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Re: Pre '92 Aero or '92 Linear (long) Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Mon, 14 Feb 2005 05:22:30
In Reply to: Pre '92 Aero or '92 Linear (long), tincob, Sun, 13 Feb 2005 19:07:22 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
The big difference between the Aero and the Linear is engine. The linear has 185 hp, the Aero has 230 ('01) and 250 ('02). And an Aero came fully equipped ,option-wise; Linears can come pretty base, or with options. These are used cars, so you find what you find.
So an '02 linear may or may not have the Aero suspension pieces, but it still has the 185 hp engine. No suspension will make up for that. And although suspension is nice, tires make the difference - 215/55-16 on the linear, 225/45-17 on the Aero (6.5 vs 7.0 rims, too).
Comparing a Linear to an Aero doesn't make sense, at least across '01 to '02. No equivalency.
What counts isn't on the spec sheet. Go to a dealer and drive both. Maybe the Linear is perfectly fine, performance-wise. Maybe you think it's a dog. Same with the Aero. And here's a hint - drive more than one. These are used cars, and not all of them are running to factory specs. And even if they were, some cars are just faster than others. And something not to ignore are the V6. The Arc/SE comes pretty well equipped, and you might like the pull/sound of the V6 better. This isn't the V6 in the 900/9000 that caused trouble - the 9-5 V6 is an equally reliable engine, just keep after the timing belt.
Apples and oranges. The 5-speed autobox is nice. But the 4-speed isn't a problem. Xenons are nice, but they were an option on the Aero and Arc (not available on Linear), not standard. So that's one more thing to drive the price up around $500-$600.
Spec sheets are good if you've got some 'gotta have' items. For me, that's heated seats and 'adequate' performance. What's adequate? For some, 145 hp is fine; for others, 300 hp barely meets the mark. But performance doesn't come on the spec sheet- it's in the car. I've driven plenty of cars that ran much better than what the spec sheet said, and others where you opened the hood to see where all the horsepower was leaking out. And unless you're going to run timing traps or pink-slips on a Saturday night, it isn't numbers, but seat-of-the-pants.
Frankly, I find the 185 Linear to be a pretty quick car. Yes, an Aero is much faster. But you'll pay quite a premium for an Aero. So drive a bunch of them and see.
I have also found a broad range of quality when it comes to CPO cars. Saab of Milford has a BIG selection and decent prices, but in general, I find that the quality of cars there is amazingly poor. Given how most of the cars I've seen on their lot are hurting, I suspect the service department. I have found very good quality CPO cars at Saab of Westport, and Saab of Guilford (a haul, but worth checking out). Westport had decent prices for the cars, the few times I looked. I've also heard that Westport makes up for it with astoundingly high service prices. I don't have first-hand experience with them.
So check a bunch of places for CPO cars. There is a wide variety of prices and quality. Just beacause it has passed the CPO inspection, don't take that for a clean bill of health without looking at it HARD.
As to service, if the work is under warranty, you don't care what the cost is. As for work not covered by the CPO, find an independent shop that knows Saabs. I don't know of any in your area (I'm just south of Hartford), but I'm sure others can. I've had very good luck with Saab Service of Orange, which is a factory authorized service place. They're pretty much the service department of the defunct Howard Motorcar Saab dealership - great service, sales department unimpressive. Orange has always done well by me, but since I stopped working in the area (about 5 years ago), I haven't been there.
posted by 192.249....
, Mon, 14 Feb 2005 12:30:10, Mon, 14 Feb 2005 05:22:30 <-- Viewing This Message
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