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by Swade

Even More Brown Saabs

September 17, 2010 in Saabology

A few more brown (and brown-ish) Saabs have come through, either via email, or a quick web search.

Java Metallic – your Saab brothers in brown-ness bid you a warm welcome to the family……

The very exclusive Saab 98….

saab 98

Jacob T’s very special custom Saab 92….

Custom Brown Saab 92

Did you know that you can express your vintage Saab brown style any time you want?

An unintentionally brown (in parts) Saab 99….

Golfhunter’s beautiful Saab 99, named Tartine….

Tartine - a Saab 99

Copper Bronze, as per the Saab 99 brochure from the early 1970′s….(thanks to Saabaudi)

The brown sheep of the family, a Cocoa Saab 9-7x….

Cocoa Saab 9-7x

I’m not sure this is original, but apparently the color didn’t stop this 900 from selling….

Brown Saab 900

Is this smoke beige metallic? Hazelnut!

2002 Saab 9-3 SE brown

And a quite brown Saab 9000 from the mid 1980′s….

1988-saab-9000t

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Friday Snippets – distracted driving edition

September 17, 2010 in Saabology

I’m not normally given to promoting government policies/initiatives on this website, but today’s an exception.

The US Secretary for Transportation, Ray La Hood, has used Autoblog to publish and promote a message about distracted driving, which will be the subject of a national summit in DC, on September 21.

Distracted driving is an important issue, responsible for thousands of injuries and deaths each year (an estimated 6,000 deaths in 2008).

It’s one that’s taken pretty seriously where I live, too. For example, if you’re caught using your phone whilst behind the wheel here in Tassie, you lose three points off your licence (a 12-point system) and pay a $300 fine.

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And speaking of politically driven writings….

This is a reasonable, albeit brief look at Sweden through the years, from a fiscal/political point of view. Unfortunately, the writer doesn’t finish the Saab story, stopping at how the government was happy to “let Saab fail”.

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Some of you might now that my recent travels to Sweden, England and the US have given me Sonett fever. I’ve been fortunate enough to ride in – and drive – some very special Sonetts over the last few months.

Sonett fever means that I’m always looking up Sonett stuff on the web. Exisiting Sonett owners might be curious to know that the doyen of all things V4, Jack Ashcraft, has recently completed a book on working with fibreglass.

When Jack’s not working on old Saabs, he’s doing technical automotive drawings. Needless to say, there’s plenty of illustrations inside this 112 page book (over 280 illustrations, in fact!) to show you all the details of the things he’s telling you about.

Looks good! Lots of other V4 and Sonett related books on his regular website, too (you’ll need to download the catalog, the bookstore link isn’t working).

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Seen on Flickr, a Polish Finnish vintage police car.

Polish Police Saab 99

Why do I think I’ve seen it before? Convoy? I searched, but couldn’t find it.

Anyway, a beautiful example.

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And spotted by Olav (who always takes the long road home)…..

The Norwegian National Guard doing some training:

Norwegian Nat Guard shoot up a Saab

Poor Saab.

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More strange Saabs for sale, and more Brown Saabs – coming up!

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by Swade

More brown Saabs…….

September 17, 2010 in Saabology

My Buzz-buddy dug out some more brown Saabs today to go along with the Java Metallic Saab 9-3 we showed earlier today.

It’s not a color you see that often, on Saabs or pretty much anything else.

Brown Saab 96

Brown Saab 99

And this one might be subject to some legal action if the company concerned finds out :-) but let’s just keep it between you and me, eh?

It’s from Roy S…..

Brown Saabs

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by Swade

MobilForum launch the Saab 9-5

September 16, 2010 in Saabology, sponsors

Saab 9-5 launches continue, but I don’t think we’ve seen one from Germany at this point.

Site sponsors, SaabRescuers and fanatics, MobilForum at Dresden, held their Saab 9-5 launch last Sunday and sent through some photos. They had perfect weather, some vintage Saab metal, Swedish food and most importantly, three Saab 9-5s for people to test drive.

