2003-2011 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
I'd like to thank those who responded and gave feedback. Despite concerns about the miles, I decided this morning (after much agonizing) to go with the Aero, especially as I got them to cut about another thousand off. This is my third 9-3 SS -- 2003 linear (3 year lease), 2006 2.0T (2 year lease, got pulled ahead). This is the first one I bought, so I'll have it for a while.
No regrets half a day later; in fact, I am certain I made the right choice. For those interested, my 100 mile review:
Surprising myself, as I thought it uglier than sin in pictures, I now like the new interior. I think it feels a bit more upscale (I can't believe I just wrote that -- I really thought it was ugly in pictures, though this is also somewhat influenced by the better seats, I am sure). The Aero steering wheel with the silly faux-metal inserts does not bother me at all (I thought it would); in fact, it is an interesting change. The metal dashboard trim, which I also thought gaudy, is fine, and in the aero actually pulls together all the other metal trim. It seemed a bit odder in the Anniversary with the burl walnut shifter trim mixed with the metal console and "airbag strip" trim.
While I still do miss the SID and its wonderfully safe position (able to read and keep road in primary vision), the new under-speedo display really isn't that bad. Oddly, with the SID controls for the settings/computer functions now on the steering wheel, I already find myself viewing more things, since I don't have to reach over with a hand and spin the knob. On the other hand, I already miss the additional audio controls, such as the second "shift or skip" button for the radio/CDs. On the older models you had both the scan/skip forward/back and that "next" button which would jump disks or other things depending on mode. I have to reach for the actual radio more.
Speaking of which, and again surprising myself, I find the GM head unit is quite fine -- it's nice to have a bunch of buttons that actually do neat things, rather than just look neat when illuminated at night. The sound quality is fairly decent, at least as good as the step-up in the 2003-2006, perhaps better. It's a bit hard for me to tell, because I tend to like the music centered or even rear-biased, and without the rear shelf speakers, that doesn't work as well in the convertible. It will a week or two until I figure out how to balance the sound.
The seats are nice, definitely a huge step up from the standard seating, not just the extra bolstering, but the seating surface itself seems higher grade leather (or pleather, whatever it is) -- I don't slide about as much.
I liked the old HVAC controls -- especially the way you could link the zones in the profiler settings), but the new knobs are acceptable. As I tend to leave it on auto and adjust the temperature maybe a few times a month, its fairly irrelevant to me. Heated seats are now two-stage instead of three-stage.
I understand why some of the reviews have criticized the suspension for not being tight/sharp enough. However, that said, subjectively I love how they tuned it. There is no question that it is sharper than the standard, but it still is a very smooth and compliant ride.
The engine definitely is stronger. With the test drives it didn't jump out at me as much. Like many have noted since it came out in 06 (I remember reading the threads even back then), it is a more linear than the 4, but the more you drive it, the more you notice the difference, especially once I got back home and drove some of my daily routes. Don't get me wrong, I love the Saabified Ecotec 4, and I think it produces a wonderful sound when pushed, but the 6 clearly is different and stronger. We shall see if in a year from now I still think the performance is worth the lower MPG, but for now I am enjoying it.
I sat in the back while my nephews took a spin, and I was surprised at how much room there was in the vert back seat -- it appears ridiculously cramped, and while it certainly is tight, once you get back there it is actually far more -- remarkably more -- comfortable than it appears. Really good design/engineering on the space back there, very impressive.
ppeterson -- I am in the NY/NJ/CT tri-state area. The Anniversary should still be available, it's on Long Island in Hempstead. The car is a beautiful black on black. I was dealing with Jeff at the Hempstead saab dealer, who was a very nice guy. The car is a steal, some saab lover deserves to grab it.
Thanks again, everyone. Now I am off to buy junk -- always wanted to get one of those smart slot cup holders....
posted by 67.87.22...
, Sat, 29 Dec 2007 18:09:22
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