I disagree.

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I also disagree. If anything, now's the time.

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they are a bit late, but their image isn't completely destroyed yet. they still have a fanbase. it's good that they're making a car designed for Saab loyals

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For example, years ago in a marketing class, a campus-wide survey showed that college students between the age of 18 and 25 prefered, amongst other brands, the Saab over every single "domestic" brand. These are the people who will be making the money, these are the people who car makers should be catering to.

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Andrew,
How many years ago?

I don't think that the old data about educated people buying Saabs is not relevant anymore.

I know a lot of people who would fall into that demographic. While Saabs were great before GM, I don't know anyone who would take them seriously now. No amount of nostalgia inducing new offerings will trick anyone into thinking Saab is still unique or worth another look since the nineties.

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Jim: 4 years ago. What stance are you taking in your response? You don't think the data is not relevant, as in you think it is relevant?

I don't think young people wanted to buy the car for nostalgia's sake. Brand loyalty comes from many different places, but I suppose what we found in our survey is that if the name is European it was generally at the top of the list (despite Saab being owned by GM). I assume the view of European cars is one of luxury, economy, and subtlety. After European cars came a slew of Japanese, then American, then Korean. Obviously there were a few mixed up in genres, as Hummer fared better than Kia.

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That 'not' was a typo. I was referring to an old Saab marketing campaign that stated people with masters degrees and higher were more likely to buy a Saab than any other car. (something to that effect) Your college study reminded me of that.

Your results are interesting since Saab doesn't really market to college students a lot, but I think you're correct because it's a Euro badge they perceived it as better than 'domestics'. It would be interesting to note if the students knew it was GM (domestic owned).

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Agreed.

>> but Saab asserts the 9-1 will be sporty in that Saab way

"In the Saab way"? So you mean, with a typical GM interior with crappy plastic (worse than current GMs), no sense of real identity in style, rebadged GMs, and ridiculous features, such as a reverse lockout to be able to take out a key? Hey, ever thought of how much smarter it'd be to let the driver CHOOSE what gear he wants to park in, or maybe just leave it in neutral once in a while?

I personally would always leave it in first if I parked in reverse, my usual parking method. That way, if you forget to put into neutral and dump the clutch after cranking, you won't send your car into a hard wall or another parked car in a parking lot.

Come on guys, use a little common sense. Oh wait, I forgot you're Saab. Nevermind.

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Paul, wouldn't common sense say "make sure you know where the gear shift is when you start the car"? I dunno, I've NEVER accidentally dropped the clutch in gear after starting. Then again, I use common sense.

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Yeah. I think you have to add the STi in there too. I mean, when your done with it the price will be close to $38k.

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BTW, this is what the - I think now dead - Saabaru (92-) should have been!

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True, but that doesn't apply in the US, where the only pre-MINI premium subcompacts, the BMW 318ti and the M-B C230--failed miserably.

It appears US car fanatics, particularly Europhiles and the gasoline-conservative, have wanted these cars here for a long time, but then, we're smarter than the average consumer.

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I completely agree, the market's only going to get bigger. Young people with money want something economical, luxurious, and understated. Well, at least I do.

Richard: I still don't think the STi has the whole "premium" aspect down yet. I've driven the car many times, enjoyed the ride, but strongly lacking in the understated/luxury aspect that Saab, Audi, and BMW picks thrives on.

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Menice, that's the Saab Aero-X show car, not the 9-1 concept. The 9-1 will be revealed--future tense.

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But thats not a bad thing. Looking at the Nomad, the basic design would work well for a Saab. Short overhangs, long low hood, full hatchback. In fact if anything, I would hazard to say that the design of the Nomad looks like Chevrolet taking cues from both Saab and the Nomad of the 50s.

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