Whilst this is the end of the road for Trollhattan Saab (yes, city of Trollhattan, you can have your Google rank back soon!) it is NOT the end of our collective journey with Saab blogging.

Please bookmark www.saabsunited.com – TS’s little baby and successor.

Trollhattan Saab will still exist indefinitely an archive, but from this post onwards, all new posts will be published at Saabs United.

I will give TS a week or so as it is, so that you can finish your conversations in comments here. As of next weekend the front page of Trollhattan Saab will automatically redirect visitors to Saabs United.

The reasons for the change are many but hopefully only noticeable to me. Your experience should be largely the same as it has been here at TS. There’s a nice fat welcome post over at SU that explains nearly everything (I’ve left the meaning of life to others).

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MobilForum are a top tier dealership specialising in Hummer, Cadillac, Corvette and most importantly for readers at this website – Saab. In fact, with the specialised knowledge they’ve accumulated over the years they are the top tier dealership for premium brands in Saxony, Germany.

Mobilforum provide their customers with a balanced mix of experience and innovation when it comes to Saab and GM’s other premium brands. They know their products and their customers. They know that these drivers want their cars to express their individuality, placing a particular emphasis on reliability and superior ride.

Whether it’s the subtly-practical Saab 9-3 Sport Combi or the expressive and powerful Corvette Z06 – customers will receive a full buying and ownership experience from the staff at Mobilforum.

Its their specialised knowledge and creativity that leads them to look for integrated solutions for their customers, like the all-in-one Kenwood audio and commuinications system I publicised at Trollhattan Saab recently. Shortly we’ll hear from a pretty happy TS reader in Singapore who just installed this system in his Turbo X, supplied by Mobilforum.

I want to thank MobilForum for their support of SaabsUnited and wish them well in their mission: to promote Saab in one of the toughest European markets there is, in Germany.

I hope all who are in their region (and beyond) check out their offerings and give them your support where you can.

Yesterday it was naked 9-3x photos and today it’s more photos of the Saab 9-5 in winter testing northern Sweden. This vehicle is the one that’s actually registered as being a Holden, but don’t let that throw you off. It’s got a 180hp diesel and an automatic transmission.

There are six photos in all, and they’re all tree times the size of this one (or is that nine times the size? I get confused sometimes).

They’re all available over at Auto Motor and Sport.

Photoshop experts, feel free to do your thing……

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Well, at least I know what the problem is with the convertible. And it has a lot to do with this picture of my (former) jumper cables.

Read on for the explaination.

As you may recall, just before Christmas, I had the 9-5 in the shop to sort out a few things that took a bit longer than I expected, so I drove the 900 convertible to the airport on the front end of a 48-hour road trip. When I returned, the car simply went black on me about two miles from the airport on the way back home. Completely black. It stopped cold in full drive, and it couldn’t be jumped. I had it towed home by a character of a tow truck driver (they all have stories, believe me) and there it remained through the busy holiday period and through the incessant rain and cold. Today, with the high temp near 60 degrees F (about 17 degrees C), I figured that I’d get to the bottom of the problem.

As I’ve written before, I’d thought about how it failed and the other symptoms that the car exhibited. I’d compe to the conclusion that perhaps the diode was bad or that the alternator may have a winding fault. Beyond that, I suspected that there could be an open circuit somewhere or a fault with the ignition switch.

Today, I started by cleaning the grounds just to make sure that they were in good shape. On a C900, bad grounds are notorious. I then moved to the ignition switch, and with my multimeter it seemed to test out good. Then, I decided to try to jump start the car again just to see if I could find the fault with the battery charged up. To my surprise, my jumper cables were melted ether by heat or solvent (see picture above). Since they are well over ten years old, I figured that they could have been slowly deteriorating and the (very) stiff spring in the clamps has caused them to deform. I hooked them up, and, surprise, the car started on the first crank! Feeling smug that the bad ground was the problem all along, I decided to take it for a test drive around the neighborhood.

That was my mistake.

I got about a half mile (about 1 km) from my house and the car quit just as it had before. Abruptly, and completely black. Puzzled, I walked home to get the company-owned Chevrolet to jump it again. My wife saw me coming and offered to help. I said that she could drive the Impala back home and save me the half-mile walk to retrieve it once I jumped the 900, so off we went. As I took the jumper cables out of the trunk to connect them, she said, “Oh, I hope that your cables still work”. I looked at her and said, “They do, why do you ask?” To which she replied, “Oh, I had to jump the Chevrolet one morning when you were gone and I connected them to the opposite polarity by accident. They melted. I never got the Saab started, so it didn’t work. The Saab started the Impala after I put the cables right.”

She said, “Oh, I had to jump the Chevrolet one morning when you were gone and I connected them to the opposite polarity by accident. They [the jumper cables] melted. I never got the Saab started, so it didn’t work. The Saab started the Impala after I put the cables right.”

Stunned, I looked at her, slack-jawed. I had been wondering how the Saab got so messed up, and now I knew!! My wife killed my Saab!! And, to make matters worse, it gave its life for the freakin’ Impala!

