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Re: 2001 vs. 2002 9-5, I’m very pleased with the mechanical, transmission, chassis improvements. These are all steps in the right direction. The design improvements leave me lukewarm.
On the exterior:
I like the new headlights and taillights, but (depending on the optional cost), I think I could do without the xenon headlights. I wish they'd change the DRL's to be something other than the headlights and NOT all the other dash and exterior lights. GM seems to be good at this with other GM cars. This is one GM improvement on a Saab I could live with. I do like the shape of the new front bumper. However, I think the treatment of the grill area with the fussy small chrome around the openings destroys the cleanness of the original design. I like the 2001 grill better with the all-chrome center portion. Almost the same for the rear bumper. It’s shape is nice, but the “filled in” wedge part under the taillights looks very tacked on and destroys the clean lines of the original design. I liked the 2001 rear bumper better.
The cosmic blue color if a nice one Brian. We have that on the 9-3 convertible and I like it. It could look nice on an Aero. I like the new Chestnut Brown color very much. I wish Saab had more color choices for their vehicles. To me it seems like too many all dark or all light colors and not much in between. I think I’d appreciate more rich (but not gaudy) colors.
On the interior:
The aluminum dash leaves me cold. Brian, is this the ONLY available choice on the Aero? I hope not! I think it would be horrible in a sunny climate (where I live) due to reflections, glare, etc. Yeh, it’s hip, trendy, and the Gen-X crowd will probably like it. It is just not for me. I’d prefer the wood dash in my car. I’d even like a lighter color wood like ash or maple and far less plastic coating slathered all over it. It should look like real WOOD not some wood product entombed in plastic! Thank goodness they did tone down the glossiness of the finish somewhat and used a lighter toned wood.
The new seats look like something more appropriate for the Aero. Lateral support in the standard seats is minimal, but better than most other standard seats. I also wish that Saab offered more interior color choices. A nice light gray would be one nice choice. The charcoal interior color with the dark wood and dash is just to oppressive for my tastes. If you like the Darth Vader look, then it’s fine. I just like a more open feeling cockpit.
I wish Saab would improve the ergonomics of the switches on the dash. The OnStar buttons, and fog lights, etc. seem always to hide behind the steering wheel for me no matter what adjustments I make.
Don’t know if they’ve improved it, but one improvement I’d vote for in a big way is getting the ACC system to maintain a constant temperature in any setting. I find it needing frequent attention, which to me is not “automatic.” It seems to be unable to adapt to different conditions of heat and light. Mild, very sunny days seem to throw it for a loop and it can’t keep the car cool enough. I always have to ratchet up the a/c those days. It seems to sacrifice passenger comfort for a low fan setting (less noise?) too.
OK, these are minor nits about an excellent car. The 2002 is better in many ways. I’m just lukewarm on the design changes. I’m seriously considering owning one as my ’99 9-5 lease ends soon. I will have to say though, that I test drove a 2001 Aero last week and its mighty tempting with the current lease incentives. Let’s just hope that the 2002 detailed information comes out soon and that the purchase/incentives are almost as good as the existing ones. I realize however that Saab is trying to unload the remaining 2001’s so the 2002 incentives probably won’t be as good. Durnit!
posted by 146.74...
, Tue, 7 Aug 2001 01:21:57
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