I dropped my "2000 9-3":http://ned.suckahs.org/archives/001787.php off at the "Framingham Saab":http://saabcityusa.com today for its 30,000 mile major service, and was promised a "loaner" car. Great!, I thought... what a perfect opportunity to check out the new "2005 model":http://www.saabusa.com/saabjsp/93s/, or maybe the new "9-2X":http://www.saabusa.com/saabjsp/92x/, which is basically a fancied up "Subaru":http://www.subaru.com/servlet/showroom?track=topnav_s&command=overview&webModelName=IMPREZA&modelYear=2005&webTrimName=WRX_SPORT_WAGON? Right? Wrong. I was handed the keys to a Purple "Kia":http://www.kia.com/rio/ by an "Enterprise":http://www.enterprise.com/ Rep -- automatic transmission, no CD player... (I wouldn't have chosen this car, were I actually _paying_ to rent it) Swedish car owners are a specialty niche group, (and a very loyal one), much like _Apple_ computer users. When someone buys a _Saab_, they are buying into a brand that is distinct from other car manufacturers, (and they pay a premium for that right). When you step into a _Saab_ or _Volvo_ dealership, the first thing you notice is the modern, Scandinavian-style design. The woods are maple, the glass is curved, and the chairs look like they would cost $5000 at "DWR":http://dwr.com/. So, if Brand is _so_ important to _Saab_ and its customers, why would they have such crappy loaners? I can't imagine taking my _Powerbook_ in for service, and being handed an _eMachines_ pc for temporary use... Another side note: this dealer sends me junk mail offers twice a month, asking if I'd like to upgrade to a later model. WTF?