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Well, there it sits in my driveway, a titanium silver 9-7 linear. I was beginning to feel I was researching this whole affair to death. I corresponded to those who had seen one, sat in one, or maybe actually driven or ridden in one. I downloaded the user manual, the tech. overview, and all the photos I could find. I read every review and point of view I could find. I then went out a couple of weekends ago and sat in a few trailblazers. That is where the story just about ended. I am tall. 6'7" tall. I do not have a wide frame, I am just tall. Trying to fit in a trailblazer was extremely frustrating. With or without a moon roof, I just did not fit well. So I just about gave up. And, I did not really like the whole trailblazer experience. The personality of a vehicle means a lot to me and I was just not comfortable with the look and feel. I am not saying anything negative here. This is just an issue of what feels good to me. To continue, the dealership I have been working with, called yesterday and said they finally received four 9-7's and that they would extend the "early out" for my current lease, and also had a new program giving the GMC employee discount to everyone. So two hours later, I found myself at the dealership finally getting to experience the 9-7 for myself. Two hours after that, I was driving one home. So my initial impressions after a 2 hour drive on the freeway and through San Francisco rush hour traffic are;
...I am comfortable...finally. Good headroom and leg room. Actually the longer I drove it, the more relaxed I became. I really fit in the seats well. The power lumbar support fits my back perfectly.
...This vehicle does not seem large and cumbersome on the road. There was a 20 or more mph cross wind for much of the way home and it really held the road well.
...I took it through some very steep and crooked streets in Sausalito and I must say it handles much better than I thought it would. Very little body roll with what I would call mild understeer. It did not feel top heavy like so many SUV's. I did not try any real aggressive braking , but on steep hills they feel confident enough.
...There seems to me to be a great difference between the trailblazer interior look and feel and the 9-7. Though there are common shapes and functions, but the 9-7 just has that Saabness.
Maybe not as much as I would like, but so much more that I had expected.
...The engine seems a bit underpowered, but I am SO used to the turbo experience that this is probably not a fair judgement. It has a good initial take-off, but just when I am used to that turbo kick......well it is just not there.
...It is a very handsome vehicle. When I first saw one at a car show last november I felt that very few of the photos I had seen did it justice. It just has nice presence.
Well so much for first impressions. I must add that except for a Mazda van, my wife and I have driven only saab's for the last 20 years. We have had two classic 900s, a first generation 9000(which I really liked), two 9-3s, a 9-5, and currently a 9-3SS. My daughter also drives a 9-3.
I do not have many material passions but Saabs are one of them. I will try during the next weeks to add comments here and there and post some photos if I can find some time.
One last thing, just a note of thanks to all who make this site what it is.
posted by 63.201.92...
, Sat, 4 Jun 2005 12:43:04, Sat, 4 Jun 2005 08:36:50
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