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, Wed, 13 Dec 2000 13:23:18
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Upon returning home last evening, after an overnight trip, lo and behold, there was my January 2001 Car & Driver! So I guess I was luckier than some. I tried the C&D website this morning to see if they had the comparison there so I could post a link. But they don’t have the January comparison test online.
Naturally, after all the comments on the BB in recent days, last night's first order of business was to bite the bullet and to do what had to be done. Steeling myself with a creamy pint of Guinness, I settled myself in the lounge chair and devoured the comparison test. Alas, even though I had hoped it was all just a bad dream and that, as if by some miracle, the results would be different, it was not to be. The SAAB was indeed sitting there in last (6th) place. C&D did like the “aroma of the leather interior” (guess SAAB’s smell good), the “hydraulic rush” of the turbo power (SAAB engines still rule!). And they commented on lots of useful room in the cockpit. Not even any complaints of the narrow footwells! So the news is not all bad. And it was only a couple points behind a brand new Mercedes! Ah well. Life goes on. And the NG 9-3 is coming. Let’s hope that SAAB will keep everything that’s good, and improve what needs updating.
The C&D test makes interesting reading but, as with every comparison test they do, you have to read everything, not simply scan the final rankings. And, when you buy a car, you have to base your purchase on what is important to you. I won’t get into the last place finish of the SAAB again. Given the C&D criteria for sport sedan tests where, as they themselves mentioned in the article, sport handling is the top priority, I can understand the SAAB’s relative placement. But there are lots of other things to look at in the test as well. The cars were not equally equipped, which C&D admitted. The BMW was stripped, even had vinyl seats, but was equipped with the Sport Package with “summer tires”, which certainly helped its ranking. The C- Class was not so equipped, undoubtedly hurting its handling. However, do you really think that anyone who purchases the Mercedes will feel they have an “inferior” car to a BMW 3 Series? I doubt it. Plus, when C&D tested the C Class Sport separately in another issue, they said “Look out BMW, Mercedes may have discovered your chassis genome”. Yet here, the regular model finishes next to last. I believe the other cars had all-season tires. The Audi only finished 2 ( I think), points behind the BMW, even though the A4 is at the end of its life cycle. But Audi has a slick new A4 waiting in the wings which is previewed in the same issue. New platform, new fully independent rear suspension, new 3 liter 217 HP V-6. Up-rated turbo four as well. So watch out BMW. And, despite its mid-pack ranking, in reading the test myself, the Volvo seems like a damn nice package (I’d prefer the T5 wagon though, since I need a hatch). The Lexus doesn’t appeal to me, but I’m sure it’s fun to drive.
The discussions on this board about the comparison prove one thing. Everyone is different, with their own perceptions and, yes, biases, When I read the test, the BMW did not strike me as the most appealing car in the group, not if I was spending my own money on it. But that’s just me. The “right” car is the one that fits your needs and is the most appealing to you, no matter what the brand or model. If the SAAB had finished in first place, would we be rubbing BMW’s nose in it? Of course we would!!!
Cheers to all.
, Mon, 11 Dec 2000 16:34:33, Tue, 12 Dec 2000 12:51:48, Wed, 13 Dec 2000 13:23:18
, Tue, 12 Dec 2000 07:12:24
, Wed, 13 Dec 2000 20:59:02, Mon, 11 Dec 2000 16:31:50, Thu, 14 Dec 2000 12:36:03, Mon, 11 Dec 2000 16:28:51
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