Saab 9-5 launch Germany

The fleet comprised two 9-5 Vector 2.0 TiD Automatics and one 9-5 Aero 2.0T Automatic. They also had an Aero V6 XWD, which stayed in the middle of the event.

Saab 9-5 launch Germany

People were pleasantly surprised at how good that Diesel engine was to drive, but being Germany, there were also a number of people who asked about a V6 Diesel.

Saab 9-5 launch Germany

Included in the gallery is an image of Hans-Jörg Hänggi, the Saab Director for Germany. He went along to the event and talked a little about the future of Saab.

Saab 9-5 launch Germany

Saab 9-5 launch Germany

Saab 9-5 launch Germany

Saab 9-5 launch Germany

Saab 9-5 launch Germany

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by Swade

Support a Saab blogger – September 2010

September 16, 2010 in Troll Stuff

It’s been just over 6 months since I’ve run a Support post. I said it was going to be quarterly back in March, but then forgot in June. Such is life. Since then, you’ve been blessed with an all-new site, which hopefully is a bit clearer to read and navigate.

If you feel the site’s given you some good value in the last few months with coverage of the 9-5 launch, Festivals and everything else, then please consider throwing some change into the iHat.

Funds raised keep the hamster wheel that powers this site spinning and any excess might be help out with one of these, or the services of one, at least.

You don’t need a Paypal account, just a valid credit card will get it done. Paypal is a secure payment method and you can be assured that I don’t see any card details at all.

Click the rather massively inflated graphic below.


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Thanks for your ongoing support and for making the publication of SU so much fun.

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Just a note to correct a misperception that’s emerged in comments…..

I do not receive any payment from Saab or Spyker for the publication of this website. It is purely advertiser-supported and on occasions like this, user supported.

I attend events occasionally at Saab’s invitation and cost, as do members of the mainstream motoring press. This is disclosed as it happens.

I’m not explaining this to solicit more donations. People are welcome here always, regardless. This is merely for clarification.

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by Swade

Saab 9-5 Supplier listing

September 16, 2010 in Saabology

Here’s a great diagram, sent to me by Thomas W.

It’s from Automotive News Europe and you can download the full-size PDF here (right click, save as).

Saab 9-5 suppliers

I’m always amazed at the complexity of the car business. It’s something we all take for granted. Not only do you have the challenge of designing this machine that’s got to be comfortable, reliable, etc, but you’ve got to manage all the suppliers and the just-in-time manufacturing process used for manufacturing that machine.

It’s amazing stuff.

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by Swade

Saab 9-3 now available in Brown (ok, Java)

September 16, 2010 in Saabology

Here’s one for Ben at the Brown Car Blog (yes, really – and he’s a former Saab 99 owner, too!).

From the updated Saab Sweden website where you can build your own Saab – in brown Java Metallic.

Click.

Saab 9-3 in Java

Make mine a double-shot, thanks!

From Tobias, via Buzz.

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by Swade

Saab 9-3x vs Subaru Outback

September 16, 2010 in Saabology

People seem to be fond of dropping very quick, back-of-the-envelope comparisons into comments at the moment and invariably, those comparisons involve flowery language about how poorly a Saab compares and occasionally, how if Saab don’t do anything about it those people will be off to another brand as fast as their feet can take them.

That’s a generalisation, by the way. It’s not aimed at anyone and is a mish-mash of various lines that people take.

I will pick out one comparison that was made today, however, and deal with it in a little more depth. The reason I’ve picked this one is that the Saab/Subaru comparison is an oft-made one around here, so it’s highly relevant to tackle it.

This comparison involved the Saab 9-3x and the Subaru Outback.

Read the rest of this entry →

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by Swade

Photoshopping a Saab 9-5 convertible

September 16, 2010 in Saabology

I’m not sure where it came from, but this was sent to me by a guy named Mattias L.

I know that Saab don’t have the money for this, but geez it would be nice!

Click.

Saab 9-5 convertible

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by Swade

2011 Saab 9-3 US specs

September 16, 2010 in News

Following are the provisional US equipment listings for the 2011 Saab 9-3 range. These were downloaded September 15, 2011 but may be subject to change.

