1985-1998 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
I get repairs/maintenance done by none other than Tom Townsend at Townsend Imports(site sponsor). I would urge you to heavily consider checking him out if you don't already. He's nuts - in a good way - over these cars. I've never met anyone as passionate about our cars than this guy - and I'm pretty much a fanatic myself. He hosts live internet Chat on saabnet on Saturday evenings! Great guy all around.
Concerning the comparison, I guess it may be unfair to compare a 9000 CSE to a 9-5 Aero; I wish I had experience with a 9000Aero to compare, but here goes:
On first notice the car has a much tighter feel overall; cornering is way better - I have plans to upgrade to 2002+ swaybars, which are much more substantial - I've heard this tightens things up much more
The ride is a little more harsh on these NC roads, esp. over railroad tracks. Take into consideration the 17 inch wheels, 45 series tires, and lower suspension. For touring on the highway, it's smooth as silk, though. Overall I noticed how much more nimble the car was than my 9000. That surprised me given the size of the vehicle.
Power is a substantial increase, especially with a manual. When you push it and the overboost kicks it, it makes you smile. Torque steer is pronounced sometimes, but that's what happens with front wheel drive cars with power. You get used to it and learn to drive better, in my opinion. Turbo spool up is ok, but you find yourself wanting the power sooner. I think a manual boost controller is in the very near future. The 5 speed shifter is a little loose for me, but nothing a short shift wont cure....
At first I wasn't sure about the interior. My CSE had a lot of lights and buttons on the dash, which I loved because it reminded me of being in the cockpit of an airplane. Go figure. Anyway the 9-5 dash doesn't strike you that way, but then at night, you realize it looks just as impressive, it's just laid out differently. BTW GET THE VENTILATED SEATS. You will not be dissappointed, esp. with our hot summers. I turned down several cars just because of the lack of this feature. It's one of my favorite things on the car. We also got our glovebox back, and it's actually cooled as well!
Sorry I've run on for so long. Hopefully that gives you some idea. Take your time and search for the right car, my friend. You'll kick yourself everyday if it's not exactly what you want. I looked for almost a year for a black on tan Aero with a manual/ventilated seats/3 spokes. It's out there, you just gotta find it!
BTW I've still got my green/tan CSE. It needs a timing chain/balance chain job and it's just sitting. That's why I had to end up getting another car. Any ideas on what to do with the car? I'm not sure on whether to part it out or try and get it fixed, which will be around $2500. I hate that it's just sitting there, you know.
Anyway best of luck and happy SAABing....
posted by 204.156.7...
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