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I just got back form the Nov 16-17 Saab Aero Academy. It was an absolutely GREAT event. We had 19 people in the class. Most of the group were Saab owners but there were 3 Saab marketing/executives in the group as well. As everyone else has noted, you have a mix of cars so you usually get to choose what you drive. My Aero is a 6-speed so I chose the same as often as possible. But you just rev up to to 2nd gear anyway. The 9-3 is definitely more nimble and responsive, though I was very impressed with the 9-5. The instructors were funny, friendly, extremly knowledgable and professional. We usually spent 1.5 hours in class in the morning, drove for about 2.5 hours, had lunch. went back to class for another hour then drove for another 2 or so.
The dinner was a wonderful opportunity to talk to fellow Saab owners as well as the Saab marketing folks. We got a couple of interesting titbits. Apparently Saab is committed to coming out with an all-wheel drive 9-3 in the NEAR future! And there is a redesign of the 9-3 Aero in the works for 2008 and the 9-5 in 2008 or 2009 (model years). And it seems that Saab will make a decision on a 2 door sports car sometime soon too. We all asked about the GMification of Saab - reassuring noises in response but not gaurantees.
I stayed at the Chateau Elan, which is a wonderful hotel. The room service ($20 total for a burger) and valet fees ($10 pr day) are high, but the service and ambiance is excellent. All the couples stayed at the Chateau, while most of the singles stayed at the Holiday Inn. I think that's smart - no sense spending the extra $$$ if you're by yourself. If you have company, I'd say it's worth spending an extra night or two since the room rate is a lot lower for Saab Academy attendees.
One complaint - we didn't get to drive on the actual Atlanta Speedway track. Other than that, the academy is an excellent treat. Go if you can. I drove my 2006 Aero from Maryland to ATL so I got to expereicne my car as well. For the record, the Aero loves to cruise at 90 mph :-)
george r
posted by 71.252.66...
, Fri, 10 Nov 2006 10:42:11
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