The New SAAB 9-5: $50,000

Optimism is alive and well in Royal Oak, Michigan, where this week SAAB (under new ownership) had a grand opening for its North American headquarters and announced that the new 9-5 will launch with a turbocharged V-6 and a price tag of $49,900. It won't be until 2011 that the 2-liter model with a price tag expected to be "under $40,000" will debut.

Full details from The New York Times Wheels Blog.

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Honda Settles Class Action Suit Over Accord, Acura TSX Brake Wear

Honda has settled a class-action lawsuit claiming that the rear brakes on a quarter-million Accords and Acura TSXs wear out more than three times more quickly than they should.

Drivers complained their vehicles needed rear brakes at between 15,000 and 20,000 miles...instead of the typical 70,000....and that Honda refused to make repairs under warranty.

But don't think the drivers are getting rich from this. Details of the settlement, which still leaves the drivers out some money, via the New York Times Wheels Blog. (hat tip to K George).

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Toyota Will Replace Accelerator Pedals For Customers Who Complain About Repaired Originals

The squeaky gas pedal gets the grease...or something like that.


Anyway, The New York Times has a memo from Toyota to its dealers telling them to replace accelerator pedals only if customers complain about the metal bar repair Toyota recommends.

“Accelerator pedal replacement is based on specific customer request only,” said the memo, which was addressed to dealers, service managers and parts managers. “Dealers are not to solicit pedal replacement.”

Full story from The New York Times.

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