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- Thread starter puckhead193
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quagmire
macrumors 604
dpaanlka said:
Well if the 9-2 does come back it will be under the Delta platform which underpins the Cobalt, HHR, and Ion(slated for death by next year to be replaced by an Opel Astra rebadge most likely). I really do love the Saab Aero-X Concept. That thing is hot. Rumors say it is slated for production under the Kappa platform that underpins the Solstice and Sky. Too bad that canopy won't make it for the production version. Saab just lost a sale since it doesn't have it. 😛 😉
Saab 9-2x vs Subaru WRX
While I would take the design of any Saab any day, I have nothing but absolute respect for Subaru's value/performance/safety compared to almost any other car mfr. I bought a new car this past September (2006 Impreza Outback Sport), and even though every prior car I've purchased was a Subaru, I've never particularly liked any of their appearances, other than my very first one (1982 GL wagon). Subaru cannot design - it's that simple. The new Outbacks (2005 model +) are the best shot they've taken, and that's not great.
Enough background; to the point. When shopping, I wanted to buy the Saabaru 9-2x given its slightly better design, sound dampening, and (a few) better interior materials. Totally sold out. Everywhere. Couldn't get a manual transmission from any dealership between Maine and North Carolina (live in Pennsylvania). They weren't poor sellers - they just didn't produce enough of them.
Even better, since the 2006's are now available, try to buy one with GM's hyper-deep discounting. You get a higher-end Saabaru WRX for less than the actual Subaru WRX costs.
A Subaru will never be my dream car, but I firmly believe that AWD is the best safety feature of all, and with Subarus, you can tell when driving/cornering/etc. (It's not just a 'add traction to the rear when the car's slipping.' It's more like the traction is always spread where it's functional.) Kicks VW 4motion/Audi quattro, any SUV, any american AWD/4WD into last decade. Ugly cars, but I still gush.
While I would take the design of any Saab any day, I have nothing but absolute respect for Subaru's value/performance/safety compared to almost any other car mfr. I bought a new car this past September (2006 Impreza Outback Sport), and even though every prior car I've purchased was a Subaru, I've never particularly liked any of their appearances, other than my very first one (1982 GL wagon). Subaru cannot design - it's that simple. The new Outbacks (2005 model +) are the best shot they've taken, and that's not great.
Enough background; to the point. When shopping, I wanted to buy the Saabaru 9-2x given its slightly better design, sound dampening, and (a few) better interior materials. Totally sold out. Everywhere. Couldn't get a manual transmission from any dealership between Maine and North Carolina (live in Pennsylvania). They weren't poor sellers - they just didn't produce enough of them.
Even better, since the 2006's are now available, try to buy one with GM's hyper-deep discounting. You get a higher-end Saabaru WRX for less than the actual Subaru WRX costs.
A Subaru will never be my dream car, but I firmly believe that AWD is the best safety feature of all, and with Subarus, you can tell when driving/cornering/etc. (It's not just a 'add traction to the rear when the car's slipping.' It's more like the traction is always spread where it's functional.) Kicks VW 4motion/Audi quattro, any SUV, any american AWD/4WD into last decade. Ugly cars, but I still gush.
dpaanlka
macrumors 601
You're right... they're only making a very few, because very few want them.
Check the sales numbers on those 9-2s. People who buy SAABs generally want a SAAB, and can tell right away that the 9-2 is not.
You're possibly the first person I've ever heard of that actually wants one. Talk to any dealership manager and they'll tell you how few they want on their lots because they know they wont sell.
Check the sales numbers on those 9-2s. People who buy SAABs generally want a SAAB, and can tell right away that the 9-2 is not.
You're possibly the first person I've ever heard of that actually wants one. Talk to any dealership manager and they'll tell you how few they want on their lots because they know they wont sell.
Jay42
macrumors 65816
Platform said:
Must be what? Car and Driver liked the Audi better. There was an article a while back entitle "righteous RS4," I don't recall the issue date. Now arguing the price difference is one thing, but it would be hard to convince me the BMW performs better.
