burlapp car

All new Saab 9-5

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Finally some clear shots.
But it’s all wrapped up.
Nothing unexpected really. There is still a bit of hope that it might somehow look a bit different and modern.

We’ll see…

Conversation 18 comments

  3. Thats if the company dont go bust first.
    Mind you, it could be sold off to the chinese like every other GM owned brand has.

  4. From what can be guessed under that cover, it looks very conservative… I hoped this would be a new impulse for Saab, but now I fear it might be a nail in the coffin

  5. I'll just repost my last comment regarding Saab:

    Yeah, I feel sorry for ANYONE that buys a Saab new.

    You can pick up 9-3s and 9-5s for 1/4 of their original price only three years later. Face it, Saabs aren't competitive, they aren't reliable, they don't perform well (the Turbo X is a joke), they are overpriced, and they have ABYSMAL resale value.

    If you want something European, buy a Mercedes or BMW. If you REALLY want something Scandinavian, buy a Volvo.

  9. el_monty said…
    From what can be guessed under that cover, it looks very conservative…

    imho, this Saab is sneakily seductive – yeah, judging from camo'ed pix.
    But that curvy front is going to be incredible in person IF you take the time to really look at it (imho)

  10. Looks like the 2nd pic is of a wagon. Glad they decided to unveil the new 9-5 as a wagon. Way to go GM, err SAAB, err whoever owns the company.

  11. People who choose to drive Saabs do it on purpose because they don't like Mercedes, Lexus, BMW etc for their pretentiousness. The XWD is great and has been written up by numerous publications (even those who normally favor the German brands) as one of the more superior AWD systems available.

    Not to mention that they get better fuel economy, are safer and are less "look at me, I'm a yuppy"

  12. This isn't going to help things at all.

    They are refreshing their slow selling flagship model instead of the bread and butter 9-3 which is already outdated as well.

    I think Saab is just going to go away. Volvo is a much stronger company when you compare the Scandinavian manufacturers

  13. Volvo is practically insolvent because they tried to go upmarket like Audi, but don't build decent enough cars.

    They try gimicks like the bizarre floating center stack dash etc, but if you've ever driven one, you'd know they're a subpar brand.

    At least Saab has a vibrant niche following.

  14. "Anonymous said…
    People who choose to drive Saabs do it on purpose because they don't like Mercedes, Lexus, BMW etc for their pretentiousness. The XWD is great and has been written up by numerous publications (even those who normally favor the German brands) as one of the more superior AWD systems available.

    Not to mention that they get better fuel economy, are safer and are less "look at me, I'm a yuppy""

    This is a blatant fanboy comment with absolutely NO research backing it.

    You are kidding, right? The XWD has nothing over Mercedes' 4Matic, Audi's Quattro, or BMWs xDrive. Yes, the XWD system is good but it has nothing that makes it stand out.

    Fuel efficient? Maybe.

    Safer? Absolutely NOT. Every single true Saab is an OLD model, and the current 9-5 dates back to 1997. Do you really think a models architecture that derived from 90's technology is safer than let's say, a new C Class? Absolutely not. All other Saabs aren't even Saabs. 9-2x was a Subaru. 9-7x was a piece of shit Trailblazer with revised suspension and a mildly upgraded interior.

    Saab makes their drivers look LESS like a yuppy? That has to be a joke. Even Car and Driver made fun of Saab drivers calling them "cars for yuppie democrats".

    Please, do some research or I will embarrass you further.

  15. "Anonymous said…
    Volvo is practically insolvent because they tried to go upmarket like Audi, but don't build decent enough cars.

    They try gimicks like the bizarre floating center stack dash etc, but if you've ever driven one, you'd know they're a subpar brand.

    At least Saab has a vibrant niche following."

    You couldn't be any more wrong.

    Volvo did try to go upmarket, that is correct. While they weren't 100% successful with their attempt they have certainly gained more attention and praise than Saab has. Volvo's model mix is much more appealing and as such, their sales are higher than Saabs.

    I have driven Saabs, I've driven Volvos. Without a doubt the Volvo is a superior vehicle when compared to Saab. I think I can comment on how much better they drive, I run Group Two at Summit Point and up until two years ago I ran Spec Miata for quite some time, so I am not what you would consider your "average" driver. Also, that floating center stack you are talking about a lot of people like. I would hardly call that a gimmick. It has received universal praise from every single automotive publication that I read.

    Saab has a "vibrant niche following"??? Niche is right, vibrant is not. Saab sells as many cars in ONE YEAR as Honda sells Accords in one month. That isn't successful, and neither are their vehicles. The 9-3 is incredibly outdated and was NEVER a standout vehicle in its segment. The 9-7 is essentially a 13 year old model with a crude four cylinder. The 9-2x was a flop, a mildly reworked Subaru Impreza. The 9-7x is an absolute joke, based off of the TERRIBLE GMT360 platform which was an awful vehicle in its own segment. The Turbo X is one of the worst "performance" vehicles I have ever driven on track.

    Saabs are for people who WANT to be different, and not for the right reasons.

    Would you like to be schooled some more?

  16. To the poster from June 12th @ 6:13 and 6:26am. You are my hero. I don't think I've laughed this hard in a while.

    If there was a way that I could Digg this comment thread I would!!!

  17. Anonymous said…
    To the poster from June 12th @ 6:13 and 6:26am. You are my hero. I don't think I've laughed this hard in a while.

    If there was a way that I could Digg this comment thread I would!!!

    June 12, 2009 10:28 AM

    I agree as well. That was very amusing and constuctive.

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