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, Mon, 26 Jun 2006 10:59:01
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Here is a copy of what I posted on Edmunds in response to a similar question:
I love mine. Compared to previous 9-5s the ride is better controlled and smoother, while the handling still is very good unless you are used to a 5 series or E class, which run $15K more than the 9-5. Before buying it I cross shopped the new Passat, V70, Subaru Legacy GT, Outback XT and the Tribeca, Mazda 6 and used 5 series and E class wagons. None had the combination of features, comfort, performance and value of the SAAB.
It has more than enough power, a quiet and roomy interior and exceptionally comfortable seats. I have a wagon without the sport package. The cargo capacity is quite a bit larger than my last wagon, a 2000 Passat, and it carries much more than my wife's XC70 where the rear drive mechanicals raise the cargo floor by 6-8".
Styling is a matter of taste. I like the new front on lighter color cars (mine is steel gray) but think it looks a bit odd on the dark ones. The interior is well fitted and mostly high quality materials except for a few pieces of cheap plastic around the shift lever and behind the door handles. The sound system is excellent, although I wish it had a cassette player.
There are a few things that I do not like, but consider them fair trade-offs in what all-in-all is a very high value package: There is very little storage space in and around the dash, especially if you want two cupholders and therefor keep the insert in the console. The front seats have front pockets that are not convenient to reach while driving, and the storage pockets in the doors are small. I would like to see some in dash cubbies or overhead storage for glasses and other small items. The sole in-dash cupholder is elegant but flimsy. Strange for a car in this class the windows are one touch down but not up. I also would like to see a fold-flat front passenger seat as in Volvo wagons.
The only major flaw, IMO is in the paddle system for the shiftable automatic transmission. You must first move the shift lever to the rear and then use the paddles to shift up and down. You then must move the shift lever forward to resume full automatic. This is awkward and inefficient, and becomes very annoying in use. Much better to control it all either with the paddles or the console lever as with the 9-3 and every other "manumatic" I have driven.
The paddles were the only thing that almost turned me away from the car, but were not annoying enough to overcome its many virtues and great value. I will never like them, but no longer grumble each time I use them.
posted by 69.34.24...
, Mon, 26 Jun 2006 12:07:34, Mon, 26 Jun 2006 10:59:01
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