Date: Wed, 09 Feb 2005 21:59:22 -0500 From: ma_twain <ma_twainnospamo.com> Subject: Re: 2004 9-5...no accellerator pedal space
Peter Wilkins wrote: > On Sat, 5 Feb 2005 00:38:37 -0500, "Tex" <texnospamm101.org> wrote : > > >>I'm considering purchasing a new Saab. I had been looking at the 9-3's when >>I discovered a local dealer offering a brand new 2004 9-5 arc for only $26k >>(5-speed manual). >> >>So I took it for a test drive only to discover that there was barely any >>room for my foot to hit the accelerator. What were the engineers thinking >>when they allotted so little room for the gas pedal (between the brake pedal >>and the console wall)? It seems like a stupid reason not to buy a car, but >>I have to admit I found my foot literally getting stuck underneath the >>brake. It was difficult to maneuvre my right foot past the brake pedal. >>While my shoes may be _slightly_wider than normal, I don't think they are >>unusually wide at 4 1/2 inches (at its widest point). My shoes fit just >>fine on my current Ford Focus, an otherwise much smaller car. >> >>Has anyone else noticed this? Is it requisite that I drive the car >>barefoot? >> >> > No! > If you really want the car, you can: > > Take the rubber pad off the brake pedal - gets a few more mm space. > Don't use the gas pedal - use the cruise control instead. > Don't use the brake: downshift instead. > Only wear Italian (pointed toe) shoes or else cut off your little toe. > > or do what I did - buy an automatic 9-5. > > It sounds like the spacing of the brake and accelerator was designed for heel/toe downshifting. The idea is to synch up the wheel speed with the engine speed for a downshift by applying brake and gas at the same time. You need to be able step on the brake and accelerator pedals at the same time with your right foot, while your left foot is on the clutch pedal. After you have been learned to drive like this, driving an automatic is boring . . .
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
