Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2004 01:07:19 GMT From: "James Sweet" <jamessweetnospamail.com> Subject: Re: older saabs
"ma_twain" <ma_twainnospamo.com> wrote in message news:4130C963.5010900nospamo.com... > MH wrote: > > >>... Just my opinion, but these are one of the best designed > >>Saabs so far, and I have been driving Saabs since 1985. > >> > > > > I drive a '79 96 and similar others since 1984 and a 900 since 2004. The 900 > > drives great but I think the design of the dashboard is far from ergonomic: > > the steering wheel blocks the view to several switches and warning lights. > > The fog light, the rear window heater and heated seat switches and lights > > are all blocked from view by the steering wheel. It was disappointing to > > find out. > > > > ------ > > MH > > '72 97 '77 96 '78 95 '79 97 > > '87 900T8 > > > > > > > > I usually "learn" the switches by feel so I don't have to take my eyes > off the road. Speaking of keeping eyes on the road, that big curved > windshield and huge rear window makes the C900 the best for visibility. > The NG body, along with the Accord, Camry etc have smaller windows and > bigger pillars which block the view out the front and back. > > The C900 also has no lower lip in the batch opening. You can slide (not > lift) heavy objects in and out without back strain. The NG body style > (along with Accord and Camry) has a high lip - stronger, but require > bending over to lift heavy objects out of the trunk. Saab did have an > answer, you could buy the top of the line 9-5 wagon and get the same > access as the base model C900. This may not be an issue if you never > put heavy objects in the back of your car or you have a strong back. > > The cargo capacity of the C900 is incredible. I tried to move some file > cabinets in the NG and it would not fit. I went and got my Classic and > put two in the back! I have also carried the proverbial 10 foot pole - > six in fact in the Classic with the hatch and windows closed. > I have to agree, after several months of living with one, the C900's are incredible cars. Not perfect by any means, but every design is a compromise and Saab did a great job of coming up with something original, that despite it's flaws, lacks flaws found in most other cars that bother me more.