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Folks,
I've just driven an 06 and truth be told, it handles just like my 04. No surprises there. The 10 hp increase is pretty much what you get from putting in premium vice regular and driving on a cold day vice hot, it doesn't really register. Without the sports package, ride is gentler and potholes, road irregularities are much less noticeable that with the SP. Which is exactly how the 04-05 Aero handles.
I see a lot of mauing on the boards and in general about how GM has quote unquote ruined such a nice car. To which my question is, did we gripe and moan like this in 98 when the 9-5 was introduced as the 9k's replacement? Reason is, I had the opportunity today to drive my father's 1997 9K CS, and performance notwithstanding, the 9-5 is hands down a much better car. I was struck by how flimsy everything in the 9k seems compared to the 9-5, down to the wipers and their controls even. Switches, steering wheels, even the windhsield layout and cockpit design. For 1997 it was plenty dated even then. That's on top of that car being a joint Fiat\Lancia\SAAB base design from 1985. Can you say platform sharing? They've been at it for a long time. I'm not knocking the 9K, I loved mine but as soon as I had my 9-5 I realized that progress is inevitable and actually welcome, and moved on.
Point is, the 2006' is very much the same car we adore and treasure. A few plastic bits in the interior and on the grill isn't going to change that. Granted, the HVAC controls are GM, but I actually find them easier to locate and operate. I have to finger around for the buttons on my 04, and sometimes have to look down in traffic. The stereo head unit (stock) has XM and MP3 playing capability and 6 disc in dash changer. Can't tell you how long I've waited for that. The navi unit is a carryover, and looks a lot better than the stocker. Bottom line is, for this car to even be on the market today, some concessions have to be made. That's how, to a greater and greater extent, the management/engineering relationship works today. I'm relieved that SAAB didn't have to go to greater lengths to accommodate the ownership. The 9-5 is still a SAAB. Next time you drive, look over your right shoulder at the passenger door window contour. That shape is just like in my old 1978 99 4-door, hockeystick styling and all. And it sucks because it's true, but the days where you could build niche cars to a 6-digit market share without a massive bankroll are gone.
posted by 83.109.166...
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