I to have always been interested in SAABs. In my opinnion, GM made two mistakes when they acquired SAAB. First in Canada they messed around with the dealers, revoking some long time SAAB dealers, then trying to combine them into ill-fated Passport dealers (remember that badge), then combining them into SAAB/SAtURN/ISUZU dealers. In all respect, up until recently SATURN stood for cars for people who don't like cars, and here you are trying to flog an enthusiat product in the same space. Globally, GM closed down SAAB's design and engineering a few years after buying them, and combined that into their european opel/vauxhill. I think this was a mistake and FORD learned from it when they acquired Volvo and kept the Volvo engineering centres intact. Alot of a brand's DNA (if you can call it that) comes from seperating the engineering and design from other brands. I think thats why smaller brands that have resisted the wave of consolidation the industry saw in the 90's have done so well (BMW, Honda, even FIAT now).
I think SAABs make a good used car buy since they get savaged by depreciation more than other European makes (just keep a cash kitty for repairs).
I have generally recommended people stay away from them as new car purchases.
I also think the 9-2 subaru/saab and the chevy tahoe saab were definately bad steps.
The best thing for SAAB would be GM give up and sell them. I'd love to see a company like Peugeot/citreon take them over and use them as a springboard back into north america.
