2003-2011 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Thanks for the feed back. I may wait for the sport hatch. My AWD requirement is due to the perceived need to convert low RPM torque into efficient acceleration and the need to superior handling dynamics that AWD offers over FWD- recall the AWD 9-3 that climbed Pike's Peak. I have driven the 9-2X and it is a fine car, but frankly, it is not a SAAB nor is it in the same league with AUDI, MB, BMW and Volvo. Intellectually, I find GM"s finger in the dike mentality on expanding SAAB's model offering a poor excuse for brand management and I believe GM has sacrificed brand integrity in the process of losing the hatch and rebadging a Subie Impreza and a GMC Jimmy as a SAAB. In regards to the primitive feal of my 99 9-5 SE and my modified 99-9-3, I suppose it starts with the interior of the 04 Audi A-4 3.0 CVT. I really felt like I was in a cockpit when I slid into the Audi's seat. Even the window controls were illuminated. The stereo was light years ahead of the HK system in my 9-5 and the seats beats the snot out of SAAB seats. The ride was on smooth and rough pavement firm but controlled which is not something I can say about either the 9-5 or the 9-3 I own. The door locks open and close without a thud or remote control beep or flashing lights. The exterior look of the A-4 is now superior to the look of the restyled BMWs although I am looking very hard at the S40 AWD T5 as well. I posted these thoughts not to bash the 9-3 SS which is a fine auto but to point out that GM has ignored my demographic in its product offerings. What is SAAB offering to retain current SAAB owners? Do they think I want to buy a SUV with a Griffin or a 9-5 station wagon. No, I want something that can run with a S4 from St Louis to Steamboat Springs Colorado in January. Unless the new sport hatch is AWD, why wait. Moreover, as a man, the station wagon fits my image of chic about as much as minivan which is why I have no interest in a Impreza wagon or a 9-5 wagon.
Now I have test driven the S60R, the S40 T-5 AWD and the 9-3 SS as well as the Audi A-4 3.0 and the feel of the Audi is measurably more solid with fantastic steering. It is lightyears ahead of the 99 A-4 I compared against my 99-9-3. I ultimately went with my 9-3 over a Audi because of the hatch which captured my imagination and admiration and the superior low end torque of the SAAB combined with the value of its inherent utility.
Today, the only 9-3 SS that interests me would be the AERO model. I am disappointed that the 9-3 SS is not offered with a 2.3 engine a la the current 9-5 Aero. I do think that would make the Aero model competitive with the Acura TL. Of course too much power and FWD are simply not compatible so rather than introduce rebadged Imprezas and Jimmys, I wish GM would put resources into developing SAAB's AWD capabilities such that SAAB could compete with every other Euro brand from Audi, BMW, Jaguar, MB, Volvo and even VW.
posted by 70.242.156...
, Sun, 12 Dec 2004 09:17:18
, Sun, 12 Dec 2004 01:20:08, Sat, 11 Dec 2004 23:35:21
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