Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Saab 9-2X
The hatchback is back!
Here's the press release: http://www2.saabusa.com/saabrelease/?source=apr03saabi
Here's the press release: http://www2.saabusa.com/saabrelease/?source=apr03saabi
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
M
Sign me up for the 9-2 Aero.
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
How convincing will this 9-2 be? A rebadged Imprezza isn't really impressing. In order to keep the Saab lineup up and stable, will GM have to find other ways to create luxurious Sweeden vehicles and at the same time don't make the same mistake they have with the rest of the GM lineup? We'll have to see when they probably release the 9-2 at the Detroit/Chicago/NYC auto shows in 2004.
The thing I don't understand is why GM would tell Saab it could no longer have a 9-3 hatchback, which had been the standard style for that model, only to introduce a smaller new model as a hatchback a year or two later?
Saab should have kept the hatch - it helped to make their cars more distinctive.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
GM did not tell Saab not to make a hatch. There will be a 9-3 crossover (hatch). The sedan came first as it is what more people want.
I think they made a mistake.
When is the 9-3 hatch coming out?
The cross-over comes out next year. We will see which sells better, the sedan or the cross-over. My bets are on the sedan.
And now, back to the subject of the Saab 9-2. Thanks! ;-)
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
That said, I think a re-skinned, Saab-speced Impreza will do just fine. As long as GM isn't planning to outsell the Impreza, I think they will have a nice car on their hands that will not ruin Saab's image, nor will it ruin Subaru's.
To me, the idea seems very appealing. I like the Impreza a lot, but always felt that it was a few turns short of luxurious. I think a Saab skin in and out could make that WRX into a real winner. It will certainly take some of the wind out of BMW's sails when they lauch their 1-series, that is if they stick to their plans of punching in a 110hp engine with a 140hp engine as the "upgraded" model...yuck. The 1-series is targeting the same price-lines and basicly the same market, but the Saab will give Europhiles AWD and 50+ hp advantages over the BMW.
Let's look at the magic mirror: (based on early info from a few Mags)
Saab 9-2 (165hp Flat-4, AWD, 5-door hatch) - $22,995 est
BMW 1-series (110hp I-4, RWD, 4-door sedan) - $22,995 est
Volkswagon Jetta 1.8T GLS (180hp Turbo I-4, FWD, 4-door Sedan) $21,500
Volvo S40 Base (170hp turbo I-4, FWD, 4-door Sedan) $24,450
Audi A4 starts at $25.5k
Mercedes C230 3-dr Hatch starts at $25.5k
To me, the Saab will be a nice, more up-market approach to the Mazdaspeed Proteges, Neon SRT-4s, Sentra Spec-Vs, and WRXs of the world. If they can pull that off, I might be willing to take the early hit on my Elantra and invest in one. A Saab with a Subaru engine and AWD transmission doesn't sound like a bad deal to me, it sounds like a more reliable, fun to drive version from an quirky car company that has always had a place in my heart.
But then again, it won't have AWD and has become a less-sporty version of itself as VW moved mainstream.
I like the idea of a dialed in Saab that might drop below $20k with incentives if people ignore it. I certainly won't. I plan to sign up for a test drive as soon as they hit the pavement.
Combining Subaru mechanicals with Saab's style should be a win-win proposition. Too bad Subaru's so torqued about it, but you can't blame them, since all their Impreza R&D is going to Saab.
The 1-series has been a very invisible development since the word got out a few years back. One thing seems to be true, the 1-series will use alot of 3-series mechanicals but feature 4-cylinder motors. BMW has a bunch to choose from, so it could be any number of engines, but the early report is a 110-hp, I hope that turns into a Europe-only model. As is, it will likely be the same 1.8L that turns 138hp from 10 years ago.
If they come to the US with 110 hp, it will be a "Mini" disaster...
Hand me the keys to mine...emerald green with tan/black duo-tone interior please...delete the sunroof, but give me those sweet perf-leather seats from the 9-5 Aero (yeah, right)
Arc, Midnight Blue, Power Sunroof, Sentronic Automatic Transmission, rear parking sonars, and the joy of passing the 1-Series at the stop light. I'm not buying a SRT-4 anyways. I want some refinement with nice power at a nice price. The SRT-4 is missing out on the refinement part. it's just too much like a import racer, which is exactly what I don't want but what Dodge needs.
So, I am eager to see the Saab 9-2. As a non-loyalist consumer, it might be a great fit for my needs and wants. I don't think I will be putting in an order just yet...but it is an intriguing model that I will definately go and drive.
Who would have thought ten years ago that people who pay $20+k for an econocar with a hot engine? I could never do the Neon, just because of the association I have with cheap rental cars that drive like mudd after 20k miles. It may or may not be the cars faults...but I don't like the notion of driving the top-loaded model of a lower caste car when for the same money I can get the lower-base model of a higher caste car.
Call it "image" consciousness, but I would rather drive a 325 stripped then a Honda Accord loaded.
Back to the 9-2. I like the idea of a hot AWD Saab that will be sharing most major mechanicals with a model that is already popular and available. Even if the 9-2 flops, the car itself will survive on for the owner.
First, I wouldn't buy a Neon in any guise. Just could never feel "proud" about that car being mine. I wouldn't buy a Stratus either.
If I had $19-21k to spend on a car, I would have a laundry list of cars ahead of either, including a Mini.
A better question is this. Would you spend an extra $5 a day to drive a rental Stratus versus a rental Neon? Yes, and I have. Then again, I beg and beg for a Hyundai or Subaru most of the time. Not many carry Subes, but most have Hyundais. I would rather drive a Sonata than a Stratus. But that is just me.
(and yes, I have spent the extra $5 per day to get out of a Cavalier and into a Malibu!!!)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Audi A3 is rumored to have the 1.8T engine in some form (170-180 hp in US likely) and start around $21k. It will go from there, and may feature a jumped S3 version as well. Quattro makes it completely viable as an alternative to the Saab 9-2/WRX.
BMW 1-series appears to be coming, if it comes, with a low-powered I4 base (110hp) at a few more dollars...estimates start at $23k.
Same mag (Motor Trend) also listed 9-2 as priced between $21-24k, depending on engine choice, to start. A better looking WRX for $24k base? Keeps sounding better and better.
BTW, the Audi A3 will be a 5-door hatch (aka Golf) and will be in the MB SportCoupe vein.
A $21k Audi would be an interesting twist...but figure to add $1850 for quattro. Will potentially allow the Saab to stay a few grand cheaper in comparos.
I would definitely take a 9-2 over anything with that VW group 1.8T in it. Too bad, as I love the pictures I have seen of the A3 hatch.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
1.8T motors are in the TT, A4, Passat, Golf, Beetle, and Jetta. I find it hard to believe that all of these variants are "junk."
http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat- _code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=07961325
Looks a bit like a 7/8ths scale 9-5.
In any case, great! I always liked the WRX wagon a bit better anyway. Can't wait to get a good look at the interior on this car.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)