1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup
First road trip---2000 9-5 wagon, 2.3LPT base model w/ 5 speed ("Buttercup"). Seattle to Mammoth Mountain, California (for skiing). 2150 miles rt, half freeway (80-85mph), half 2-lane mountain roads with passes up to 8000 ft. Trip average mpg 28.9 with snow tires and roof rack, regular gas, 2 drivers. (I personally do about 29.6, but he likes to rev it up more). I love this car more than ever. Passing performance and handling are great---even an emergency evasive maneuver when someone in the left lane suddenly decided to share the right one with us. The other driver didn't look before changing lanes, just came on over, and then compounded the problem by hitting her brakes, instead of moving back to the left, when she finally realized we were there too. Fortunately there was a nice shoulder for us. My partner, who was driving, did say the Saab needs a more authoritative horn.
We did not see a single other Saab 9-5, neither sedan nor wagon, the entire trip, which crossed 4 states. Twice we got admiring looks and questions at rest stops.
Questions: (1) does one get better mileage with or without the cruise control? (2) What is meant by "understeer?" Does this describe the Saab's handling? At first I thought she didn't handle mountain roads as well as my Volvo V70, but then I learned to look farther into each turn as I approached, and then it felt fine.
I just wish I could afford 2 more of these for my kids. . . .
, Tue, 3 Apr 2001 01:23:23, Tue, 3 Apr 2001 16:37:00, Fri, 6 Apr 2001 01:28:20
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
