The 2010 Saab 9-5 Costs How Much??

by Gunnar Heinrich ::: img Saab Cars ::: 2010 Saab 9-5

FORTY-NINE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED NINETY DOLLARS. Saab’s new management has set an ambitious price point for the brand-new 9-5 Aero, the sedan that will be the first new Saab model on US soil since GM repacked an Opel sedan and called it the 9-3 all those moons ago.

Edmunds’ Michelle Krebs helpfully (or cynically?) points out that the significant price tag makes Saab’s V6 powered flagship more expensive than the all-new 2011 BMW 5-Series, the current Cadillac CTS, and the Lexus GS350.

To say nothing of used V8 versions of those rival marques.

Our fair Tasmanian fellow Swade from SaabsUnited valiantly counters that the 9-5 V6 comes to jaded America fully-stocked and that initially the sedan will be aimed solely at wealthier buyers.

Setting the new bar, so to speak.

Further, let’s keep in mind that America’s luxury car market is more fickle than an Independent congressman during election year and that us New English love us some Swedish cars and with these two factors combined Saab’s got a few thousand orders in the bag… surely.

Maybe. Hopefully. Heaven knows, Saab needs a strong first impression. And to bring the fully loaded (and quite promising) 9-5 V6 to market first tells us that Saab Co. knows that its up against fierce competition.

But dispiritingly, this loft positioning also signals that Saab remains distant to its more modest (and more lucrative) roots. Ten years ago, the 9-5 V6 started at $31K. The four banger started in the high 20s.

Then 25 years ago, those halcyon 900 Turbo days when Saab treated us to a turbo spooled hatchback that was cool, comfortable, crisp driving, and easy-on-the-wallet.

To wit: the 900 was beyond class. Saab’s hatchback was versatile enough for a camping trip as it was dashing enough to pull up to the country club’s valet without shame.

The 9-5 maintains the marque’s loft aspirations at a time when people who shop Ikea are looking for chic-value. That makes crossovers and MINI-type cars a hit. Saab’s aiming for the Bang & Olufsen crowd – and it’s just not there – yet.

While we must remember that Saab Co. is peddling all that its got right now – what its got, just isn’t enough. And at $50K, is much too far a reach for all but the most deeply pocketed and deeply committed Saab aficionados.