Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 20:25:54 +1300 From: "Grand Poobah" <grandpoobahNOSPAMnospamdise.net.nz> Subject: how fast does your Saab go?
Dangerous question. I've owned my 1996 9000 CS LPT for 3 and a half years and have 188,000 km on the clock with an auto box. The speedo goes up to 250 km/hr and with the open road speed limit in NZ at 100 km/hr, I've always wondered, how fast will my car actually go? I've sometimes touched late 140's while overtaking but always felt there was plenty in reserve. Anyway, last Monday while on holiday in Rotorua, I drove down for a round of golf at one of the two courses at Taupo golf club with a good mate who lives locally. We teed off at about 2.15pm. I shot a 92 (not bad for my first time on the course) and ended up losing by one stroke so the beers were on me. After a couple of pints (don't worry, I was well under the limit) I bid my mate good bye and started to drive the 80km or so back up to Rotorua. The time is about 7.30pm, the light is good, its a Monday evening so hardly any traffic on the road. There are a couple of really good long straights just north of Taupo and a few things are running thru my mind: Is today the day?- yes, provided there is no oncoming traffic. What are the chances of a cop being on the road- low probablilty, its summer on a Monday evening, they're all at home having dinner (I hope!) What happens if I get caught? Automatic loss of licence at 150 km/hr- lets not go there. The two beers helped me with this one. So I resolve to "find out" at the first straight, but promise myself that I will immediately decelerate if I spot oncoming traffic. If the car becomes unstable, I don't want to put others at risk. Onto the straight, all clear, no cars either way. The cruise control is set at 108km/hr for the open road ahead. I begin to press the gas pedal- not all the way but like I'm in a heavy overtaking situation. The car surges forward. The speedo passes 120-130-140 no problems. At 150km/hr I start getting excited. The car feels rock steady. I can hardly hear the engine but the stereo is also up loud so no surprises there. I hit 160km/hr or 100 mph for the metrically challenged. Easy. I haven't done the "ton" for years, the speeding laws here are diabolical and it just isn't worth it. This fantastic car is just humming along sweet. 170 the car is still pulling strong. 180, this is as fast as I've ever gone in any car and that was years ago in a rental car. The car is rock steady on the road. I'm so intent on the speedo and looking ahead I can't see what the rev counter is getting up to. 185, wow. The car is STILL pulling strong and rock steady. I feel safe as houses. Exhilirating, thrilling! I am about two thirds down the straight and look up to see two oncoming cars. *Damn* As I promised myself, I take my foot off the gas and let the car coast down. We all know our saabs take a while to slow down. I must be doing about 140 when the cars pass me going the other way. I can't stop grinning the rest of the way back. I'm tempted to have another go at some other straights further along the road, but I've taken enough risks for one day. The roads here are not very good but the car felt safe and under control the whole time. Even at 185 km/hr I felt the car had much more to give, I reckon I could have made 220 comfortably. No signs that the engine is tired even after 188,000 km. So thats my story. I still don't know exactly how fast my saab will go but I know that it will go way beyond what is legal and a fair idea that the car handles satisfactorily even at extreme speed. I won't be doing this again in a hurry. cheers, John
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