A couple of weeks ago I mentioned what a difficult time I was having deciding on a replacement for an A6 that was going off lease. After much agonizing, a short term solution presented itself!

Perusing the Saab network classifieds, I saw an ad for a 2000 lpt Wagon where I could assume a lease with 9 months left and over 17k miles. The car was in my city and proved to be in perfect shape, still under full warranty, silver with charcoal, premium package and vented seats. So, I decided to sample wagon utility without a long term committment.

An added benefit is that I'll now be able to speak with experience on the V6 vs LPT 4 controversy since I have both!

Observations so far:

1. The 4 really does idle roughly when in gear (auto trans). No doubt this costs Saab sales, people don't like this trait. Since this car will get mostly highway driving I can live with it. If stopped for long it's easy to slip into neutral, where the idle is quite acceptable. Makes me wonder if a different, less viscous, transmission fluid might improve the condition.
2. Compared with the V6, turbo lag off the line is very noticable, you have to be careful when trying to move out smartly with oncoming traffic.
3. Once on the move the engine pulls fairly well. Still lags V6.
4. Gas mileage is better than V6 for equivalent conditions and driving style, about 2 mpg, and on regular instead of premium.
5. The wagon feels better balanced (lighter in front, heavier in rear) than the V6 sedan, translating to less understeer.
6. The engine is quieter but less sonorous.

According to the previous lessee, the turbo was replaced to cure blue smoke, one battery exploded and the DI cooked off once. Seems par for the course on the 4, so I should be OK for a while.

This weekend I'll mount a set of 17" BBS RK's with Pilots I have in the garage and seriously consider the Speedparts ECU upgrade. A 60 plus hp increase sounds like serious fun - might surprise an unsuspecting Aero!

Robert L.

'00 9-5 lpt Wagon
'99 9-5 V6 SE
'95 Mazda Miata M

posted by 68.158.238...

• Decision update, Robert L, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 00:32:34 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Re: Decision update, Rodney, Sat, 25 Jan 2003 20:17:02
  • Good observations, liked "less sonorus"....., Mike Lynch , Thu, 16 Jan 2003 21:44:38
  • Your observations..., keeton, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 14:16:32
  • What I suspect may contribute to rough idle, dtech, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 11:04:19
  • Good for you Robert! I also have a 00 lpt SW, Texron, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 10:08:32
  • Transmission trouble???, Roger, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 09:25:28
    • Re: Transmission trouble???, Robert L, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 12:10:43
      • Mine spins wheels from a dead stop, Allan, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 22:51:38
      • Sounds like some type of problem, Roger, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 12:50:29
  • Why DOES auto idle roughly?, J, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 00:43:03
    • Re: Why DOES auto idle roughly?, Eddienyc, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 10:29:11
    • some do, some don't, TB, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 09:08:04
    • it's not just a rough idle, Aero'ed, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 07:56:01
      • addendum, Aero'ed, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 07:57:54
        • Yes, I have it in my auto Aero and 9K auto...., TKC, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 09:13:13
          • Lord help us!, Allan, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 09:42:42
            • Allan, do you have 4A or 5A transmission in yours? n/m, Aero'ed, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 12:13:56
              • It's an AF30 4 speed AT n/m, Allan, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 19:06:04
                • Re: It's an AF30 4 speed AT, Aero'ed, Thu, 16 Jan 2003 07:57:09
    • Not all of them, Schu, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 07:06:53
      • Re: your 9-3, Ed NC, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 10:50:22
        • Re: your 9-3, keeton, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 14:27:45
    • Re: Why DOES auto idle roughly?, Robert L, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 01:36:45
      • Re: Why DOES auto idle roughly?, Steve L, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 10:35:44

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