[Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
 | [Main General Bulletin Board | BBFAQ |
Prev by Date | Next by Date | Post Followup ]
Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos
New 9-5: Drove one! Posted by Bill Homer [Email]  (#3427) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Bill Homer) on Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:13:34
Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup
|
Since my local SAAB dealer closed last year, the closest dealer is far out of my normal driving routes. I happened to be driving up in the far northern Chicago suburbs and saw one parked on the lawn in front of the dealer on the other side of the divided highway - OK, I'll take a closer look on my way home. After checking out a dead Mini Cooper (potential project car w/ blown engine), I stopped at the dealer, pulled my 9000 into the first spot next to two silver NG9-5 Aeros. The sales manager saw me pull in, came out with electronic key fob in hand and asked if I wanted to go for a drive - not what my intention was, but sure!
What I liked:
* The seats were significantly better than I expected, much better than the old 9-5 Aero seats. More rear seat room than most taxis!
* Engine: 2.8L turbo V6, 300HP and gobs of torque - yeah baby! But still gets reasonable EPA mileage results (I would wait for the turbo 4 and manual trans, due later this year).
* Very good suspension settings, i.e. firm but not jarring - someone did their homework. I think that this car had the new modified McPherson (forgot the name) suspension setup which will only be available on Aeros - [rant on: SAAB, you are making a big MISTAKE! You are trying to compete with the incredible 10-link front suspensions of Audis and BMWs with a simple strut on the non-Aeros? To save what, $20 in parts? Wake up!!!]
* Exterior sheetmetal had a lot of pleasant and clever detail that was only apparent close up.
What I didn't like:
* Too big/heavy!! The 9000 is our "big" car (other is an A4), this car seems HUGE, similar to the size of a current Audi A6 or maybe even an A8.
* Transmission: This car had a 6 or 7 speed automatic (does it matter?), paddle shifters if you want to use them (up on one side, down on the other - different from other cars I have driven), shifts were fairly undetectable. Not being a usual automatic driver I found some fault with shuddering/brake pulsing while slowing right before a complete stop, better than many autoboxes that I have driven but not as good as the rental Malibu that I had last week.
* Electronics galore! Future service nightmare????
* No sunroof - currently have supplier problems. Who without a toupe is going to buy an expensive non-sunroof car?
All in all, very impressive car for someone, not necessarily for me at this point in time, but a great start for the new company.
posted by 75.21.81...
, Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:13:34 <-- Viewing This Message
, Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:14:30
, Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:19:24, Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:09:11, Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:13:38, Wed, 1 Sep 2010 09:30:29, Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:00:49, Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:10:53
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.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
