r.i.p saab

[Sloth]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8421007.stm

sad news.

[L14MNP]

That's sh!t news. :( Saab have been going downhill for years with their Vectra chassis' saloons etc.

Big shame considering what awesome, unique motors they were once known for.

[Jack]

"We regret that we are not able to complete this transaction with Spyker Cars," said GM Europe boss Nick Reilly.
= "they didn't offer us enough money" lol

Does GM own the aerospace arm of saab as well?

[loggyboy]

That's sh!t news. :( Saab have been going downhill for years with their Vectra chassis' saloons etc.

Big shame considering what awesome, unique motors they were once known for.
And sharing one with the Croma, Thema and Alfa 164 is much better?

I dont think theyve ever done any stunning or 'wow' cars the old 900 turbo was pretty cool, but i cant think of much else.

[L14MNP]

Never knew they shared with those tbh mate. No that's probably worse lol.

900 Turbo FTW. Some cool old rally cars too. I liked the way they just done their own thing. A rare sight.

[loggyboy]

Never knew they shared with those tbh mate. No that's probably worse lol.

Yep the 9000 was based on them... the end started with GMs involvement in the late 90s. so they only have themselves to blame.

[L14MNP]

Cool. Never knew mate. :thumb: lol @ Lancia Thema/Fiat Croma. God knows when I last saw one of those!

Yeah, just like Rover hanged themselves when they severed ties with Honda. lol

[Lee]

Whats wrong with chassis sharing? Keeps development costs right down. I defy you to find a unique chassis on the road today in the middle car market.

[burgo]

tis a shame as i think saabs are really nice cars

[L14MNP]

Whats wrong with chassis sharing? Keeps development costs right down. I defy you to find a unique chassis on the road today in the middle car market.
Nothing wrong with it mate, it just made a company like Saab go backwards. No-one can deny that. We know it works wonders for others, particularly VAG lol

[Lee]

Nothing wrong with it mate, it just made a company like Saab go backwards. No-one can deny that. We know it works wonders for others, particularly VAG lol

The one I find most interesting is the Fiesta / Fiat 500.

[Jack]

Or this

http://www.carforums.net/reviews/makes/pictures/morgan08.jpg

http://www.littlehelpers.co.uk/files/thumbnails/t_60.jpg

[L14MNP]

The one I find most interesting is the Fiesta / Fiat 500.
Aye that's a good once. Fiesta looks so much larger. Same as all the VAG crap IMO, they always surprise me. Don't know much about the new ones but a mk4 Golf/Octavia were the same chassis iirc. As well as a good few others, but the Octavia looks so much larger, guess it's the overhangs. lol

[Lee]

All the frenchies are good at sharing out their designs. IMO its a bit like inbreeding, and if french cars were human, they would all have webbed feet and be from Norfolk.

[John]

Aye that's a good once. Fiesta looks so much larger. Same as all the VAG crap IMO, they always surprise me. Don't know much about the new ones but a mk4 Golf/Octavia were the same chassis iirc. As well as a good few others, but the Octavia looks so much larger, guess it's the overhangs. lol

Yeah most vag stuff is still the same ie MK5 golf, leon, octavia. Audi stuff is similar but most have irs, (they think they're a bit better than everyone else, but theyre not lol)

[John]

Or this

http://www.carforums.net/reviews/makes/pictures/morgan08.jpg

http://www.littlehelpers.co.uk/files/thumbnails/t_60.jpg

AFPMLS!!lol lol lol

[peester]

so despite the type 4 chassis sharing, GM still couldnt turn them into profitable..
Its a big shame indeed, my dad has had a couple of saabs, im a fan. Was gutted to hear the koenegsseg (sp) deal fell thru

[Sloth]

thing is, the croma/thema platform isnt a bad car, they handle well, esp the alfa 155 cloverleaf or q4's. and saab have been using others technology for years, their 4 cyl 16v 2.0 engine is based on the triumph dolomite sprint motor. btw, new fiesta/ka/500/corsa. all the same. vxr engined fiat 500 anyone?

[Royston]

We have a Saab 93 convertible turbo, really impressed with it.

Would consider getting another.

Its a real shame, new 95 was poised for launch

[Sloth]

/\ aye and apparently it was very very good.... shares the new vectra under pinnings apparently

[sparkie1401]

Shame, nuff said! 900 turbo FTW cossy power
didnt saab invent the turbo?????????????




















waits for RJ confirmation lol

[Sloth]

no they didnt, common misconception, the turbo was invented back in the 1900's iirc

[loggyboy]

thing is, the croma/thema platform isnt a bad car, they handle well, esp the alfa 155 cloverleaf or q4's. and saab have been using others technology for years, their 4 cyl 16v 2.0 engine is based on the triumph dolomite sprint motor. btw, new fiesta/ka/500/corsa. all the same. vxr engined fiat 500 anyone?

The alfa 155 didnt use the tyope 4 plat form the 164 did, the 155 used the tipo/tempra/dedra chassis.

The fiesta doesnt share the 500s platform - Fiesta shares it with the mazda 3, the 500 shares it with the KA and the Panda
The Corsa is shared with the Punto, neither of the above!

