Another one bites the dust

[kingiguana]

First off, as a Saab owner, Thank you for your wonderfully Delightful opinion that most certainly could have been kept to yourself.

Second, Per the OP's linked article: " ...

The deal required GM's cooperation because it still supplies parts, designs and engineering for Saab products. China is one of GM's largest markets and the U.S. automaker was reportedly concerned that its technology could end up in competing vehicles." So, basically, GM is still dragging it's feet on these deals. Hey GM, Here's and Idea, Either sell the company, or don't. Stop hanging it out there as Bait & then retracting it when you get a nibble. Perhaps we wouldn't be helping bail out GM still if they were a bit more smart about things like this.

I apoligise if I hurt You feelings, but those EARLY Saabs were the ugly ones, the ones made the past 4 or 5 years aint too bad. But I still lump them in with Volvos ( horrible name, sounds like a certain female body part ) I know they have always had their cult following, but always struck me as cars that uppity people drove ( again no offense) I know I'm stereo typing.

[Harry P.]

( again no offense) I know I'm stereo typing.

So if you know you're stereotyping... then why are you doing it???

[Rob Hall]

I apoligise if I hurt You feelings, but those EARLY Saabs were the ugly ones, the ones made the past 4 or 5 years aint too bad. But I still lump them in with Volvos ( horrible name, sounds like a certain female body part ) I know they have always had their cult following, but always struck me as cars that uppity people drove ( again no offense) I know I'm stereo typing.

.Volvo is a Swedish company, though it has a Latin name. I've known many SAAB and Volvo owners, they tend to be professionals and good people...don't know if that is what you mean by 'uppity'. Are you intentionally trying to sound like a redneck (stereotype).

Edited December 21, 2011 by Rob Hall

[Greg Wann]

I only posted to make the PUN, what a terrible SAAB story.

[Bob Turner]

So if you know you're stereotyping... then why are you doing it???

Funny, I was thinking the same thing, but I figured if I posted about it, my comment would be deleted, (per usual). Nope, nothing wrong here.

[Harry P.]

Funny, I was thinking the same thing, but I figured if I posted about it, my comment would be deleted, (per usual). Nope, nothing wrong here.

Just for the record... I have never deleted any of your posts.

[Bob Turner]

Just for the record... I have never deleted any of your posts.

Also just for the record, I didn't address anyone specifically in my first comment.

If you're feeling "guilty by association" that's on you & not me sir.

Edited December 21, 2011 by Bob Turner

[Harry P.]

Also just for the record, I didn't address anyone specifically in my first comment.

If you're feeling "guilty by association" that's on you & not me sir.

No guilt. Just want to set the record straight, nothing more. Carry on.

[Dragline]

I worked largely on Euro for more than 17 years. During that time I have wrenched my share of SAAb. In all that time I have come to one conclusion. SAAb owners are a LOYAL lot. They keep even the oldest cars running almost no matter how much it may cost. I had a sweet place for parts back then and I became kind of a SAAB guy. I don't care much for them in the looks department, but I know I can get one to run well.

My misfortune came recently when I mentioned this to a NAPA customer I was helping. I now have 3 SAAb owners calling and coming in for advise.

My bad.............

How many people you know can tune Jaguar oil soaked and side draft carbs?

Now you know at least one. Me and my big mouth!!!!

Bob

[Harry P.]

I worked largely on Euro for more than 17 years. During that time I have wrenched my share of SAAb. In all that time I have come to one conclusion. SAAb owners are a LOYAL lot. They keep even the oldest cars running almost no matter how much it may cost.

Bob

Well, that's true for any brand of car. If you keep on fixing it when it breaks down and keep on replacing parts when they wear out you can keep any car running forever.

Back in the '80s my boss at the time had a SAAB 900. I remember him bragging about how he had more than 200,000 miles on it and how it was still running. But the fact was, he had replaced just about every part on it over the years!

[Modelmartin]

In the past I have owned a SAAB 95 (the wagon version) and a 99 EMS. They were two of the most enjoyable and fun cars I have owned. There are the only cars I have owned that I would love to get another one of if I could. SAAB is an acronym for Swedish Airplane Corporation. Some of the engineers who designed the first SAAB car back in 47-48 didn't even have driver's licenses. They were aircraft designers. That was the basic DNA of the company. They typically engineered the details differently than everyone else and it worked out great. SAABs have gobs of personality. They borrowed engines from others. The V4 was a German Ford engine, basically half of a 221 Fairlane engine or 2/3rds of the German Ford V6 which was used in some of the European Capris. The 99s engine was designed by Triumph for SAAB and was similar to the TR7 engine but built by SAAB. It was powerful and reliable with its Bosch fuel injection. I didn't mind GM using Opel engines in the cars but using the Opel platforms went too far. They then used the same platform for those Ugly GM Malibus.

If this is in fact the end of SAAB it will be very sad to see such an interesting and unique brand gone. By the way, I think the true SAABs are beautiful cars, ESPECIALLY the older ones!! I would kill for a 92 or 93 with the two-stroke engine and suicide doors.

[Dragline]

All that you said is true Harry. I would just add that these folks REALLY didn't care what it cost [for the most part]. They were just dyed in the wool like I've never seen types man. When it was discovered there was a non dealership guy who was tuning Euro and in particular SAAb [sic], I got inundated for a while.

Here is the scenario.

I worked at a Used Car dealership. This was a Portuguese tilted place. Where I'm from that is who live there [i am one] and Mr Corriea who i worked for was from the old country. All these people drive Euro with almost NO exceptions. He'd go to the auctions start of the week and I'd work em and get em ready for the lot till Thurs. I'd work on walk in and cust cars Fri/Sat and sometimes Sun.

These SAAb [sic] owners were hounds. They'd come in at any time expecting me to do what they needed. I understand that it's a garage, but they were just RABID. I can't recall how many times I was asked to drop what I was doing [Tune up on a 500SL], to get the rattle out a beige/brown Swedish car.

I had enough work on the side to keep me sleepless for months.

SAAb owners [for me] are a differnt walk of lfe altogether. Firsthand, true story.

Bob

PS: I agree with all that was posted above. GM is/was the wrong firm to handle ANYTHING Euro. Outlook, fundementals and values are all wrong for the demographic and philosophy.

[Harry P.]

Interesting story, Bob. Yeah, I guess SAAB people are a little different than most!

[Dragline]

Sorry for the long wind, but I just had to get it out. Been a while since I even opened the hood on one.

I maintain 3 cars now. 1 Chevy [mine], 1 Pontiac [Mums], 1 Camry [My best friends].

I don't see any SAAb's in my future. I for one am happy for that. Parts can be a problem.

Bob

[VW Dave]

they came up with the brilliant idea of rebadging a Subaru as a Saab.

There's a few of those around here; lots of folks call them 'Saabarus.'

[kingiguana]

So if you know you're stereotyping... then why are you doing it???

Because, stereo types are stereo types for a reason, and no I"M NOT A RED NECK !!!!! But being in the automotive aftermarket for 20 plus years, I've come to learn that people with certain brands, models, and even colors of cars are of a certain personality. Not always, but it usually proves true more often than not !! It just kinda works out that way. People with Saabs, volvos. Audis, and the like arent always bad, just sometimes harder to deal with, and arent always too happy to get charged more because their cars are harder to work on. But, Saabs are still ugly !! LOL