1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
I was looking for all of the following (not necessarily in this order):
Reliabile, safe, fun to drive, comfortable heated seats, versatile, fun to drive, good looks, comfortable back seat, fun to drive, stiff responsive suspension, (European feel vs. Japanese), foreign, manual trans, fun to drive, good cargo area, roof rack for bikes and kayaks (that we don't need a ladder to reach!), fun to drive, AWD/good in the snow, nice gray color, fun to drive! Please forgive me for even CONSIDERING an SUV!!!
BMW X5: Beautiful vehicle, but with equivalent options (xenons, climate control, heated seats, and leather are extra) it is $10K more than the Aero. Very stable, great suspension, fun to drive (225 HP). Very safe, AWD, but the reliability reports are not good so far. Comes in manual or tiptronic auto (what's the point, it's either a manual or an auto, isn't it??)
Lexus RX300: Beautiful package, incredibly reliable, lousy seats for tall people, smooth mushy ride (I don't like that), auto trans only, 4WD, whines like a Japanese car. If you like point-and-drive, it's nice. If you want to have fun, keep looking.
Volvo XC: Great seats, very safe car, AWD, lousy colors. Engine is not very powerful, auto trans, it just feels piggy. Reliability questionable. (We owned one back in '88, it was a beautiful car, but rear wheel drive wouldn't go in the snow so we had to sell it... that's when I bought my first Saab!)
Acura MDX: Had to drive one because my husband loves Acuras (he's had a Legend and a 3.2TL). A great package for the price, no personality, a mini-van in disguise. Ugh.
I did not test drive the Audi or the VW Passat because....
My Saab dealer lent us an ARC for a weekend trip. After 600 miles we were definitely sold on the car, but I just couldn't love the automatic, as smooth as it is (I've driven a manual my whole life). I drove the Linear, it felt comfortable, a lot like my 9000CS. I kept going back to study the choices in the brochure, and noted the stiffer suspension on the Aero. I've always dreamed of owning one.... I went for a test drive and was in love after about the first quarter mile! It is the only car I drove that truly makes me smile :) :) :)
AeroLady :)
'02 9-5 Aero Wagon
'95 9000CS
'89 9000S
posted by 152.163.20...
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