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Very familiar, vastly improved..... Posted by Mike Lynch [Email]  (#81) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Mike Lynch) on Sat, 3 Jul 2004 13:16:04
In Reply to: How does a 9-5 compare to the 9-3, NG900?, bill h., Sat, 3 Jul 2004 07:46:07 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
The 9-5's addressed many of the chassis shortcomings of the NG900 - 9-3. The body is much stiffer in the 9-5 and eliminates many common rattles that can occur because of the hatch, even with the wagon.
9-5's have virtually eliminated torque steer issues found in the higher output 9-3's like Viggens. In 2002 9-5's received revised front end geometry with much more natural steering response off center.
IMO NG900 - 9-3's have lots of suspension travel, but poor suspension compliance. This has been resolved with the stiffer body and the elimination of the twist beam rear end set up in favor of truly independent multi-link set up of the 9-5's. Now when you get the sport chassis and the 17's in a 9-5 you still have a very nice ride and the standard cars have a vastly improved ride and better handling too in both.
There's a major improvement in luxury features in a 9-5. Tilt and telescope steering wheel, dual climate control, the ride and chassis stiffness as I mentioned, and the availibility of vented seats. Also the stereo is CD and cassette and the Harmon Kardon sound is outstanding. No antenna mast either, an integrated antenna, without any serious loss of reception. 2002 introduced the availibility of bi-xenon headlights and the touring package with ultrasonic rear park assist, rain sensing wipers and the auto-dimmin/HomeLink garage door opening/compass inside mirrors. Even the side mirrors dim with the tourng package I believe beginning in 2003.
Since 2002 the autos are marvelous 5 speed units, with Sentronic shift paddles on the steering wheel starting in 2003. 2002 was also the year for the sumptuous sport seats in the Aero. And 2002's had the improved styling of the front and rear facias with plastic headlight covers and pop up headlight washers and I mentioned the steering geometry improvements in 2002 resulting in much better cornering feel.
Safety wise 2002 was the first year for the intelligent, dual force airbags for front seat occupants and the addition of ESP, electronic stability program, the ability for the ABS hardware, along with steering wheel sensors and yaw sensors, to brake up to three individual wheels to steer the car in low traction situations. People who have experienced this call it "The hand of God" keeping you on the road.
I'm amused that the folks who swear by hatchbacks often won't embrace a SportWagon. Seems to be an even more practical solution and the SportWagon is a very sporty wagon and subjectively for me the best looking 9-5.
9-5's are awesome competition for the BMW 5 series and MBZ E class costing less than the 3's and C's and exceeding the torque and day to day poop of even their V8 models.
And finally, since GM helped Saab remodel the Trollhattan plant for 9-5 production spending 1/2 a billion dollars, 9-5's have become the most bulletproof, reliable European sedans going. GM knows quality. You and I might not like the manufacturing style of a Buick, Chevy or Cadillac, but consult the latest JD Powers ratings, Buick is #2, Caddy is #5 and Saab is above average and far ahead of almost all their European competitors.
posted by 63.197.222...
, Sat, 3 Jul 2004 13:16:04 <-- Viewing This Message
, Sat, 3 Jul 2004 12:19:40
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