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Date: 5 Sep 1998 16:52:57 GMT
From: John Karwoski <jekv12nopsamdnet.att.net>
Subject: Re: 99 Saab 9-5- Owner Impressions/Comments?


> > CarBuffIL wrote: > > > > Hello, > > > > My local BMW dealership recently totalled my 97 328i while test driving it > > (engine problem) and I am looking at buying a new 9-5. I would really > > appreciate your impressions and opinions of the car. Just got a 9-5 to "replace" a '92 535i. Reasons I'm getting out of the Bimmer (it's not sold yet, if anyone is interested - around Phila ): - comfort. Couldn't find a driving position to suit me, more specifically, to give me adequate thigh support. Investigated getting sport seats, but no-one, including the Bimmer dealers, were all that excited about doing it. I couldn't stand to be in the 535 more than 90 minutes at a time. OTOH, I just returned from a 3+ hour ride in the 9-5, totally comfortable, refreshed. - the 9-5 is much more pratical, ie, room, larger trunk. It will be huge compared to a 3-er - the FWD on the 9-5 isn't bad at all, barely noticeable torque steer. I had a RWD car for 9 years prior to the Bimmer and this was a big concern for me, but again, the Saab has its act together on the 9-5 What I "miss:" - the Bimmer feeling. The 9-5 ride is softer, and a trifle more disconnected from the road, feeling-wise. Can't wait for somebody to come out with aftermarket springs/shocks. What I don't miss: - the looks of, well, "oh aren't you special" just because of the car I drove. - paying BMW (or most of the other German manufacturers) extra for things like fold down rear seats, pass-through for skis/2 x 4's, etc. The 9-5 delights in some unexpected ways too: the little pockets on the front of the front seat cushions (perfect for a cellular phone), the clip on winshield for toll tickets, the aspherical mirror to eliminate the right side blind spot. And if you need roof racks to haul stuff, there are cool little grommets that mate to a system, eliminating magnets and anything else that can mar your finish. Lots of thought went into the car. Now to your specific questions: > > 1) What does the SE package on the 4 cylinder add? All I could see was sunroof, > > leather, and H/K stereo. And 5 spoke wheels. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I prefer the 5 spokes over the standard 3 spokes. The 5 spokes are "seamless", the standard 3's have, not a seam, but what appears to be an overlap on the spoke coming up from the rim that I didn't like. Since I was already getting leather and a sunroof, and preferred the 5 spokes, it wasn't a big deal to go for the SE. And yes, the audio system is a bit better (more power and (sub) woofers), but it's not a GREAT difference. > > > > 2) I really want a 5-speed, but I prefer a V6... I know the V6 won't be > > available until November here in the US, and that I can't get the 5-speed with > > it. Is the four cyclinder really "4 cylindery"?? Is it worth sacrificing the > > 5-speed for the V6 or will I be happy with the 4? I also wanted a 5 speed, which is why I went for the 4. The torque on the 4, 207ft-lbs, is close to that of the 535's engine, and I suspect, greater than that of the 3-er. HP isn't a high, (like 170 vs 220), but the turbo power comes on very smoothly, and there's precious little, if any, turbo lag. AND the power comes on around 2,000 RPM, so it's very useable. Drive one, get it to about 2,000 RPM or so, and press steadily down with your right foot. Now, wipe that grin off your face... > > > > 3) Safety: I know Saab says they are wonderful, but the US hasn't yet done any > > gvmt tests that I can find. Anyone in Europe know anything about the > > crashworthiness of the 9-5? Nothing official. But apparently Saab has three patents pending on the chassis desgin for the 9-5, some related to safety. Big deal about 3-way energy diffusion from the front and offset front hits. Of course, side airbags too, in the front seats. Of course, being a Saab, there will be some teething pain. I have a noisy AC fan and a chirp when going over some bumps. Then again, people are willing to put up with small annoyances for the gratification a car brings them: I felt that way about my Merkur, about the 535, and now about the Saab. John

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