Date: Thu, 22 Oct 1998 14:12:41 -0500 From: Chieko Mori <chiekonopsamspam-ON.com> Subject: Re: Saab 9.5 Wagon to be shown in USA Nov 1!
r600nopsamejanews.com wrote: > PS -- Drive the 9-5 and you'll see it's not an Americanized pretender. When last brought my '94 9000 CSE-T 5-speed to the dealer for repair, I took a 9-5 automatic out for a test drive. Yes, it's a nice car, fresh new modern styling, lots of advances, more luxurious, etc. BUT. I'm not crazy about the new styling. I suppose I could learn to like it eventually. While there are Saab styling cues, it struck me as having gone too mainstream for my taste. I found myself thinking, It's an Accord! It's a Camry! LOL. (Especially from the back.) I suppose this is how some 900 owners might have felt when the 9000 came out. Part of this could also be due to the sedan instead of hatchback configuration. But putting aside my non-enthusiasm for the styling, I wanted to see how it FELT to drive. Relative to my 9000-bred expectations, I was a little disappointed. There seemed to be less connection with (more isolation from) the road, less feeling of oneness with the car, less feeling of direct, instantaneous response between gas pedal and engine/car. Less rearward visibility (and the 9000 isn't all that good in that dept. to begin with). More of a closed-in cocoon feel, rather than an open feel. But getting back to driving feel, basically, less European/Japanese sport, more American "family luxury car" mainstream. (Not surprising, since Saab wants to appeal to that segment.) When I press or let off the gas pedal on the 9000 by a millimeter or three, I am accustomed to an immediate response. (As in NOW. And I'm not even talking about kicking in the turbo or 0-60 boyracer driving here, just normal driving.) The 9-5 felt like there was a Fortune 500 company committee meeting debating what to do. ("He pushed the pedal in by a small amount? Hmmm. I vote we speed up by a proportionate amount. All in favor, say AYE!") I exaggerate a bit, of course, but that's the picture that came to my mind. When I mentioned my opinion to the salesman, he said, "Well, if you want sporty, try a 9-3!" I thought to myself, "BUT I DON'T WANT A 9-3! I want my 9-5 sporty! Like a 9000!" Returning to my 9000, the difference was quite noticeable, and, in a way, comforting (I'm sure glad I got the 9000 before it went away.) Maybe a 5-door 5-speed hatchback could redeem the 9-5 for me. But as it is, I didn't see the Saab driver's feel in the current 9-5 sedan that I wanted and expected.
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