Thoughts about Spyker buying SAAB?

[C14ru5]

So, now it's official: Spyker Cars has bought SAAB. My opinion? I believe Koenigsegg would have been a better buyer, since they already have local knowledge of how to run car factories in Sweden. Anyway, I don't have very high hopes that SAAB will survive - the last innovative model of theirs (in my eyes) was the 9-5 in the late 90s. The last 10 years, they've just stagnated. It's hard to turn that around, and not end up like TVR.

[djpimley]

Sadly, I can't think of any intrinsic qualities that make Saab worth saving. Of course it's nice to have diversity in the automotive industry as in all things, so a car company not owned by one of the big boys is A Good Thing. But Saab... I just can't think of anything nice to say. Cars for overpaid lawyers. Even overpaid bankers have the sense to buy Porsches.

[Kenners]

I bought my first (and only) Saab 2 yrs ago - a 1999 9-5 with 146k miles on it. I love the car; the little things and attention to details are nice. Course, then GM bought Saab in 2000. I think if I ever get the chance, I'll buy a pre-GM Viggen.. In the 2 years I've owned this car, I've developed an affinity for Saab.

But I think I'll probably look for an Audi, next time I need a car..

-K

[C14ru5]

Well, the last time we saw a Dutch-Swedish collaboration in the car industry, we got the tragic Volvo 300 series. The future is looking grim

I bought my first (and only) Saab 2 yrs ago - a 1999 9-5 with 146k miles on it.

I believe those cars had a 15 year warranty against rust, so you're still covered You'll only need to worry about cold starts if it's below -40 Centigrade outside, and you also have the best part of owning a SAAB: The "floor ignition" placed in the center console

[A-rod]

I'm not sure how to react to the news of Spyker taking over the reins. On one hand, I am glad to see automotive diversity staying intact and companies continuing to stay in business, but I honestly can't say "Whew. I'm glad somebody saved Saab." They're not bad cars per se, but C14Ru5 is right, they're simply not innovative or unique. Personally, I think they're trying too hard to appear "quirky", but at the same time are too firmly grounded in safety and stolidity to truly be "quirky". I would've preferred Saturn saved over either Saab or Hummer, but, hey, you can't please everybody.

[Tomte]

I would've preferred Saturn saved over either Saab or Hummer, but, hey, you can't please everybody.

What has Saturn done for the automotive industry that makes it worth saving?

BTW, Kenners: GM effectively controlled Saab since the beginning of the 90s. The 1993 Saab 900 was based on a GM platform, same as your 9-5. That doesn't make them bad cars, I like the 9-5 before even now that they made it look like Dame Edna. I had the station wagon for a couple of days as a rental car when I lived in Sweden and I was quite pleased with it.

Spyker or Koenigsegg? For me that is the same. Small companies specialised on small productions who don't necessarily know how to run a (non-profitable) car manufacturer which tries to compete with BMW or Audi. I don't have much hope for Saab, but Saab was in trouble for as long as I can remember. Still, I like them to stick around, nonetheless.

[A-rod]

What has Saturn done for the automotive industry that makes it worth saving?

Recently? Not much. However, pre-2000 it did have a mark on the auto industry. For one thing, it operated outside GM production bureaucracy, which allowed them to be more flexible in terms of projects. They also took charge of GM's EV1 project, and while I can't say the cars were outstanding, it was a new direction from GM. I guess I liked Saturn because my dad's friend has a '91 SC2 with nearly 200,000 miles on it, and has never had any sort of trouble with it (other than a trunk latch that wouldn't stay latched. ).

[Tomte]

... with nearly 200,000 miles on it, and has never had any sort of trouble with it (other than a trunk latch that wouldn't stay latched. ).

What? The trunk doesn't close anymore? I'd scrap it straight away!

[T5]

Well, the last time we saw a Dutch-Swedish collaboration in the car industry, we got the tragic Volvo 300 series. The future is looking grim

Don't forget the Volvo 480

As a dutchman i think the Spykers are very well designed cars but only by the looks. CEO Muller now wants to do the same with the Saab 92

Although this looks promising here in Europe or even maybe only in the Netherlands, there is a lot more needed to maintain a world brand like Saab

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