Funny, I was very disappointed on a recent test drive

Funny, I was very disappointed on a recent test drive - Saab General Bulletin Board - Saabnet.com

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Funny, I was very disappointed on a recent test drive Posted by vvk (more from vvk) on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:27:36

In Reply to: Finally got to drive a new 9-5, No Snaab, Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:29:43 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup

I drove a base BioPower with manual gearbox.

The biggest problem was that it did not feel like a SAAB and did not feel like a European car to me. Which is weird, considering its origins (Insignia). It felt very heavy -- that was the overwhelming impression I got. I tried to accelerate on boost and got almost nothing. It was very, very slow. Definitely slower than my NG900 non-turbo and certainly nowhere near as fast as my friend's 210 hp 9-3, which is unbelievably fast in the midrange.

Brake pedal was very soft. Steering was all right. The ride was very poor -- like a Subaru or some other Asian car. Visibility was extremely poor. There was absolutely no way to check the blind spot on the left -- rather like the Sprinter van I drove recently. Windows were very small, especially the rear windscreen.

The gearshift feel was poor. Clutch feel was good.

Handling was very ungainly. Understeer set it way too early and there was no escaping it with trail braking.

I have driven the old 9-5 on several occasions and it was a much more comfortable car. It accelerated extremely well with no strain or drama. It felt "premium" to me.

Now, perhaps Aero with its super trick HiPer Strut front suspension is a terrific car. I wish it were available with manual and front-wheel drive.

posted by 173.49.12...

Posts in this Thread:

Finally got to drive a new 9-5, No Snaab, Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:29:43
- Funny, I was very disappointed on a recent test drive, vvk, Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:27:36 <-- Viewing This Message
  - Problem is Buick Regal has the same engine...., Tom, Fri, 19 Aug 2011 19:40:09
  - Would like to take a test drive...but, westernny, Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:35:39
    - Re: Would like to take a test drive...but, Justin VanAbrahams , Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:52:48
      - We did the rental thing with 96 9000s., John Myers, Sat, 20 Aug 2011 18:01:30
      - Rental fleets, Noel, Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:59:25
        Rental companies not sure of residual value, Bill Homer , Fri, 19 Aug 2011 11:34:39
        Maybe, but more likely Saab ust isn't offering them, Noel, Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:08:29
        Lots of Priuses and Fiat 500s as rentals, dmz789qqq, Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:47:09
        Drove a Prius when my 9-5 was in for service, westernny, Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:01:07
        Yaris, JohnA , Sat, 20 Aug 2011 21:06:22
        Re: Yaris, No Snaab, Sun, 21 Aug 2011 08:11:28
        Ahh, so glad you asked, vvk, Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:29:46
        Makes sense, No Snaab, Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:41:40
        The new one is amazing, vvk, Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:32:22
        Re: Drove a Prius when my 9-5 was in for service, George K, Sat, 20 Aug 2011 08:21:19
        I'd drive a Prius..., nwas, Thu, 18 Aug 2011 20:36:53
        They are what they are...., Noel, Fri, 19 Aug 2011 10:37:15
        Re: Lots of Priuses and Fiat 500s as rentals, Justin VanAbrahams , Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:58:18
- Re: Finally got to drive a new 9-5, Justin VanAbrahams , Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:36:07
  - I have driven a 2010 Aero since Sept and have 19k on, jtmav, Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:49:02

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