Was talking to Tim on the phone and we got started talking about 9-5 NG. Tim had seen a feature on Bloomberg TV where they mentioned the Saab 9-5 NG as one of the best cars for young people with new drivers licenses. Then I searched the web and found a Bloomberg feature posted on Youtube with just 703 hits. Bet that number will increase after this posting. For those of You wondering where my old 9-5 NG is today I can say it is in the hands of a pianist in Göteborg. Interesting enough the the fact that the car had the Harman Kardon sound system was of less interest since he did lot listen to much music in private.
15 thoughts on “Memory lane revisited: Saab 9-5 NG”
Comments are closed.
I miss Saab.
Patrik H, You are not alone out there. My tip is that You go get a classic Saab car. Renovate, pamper, take to car shows etc., this is the best way to come close to the soul of Saab. Just watch this car designers idea of cars and our love for them. http://youtu.be/teV6Oa6mVPE
Trued, I could not agree more. There is still much to love. Much spirit to go around.
I guess there’s a lot of love for Saab now. There’s a 1967 Saab 96, base model on eBay right now. It has 655 original miles. No radio. Bidding is currently at $28,110 (USD) and the reserve is not met! I hope it goes to a museum because it would be a shame for it to become a daily driver.
To my knowledge there is already such a car in the museum…
There was so much hope for the future then. It was not the era of “save anything what’s left”, but it was the beginning of an era of true independence. World was full of Muller. New products just round the corner. I’ll remember that forever.
But the hope soured rather quickly. Look where we are now.
Pricing really hurt this launch. Its too bad SWAN could not afford to lose money on each 9-5 for the first few years – to keep interest in the brand – while slowly releasing new models every 18 months. With the new models to slowly raising the pricepoint and the entire brand along with it. This is exactly what Toyota did with Lexus in 1989 with the LS launch. It started at 35K but didn’t stay there long.
I still think BMW could have used the Saab brand. They are already delving into FWD cars. BMW/MINI/SAAB – it just sounds good!
Personally, I was always hoping Mazda would take an interest in SAAB. Like SAAB, they have traditionally made cars that are fun to drive with a sporting flavour. Plus, Mazda is the only one of the big 4 Japanese manufacturers not to have a premium brand.
There is history with Saab and Mazda.
I remember stories in swedish press about a strange Saab 900 in the early 80s which had run away from intruding photographers with all four wheels spinning. That was almost forgot until I read the book “Spelet om Saab” by Jan Hökerberg. He writes about a time when Saab and Mazda were trying to do a deal on a project together. If I remember it correctly, Saab would get their hands on Mazda’s FWD/FWS-system and Mazda would get Saabs engine and turbo knowledge. Apparently there were some FWD Saabs and Mazda 2.0T running about at that time, catching the eyes of photographers.
But the whole thing came tom an end when Saabs then CEO (Curt Mileikowsky, I think) managed to upset Mazdas CEO. Curt (an Saab Aircraft man) was not really interested in cars at all and when Mazda’s CEO, an engine genius, came to sign the papers, he felt ignored and left instead. And that was it.
Was that the whole story?
Does anybody else know anything about this?
Mazda, during the SWAN days, had enough problems making its first steps as an once again independent company, as they had been part of the Ford Company.
Always nice to reminisce. I was expecting the delivery of 9-5 SC back in 2011.
Slight cringe at 2:30. “Saab is now alive and kicking. It’s got a a fully funded business pland and it’s here to stay.”
This brings back several memories! I recall sending the crew e-mail about the NG 9-5 being among the best (used) cars for young people with new drivers licenses. I had seen it reported by Autoweek.
After all those years, still the nicest Sedan to have been conceived by the evil empire.
The interior layout on this car is world class IMO. The materials are poor and we all recall the supplier mishap during the 2010 launch; however, the seats, shift lever position, center console layout, and HUD that connects to the navigation system are all Saab-smart and clever. At dark, the lighting themes – both inside and on the exterior – set this car apart. I just wish more folks could have enjoyed one!