I paid the premium for the 5-spd Auto, and am glad that I did. The power delivery is much more "train like" than the manual, as the gear changes under high acceleration are exceptionally quick and smooth. None of this power on, power off, power on when you go up through the box that you get with a manual. I've no doubt that it changes gear much quicker and much more smoothly than even an extremely accomplished driver could do with a manual, with a corresponding reduction in transmission wear/loading at the high outputs that the Aero gives.

Needless to say, the additional benefits in stop/start traffic exist too, yet on the open road, there is something special about being able to keep the power on in a continuous stream until you desire, with no pauses for clutch depression, shifting etc. The Sport mode is also much more prominent than in the older models when engaged, and it holds on to the revs nicely in each gear. Quick to downshift too - much quicker than you can do in a manual. Sure there is a small hit on mpg, but I can't say I notice any significant difference between my Aero Auto, and my older 9-5 manual. If anything, the Aero is more economical in real driving. The Auto is a no regrets buy, though it takes a few miles on the clock to smooth out its changes.

In the UK, Auto was once seen as a luxury addition, and hence most of our cars came with a manual box. With a car like the 9-5, many people want the Auto version when buying used. Certainly, when I came to sell a couple of my previous 9-5s, one of the first questions the dealer asked when I enquired about a trade-in was "is it an auto". Some (though not all it has to be said), didn't want to know when it was the manual, citing that a manual box did not suit the class of the car with it being a prestige saloon.

You pays your money, and you takes your choice :-)

Simon Watkins



Simon

posted by 62.64.20...

• I've just test driven 3 Aeros. As a 9000 Aero owner..., Barry Oppenheim, Fri, 31 May 2002 00:23:32
  • Car and Driver Didn't Like the Manual Either, John N., Sun, 2 Jun 2002 22:43:45
  • Re: I've just test driven 3 Aeros. As a 9000 Aero owner..., Simon Watkins, Sat, 1 Jun 2002 07:50:20 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Re: I've just test driven 3 Aeros. As a 9000 Aero owner..., Lou, Fri, 31 May 2002 20:22:57
  • Re: I've just test driven 3 Aeros. As a 9000 Aero owner..., Bob M, Fri, 31 May 2002 17:20:09
  • I've enjoyed my manual Aero thusfar..., brian@saabcenter.com, Fri, 31 May 2002 15:15:24
    • Re: I've enjoyed my manual Aero thusfar..., Göran Larsson, Fri, 31 May 2002 16:56:52
      • Habit. I call all limiting devices..., brian@saabcenter.com, Sat, 1 Jun 2002 13:27:10
  • The manual does get better.....but, Manumad, Fri, 31 May 2002 10:15:38
  • Re: I've just test driven 3 Aeros. As a 9000 Aero owner..., AeroLAdy, Fri, 31 May 2002 09:54:12
    • Re: I've just test driven 3 Aeros. As a 9000 Aero owner..., Bill H, Fri, 31 May 2002 16:51:51

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