In Reply to: Plans hatch for next Saab 9-3 (URL), JohnA [Profile/Gallery] , Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:51:53

One of my car mags had a drawing of a proposed 2012 9-3. Kinda bloated looking I thought with self-conscious faux-Swedish stylish flourishes and embellishments. It was described as a hatch, but it was hard to tell from the front 3/4 view. Target intro was 2012.

The awd 9-5 that's currently being introduced has an msrp around, what, $50K? And this is a big car. Longer than the MB E-class, I hear. I'm just not sure what the U.S. market needs right now is another big, expensive, awd behemoth.

I've read that Ford thinks the new Focus (sized between the Fiesta and Fusion) will be their bread and butter in the future, and Honda thinks the same of the Civic, which I read may have a hatch in the lineup in the next iteration. It seems thaT manuf are turning to smaller, lighter, functional cars to meet mpg standards. So why lead your lineup with bigger, heavier?

The less expensive, base 9-5 to hit the market later this year, is said to have a 4-cyl power plant of 2.0 liters generating 200 hp. But tell me again what it's competing with? The road tests could get ugly.

Saab's not-yet-on-the-drawing-board smaller car might have appeal, but will depend on development dough from sales of the models currently in the pipeline. My fingers and toes are crossed.

So I'm thinking that today's 9-3, with 210 hp, might be a good choice in lieu of the forthcoming new, improved Saab, even though it lacks a hatch. It looks like a Saab, has a semi-Saabish gung-ho spirit, is about the right size, manages to get through snow without awd and the prices can be attractive.

I'm just sayin, before goin' bottoms up on the ol' Kool Aid . . .



posted by 72.195.141...

• Plans hatch for next Saab 9-3 (URL), JohnA , Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:51:53
  • Re: Plans hatch for next Saab 9-3 (URL), KevinM, Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:35:06 <-- Viewing This Message
    • There is a financial reason, Tim, Sun, 18 Jul 2010 20:28:54
  • Re: Plans hatch for next Saab 9-3 (URL), JimBlake , Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:50:54
  • please let this happen ! N/M, Drake, Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:25:32
  • Re: Plans hatch for next Saab 9-3 (URL), Jason R, Tue, 13 Jul 2010 08:12:44
    • A hatch is essential, Noel, Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:26:35
      • BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo, Aaron1, Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:06:00
        • Re: BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo, Noel, Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:09:58
      • Re: A hatch is essential, polemera, Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:26:48
        • Crosstour, jeff in MD, Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:36:16
          • bloated, JohnA , Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:05:42
          • The Acura version, No Snaab, Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:09:05
            • looks like a snowplow n/m, JohnA , Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:32:44
          • Seen 'em, sat in one. Not driven, Noel, Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:02:40
          • crosstour looks much better in ads than in person...., baggsly , Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:58:50
      • Second that, Tim, Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:55:00
        • Typo correction, Tim, Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:58:15
      • Re: A hatch is essential, turbocon86, Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:31:48
        • Yes. Or like on the 9K., Noel, Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:13:15

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