What Not

I will always like these SAABs. There’s just something about the styling that works for me. Plus, it helps that it’s one of the most comfortable SUVs on the market. Some people decry the fact that SAAB borrowed an already-many-times-badged-engineered product. But with this one, I think they did a good job; it’s similar but distinct. It was a market that SAAB had no experience in and adding this model to the “flock” helped to keep them afloat during the difficult last couple of years. So, the next time you see one of these SAAB SUVs, smile and be happy. It’s a great car that has and is still serving the company and its customers well.

For details about this and other SAAB vehicles at Leikin Motor Companies, click here.

Where's my owner's manual?

What happens if you have a question about your car and the owner’s manual is missing? Some people go to the dealership and purchase one for $50-80. Others visit eBay and save a few clams. But what happens if you only want to spend $20? Not going to happen, right? Until today, I would have agreed. Owner’s manuals just don’t grow on trees. But today I found that they can be downloaded free of charge.

• Buick (1993-2009, 2010)
• Mercedes-Benz (2000-2010)
• MINI Cooper (2002-2009)
• SAAB (2000-09)
• Volvo (1965-2011)

Very nice.

Odd comparison? Maybe. But as I was taking some Mercedes-Benz training, the dimensions of the GLK’s cargo capacity created some curiosity. With the rear seats folded down, it has 54.7 ft³. Whether that’s good compared to other vehicles, I’m not sure. But compared to the Classic SAAB 900, it’s not so good. According to Consumer Guide Automotive, the 900 had more space to the tune of 56.5 ft³. That may not seem like a lot of room, but when you put the two vehicles side by side, which would you think had more room?

Bring back the hatch!

A few weeks ago, one of our Volvo mechanics handed me the patch and said, “I know you’re a SAAB nut and found this while I was cleaning out some things. I thought you’d like it.” I do like it especially as it describes my abilities: associate-assistant-step-aside-pay-somebody-else-to-finish-the-job-before-you-ruin-it-technician.”

Yep, that’s me.

*Actually, it’s the one behind the Vette, but I couldn’t resist.

I’ve said it before, but need to air my thoughts again.

After switching to a car from an SUV, my body is telling me I made a mistake. It misses the large seats and roomy interior of the 2007 SAAB 9-7x. It was nice having something that fit my body AND the size of my family. All five of us could sit comfortably in the vehicle without the “he’s touching me” dialogue from the back seat. The cargo room was also helpful on the occasional trip out of town. So, when I hear reports that the government is pushing for smaller, more-efficient vehicles, I cringe. Have they considered the fact that car-pooling in a mini-van is more efficient than driving two small vehicles? What about the atypical family that numbers beyond five persons? I’m all for efficient, non-polluting vehicles, but let’s start thinking outside of the small car box.

Before you know it, they’ll be mandating smaller families. Yikes!

Geely has signed a purchase agreement to purchase Volvo Cars from Ford Motor Company. The press release from VCNA says they plan to keep Volvo and Geely as two separate companies. They will also keep Volvo in Sweden. The deal will be completed during the third quarter of this year.

_____

The other news is that Volvo will reveal the new S60 at the New York Auto Show. It was recently displayed on the Regis & Kelly Show. They only spent a few minutes on the car, but you could definitely see the similarities between it and the new front end of the 2011 C30 and C70. They also mentioned that it has a pedestrian detection device which will brake for people like City Safety does in the XC60.

_____

We’ve been taking in quite a few SAABs recently on trade. And they are selling also. One of our salesmen is currently delivering a 2004 SAAB 9-3 2.0t as we speak. But we have five others available including a convertible and an SUV. Take a look at our website for a complete listing.

_____

We’re trying to use our own real estate to advertise our website. By this time next month you should see our domain name posted in several prominent locations at the dealership. And why not? If our own customers don’t know we have a website, who will?

This week, I had the opportunity to have an outside source evaluate the way we do things here at the dealership. My interest was how we handle the leads we receive every day. Having a vested interest in the success of the business, I wanted to know how we can improve our procedure. The conversation was very helpful. The trainer was able to pinpoint several areas in which we could improve.

In the advertising category, we worked on a list of items that could point people to our website. Something as easy as placing the URL on repair orders, buyer’s orders, parts tickets, showroom windows, waiting room walls, (maybe the bathroom wall would be a good idea, too?), service loaners, etc. You get the idea. And while I was thinking about that, I thought about my own office. How was I, the internet manager, advertising the website?

My glass office door has been my bulletin board for a number of articles, NCAA tournament brackets, cartoons, and etc.  So, why not use that prime real estate to advertise our website for people who visit the Buick showroom?  As a trial, I’ve used one of my favorite photographs from last fall and added text to it. It’s now proudly adorning my doorway.

2005 SAAB 9-2x Aero 2.0T engine

After a customer asked for a SAAB 9-2x, I did a little research. Sure, I already knew that the car was a joint venture between SAAB and Subaru. But when the car came with a 2.0T, I thought it was the SAAB engine.

I was wrong.

The moment of truth came as I looked at a current eBay auction for a salvage Aero model in Michigan. When I looked at the picture of the engine, I was shocked. The engine in no way looked like the typical SAAB 4-cylinder. What’s the deal here? The deal is that it would make no sense to cram in a horizontal SAAB engine when Subaru already has a 2.0 liter Turbo charged H4 engine that would fool “losers” like myself into thinking it was the SAAB original.

You learn something new every day.

Mercedes-Benz SLS

After the free breakfast given to all the salesmen of participating dealerships, I walked through the show while things were still being put together. There were a number of nice displays, but a lot was still in disarray. For instance, our Volvos were all parked against the wall in no particular order while the Mercedes-Benz display was almost complete. But there’s no need to lose hope. I’m sure everything will be in place by the time of the show.

I looked around for the new SAAB 9-5 but only found three cars at the display. It wasn’t finished, so I’m hoping that Mr. Spyker can pull a few strings and make it happen. In any event, the convertible looked very nice. Did you notice the slogan on the SAAB post? Waste leads to haste. Does that refer to the waste gate on the turbo?

There were a number of other interesting cars on display. Buick has the new Regal GS on a pedestal and it looks pretty nice. I couldn’t get close enough for an inside shot, but the exterior looks very good. Hopefully, this will help Buick sales to pick up. Lotus had their new vehicles, but the one that stuck out was a 1970′s model. And the Equus was there for Hyundai. It’s not my “cup of tea” but it seems to be a luxurious car that might compete in the Asian market.

More tomorrow after my 11 am to 5 pm shift. I hope to see you there!