1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Hi -
I was at the launch in Stockholm in August, I drove three versions of the car, totalling about 350 kilometers.
It's very very good, in many ways it is the best Saab ever. (I can hear the unbelievers now).
I am on my third C900, and I was prepared to dislike the car. Handling and ride is outstanding. Say bye bye once and for all to understeer, torque steer, and body roll. Handling is quite neutral and of course, the brakes are outstanding (as usual). I really flogged them on some twisty Swedish back roads and had a lot of fun. This is an all-new car from the ground up and the body structure and suspension is world class. Build quality is as good as BMW (surely no C900 owners in their right mind think it compares to BMW in this vein).
The 5-speed gearbox is improved. There is an all-new 6-speed which is fantastic. I drove the a 210 hp Aero with the 5 speed auto (with the opt. gearchange on the wheel) and thought it okay. Shifting an auto manually is a joke, imho. However, about 75% of the US cars will be automatics, and I found the auto acceptable.
The 'base' 175 hp engine is great. Plenty of power. The basic 5-spd with 175 engine 'Linear' model will sell for $26K in US. What a bargain.
The 210 engine is fantastic, but you don't absolutely have to have that much power (or maybe you do..).
Biggest controversy is of course, no hatch. Saab will offer the convertible in a year, and the wagon after that. I personally don't think the 'loss' of the hatch is too big a deal after the wagon comes out.
I will say this much, the styling is fairly conservative, and BMW/Audi-like. Some hard core Saab people will not like this (indeed I had Saab factory people tell me *they* thought the same...), but if they want to sell more cars, like it or not, the styling needs to be more mainstream. Having said that, it is attractive.
Cheers
KR
posted by 158.59.2...
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