When I say “killed”, I mean that she’s probably made my decision for me: the car was likely not worth saving before this chapter in its life, but now I’m sure that it’s not worth saving. The list of fixes was already very long, and now I’m pretty sure that the alternator and the diode are gone, and the power steering pump is making a racket that you wouldn’t believe.

RIP my friend. Your parts will live on, but I’ll have to start over with another. I’m kind of sad, but, I always like car shopping…

On Saab (not) in the news

I’ve not heard much about Saab in the mainsteam news here in the US, period. Of course, the GM news always includes Saab as an aside, and there was that splash about the Swedish government backing Saab and Volvo to keep them viable. Other than that, Saab is under the radar, which I feel is a good thing in the long run. Saab will not be seen with the same taint that the big three (GM, Ford and Chrysler) will wear once things begin to roll again. Just as it was back in the 1980’s when the Chrysler Corporation was bailed out by the feds, the bail-out cars will be austere almost to a fault — the burden of massive debt does that to a company. Saab, being viewed in a somewhat different category, will hopefully side step that issue to remain somewhat on track as a premium brand.

On Saab as the Apple of Car Brands

I’m not sure that I want to wear the “Apple of car brands” badge, either. Apple certainly makes exquisite hardware that seems so “right”. However, they are pricey and proprietary. Apple tends to be very protective of their proprietary nature, almost to the point of arrogance. I hope that Saab doesn’t go there. The Saab legacy is as good design accessible to the everyman. I hope that isn’t lost in the translation.

The view from Japan: nary a Saab in sight

Of course, all of you knew this, right? However, I simply had to make mention of my recent trip to Japan, which was enlightening on many fronts. I saw no Saabs. In fact, I saw very, very few European cars, period. I now have a greater appreciation for why Japanese car makers seem to be so good at making “cars as appliances”. That’s simply the Japanese way. They are not a car culture, per se. They are not a nation of individualists. They are a nation of group think. They value homogeneity and quality. The Japanese have a saying that roughly translates, “The nail that is sticking up gets nailed back down.” That is, if you stick out as an individual, society will ensure that you are marginalized until you conform. This translates into bland design on the outside and tons of buttons on the inside because that’s the Japanese mentality.

It’s also very different driving in Japan, from what I can see. First of all, the cities are crowded. Even on the “open” highways, vehicles are still very close together. I can’t imagine owning a performance car there unless I lived in a more rural setting because you can never drive fast in any way, shape or form. It simply doesn’t happen for most Japanese drivers. They drive virtually 100% of the time in stop-and-go traffic. Again, the car has to be able to withstand those rigors, which makes for a reliable automobile, but the visceral thrill of driving as most of us know is simply unknown there.

I did, however, see this Alfa Romeo (just for you, Swade!) in Tokyo very near the Tsukiji Fish Market. (By the way, the Japanese line up for a breakfast of sashimi and other ultra-fresh seafood every morning. I enjoyed some tuna sashimi, perch sashimi, some sort of raw fish paste and some cod roe alongside a hearty bowl of miso with udon noodles. Good eats!) The Welsh owner walked up while we were photographing the car, joking about how often tourists from the United States take pictures of it.

And, just for Swade: Cadillac is everywhere!

Finally, there are several creative parking solutions at work in Japan that further underscore just how tough it is to own a car there. More to come on that…

This week’s random car-related shot

Mac Tools, the route-delivery mechanic tool supplier division of Stanley Works, is one of my long-time customers. They truly are great people. While visiting their Columbus, Ohio HQ, I saw something that I’d not seen before: the hot-rod go cart created entirely from Mac Tools (save the wheels and the seat). Check it out!

The body is a real Mac Tools tool box (which are very expensive, by the way, but very much worth the additional money over the “regular” stuff if you’ve got heavy tools), the components are chromed Mac Tools wrenches, sockets, socket extensions, clamps, etc. Even the nitrous oxide bottle on the front is a compressed air cylinder from a Mac Tools compressor! The creator was a mechanic that built this in his spare time. Mac Tools bought it from him after seeing it at one of thir dealer events. Someone had a lot of time on his hands, let me tell you….

Updates on the EnG Saab front

The C900 ‘vert is still parked where I left it 60 days ago. Today the high here will be around 60 degrees F (16 degrees C) and no rain (for the first time in months it seems), so I’ll be able to give it the once over for the first time thoroughly. It has a serious electrical issue that I believe is a bad diode. UPDATE: See the next post for the complete story.

The 9-5 is driving well, but I’ve still got a few things to do on it. They can wait.

Random Saab Pic of the Day

From Wagonized on Flickr comes this great drawing of a Saab 99:

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Richo, our former-Viggen-owning mate was at Philip Island in Victoria indulging in his new brand:

And the temperature at one point in the afternoon:

That’s seriously hot. I hope the Bimmers didn’t melt in the sun.

Melbourne (the capital city in Victoria) had it’s hottest day on record today and fires are sweeping across the state. There have been many, many homes destroyed and 14 confirmed deaths so far with a fear the number might go as high as 40.

Serious business.

500km away in Tasmania it’s like another world. We had rain this morning and a top in the mid-high 20s.

