Sabaroo...

NapaBavarian · #1 08-15-2005, 10:45 AM

Saw one of these yesterday... quite amusing, I wanted to ask the salesman when they started selling sabaroos

Chiketkd · #2 08-15-2005, 10:52 AM

Saw one in person while I was in Orlando. They look pretty sweet and in many ways better than the WRX wagon.

-Chike

dcarrb · #3 08-15-2005, 12:53 PM

A friend of mine got in just under the GM employee discount wire and snagged a '05 Saabaru to compliment his '02 Outback Sport. The former is definitely the better looking of the two.

dcb

UberRoo · #4 08-15-2005, 01:12 PM

It took me a minute to figure out what you were talking about. Gotta have two 'A's to be Swedish. Saabaru, or perhaps Saabaroo if you prefer. But yes, I think just about anything is better than the Japanese styling. I wonder about parts availability, interchangeability, and cost; but I'd much rather have Saab's rendition of a WRX than the original. Now we just need a Saab STi.

#5 08-15-2005, 06:14 PM

I know about the 9-2x I've seen a few around. I have a Question though, is the new 9-7x a tribeca with better styling or does anyone know?

Chiketkd · #6 08-15-2005, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim-H

I know about the 9-2x I've seen a few around. I have a Question though, is the new 9-7x a tribeca with better styling or does anyone know?

It's worse...much worse. The Saab 9-7x is a re-styled Chevy TrailBlazer!

http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2450.shtml

-Chike

#7 08-15-2005, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiketkd

It's worse...much worse. The Saab 9-7x is a re-styled Chevy TrailBlazer!

http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2450.shtml

-Chike

Oh man, that's terrible. Lol, what the heck were they thinking.

Weebitob · #8 08-15-2005, 08:01 PM

I thought Saab's Tribeca based SUV is going to be the 9-6x?

drivemusicnow · #9 08-16-2005, 12:54 AM

http://www.autocar.co.uk/news_article.asp?na_id=215454

Yeah... I just hope subaru's making a decent amount of money out of the GM crossbreeds.... Its not exactly helping their image.

Weebitob · #10 08-16-2005, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drivemusicnow

http://www.autocar.co.uk/news_article.asp?na_id=215454

Yeah... I just hope subaru's making a decent amount of money out of the GM crossbreeds.... Its not exactly helping their image.

I don't see image as much of a problem as sales. If you have a car that is like the Tribeca in capability, could be just as luxurious if not more, be from a slightly more prominent European marque not to mention mention have a front grill which most people might find less strange, while also never confirming if it really will be that more expensive.

So factor all of this in and Saab might have a SUV that does not only kill the B9 sales to the point where it can probably equal the ammount if not more than what they gained profit wise from selling the platform but also killing Subaru's chances of ever reaching into a new market.

dcarrb · #11 08-16-2005, 06:09 AM

I don't see an image problem, either, except perhaps among Subaru loyalists (like me) who find the affiliation with GM distasteful. But from Fuji Heavy Industry's point of view, every Saabaru (or "Chevy" Forester) sold is another unit out the factory door, for which GM picked-up the tab for marketing.

dcb

Weebitob · #12 08-16-2005, 06:17 AM

Don't worry, Subaru will get their turn on "picking up the tab." The question is whether those "tabs" can cover the potential lose in Tribeca sales and if it can supplement for Subaru potentially losing out on the luxury market, for the third time.

dcarrb · #13 08-16-2005, 07:20 AM

I question the viability of the Tribeca, anyway. Introducing an upscale SUV into a market already saturated with upscale SUVs (and $3.00 per gallon gasoline) doesn't strike me as marketing brilliance. And the SVX is probably proof that Subaru will ultimately have to follow the lead of Honda, Nissan and Toyota and introduce a "premium" brand in order to sell cars at a premium price. (The SVX should have been that new brand's flagship.) Some folks simply won't pay $40,000+ for a Subaru, simply because it's a Subaru.

dcb

mikecg · #14 08-16-2005, 10:18 AM

Do they have boxer engines too, or do they use there own engine?

dcarrb · #15 08-16-2005, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikecg

Do they have boxer engines too, or do they use there own engine?

The Saabs? Yes, boxers. They're Subarus through and through; only the plastic cosmetic pieces and badging are different.

dcb