britishtrident
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| posted on 20/12/09 at 04:11 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by morcus
I agree with you with regards to the engineering quality after GM took over, but I stand by my claims that the last generation of SAABs were styled
wrong and also the dropping of Hatchbacks to make the cars more 'German' was one of the worst things GM ever did to SAAB.
I am still a little surprised noone wanted to buy the SAAB name as to my mind it has a good reputation, much as a hate to admit it, I think one of the
German companies could have turned the brand around quite easilly (That said, BMW didn't put much effort into Rover).
For the record I wanted the 75 with the mustang engine.
The BMW board were fighting in house and Rover was a mere pawn in a strategic position.
Actually Rover quality went down under BMW and back up after they left. In particular Rover 75 build quality noticably improved when the production
was brought home to Longbridge
Most of the parts that tend to give trouble on the Rover 75 are BMW specified parts from BMW suppliers for example door latches and fuel pumps.
Even if Rover had survived the 75/ZT V8 was a total dead end and waste of development money the Mustang engine wasn't up to the job and lack
lustre when compared to the KV6 190. A rwd drive KV6 turbo powered would have made a better flagship product.
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pewe
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| posted on 20/12/09 at 05:14 PM |
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Like Mookaloid ^^ I have a 9-5 2.3 turbo estate and it's a great mile muncher plus sh*ts on most things when you want it to and it tows a treat.
Tegwin is absolutely correct that it's perceived as a pretty grey car but that works in it's favour (prob. too much) in that second-hand
values aren't a true reflection of how good the whole package is - climate, cruise, leather, great sound systems etc. etc.
My 9000 did 130k without anything major and this one has had 2xDI packs plus a turbo but nothing else so far @ 111k.
Probably not a bad time to buy a 9-5 as there are lots about and numerous specialists to keep them going (unlike Rover where the dealers were all
pretty much second-rate and demotivated).
Cheers, Pewe 
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morcus
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| posted on 20/12/09 at 11:03 PM |
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Not wrong there, my dad went to see our local rover dealler not long before they went away to see the city Rover, the dealer told him straight that
the car was poo (He didn't use those exact words) and that they'd be a Jag deallership in a month so they wouldn't service it. I
agree about the mustang engine aswell, but I think they should have gone futher and had RWD as an option with other engines or even made the whole MG
ZT range RWD.
I always got the impression that SAAB's image thing was a result of SAAB being a car popular with creative types in the past and their customer
base aging.
Quickly going back to Caddies if I may (I'm sorry) The BLS (A Caddy built for europe, and the car I'm planning to buy in a few years time
when I'm due a swap) was built in Trollhattan on the same production lines as the 9-3, so they can't all be badly built.
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morcus
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| posted on 21/12/09 at 09:01 PM |
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I've just heard that Spyker have put forward another offer and that we'll know by the end of today.
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morcus
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| posted on 21/12/09 at 09:01 PM |
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I've just heard that Spyker have put forward another offer and that we'll know by the end of today.
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Simon
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| posted on 1/1/10 at 08:59 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by morcus
For the record I wanted the 75 with the mustang engine.
I had the ZT 260 for just over three years and loved every minute I owned it, but, and they are big buts.
First up the car weighed 1750kgs so only 148 bhp/tonne - BMW 330D is quicker sadly.
The Ford V8 is crap, it's like running a Rover V8 on a pair of 1" SU's, They should have pushed GM for access to the LS lumps, then
400+ bhp would be easily attainable (and competition for M5 brigade). The gearbox was ok. As BT says, most of the failure items were BMW bits. BM also
didn't provide Rover with upgrades to the SatNav hard/sofware (though it could be replaced from bent BMW's) nor did they provide later
diesel engines.
This government should have turned around to Europe, stuck two fingers up and told them they were sticking money in so they could at least get their
new range in production, which looked quite promising.
ATB
Simon
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Simon
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| posted on 1/1/10 at 09:00 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by morcus
For the record I wanted the 75 with the mustang engine.
I had the ZT 260 for just over three years and loved every minute I owned it, but, and they are big buts.
First up the car weighed 1750kgs so only 148 bhp/tonne - BMW 330D is quicker sadly.
The Ford V8 is crap, it's like running a Rover V8 on a pair of 1" SU's, They should have pushed GM for access to the LS lumps, then
400+ bhp would be easily attainable (and competition for M5 brigade). The gearbox was ok. As BT says, most of the failure items were BMW bits. BM also
didn't provide Rover with upgrades to the SatNav hard/sofware (though it could be replaced from bent BMW's) nor did they provide later
diesel engines.
This government should have turned around to Europe, stuck two fingers up and told them they were sticking money in so they could at least get their
new range in production, which looked quite promising.
ATB
Simon
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T66
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| posted on 1/1/10 at 09:18 PM |
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I own a T7 Saab Coupe -
It has a lot of artermarket goodies and is sporting near enough 300bhp.
It still has the original clutch & head gasket
And will leave most things sitting wondering what the old boy with the C&A jumper was driving.
Mine isnt the Swedish Saab but a GM 2001 model (Vectra) so not bulletproof as per old Saab but still very fast and strong.
A T5 engine will tune happily to 450bhp on stock crank/rods & pistons.
A T7 to 300bhp on stock internals, thats from the original 205bhp mine was.
Styling isnt for all but I like to be different, I dare say like most Saab owners.
Ive never bought another same make car till I tried a Saab !
Its a disgrace they are going...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHWWBGgJPas&feature=fvw
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mookaloid
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| posted on 2/1/10 at 12:35 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by T66
I own a T7 Saab Coupe -
That's a cool car I like that 
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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morcus
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| posted on 2/1/10 at 08:35 AM |
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Apparantly the new 9-5 is going in to production but GM haven't decide which brand it will go under and the short list all already have a car
based on the same platform. If it does make it, Buick and Vauxhall seem to be the main options but I can't see vauxhall selling a second car
based on the insignia unless the new 9-5 is significantly bigger.
In a White Room, With Black Curtains, By the Station.
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T66
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| posted on 2/1/10 at 02:39 PM |
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3" Full Abbott Racing System +CAT
2.5" Streetgear Turbo Intake Pipe
Streetgear.se Intercooler
Speedparts.se Induction kit
Forge Wastegate
3.5 Bar FPR
Abbott Rack Clamp
Homegrown ECU flash - Courtesy of Mackan@The EcuProject
SAS 25mm Rear ARB
Front Disc Upgrades/RedStuff Pads
Koni Coils / Gas Dampers
Ive spent a fortune on it, and its still does 30mpg.
Carries a few niggles but has been very reliable.
I will be hanging onto this one another few years yet, like all Saabs I think they start to look better with age - I love them
[Edited on 3/1/10 by T66]
[Edited on 3/1/10 by T66]
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scootz
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| posted on 3/1/10 at 11:51 AM |
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It's Evolution Baby!
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