I’ve heard a little more on this issue since then and the answer appears to be both ‘yes’ and ‘no’, though perhaps not in the way many would like to hear.

The market I’ve heard from is within Europe. In that market, there will be both a 2WD and an XWD version of the Saab 9-3x.

The XWD version of the car will have the 2.0T gasoline engine, like the car in the photo, above.

The TTiD engine will be made available in the 9-3x, but according to the information I’ve received, the TTiD version will have a 2WD setup.

It seems the issues fitting XWD and the TTiD engine together are still in play.

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Daytime shots. Proper wheels. No falling snow and no disguises. The Saab 9-3x in all its glory.

I really, REALLY like the look of this vehicle. It’s a subtle change, but a great one.

The Saab 9-3x is due to make its official public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month (March 2009). I hope it gets a really good showing.

There are more photos over at Auto Motor and Sport, and they’re HUGE!

Thanks Par!

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Automotive jobs here at TS include the removal exchange of my Monte Carlo’s woodgrain dashboard for the plain dash in one of Drew B’s cars. I’ll then be able to fit my new carbon fibre dash kit.

Website jobs here at TS include the changeover to the new website, which will take place some time tomorrow. I’ll redirect the TS homepage automatically so you’ll go straight there, but if you’d like a quick look around now, go and visit Saabs United.

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The drums of war are beating softly in the Swedish press.

Some of you may know that a GM board member named Percy Barnevik retired during the week. It was rather sudden and unexpected. Barnevik is Swedish and ctm tells me that the sudden nature of Barnevik’s departure has the Swedish motoring press wondering if Saab’s negotiations with the government are failing and Barnevik’s quit to avoid blame.

I don’t think this is true. The reason why is because this very train of through was posted on The Truth About Cars during the week as a “Wild Ass Rumour of the Day”. Those rumours have around a 2% success rate.

And aside from that, I think Saab’s doing OK with the government. It’s the market that’s kicking their backside.

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Swedish tuning company, BSR, recently announced a price reduction on it’s PPC tuning products. Not they’re going the next step and reducing the prices of their chip-tuned products as well.

PPC products plug-in to your car and download the new tuning information. Chip-tuned products require a new chip to be installed in your ECU. The Saab products affected by this price reduction include the Saab 900, 9000 and Trionic5 Saabs.

Hit the BSR website for more info.

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Another dealership selling Saabs closes, in Beaverton, Oregon.

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Look at what Dippen found:

MONTE CARLO, MONACO – FEBRUARY 01: Salvador Albinana and Jose Diaz-Tejeiro of Spain drive a Saab 96 V4 (1973) on the first stage from Monaco to Revest les Roches during the 12th Monte Carlo Historical Rally on February 1, 2009 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Over three hundred cars are entered in four different age categories, all having competed in at least one of the Monte Carlo rallies. The cars compete in sixteen stages over four days in the south-east region of France.

What a way to spend a week, huh?

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I’m going to be pretty tied up with driving lessons in the young fella’s new Subaru and putting the final polish on the new site.

Things may be slow around here as a result.

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This is big.

Saab’s involvement in horseracing in Australia is probably it’s biggest single marketing exercise. The Melbourne Cup is the biggest horserace in Australia and the final race available to qualify for The Cup is a race called the Saab Quality. It’s a huge event that sees my RSS feed full for two weeks with speculations about who’s going to run in “The Saab” etc.

Saab will also be cancelling their corporate hositality tent at the Melbourne Cup Carnival. They’ve been erecting this tent and hosting Melbourne’s movers and shakers for a number of years now. In November 2008 they moved back to the prestigious group of tents known as The Birdcage – the loftiest spot you can get.

Back in 2006 they changed their marquee every day of the four-day carnival to reflect a different season (to promote the four-seat, four-season Saab convertible). In 2007 they had a Saab Convertible encased in ice. This are big, costly events.

Saab will retain an affiliation with racing through being a vehicle sponsor for the Victorian Racing Club, but the days of copius amounts of free wine and cheese are over.

For Holden, the cuts go even deeper.

The biggest form of car racing here in Australia is the V8 Supercar series. It’s Holden vs Ford. One of the most storied rivalries in the country.

Holden will retain a factory team in the V8 Supercars, but they’re withdrawing all of their corporate hospitality at V8 Supercar race meetings, including the car race that stops the nation – Bathurst.

Saab’s situation here in Australia would be well known to you. They’re struggling in a big way.

Whay you mightn’t know is that Holden are also struggling. Holden are propped up by the fact that they make a large number of vehicles for overseas markets. These are primarily (maybe wholly) large RWD vehicles based on their prime seller here in Australia, the Commodore family sedan and wagon (and ute). Holden were going to supply the US with the Pontiac G8 Sport Truck, but that’s been cancelled. Their top selling car here in Australia, the Commodore, was recently beaten out for top spot in the sales charts by the Mazda 3 (and this after numerous beatings by the Toyota Corolla and HiLux).

For Holden, withdrawing in anyway from their main image-builder – V8 racing – is a big, big move.

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It just goes to show….all the fancy high-class marketing in the world won’t mean a think without a hot product.

Saab need those new products now.

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