[Pistol Pete]

I'm surprised they lasted this long TBH. It is a shame though, Saabs are/were quite cool in an odd way.


Whats wrong with chassis sharing? Keeps development costs right down. I defy you to find a unique chassis on the road today in the middle car market.

Exactly. Pretty much all car companies are doing it now. Seems to be the ony way to survive and keep costs down.

[Bubba]

im pretty sure the aerospace side of saab wont be effected. stupid money to be made in aerospace. should see some of the orders we have going out soon...£30k here, £15k there

[Jack]

should see some of the orders we have going out soon...£30k here, £15k there
No offence, but in aerospace thats peanuts, especially when you consider a WAH apache costs about £45m apiece (and thats considered pretty cheap). You should see how much the MOD is throwing at <insert large American aerospace company here> to take us lot on and do the WRAM thing. Suffice to say all the shoite in the news about the MOD cutting back on spending is complete and utter dog turd.

[scott.parker]

Unfortunately it's just a sign of the times, so much for coming out of recession..

[Bubba]

we only supply to contractors material in bar/sheet/billet form so thats alot for us

big american company....Pall, lockheed martin...we supply both

[Mike]

Whats wrong with chassis sharing? Keeps development costs right down. I defy you to find a unique chassis on the road today in the middle car market.

Hear hear!

Porsche boxter chassis is a VW Golf Mk5 for instance.

Anyho, shame really, SAABs are lovely motors. The Aero models are ace.

[Bubba]

i still like the 9000 2.3t

[Nova_Tek]

Such a shame, sad to hear it :(

[Spudly]

900 Turbo FTW.



Nahhh.................



9000 Carlsson 2.3 Turbo FTEW colonthumbsupepiccool




http://www.trollhattansaab.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/9000carlsson.jpg

[Bubba]

^^^ i must have that....tri-spokes :D thats supercoolwickedlike

[Lee]

, the 500 shares it with the KA and the Panda
!

Absolutely, my mistake :)

[Spudly]

^^^ i must have that....tri-spokes :D thats supercoolwickedlike


My mate used to have a 2.1 Carlsson 9000 and for a massive barge of a car it went like stink, had full heated leather all the electric toys too, was like driving the starship enterprise at warp six when you floored it!

[craig green]

I heard SAAB had a whole new range incl a 4x4 SUV ready for launch.
I bet GM was a nail in their coffin, but saying that without GM they may have suffered a buy out years ago.

Old skool 900 turbo's were ace, gorgeous sound. Odd dashboards though.

[Bubba]

tut im now scouring ebay for 9000s :(

[Jack]

big american company....Pall, lockheed martin...we supply both
Bigger. lol

[craig green]

tut im now scouring ebay for 9000s :(

Have the prices hit rock bottom or gone (mk1 base spec Nova) crazy??

[Bubba]

boeing?

[Bubba]

Have the prices hit rock bottom or gone (mk1 base spec Nova) crazy??

between £650 and £2k depending if they are private or dealer prices. got me thinking now

[Jack]

I'm not at liberty to say, official secrets act and all that :p

[Bubba]

we also do alot of westlands, boeing etc

but most of our stock used for filter by pall. helping keep the troops breathing in tanks n stuff

[scott.parker]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2000-SAAB-9-3-SE-TURBO-BLUE_W0QQitemZ260522974374QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutom obiles_UK?hash=item3ca8611ca6

[Bubba]

only a 2.0t and it aint got the tri spokes

[L14MNP]

There's hope yet.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Saab-9-5/246110/

[Bubba]

OoOooo. i must admit, i do like most of the saabs on the road.

[Sloth]

if your looking at2.3's make sure the motor is a1 cond as they throw rods, the 2.0 is actually understressed. 900 classic turbo 16v carlsson cab for me pls!

[TWAG]

I hope for my dads sake they dont close, hes worked for them as a master technician for the last 15 years

[Stuart]

BIIIIIIG fight with the german unions regarding closing Saab down as the new 9-5 was set to be built in germany amongst other places lol



I cant help but think Fiat did the best of the KA/500 deal as you hardly see any KA's on the road and loads of 500's.... the KA might handle well and be a giggle to drive but its pig ugly compared to the cute gaywagon.

[Stuart]

I'm not at liberty to say, official secrets act and all that :p

American Airlines..... lol

[Jack]

I cant help but think Fiat did the best of the KA/500 deal as you hardly see any KA's on the road and loads of 500's.... the KA might handle well and be a giggle to drive but its pig ugly compared to the cute gaywagon.
The fiat is "cool" though with its retro styling. The Ka is just a boring old Ford.

[Royston]

only a 2.0t and it aint got the tri spokes

This is my err the wifes Saab

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v697/1297cc/DSCF3308.jpg


Its a great car 2.0 turbo 185hp, more than enough, especially with no lid! :)

More of a cruising car rather than thrashing it everywhere, but when you open it up it responds!:d

[Southie]

Now this SAAB is a sleeper CLICKY (http://jalopnik.com/5393718/700-hp-saab-99-is-the-best-sleeper-ever):d

700 HP terror machine capable of 9.8 second quarter miles.

HERES THE VIDEO (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDR7T-G6u4U&feature=player_embedded#)

[Nova_Tek]

:eek: fairly quick!