Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2005 07:32:43 -0500 From: "The Malt Hound" <pierrerahmenospamrs.com> wrote in message news:LpCdnWHDCv0B_ELcRVn-uwnospamrs.com... > > "The Malt Hound" uNmdnXVwUMcCKUPcRVn-swnospamphia.com... >> >> "John B" <rotten_NOSPAM_nospam.org> wrote in message >> news:slrnctt7bu.g91.rotten_NOSPAM_nospamam.example.com... >> > On Fri, 07 Jan 2005 13:53:33 +0000, Grunff <grunffnospam.com> wrote: >> >> >> >> What do I do? Stick with my beloved Saabs, or give in to my animal >> >> urges? Wisdom appreciated. >> >> >> > >> > It's a tough question. I have found the BMW 325xi to be quite fun to >> > drive, >> > plus of course it's great in the snow. And comfortable inside. But when >> > comparing it to the Saab 9-3, I think the turbo wins out in the >> > fun-to-drive >> > department. >> > >> > >> > John >> >> The comparison here is of a 5 series BMW and a 9-5 not the cars that you >> mention. This is significant because I belive there is more of a weight >> difference between a 9-3 and 325xi (BMW is AWD and heavier) than a 9-5 >> and > 5 >> series. Even with the SAAB turbo I think the acceleration performance of >> these two cars is very close. If you got the 3.0l BMW six I think that >> would then get the nod, but it would likely be more money that a 9-5 >> then. >> Either way, we don't really buy these cars for drag racing... >> >> The rear wheel drive means the BMW handles the twisties better, hands > down, >> in dry conditions. The BMW is a marginally better highway (freeway) > cruiser >> than the 9-5, if that is what you intend, with pretty similar fuel >> efficiencies. The only place that a 9-5 *may* get an edge would be in >> the >> snow, but it is more a personal preference than anything else. Some >> folks >> prefer a FWD in snow. I do not. >> >> Personally, I prefer a RWD car in the snow. I have been driving them >> since >> my youth and can use power to bring the rear end around when I want to. > FWD >> does not offer that option. Actually, with DSC engaged there is no >> chance >> of inducing an unintentional drive wheel spin anyway. I just put good > snow >> tires on my cars and they are as good in the white stuff as any AWD SUV. >> >> MaltHound >> >> > I also prefer a RWD in the snow or dry and although you can > correct an over-steer situation on a RWD vehicle by modeling > the gas pedal, I've learned to correct an under-steer situation > on a FWD vehicle by modeling the "hand-brake" ;-) Sounds like a bit trickier proposition in a quick reaction mode, especially since I drive the car with my foot already on the accelerator, but seldom do I find my hand resting on the handbrake. -MaltHound