I’ve started with the base model and built up from there. Also note that I have not included the Convertible in this listing.

We’ve discussed the 2011 Saab 9-3 revisions here at SU already and as suspected, it looks like the 2011 Saab 9-3 is a carry-on from the 2010, without the interior or exterior revisions that were first suspected.

It’s believed that these might come in a mid-year refresh prior to the 2012 model year.

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2011 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan FWD

  • Air bags, frontal, driver and right front passenger with Passenger Sensing System
  • Air bags, side curtain for outboard seats and side torso for the front seats
  • Air conditioning, dual-zone automatic climate control with individual temperature settings for front passengers and rear seat air outlets
  • Air filter, cabin
  • Armrest, rear center with pass-through opening
  • Assist handles, front and rear outboard, includes jacket hook on rear handles
  • Audio system, AM/FM stereo with CD player, seek-and-scan, digital clock, auto-tone control, speed-compensated volume, TheftLock and auxiliary input jack, 7-speaker system
  • XM Radio, includes 3 months of trial service.
  • Cargo anchorage loops, in trunk
  • Child Safety Locks, rear doors
  • Console, front center armrest with coin holder and cupholder
  • Cruise control, electronic with set and resume speed
  • Cup holder, front folding in instrument panel, 2 in the second row
  • Defogger, front, side-window, rear-window (electric)
  • Driver Information Center, includes trip computer, outside temperature, fuel consumption, distance to empty, average speed, speed warning and driver warning messages

    • Read the rest of this entry →

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by Swade

2011 Saab 9-5 US Specs

September 15, 2010 in News

Following are provisional equipment listings for the 2011 Saab 9-5 for the US market. These were downloaded September 15, 2010 (Aussie time) but some specs may change at the last minute.

I’ve started at the base model and the equipment listings build from there.

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The following equipment is standard on the Saab 9-5 Turbo4 model

  • Air bags: frontal, driver and front passenger, thorax side-impact, driver and front passenger, and head curtain side-impact, front and rear outboard seating positions and rear thorax side-impact. Passenger Sensing System, sensor indicator inflatable restraint with front passenger/child presence detector
  • Air filtration system – cabin
  • Air vent, rear controls
  • Audio system, AM/FM/XM stereo, single disc CD and MP3 player, Bluetooth phone interface compatible, voice recognition and Radio Data System (RDS), 9-speaker system, USB port located inside center console
  • XM Radio, includes 3 months of trial service.
  • Climate control, dual-zone automatic with individual climate settings for driver and right-front passenger
  • Console, front floor with adjustable sliding armrest, storage compartment, cup holders, auxiliary input and USB port for MP3/iPOD
  • Cruise control
  • Defogger, rear-window, electric
  • Door locks, power programmable, remote with rear child security
  • Driver Information Center, monochromatic display
  • Floor mats, carpeted front and rear, auxiliary
  • Glovebox, 2-tier, cooled and illuminated
  • Head restraints, front, 2-way, active, rear outboard
  • Humidity sensor, includes air quality, moisture and windshield temperature
  • Keyless start/stop button
  • Lighting, courtesy with rearview mirror, front and rear dual reading spotlights
  • ‘Night Panel’ function

    • Read the rest of this entry →

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by Swade

Translate “Kampen om Saab” – please!

September 15, 2010 in Saabology

UPDATED: for clarification as to which book might be translated.

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There have been two books about the Saab sale released recently.

Joran Hagglund’s “Saabaffären inifrån” (The SAAB deal from the inside) takes a look at the deal from an insider’s point of view.

The other book is “Kampen om Saab” (The Fight for SAAB) by Swedish journalist Jonas Fröberg.

Jörgen Trued reviewed both Saab books recently. He gave Hagglund’s book 2 out 5 turbos and Fröberg’s book received 4 out of 5 turbos.

For those of you blessed with the Sweidsh language, the Fröberg book is now available online at a very reasonable 174 SEK. Click here to see the book at Adlibris.

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The rest of us have to wait and hope that there might be an English translation of the book. The Hagglund camp have already ruled out a translation, but whispers are that Fröberg is slightly open to the idea.

