Dodge Charger R/T and Saab 9-5 - Similar - but oh, so Different! Charger Wins
A winner...and a Loser
We frequently evaluate new cars and trucks having them at AutoPacific's offices for the staff to drive and critique. I just had the opportunity to drive two cars, somewhat similar, and yet completely different. Both were new , four-door sedans, and both were a metallic red in color. One was the Dodge Charger R/T (with an MSRP as equipped of $37,000) , and the other a SAAB 9-5 (with an MSRP as equipped of $42,000).
The Charger
WOW! What a car. I'm really a Pickup Truck guy, but this car is great. Looks good on the outside (although some of us find its styling a bit off-putting), looks good on the inside. Absolutely super Hemi engine and 5-speed automatic transmission. Delightful performance. Just makes you grin. Even sounds just right. Appropriate size, outstanding satellite radio and navigation system. At a $37,000 MSRP this is a bargain. Sign me up!
The SAAB
The Saab 9-5 styling must appeal to someone...I wonder who? Certainly not me. Not the exterior, and not the interior. This car was born old (basically 1996)! Package size too small. OK power, but significant turbo lag and torque steer. It is unique, but that's the only virtue that occurs to me. I can understand a BMW 3-Series, a Mercedes C-Class, or an Audi A4. Not my style, but I can understand the appeal. But not with the 9-5. I don't get it. The cup holder in the console is near useless because of the console lid location. And luggage-compartment-based CD player? In 2006? not competitive at all.
Am I alone on this? Don't think so. Calendar-year-to-date the Charger is outselling the 9-5 by about 35:1. And I think I know which product program is the more profitable. There is something to that "make products that people really want to buy" idea.
Comments
I gotta say...If you are in the market for a car, and the only two choices you had were the Charger, and the 9-5, well, I guess it really would depend on that one very important factor. "Are you a Saab person?" I understand why people would want to own the Saab...its style is a little strange - it has years of interesting history - and its designed to be fast and smooth. As for myself...I think it looks like the Saturn L300, and I would rather have an Accord than a Charger or a Saab. Thanks for posting.
Posted by: thomas | March 17, 2007 01:24 PM