CD Article: 2006 Saab 9-7X V8

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
First Drive:

Though it's based on the GM Trailblazer/Envoy/Rainier truck platform, the new Saab 9-7X is more than just "a Chevy with a Saab grille", says Laurance Yap.  Still, "the driving experience is more truck-like than the Saab's slick looks would lead you to expect," he says, "..and it's expensive."      More...

[Shnak]

 

[AVToller]

I hate to say this, but   .....         

[mrthompson]

Kinda reminds me of a Ford Exploder in appearance.   

Poor SAAB....how the mighty have falllen...

[mdxtasy]

I actually saw a 9-7X a few weeks back.  Saw it from the back and it did not stand out right away....got closer and noticed the badge and lights.  Meh....it's nothing to write home about but I do recall thinking it was lower to the ground than an Envoy. 

[Snowman]

A case in point for reasons not to re-badge.

[Bullet Blue]

Seeing a Saab logo on a GM interior makes me sick. For the love of GOD GM, show some mercy 

[Scaerio]

I've only ever seen one on the road...

[Craig]

This isn't funny anymore, GM.  At best, it's sad.  At worst, sacreligious.

[mdxtasy]

Would it have been a better idea to build a tall wagon ala Volvo XC70 using the 9-5 as the starting point? 

[Giant Dwarf]

I've only ever seen one on the road...

Then you've seen more than I have!

Did anyone else think it was odd in the article how Laurence said that some guy came across the parking lot, tapped on the window just to tell him it was a Chev and not a real Saab?  Who'd have the nuts to do that?!  

I mean, I think things like "have you no sense of good taste at all?" when I see people driving Asstek's, but I certainly never say it to their faces!

[wing]

I should have told Laurence to give up on the ground level shots when I was with him in Detroit

Oh and to pass me the porsches.

[mdxtasy]

Did anyone else think it was odd in the article how Laurence said that some guy came across the parking lot, tapped on the window just to tell him it was a Chev and not a real Saab?  Who'd have the nuts to do that?!  

I mean, I think things like "have you no sense of good taste at all?" when I see people driving Asstek's, but I certainly never say it to their faces!

You mofo's out in Ontairo are crazy.  

[Howswedeitis]

After having owned 3 Saabs and put over 750,000 kms on them I can say with some authority what makes a Saab...a "Saab". To be perfectly honest, a rebadged Trailblazer ain't no Saab. That being said, I've seen the 9-7 X and although it's not a bad attempt at a 'modern' SUV it hardly convinces those
loyal to the marque. That's to say if Saab had actually had some real engineering input from the start you'd have a dramatically different end product. What the 9-7x represents is the best engineering made after the fact...ie stiffer chassis, stronger brakes, better ride control and some "Saab" touches to make it look "more" like a Saab. I'd say the 9-7X will sell if they dropped the price by 8-10k.

[Arthur Dent]

That thing sounds horrible to me. Haven't yet seen one (must be selling great eh?).

[mrthompson]

Did anyone else think it was odd in the article how Laurence said that some guy came across the parking lot, tapped on the window just to tell him it was a Chev and not a real Saab?  Who'd have the nuts to do that?!  

Dip?  

[Bullet Blue]

I've only ever seen one on the road...

Then you've seen more than I have!

Did anyone else think it was odd in the article how Laurence said that some guy came across the parking lot, tapped on the window just to tell him it was a Chev and not a real Saab?  Who'd have the nuts to do that?!  

I mean, I think things like "have you no sense of good taste at all?" when I see people driving Asstek's, but I certainly never say it to their faces!

I also thought this was odd. I see lots of cars on the road that make me roll my eyes, but would probably never go up to them and tell them exactly what I think. I usually only comment to people about their cars when I've got something positive to say. Otherwise I wouldn't wanna risk a punch in the nose. Maybe Yap isn't a threatening looking guy  

Would it have been a better idea to build a tall wagon ala Volvo XC70 using the 9-5 as the starting point?

That would've been a good idea. Volvo has had much success with the XC70 and Saab could probably do well in transforming a 9-5 or 9-4 sportcombi into that type of car. However, even though the XC70 is still selling well for Volvo, the XC90 outsells it by far. The SUV graze ain't over yet and the numbers are proof. GM had a good idea by introducing a Saab SUV to (try) to compete with the XC90, but the it up, as per usual, by rebadging it.

[gta_driver]

The only ones I've ever seen are the ones that are languishing on Saab dealer lots.

Something tells me, I won't be seeing very many soon. I have a feeling that gas prices are going to be over a dollar/litre after the election. Crude is close to touching Katerina heights. The only reason oil companies are not raising the prices at the pumps is because they don't want gasoline to turn into an election issue.

[AVToller]

I should have told Laurence to give up on the ground level shots when I was with him in Detroit

Oh and to pass me the porsches.

  Those shots are low, even for a Peke looking for something to pee on. 

[safristi]

2 Bottles of Dom PERRY'ThuderBIRD ail..ill..aai..doo dat toooo yaaaahh!!!!!..Grant I'm gonna PU...... ...... wel push the shutter button before I HU..... ...... Ahhhhhh Nice PI...hic...'s guys.....