I know I’d buy one.

I got an email from the Swedish publisher of Fröberg’s book a few days ago, so they’re checking in here from time to time.

What I’d like to do is give them an idea as to how many people from SU would be interested in reading a copy of the book in English. Maybe if we get enough people from this small sample, they might be persuaded to look further into a translation.

So – would you be interested? Comments are open.

Note: It’s just the Fröberg book that seems to be a candidate for translation at this point.

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by Swade

Wednesday Snippets

September 15, 2010 in Saabology

Posting was challenged today by email correspondence and two mega entries coming online later – 2011 Saab 9-3 and 9-5 specs for the US market.

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From Till, for those who complain about Saab v the competition…..

This weekend I attended an event and got the chance to take a ride in the backseat of a new A8 (Audi Shuttle Service). The interesting thing was that I had less headroom there than in the 9-5 I sat in a few weeks ago (both cars with sunroof). I am 1,98 m tall

Still I believe that the 9-5 should have more headroom but even Audi can’t do wonders with a car being one class higher…

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Reports have come through today of Saab 9-5 and 9-3x sightings – in Spain!

Good to hear. Thanks Lars!

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Following up from SaabRobz’s moose test last week, I received another crash report from a guy named Daniel.

This isn’t exceptional just because it’s another amazing Saab 9000 survival story. It’s also exceptional because Daniel’s from Argentina, a country from which there’s been precious little SU interaction over the years. Welcome Daniel!!

To his car, then….. Daniel’s currently driving a Saab 9-3 with a nice BSR tune to 245hp. Before that, though, he owned a series of Saab 9000′s. He even went to his wedding in one.

The last Saab 9000 he owned took a hit at 130 km/h…..

Saab 9000 crash

It doesn’t look too bad from the back, but check out the front….

Saab 9000 crash

Daniel survived this impact with just a broken toe and a few other bruises.

Not all accidents turn out this fortunately. I’m pleased Daniel’s did.

There really is no other safety quite like Saab safety.

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Thanks to all who contributed to the following discussions:

Kids and Saabs

Who is a typical Saab 9-5 buyer – really?

I’ve received some fantastic emails from people in higher places about the quality of the discussion there. Things do get noticed.

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by Swade

A consumer story II

September 15, 2010 in Editorial

Following on from my own consumer story from yesterday, a friend of mine in Sydney and SU regular named PT sent the following in via email.

He’s summed up a lot of what I was getting at in around 10% of the space :-)

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Swade,

Enjoyed the ‘consumer’ post although two things were minor disappointments:

1) You shopped at Harvey Norman – I can’t stand anything about that place and will never give them a cent that I’ve earned, and

2) the comments had to be closed (predictably).

I have a similar recent experience, although on a different tangent. I just bought a new bike after about a year of looking. After going through every possible option and a myriad of shops – real & virtual – I bought at pretty much full retail from a shop near my office.

Why?

Well they seemed the most committed, knowledgeable and helpful. They had what I wanted, understood what small customisation would be necessary immediately – and into the future – and also threw in enough freebies to make the financial question irrelevant.

I’ve been back once already (due to my own error) and they fixed everything on the spot, no charge.

In a way, I was searching for a shop as much as I was a bike. Actually, the choice of bike itself stemmed from a conversation with Simon at the shop about what he rides and this in turn opened up an angle that I hadn’t thought of – and no other retailer had either. This came about because Simon tolerated me dropping in for months on end, occasionally making small purchases, but essentially kicking the tires and learning about the bikes.

The moral to the story is very similar to the angle you were taking with your post – buying a bike or a saab is about more than it might seem – from both the customer and dealer perspective.

This is particularly relevant in Australia where we essentially have no Saab dealers at the moment and thus the opportunity for change is real. The traditional car dealership is a pretty miserable place, generally – although there are exceptions.

I hope Saab can focus on this & get it right.

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by Swade

What’s going on at Saab Sweden?

September 15, 2010 in Saabology

Screenshot from the 9-3 section, earlier today, from Tobias…..

Build Your Saab

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