Saab factory reps were there with the new 9-3SS Linear, Arc, and Vector models. They also brought along a BMW 325i, a Volvo S60, the Merc 240, and Audi A6.

I drove all of them and was most impressed with the 9-3SS and the S60.

Sure, the S60 steers heavier and seems to have a softer, quiter ride, but I was impressed by the interior -comfortable, and luxurious, enjoyed the ride and handling through the curves, and on the skid pad. Acceleration was responsive, and the car performed as well as any of the others.

The Beemer, was nice, but didn't have throttle response I'm used to in my -'99 9-5 2.3lpt. It was a nice car, but I wasn't overly impressed. The Audi had the CVT tranny which turned me off. Acceleration fell off as the car got faster. My 9-5, and several of the other cars seemed to provide more constant acceleration than than the A6 did.

The Merc 240 was by far the biggest dissapointment of the day. Compared to the other cars, it may as well have been an '85 Chevy Caprice. I'm exaggerating of course, but it illustrates how I felt going through the curves, trying to steer through the slalom course. It failed miserably on the skid pad -I actually got the car sideways. Acceleration seemed to be the worst of the bunch. When I got done, all I could think was "What a piece of S&!%". In my view, they've produced their version of the Cadillac Cimmeron for those of you who remember that debacle.

None of the cars stacked up to my 9-5 -and that includes the new 9-3SS. None of them exhibited it's livelines, or with the excepton of the Volvo, it's roomy, warm, quality interior. But I've heard Volvo has declined in terms of reliability.

Anyway, that's my take on them.

posted by 24.236.160...

• Observations: 9-5 aero, C240, 330i (long), dwin, Sun, 13 Jul 2003 17:24:55
  • Re: Observations: 9-5 & 330i, Peter , Mon, 14 Jul 2003 17:12:49
  • Bimmer = a BMW car, turbo5spd, Mon, 14 Jul 2003 07:59:00
    • Re: Bimmer = a BMW car, dwin, Mon, 14 Jul 2003 21:17:53
  • I attended the Saab Proving Grounds event last month, Allan, Mon, 14 Jul 2003 05:45:50 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Re: Observations: 9-5 aero, C240, 330i - Vibes at idle?, JohnW, Mon, 14 Jul 2003 01:05:36
    • Re: Observations: 9-5 aero, C240, 330i - Vibes at idle?, dwin, Mon, 14 Jul 2003 21:26:57
    • Re: Observations: 9-5 aero, C240, 330i - Vibes at idle?, Jwiz, Mon, 14 Jul 2003 06:27:01
  • 9-5 vs 5 Series, not 3 Series, Greg W, Sun, 13 Jul 2003 20:42:07
    • Re: 9-5 vs 5 Series, not 3 Series, dwin, Mon, 14 Jul 2003 22:08:32
  • Did you notice.., Al S, Sun, 13 Jul 2003 20:27:11
    • Re: Did you notice.., Dwin, Mon, 14 Jul 2003 22:12:55
  • Re: Observations: 9-5 aero, C240, 330i (long), jeff, Sun, 13 Jul 2003 17:38:32
    • Re: Observations: 9-5 aero, C240, 330i (long), Jason 0W-40, Sun, 13 Jul 2003 18:34:37
      • 9-5 Aero Vs C240, HS, Sun, 13 Jul 2003 21:37:50
        • Re: 9-5 Aero Vs C240, alansaab, Mon, 14 Jul 2003 08:47:13
          • Cash back was available on Aero when I bought in April, HS, Mon, 14 Jul 2003 15:05:36
            • 0% financing on all Saabs now...Saabusa.com n/m, No Saab Story, Mon, 14 Jul 2003 15:07:47

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