By the way, West LA, nice choice. I've only driven the car once but the sound when you open up the exhaust was purely addictive.
radiantm3
macrumors 65816
Jay42 said:
I personally don't trust reviews in american automobile publications. For example, Chrysler has won many car of the year awards for their last few cars while the European auto magazines gave them all mediocre reviews. To generalize, americans tend to like long straight roads, while europeans like tight curvy roads. And automobile magazine reviews tend to reflect that notion.
My favorite show is Top Gear (from BBC) and I tend to see their point of view when it comes to american cars. 😀
BTW, the latest episode of Fifth Gear had a head to head competition between the M3 CSL and the RS4. I believe the RS4 was faster around the track, but the M3 was much more fun to drive (RWD is always more fun than AWD).
Audi automotive history can be traced back far further than BMW's, and using turbos isn't necessarily a bad thing BMW will use turbos in the next gen M3.Platform said:
Dr_Maybe
macrumors 6502
Platform said:
Here's some history http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_Union
http://www.audi.com/audi/com/en1/company/history/motorsport_highlights.html
I think both Audi and BMW make some nice cars. The M5 and Audi RS4, RS6 for instance. But for the racing spirit, design and sound i would go to italian brands like Alfa and Ferrari.
And for the US cars vs European cars*. European cars are better, there's not much reason to discuss that. But US cars are often cheaper. You get a lot of bang for the buck. For intance, the Chrysler 300M looks a bit like the new Bentleys. Of course the Bentley is alot more expensive.
In the Corvette you get a lot of horse power for the price. But they are using leaf springs for supensions. The same tech used in horse carriages since the middle ages. The body is made of plastic. I'd rather have a Porsche or Ferrari, but of course those are more expensive.
Cadillac are openly striving to be up to par with Audi for interior quality.
*) I also consider a car like the Ford Focus sold in a "European" car. It was made for Europe and sold in Europe first, has italian styling. The ones sold in the US are different from those sold in Europe.
Dr_Maybe
macrumors 6502
dpaanlka said:
This article says that a VP in GM made the Escalade design team sit in a 2002 Audi A6 and experience the interior. That was what I was referring to.
http://www.forbes.com/vehicles/2006/03/24/cadillac-escalade-gm-cx_dl_0327feat.html
Yeah, Audi's look subtle, but I like that. For instance, I think the RS6 is awesome because the subtle looks make it a sleeper.
Bentleys are expensive VWs. Lamborghinis are expensive Audis. That's the way it is. Engines and platforms are shared, but the cars are still different.
dpaanlka
macrumors 601
Dr_Maybe said:
But Audi takes it a step further.
Audis look literally identical to Volkswagens. Many of them are quite literally Volkswagens with Audi logos on them.
A BMW may look tiring after seeing it all over the place, that's why I bought a Saab. But a BMW still looks better than an Audi.
A Saab 9-5, Cadillac STS, Buick Lucerne, BMW 750, Mercedes S500, and Volvo S60 do not look visually the same as any other car on the road.
mfacey
macrumors 65816
dpaanlka said:
My dad got a Saab 92x Aero quite soon after it came out in 2005 ( I believe). As far as I know he's quite pleased with it. THe exterior is more appealing than the equivilant Subaru Impreza WRX, but the performance is on par. What's also great is that almost all the aftermarket turning equipment for the WRX also fits the 92x Aero. So needless to say, my dad's saab is pretty darn quick 🙂
I can imagine its not a car that's going to last long. You don't see a lot. It's really a niche car. Even so. It's rare, so that makes it even more fun!
mad jew
Moderator emeritus
Pretty sure Porsche is independent. 🙂
I could be wrong but the Volkswagen Group shares its platforms among Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, SEAT, Skoda, VW and Audi (not so much the first two, although they are part of VW Group) although this isn't quite the same as re-badging. Nevertheless, a lot of their cars share a large proportion of their parts.
I could be wrong but the Volkswagen Group shares its platforms among Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, SEAT, Skoda, VW and Audi (not so much the first two, although they are part of VW Group) although this isn't quite the same as re-badging. Nevertheless, a lot of their cars share a large proportion of their parts.
rickvanr
macrumors 68040
mad jew said:
Received a trunk lock assembly for a VW Golf the other week, and it had Audi - VW - Seat - Skoda on the box, you're right there.
I always assumed Porsche was part of the VW group because they sell all three brands at some dealerships, and the VW Toureg and the Porsche Cayenne are based on the same platform.
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