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, Fri, 2 May 2008 18:41:24
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I just picked up a new an '08 9-5 a week ago. Jet Black (I know, not your color) with black interior and Visibility Package. I have had an '01, '02, '03, and '04 (long story). With the exception of the front end styling which turned me off in '06 and still isn't my favorite, I actually consider this car to be the best of the lot. For '08, it has the Aero sports seats (which you're already familiar with). This was hte clincher for me in making my choice. While the climate controls and radio are based on other GM products, the radio, which now includes XM, is far superior to the old unit. The climate controls, which don't look as impressive as the older ones, are actually easier to use and work just as well. The only thing I will miss from the older style is the automatic recirculation feature. The SID is now in the instrument cluster and can be controlled from the steering wheel, a plus. This car seems to handle more crisply. I don't know if it's because of the 17" wheels (I always had 16's) or whether they tweaked the handling a bit back in '06. This car has 260HP. Th '04 had 220. The difference is apparent. For me, the only negative is the front end styling. I wouldn't worry about sludge, since it's going to be a short term lease anyway.
I test drove (twice) a Volvo S80. It's a nice car but the steering, while much better than one I tested in '04, is still somewhat dull and heavy compared to the 9-5. Acceleration with the base 3.2 felt sluggish compared to the Saab. I think I like the Volvo's looks better, and it has a very entertaining radio/climate control display in the center stack, but the seats can't compare to the 9-5 IMHO. The lease price was cheaper than the Saab(but the car was not as well equipped), however it doesn't look as if you're concerned about price.
As to the 9-3, my son has an '05 and my wife has an '07 convertible. We love the convertible which has a better feel to it than the '05 sedan, but overall, I'm not that impressed with the 9-3. It handles well, its comfortable and it has good power, but there's too much cheap, creaky plastic in the interior, especially around the sun roof. The convertible doesn't rattle, probably because it has no sun roof. Also, the dash was changed in '07, and I think that helped with some of the plastic issues.
Overall, all of our Saabs have been reliable. Really, only the '01 and '02 had any problems to speak of. The '04 had 36,000 miles and was only at the dealer once in 4 years. The '05 9-3 has been to the dealer twice in three years (31,000 miles).
Between the Volvo and the Saab, my choice is obviously the Saaab, but you also seem to have the luxury of perhaps looking at Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Infiniti, Lexus, etc. Good luck, and let us know what you choose.
posted by 205.188.11...
, Fri, 2 May 2008 18:41:24, Sat, 3 May 2008 17:03:08
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