I have a 01 Saab Aero and 95 BMW 540i and ever since I bought my Saab 6 months ago I was very impressed with its driving dynamics. During this time I drove the car only in the city and highways around the city. And in this environment Saab is almost equal to the bimmer, it's fast, handles well, the difference between fwd and rwd is not noticable. So it puzzled me why the Saab doesn't enjoy the reputation like the bimmer. I thought I made hell of a deal, got almost a bimmer for Saab money.

Well, I drove my Saab on some country roads, mostly straight with few turns, over the weekend and now I understand the difference and why Saab does't enjoy the reputation of a bimmer and why car reviewers are usually very lukewarm in praising Saab while raving about bimmers. Simply put the Saab doesn't like country roads, its performance deteriorates quickly on anything than is not a well-paved, straight city road or a multi-lane highway. In the country the car feels twitchy, the torque-steer is ferocious, the ride leaves a lot to be desired, the brakes are weak, the fwd-setup is very obvious and limiting. All in all it's not a pleasant experience. The bimmer on the other hand really comes alive on the country roads, it shrinks, it holds the road, ride is excellent, it accelerates like a batmobile and asks for more.

Saab drives at 80-90% of its potential within the city, in the country however it quickly goes over the limit whereas bimmer floats around town at 30-40% of its potential and in the country at 60-70%, it still has 30% left for the track. Bimmer does deserve its reputation as a driving machine and clearly Saab is not in he same league outside of the city limits.

This is not meant as a criticism of Saab just an uderstating of its virtues and limits. In a way its a praise, it confirms what Saab says in that the car is built for practical everyday life, 95% of which people spent driving around town. That's where the car excels.



posted by 199.89.6...

• Now I get it - why reviewers are ambivalent about Saab, Russ, Thu, 13 Apr 2006 05:52:52 <-- Viewing This Message
  • I owned an 00 540 but I will never compare it with Saab, Wagon Man, Thu, 13 Apr 2006 15:54:29
  • It's not Saab vs BMW but rather FWD vs RWD, Gene, Thu, 13 Apr 2006 13:03:55
  • Re: Now I get it - why reviewers are ambivalent about Saab, john fitzpatrick, Thu, 13 Apr 2006 11:38:49
  • In Canada BMW is good bu Saab is better., bourgognais, Thu, 13 Apr 2006 08:20:40
    • Re: In Canada BMW is good bu Saab is better., Russ, Thu, 13 Apr 2006 12:53:15
  • Re: Now I get it - why reviewers are ambivalent about S, sonique, Thu, 13 Apr 2006 06:59:32
  • Re: Now I get it - why reviewers are ambivalent about Saab, 8AA2YM, Thu, 13 Apr 2006 06:50:29
  • the Ultimate Practical machine..., LesH, Thu, 13 Apr 2006 06:06:42
    • That's why I have Twin Ultimate Practical Machines.., CrNiFe , Thu, 13 Apr 2006 07:14:21

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