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I just got back from GM's Auto Show in motion expo here in Chicago. (for you Chicagoans, it's at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, and it runs through Sunday. Go, it's free, and you get to drive really nice cars). Here are my observations:
The event is well done. They have cones set up so that you can drive all sorts of cars and trucks through sharp turns and over bumps to see how they handle. You can even drive competitors cars, which is good for comparison.
Cars Driven:
Chevrolet Avalanche
Cadillac Escalade EXT
Cadillac CTS
Saab 9-5 Aero
Saab 9-3 Convertible w/ sport package and 17" wheels (2003, not '04)
Chevrolet Corvette Z06
The trucks were big and lumbering, but I see them everywhere so I had to try them (yes, I still hate myself for burning all that gas). I was impressed to see the 9-5 Aero and an Aero SportWagon there. Very nice that they're showcasing them. They had 3 9-3 Arc's, but since I own a 9-3 Linear I passed on driving them. Too bad that they didn't have the new convertibles there, I really wanted to get my hands on one of those. The Cadillac CTS is pretty darn nice, I was impressed, but should have compared with the 325i that they had. Too bad for Cadillac that I'd buy the Aero before it. The Corvette is, well, a Corvette. 6-speed, 405 HP, RWD...oops, I started salivating. I'm back.
Saab Specific Content:
While I was very happy to drive my first Aero and the '03 convert, I noticed one thing. There wasn't enough space to get the cars up to much more than 30 mph. Quite a let down for cars that truly perform when you get them over 2500 RPM. Since all of the Saabs that they had were HPTs, there's not enough space to spool up the turbos and truly experience what a Saab feels like. This is the one place that a few 9-3 Linears would have been nice as they spool up so quickly. I did manage to talk to 3 guys who really liked the Aero. I said that they might like the 9-3SS, for it's handling. After their trips, all of them were very impressed with the sporty feel and cabin comfort. Hopefully there are 3 new Saab converts in Chicago....
American Car Content:
Corvette......wow. Unbelievable acceleration, smooth gearbox, very precise and the thing gets 18/28 mpg. Okay, I'm going to pick my jaw up off the floor now.....
Drew
'03 9-3SS Linear
posted by 129.188.33...
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