Comments on: GM Car Czar Gives American Saab Some Sugar

By: AlphaWolf

AlphaWolf — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 02:29:11 +0000

They need to figure out what this brand stands for and then build cars for that segment.

Re-badging everything is not fooling anyone.

By: Redbarchetta

Redbarchetta — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 16:27:21 +0000

Isn’t the Trailblazer an outdated crappy SUV platform, how is this NEW then if it’s based on ancient technology. It’s pretty obvious that GM now has zero money in Saab’s development budget since they can’t even badge engineer one of the newer designs.

Why are they wasting money pumping out more iron for a dieing segment? Especially since no one shops at Saab looking for an SUV, I guess since all the Saab loyalists have gone on to anything but a Saab they have to try and trick new buyers.

By: starlightmica (Richard Chen)

starlightmica (Richard Chen) — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:35:51 +0000

If we’re going to use the “Right Landing, Wrong Airport” analogy, I’m going to suggest this for the 9-7X Aero 6.0: supersonic controlled flight into terrain, several hundred miles off course.

By: bfg9k

bfg9k — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:24:18 +0000

Horrible torque steer in the 9-3? You must have driven a different 9-3 than I did (and Jonny Lieberman did and William C Montgomery did). Perhaps you meant 9-5?

The 1st gen 9-3 (1999-2002) was based on an Opel chassis and did indeed suffer from some fair to bad torque steer. This is correctable with a $100 aftermarket steering rack brace. The current gen 9-3 (aka the 9-3SS) has virtually no torque steer.

Is it at all surprising that Lutz is pumped over the biggest Saab with the biggest V8? Par for the course with that guy. Too bad he didn’t choose to plug the upcoming 9-3 revision with its way cool AWD system.

By: Brian E

Brian E — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:23:17 +0000

Sweet! Holden-based Saab ‘utes.

… this isn’t Jalopnik? Where am I?

By: SherbornSean

SherbornSean — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:11:10 +0000

I don’t usually agree with the “too many brands, too many dealers” concern you often here from GM’s critics. But in the case of SAAB, I have to agree. The market stuck a fork in SAAB about 20 years ago, and it’s time GM pulled the plug.

If GM insists on keeping the brand, maybe they could just stick SAAB namplates onto Holdens to at least salvage some sense of dignity.

By: Brian E

Brian E — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:39:54 +0000

The money wasted on that pig could have gone to curing the horrible torque steer in the 9-3.

Horrible torque steer in the 9-3? You must have driven a different 9-3 than I did (and Jonny Lieberman did and William C Montgomery did). Perhaps you meant 9-5?

By: edgett

edgett — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:37:52 +0000

After reading Bob’s blog on the new ‘Bu (what an idiotic shortening of an even stupider name), I added a comment which was without vitriol, but asked questions about why the better GM cars continue to be crippled with switchgear from the 1990’s. I did endeavor to be fair-minded in my post, but perhaps Bob (his editor more likely) understood that I thought he was a fraud, as my comment went unposted.

I was initially thrilled at his ascension to GM “Car Czar” as I thought perhaps it showed that passion would return to the General. The Solstice show car, as his first salvo, offered hope. Yet it came to the market before they took the time and the money to excise an extra 400 pounds from its mass and with a top which is ridiculous for any who actually use a convertible as, well, convertible.

And his “excitement” over the 9-7X Aero Chevrolaab – more bullpoop from a guy who obviously knows machines and does recognize the difference. What GM needs is fewer cheerleaders and more players.

By: quasimondo

quasimondo — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:27:28 +0000

Even I find this shameful. This is nothing more than a Trailblazer SS with the ignition key between the seats.

By: Zarba

Zarba — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 12:51:02 +0000

9-7X??? Do they even make those anymore? The money wasted on that pig could have gone to curing the horrible torque steer in the 9-3.

Bob must have forgotten his Alzheimer’s meds again…