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Date: Sat, 25 Jun 2005 10:23:18 -0400
From: "Tex" <texnospamm101.org>
Subject: Re: Maintain Your Identity - Saab


"Grunff" <grunffnospam.com> wrote in message news:42bd0db0$0$22628$da0feed9nospam.zen.co.uk... > Tex wrote: > > v6 in a bmw? That'll be the day. Straight 6 Tex. yes. sorry. clarification..._straight_ 6. > Yes, but how did the drive compare? To me, that's what matters - not how > the seats fold down! I spend 99% of my time driving the car, not messing > about with interior bits. How did it drive? Did it feel good? Did you feel > in control? Was there always plenty of power there? Fair enough. Being my friend's car I didn't exactly give it a thorough driving test. However, I did manage to gauge its performance from taking it on local roads and the highway (a 25 min ride to the movie theatre). As I had expected, the engine lacked the Saab's inherent turbo lag and provided clean, smooth, confident acceleration as needed. I found the high speed cornering to generally be clean (ie, it kept the track i fed to it) but with a slightly noticeable body roll. The articles i've read about it, indicated they've improved the steering, however, from a driving experience, i didn't notice any perceptible improvement (vs his old 3 nor my 9-3). As for raw, standing start, vehicle power/acceleration, the edge goes to the BMW (due to inherent advantages of the larger engine and rwd). For passing power, the BMW has an ever so slight edge. However, at speed, the Saab's turbo kicks in quickly providing the boost needed for confident passing/lane changes. For cornering, I give the edge to the Saab. The 9-3 tracks any corner you give it w/o so much as a flinch. As for braking, my friend got a little nervous when i actually had to put them to serious use. On the highway, the car in front of us decided to make a last second turn off, but yet remained squarely in lane (there were cars backed up the ramp), forcing me to give the the brakes a good workout. They provided solid stopping power. Having really put the Saab's brakes successfully through even much more serious braking tests it's hard to say. I know the 9-3's brakes can stop the car on a coin. Perhaps the BMW's can do the same. For the sake of honest comparison, I'll say braking is a tie. Whilst the interior "bits" may not give a car incredible road performance/control, it is the first place a driver becomes oriented with the vehicle. A bad first impression will assuredly not lead to a worthy driving experience. The Saab's cockpit lends itself to a more pleasurable driving experience. The two cars both pack a punch in certain areas. However, they are from two very different design philosophies and have inherent differences (fwd vs rwd, 6 vs 4 cyls). While the fwd may provide better winter traction, the rwd counters with better standing start performance. Both engines proved well refined, smooth and quiet. But given the dumb marketplace, people automatically assume that more cylinders must be better (whether this is technically correct is subject to much debate). Regardless, GM & Saab recognized the marketplace demand for a 6 cylinder offering and will be providing that with the 2006 model. - tex

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