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Yo Simon, I read your dissection of the edmunds review of the 9-5 below, and while I agree that much of the review stinks, I disagree with some of the things you take issue with the illustrious Ms Riches for.
1) The first time I sat in a 9-5 my first thought was, gee this doesnt seem much bigger inside (up front) than my 900. While it is a larger car, I would agree with the "cozy" description from the drivers seat. I didn't have a hidden agenda when I made that observation :)
2) I too felt the telescoping wheel could use more range, it's a matter of opinion, not fact.
3) Not sure I understand your rear center headrest argument, but I did drive a Kia Optima (18 thousand dollar car) that had an adjustable rear center headrest this weekend. I know that saab sells a center rest in their catalog, and I think that with the center rest in place it blocks your view too much but...
4) The control stalks have a cheapness to them, they are identical? to my 96 900, and I really dont like how the turn signal stalk feels when you signal a turn, my 88 integra had a more substantial stalk than the saab. Again, an opinion thing, and when i read Erin's comment, I was nodding my head in agreement.
5) I disagree with your argument for the "dead buttons" in the dash (that saab is being sensible, and that they are a "positive.") They are there because in other countries the locations have switches in them (headlight leveling for example), and the dash's are the same regardless of country, so saab needed to fill the empty holes. I definitely think it looks crappy, (opinon) and see them as a negative.
6) I guess both you and Ms. Riches should not use your limited experience with the 9-5 to determine overall build quality, however I did see a 9-5 wagon with a misaligned tailight assembly, so I don't totally discount the possibility that their test car had one too.
I agree with your other points about the article (driver door window switches?? how insane is that?) but before you track Ms. Riches down with a machine gun, I thought I'd try (as another saabophile, saabphreak, saabite or whatever) to offer another point of view from friendly turf. If you have owned 4 9-5's it seems that your objectivity may be a "bit" clouded, only natural if you've invested that much money into something only to hear it trashed.
That being said, Edmunds reviews are generally good for light reading material, but I turn to more serious (R&T) publications when I want to hear opinions about cars from people I respect. It frustrates me that edmunds writes editorial articles about how difficult it is to become a car reviewer, and then they hire some girl off the street, but I guess if I don't like it, I don't have to read it, right?
Regards,
Brian
posted by 205.188.19...
, Mon, 17 Jun 2002 18:48:08
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