I own an '02 Aero wagon, I've driven the Passat (in 1.8T guise) and I owned a 2000 Jetta for a couple of years...

I've never driven a Linear though.

I agree on the seats, there are very, very few cars with comparable seats to the Saab (The new MB E500 comes close, but I still think the 9-5's are better, on a vehicle that's 20K less)

Handling and acceleration? Perhaps I've been spoiled by the Aero, but I find the handling of the Saab to be precise, and predictable. Perhaps handling wise, comparing to an Aero is not realistic! The Saab's are know for their real world acceleration and midrange passing ability- I'm surprised you like the Passat better!

Interior- Here's where my engineering background comes in to play. I've done quite a bit of automotive interior work lately. (right now I'm working at the company who owns the patent on the nifty 9-5 cupholder). Both cars are nice, but from a design point of view the Saab is better IMHO. The AC outlet design is better on the Saab. Driver ergonomics, while good on the VW are superior in the Saab. The carpeting is of higher quality, and is fit better. The plastic trim is more comprehensive and provides an overall better finish IMO. I broke 3 center AC outlets on the Jetta in 60K kms!

Saab did drop the ball on "auto up-down" windows, and the cruise control is a bit odd (you get used to it). Other places where the Saab falls short is the passenger grab handles, and the door handles. They could have done a lot better on those features.

Saab is definitely the more expensive car to both purchase and maintain, but it is of a different caliber, as others have said- You'd be getting the cheapest Saab vs the second most expensive Passat (top being W8) Compare cost of ownership to MB or BMW and it looks better.

Stereo- Like you said "subjective" I had the "Monsoon" stereo in the Jetta and I've got the premium HK in the Saab. I much prefer the Saab for the music I'm listening to these days. What does a sound engineer think about having tweeters in the back seat like on the VW? I found that a bit odd...

One more thing: VW makes cars for the masses, for people who like to "blend in with the crowd" Saab, on the other hand is inherently exclusive due to lower production numbers. Do you like to blend in or be noticed?

I'm going with the standard advice here... Drive them both, get the one you like best!




posted by 65.123.118...

• passat wagon v. linear wagon, mike, Sun, 9 Feb 2003 19:43:48
  • Re: passat wagon v. linear wagon, saab newbe, Tue, 11 Feb 2003 13:44:30
  • Considered both, Pete Saab 9-5, Mon, 10 Feb 2003 13:46:52
  • See NYTimes link to VW/Audi's "Black Eye", Jon in Chicago, Mon, 10 Feb 2003 12:49:25
    • You're claiming Saab is more reliable than VW?, phred, Mon, 10 Feb 2003 13:11:40
      • God, I hope it is! n/m, Jon in Chicago, Mon, 10 Feb 2003 16:39:00
        • Wake up and smell the lingonberries n/m, phred, Mon, 10 Feb 2003 17:44:18
          • Had them for breakfast this morning!, Jon in Chicago, Tue, 11 Feb 2003 10:09:10
  • Re: passat wagon v. linear wagon, Dean, Mon, 10 Feb 2003 09:34:19
  • I own both! Comparison-Saabsters don't flame me please, Brent, Mon, 10 Feb 2003 03:28:29
    • Re: I own both! Comparison-Saabsters don't flame me please, DA, Tue, 11 Feb 2003 14:15:38
    • Went from Passat to Saab, chris74, Tue, 11 Feb 2003 07:52:12
      • Re: Went from Passat to Saab, dwin, Wed, 12 Feb 2003 00:16:10
    • Re: I own both! Comparison-Saabsters don't flame me please, mike, Mon, 10 Feb 2003 19:30:15
      • Re: I own both! Comparison-Saabsters don't flame me please, Brent, Tue, 11 Feb 2003 10:43:17
    • woosh!- no flame here- good comparison thanks n/m, turboboy, Mon, 10 Feb 2003 16:37:59
    • 9-5 def. has better quality interior than Passat....., Alex Athanasiou, Mon, 10 Feb 2003 14:55:59
    • "Hands free driving"? I gotta know more about this., JimW, Mon, 10 Feb 2003 11:48:18
    • VW are not very good cars., Adam M, Mon, 10 Feb 2003 10:27:34
    • Agree and disagree somewhat..., bRAD, Mon, 10 Feb 2003 09:28:53 <-- Viewing This Message
      • Re: Agree and disagree somewhat..., rolf 02 aero wagon, Mon, 10 Feb 2003 12:15:21
  • Re: passat wagon v. linear wagon, Stephen Goldberger, Sun, 9 Feb 2003 20:45:58
    • Re: passat wagon v. linear wagon, Scott Paterson , Mon, 10 Feb 2003 02:11:30
  • Re: passat wagon v. linear wagon, RickP, Sun, 9 Feb 2003 20:27:15
    • Re: firmer ride?, mike, Sun, 9 Feb 2003 20:39:57
      • handling/performance edge goes to Linear, Aero'ed, Mon, 10 Feb 2003 12:36:38
        • handling of Passat, Aero'ed, Tue, 11 Feb 2003 07:39:47
          • Re: handling of Passat, Brent, Tue, 11 Feb 2003 10:41:26
      • Tires!, Stephen Goldberger, Mon, 10 Feb 2003 11:23:19
      • Re: firmer ride?, cork , Mon, 10 Feb 2003 10:01:46
      • 2002 + 9-5's have firmer ride over eariler ones, T Randell, Mon, 10 Feb 2003 08:37:15
  • Better gas mileage, Keegs , Sun, 9 Feb 2003 20:25:13

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