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Test drove a 2010 aero XWD and loved it. Big surprise how huge and roomy the car is, as saab adopted the bmw naming idiom in 1998 this car should really be called the 9-7 but sadly that nameplate was screwed up for good by GM. A vast back seat, even behind my 6ft4, and so much wider than the old 9-5. Drove so nicely, really flew down the road with crisp throttle response and nicely weighted steering, but so smooth and quiet you find you are going faster than you think. The car I drove had the nav and pilot head up display, an addictive feature for sure. I'm not huge on car navs when my phone has one that's always up to date and leaves the car with me, but the non nav 9-5 has an awful little display lost in a big space, and in garish green dot matrix (green on black a la 80s space invader game) so you really need the nav for aesthetic reasons. The exterior just looks so good, lots of lovely detailing like the side vent in the fender and the character line that flows from it, or the blacktopped door mirrors in line with the window line, or the totally covetable 19in wheels. This is a world class car with some wonderful features, stands comparison with the German or Japanese opposition.
There are some nice deals on left over 2010 models, and the whole warranty and servicing package is decent too. So in short I should be pulling the trigger on this, but I hate to say it but I have concerns over taking on a 40k car where the manufacturer has some questions over long term viability. I'm a long time Saab fan, and I recognise the brand will only live on based on sales not warm feelings, but I am concerned that I might end up down the road with a complex car, no support, few people in the same boat/little aftermarket help and a decimated residual value rather as those who bought Rover cars in the UK did when they folded in 2005.
On the other hand Saab have the strongest product line ever with the 9-4 coming later this year, the 9-5 just here with the combi next yr. They are also punching way above their weight with showcars like the pheonix, and smart innovation like the andrioid powered infotainment/telematics.
Obviously time will tell, but saab enthusiasts really shouldnt be sitting on their hands, so really Im looking for encouragement and a little reassurance that this wont be a big risk for me.
posted by 24.13.8...
, Wed, 9 Mar 2011 08:38:08
, Wed, 9 Mar 2011 15:35:59
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