Date: Sat, 5 May 2001 22:57:02 -0400 From: "Daniel J. Stern" <dasternnopsamheadlamp.net> Subject: Re: Considering first-ever Saab...viewpoints?
On Sat, 5 May 2001, Bob wrote: > I love Saabs, but I think Mom needs something else: > > > particularly since she is quite short and > >has difficulty gauging the position of a car with an extended rear > >overhang (e.g. trunk) when parallel parking. > > Saabs (at least 9-3's) are not really good for short drivers. They > are built more for larger folks. My wife is short and is not at all > comfortable in my car. Visibility out the front and back is poor > for short folks. The 9-5 may be better. Interesting. Thanks for that pointer. > >She is most assuredly NOT a performance-type driver. She's not even a > >particularly *good* driver. > > Saabs require a little more active attention than some other cars. > Not really a good fit for folks who don't think of driving as a > hobby. More good info. > If it was me buying a car for my Mom with the qualifications you > mentioned, I'd buy her a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. Very reliable > (easy on the budget) and very comfortable to drive. A Nissan Maxima > would be another good choice, SE model for a firmer suspension. > (Note:Earlier (pre-2000) Maximas don't have a fold down rear seat) She wants an American car. Don't let's debate the matter of what constitutes "American"; a Saab is OK "because it's GM", but not a Toyota or Honda, regardless of where it was made. I didn't set the criteria, I'm just shopping within them. Truthfully, though, if it were to be a Japanese car, I'd point her towards Subarus (this is Colorado). I must remember that we're trying to find HER a car, not me! Thanks for the info and any further comments. DS