The interior on both models was excellent. One journalist described it as "a bit harsh". The leather and seats were very comfortable, with excellent side bolsters. The driver's seat was 6 way adjustable, which made for a very nice ride. These were pre-production models equiped with launch packages, so not everything was in place (the cupholders were yet to be installed on the Linears, but the Vector had it, the cool one that flips out of the dash at high speed!). The Vector seats were very similar to Viggen seats, offering additional side bolster support and comfort. The Linear model had cloth door inserts and a plastic console, while the Vector had leather door inserts and a matte steel console and trim. Both came equipped with leather shift knobs.

The shifting was crisp in the 5 and 6 speed models. The throw was nice, tight and short, and the clutch was typical of the newer Saab manuals. BTW: Riding in 6th on the highway at 70 mph = 2100 rpm. Amazing for a 4 cylinder engine. Downshifting was a blast, and the Vector would absolutely scream between 3rd and 4th.

The Linear had plenty of get up and go, and was a blast to drive around G'burg (backroads). It felt like more than 175, to me! The spool up on the GT20 (which has an electric pre-spool for low rpm) was lightning quick, while the power comes on very smoothly. The same is the case for the Vector, though it just pulls and pulls in the high rpms. That Mitsu turbo is the right choice! The acceleration is smooth and comfortable, with just the right amount of driver feedback and engine noise so as to feel agressive while still being refined. In the Vector in particular, you could get up to 110 mph and not even notice, though. It's like driving on glass at some points.

Yes, it was very cool to get to do this! :o)

Mike

posted by 12.40.175...

• First Drives: 9-3 Linear & Vector (long), WASSAAB, Fri, 6 Sep 2002 09:53:13
  • Make mine Hirsch equipped!!!! n/m, matt 94 aero, Sat, 7 Sep 2002 23:42:13
  • I'm trying to plan on buying one in two years., Jeff Cunningham, Fri, 6 Sep 2002 20:23:28
  • Just as I had hoped (thougth)...., Richard P., Fri, 6 Sep 2002 14:35:58
    • You are very welcome; I am a classic 900 owner and, WASSAAB, Sat, 7 Sep 2002 00:02:12
  • Would have had loved to have seen it!, ckpaden, Fri, 6 Sep 2002 13:52:53
  • This shows the power of TSN! A thought about this., Texron, Fri, 6 Sep 2002 12:15:32
    • Thanks!, WASSAAB, Fri, 6 Sep 2002 23:59:03
  • Re: First Drives: 9-3 Linear & Vector (long), Andrew , Fri, 6 Sep 2002 10:41:48
    • They have 43,000 hand-raisers for these rides, WASSAAB, Fri, 6 Sep 2002 11:00:37
  • Re: First Drives: 9-3 Linear & Vector (long), Kevin K , Fri, 6 Sep 2002 10:39:37
    • Lag is not evident!, WASSAAB, Fri, 6 Sep 2002 10:53:12
      • electronic pre-spool, Kevin K , Fri, 6 Sep 2002 14:30:25
  • Re: First Drives: 9-3 Linear & Vector (long), kpmviggen00, Fri, 6 Sep 2002 10:35:50
    • Totally different cars (Viggen vs. Vector), WASSAAB, Fri, 6 Sep 2002 10:51:02
      • Re: Totally different cars (Viggen vs. Vector), kpmviggen00, Fri, 6 Sep 2002 19:34:00
        • Did you change the profile size? Overall diameter?, WASSAAB, Fri, 6 Sep 2002 23:57:27
        • Re: Totally different cars (Viggen vs. Vector), Neil, Fri, 6 Sep 2002 21:32:04
      • Re: Totally different cars (Viggen vs. Vector), kpmviggen00, Fri, 6 Sep 2002 19:33:54
  • Re: First Drives: 9-3 Linear & Vector (long), MichaelG, Fri, 6 Sep 2002 10:30:54
    • Interior, and Linear vs. Vector, WASSAAB, Fri, 6 Sep 2002 10:44:49 <-- Viewing This Message

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