Date: Mon, 03 Jan 2005 03:23:18 GMT From: hale <halenospam.com> Subject: Re: 9-3 Aero woes
news.cable.ntlworld.com wrote: > <dxyzcnospamam.com> wrote in message > news:ZpoBd.180546$T02.17592nospamter.rdc-kc.rr.com... > >>On 12/29/2004 1:28 PM, news.cable.ntlworld.com wrote: >> >>>I've had my 2004 9-3 Aero with the 7 speed auto box for three months now, >>>Its done 5,000 miles. AND I HATE IT It's the worst car I have ever >>>driven!! Its road holding with the reAxe is superb, its ride although >>>harsh picks up all the imperfections on the road and it tramlines on the >>>motorways, you are constantly fighting to keep it in a straight line on >>>the granny lane. You could live with all this because its a sporty car, >>>but not with that auto box. >>> >>>This box ruins an otherwise good car. There is a 2 second delay between >>>gearchanges. Even in semi-auto mode there is a delay and sometimes it >>>will not change up if the revs are too high. Other times it will not kick >>>down. This is definately not sporty driving. For a 210bhp car, its >>>regularly left standing by the average kids in hot hatches. >>> >>>Its been to the dealer 3 times, all they did was change the accelerator >>>sensor and told me that the car was working fine. (Furneux of Houghton >>>Regis). I only got the auto because the brochure convinced me that it >>>was as good as a manual. As its a company car I have another 6 months to >>>go with this car and I shall not get another Saab. I can't see why it >>>got voted Top Gear car of the year. >>> >> >>Why did you buy a 9-3 Aero with an automatic? So far I am overall very >>impressed with the 9-3 Aero Manual. > > > * My wife only drives automatics > * I'm attracted to new technology (7 speed semi automatic to quote the > brochure " Two extra intermediate gears permit faster acceleration in > automatic mode and provides even sportier driving." sold me. > * The Audi or the BMW M3 automatics do not have this problem. > > My beef is Saab should not have ruined an otherwise good car with the > "Sentronic +2" box. > > I do believe you are right about the gearbox. I have a 9-3 ARC (210hp) with a 5 speed Sentronic. I can comfortably do 0-60 in 7.5 seconds (book says 6.8s). 40-70 is a breeze, fast enough that I have never bothered with the "semi-manual". I sometimes drive on a coastal road with plenty of twists and turns where the manual comes in handy and almost always I find myself tail-gating the car in front . I am yet to find some one on my tail. The tramline problem is not very noticeable on the 16" wheels, though I feel it when road is really bad. I have driven a friend's M3 which was a dog to keep in line when driving on grooved tarmac. So I guess tramline also plagues the 'ultimate driving machine'!
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