUT, the Forester handles exactly how you'd expect an SUV built on a compact platform to handle... terribly. We put 3000+ miles on a non-turbo Forester last summer + hated every minute of it! No comparison to a Saab.
Fit + finish on the Subies is good (though the seating is poo), and now that they have a CVT automatic, the fuel efficiency should be better (so long as it is reliable). The ones I drove were all 4 speed automatic rentals, geared for stoplight racers, gutless on the highway, and lousy fuel economy. Stick saves the day to a large extent (according to my many Subie driving friends who hate auto-Subies), but wasn't available as rentals. The AWD is nice, but I've never needed it in a Saab, and I drive in a lot of snow. Clearance is the bigger advantage, and that is the biggest appeal to me of the 9-3x!
In contrast, over the past couple years, you could easily get a 9-3 here for $28k, more for the xwd versions. 9-5 ran mid 30's. Discounting on Subarus here is $1k at most. Used, off lease, the same age, same mileage, same condition, 9-3 vs base model impreza (ie cloth seats) are the same bloody price!
Why does anybody buy those things?!? Easy. Subaru buyers are lemmings. They go straight to the subie dealer + buy another. Or compare vs a Toyota. Subarus outsell Saabs 10 to 1 (or more!!) around here, and I bet less than 1% of those Subie drivers ever even sat in a Saab, let alone test drove one. I can't imagine buying a Subie after test driving a Saab. The 9-5 is 1000x better than any Subaru I've driven.
In short, it's not fair to compare the base model Subarus with the top of the line Saab 9-3... there's no comparison!
sorry for the rant.
James...
posted by 67.158.7...
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