1964-1974 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Basically the Sonett is a sports-car version of the 96, so it's a lot more like driving a 96 than like driving an EMS. Still, it's quite a bit different: it's not as cushy as the 96, ride motions are more abrupt, center of gravity is lower so there's less body roll and steering response is quicker. It feels cruder than a 96, but very responsive and lots of fun.
One thing to keep in mind is that, unlike with the 96, headroom is very limited for tall drivers -- so in addition to the driving experience, make sure you FIT before taking the plunge!
As an ex-96 and 99 owner and current Sonett, owner, we (Sven&Ole being a composite meta-entity) could be accused of being biased -- but if we were in your shoes, we'd rather have a Sonett and a 96 than a 96 and an EMS. Not that the EMS isn't a nice car, and of course it's much roomier and quicker -- but it's really the beginning of the "modern era" of Saabs, so the driving experience is not totally different from what you can get driving a 900, a 9000, or even one of the current GMaabs. The 96 and Sonett, on the other hand, are a completely different order of driving experience that traces its roots all the way back to the original Saab 92.
Better yet, though, keep both your current cars AND get a Sonett (Sonett is very tiny; might even fit side-by-side with 96 in a standard garage, if you park very carefully!) so you'll have a more complete Saabing experinece. Then all you'll need is a 95 and you'll have a nice well-rounded diet of classic 4-stroke Saabs for every occasion : the EMS for when you want to go fast, the 95 for when you want to carry some stuff, the 96 for family outings and the Sonett for serious sports-car fun. Then, after you've added on to your garage, it's time to add some strokers!
Now, though, it's knuckle-rapping time: if you aspire to Sonett ownership, you MUST learn to spell "Sonett" correctly! (On the Sonett III it is printed in the center of the dashboard for easy reference.) Memorize the following poem, penned with apologies to Ogden Nash:
"The one-N Sonett, he's a Swede;
The two-N sonnet, verse you read.
And I will bet
an Easter bonnet --
There ain't no two-N, two-T Sonnett!"
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