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Re: different experience with Subaru
Posted by James [Email] (more from James) on Tue, 1 Dec 2009 09:15:42
In Reply to: Re: different experience with Subaru, No Snaab, Tue, 1 Dec 2009 07:19:48
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I think I agree with you in your situation I would probably do the same. More than AWD, the difference in clearance on rough roads + deep snow is huge! To me, the low clearance is the big drawback to modern saabs (vs the 2 c900's we've got).
I got around 32mpg on the highway in the 9-5 arc (~75mph avg speed) on a 1000 mile trip. Both Subarus were low 20s on the same road. Funny: EPA says they should be about the same! The c900's get low to mid 20s highway with the 3 speed auto (I should do a 5 speed conversion), and the 2.3L + auto Subarus cruise at just slightly lower revs.
Some Subarus are available with a turbo, and that would change things. But the price for one here is more than a Saab! I imagine the 6 gets some more low end torque. I drove a top of the line 2002 Outback on a long trip through a blizzard in the Rockies: AWD + clearance was great, my main beef with that car (aside from the seats) was the tranny. To pass (non-blizzard), it was, wait.... wait... wait... (I counted 7 seconds one time for the downshift)... ZOOM! (at which point I had already ambled by the other car)... They've improved that 4 speed a lot: normal + sport are quicker than before (though still slow even by c900 standards + flobber up and down incessantly on the 2.3L), and the manumatic almost saves the day. 6 cylinders + manumatic would be pretty decent. With the 2.3L, lack of low end torque = constant downshifting...
One thing I take for granted (and would look for in a replacement) coming from Saabs is low end torque. Even the 2.0L NA engine from the 1980s has a broad flat torque curve (even if absolute torque + hp is low). Asian cars typically go for a high peak at the expense of breadth + make up for it with higher gear ratios (and therefore need lots of gears). No surprise the Asian makes are going to CVT etc. Helps sell cars in a short test drive, but I find that makes the cars less enjoyable + unpredictable when combined with an auto tranny (though perhaps fun with a stick). Volvo + Audi have that nice broad curve, and to me, that's what makes a European car special... I'd go so far to say it's a big safety feature...
Anyway, in spite of my comments, most Suby drivers I know love them, so they're doing something right!
James...
posted by 67.158.7...
Posts in this Thread:
- If not a SAAB, then.....what?, 9-3 Talladega, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:54:23
- Buick (+), vvk, Wed, 2 Dec 2009 08:19:31
- NOT a GM product..., Henri L, Wed, 2 Dec 2009 08:14:36
- Then I'll get a TurboX on the cheap, AdamB
, Wed, 2 Dec 2009 08:13:12 - If SAAB goes belly up..., Alex, Tue, 1 Dec 2009 17:00:34
- I'm already shopping CPO Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series..., Sebastian, Tue, 1 Dec 2009 12:08:16
- Two wheels but my 9-5 stays, BrianG, Tue, 1 Dec 2009 09:48:34
- Keeping my 9-5 Aero wgn, just bought a BMW 335d, Paul H, Tue, 1 Dec 2009 09:35:18
- SAAB...."I don't want to go on the cart"., RobsSaab, Tue, 1 Dec 2009 07:06:50
- Re: If not a SAAB, then.....what?, coggs, Tue, 1 Dec 2009 05:54:04
- Jaguar XF, houstonsaabs, Tue, 1 Dec 2009 04:09:18
- 3 series BMW or Mini Cooper S, eric, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:44:56
- Hate to say it but ...., DivrDon
, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:45:57 - Chevy Volt Electrons are the future.. n/m, Steve, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:08:38
- Why are we picking out our next cars post-SAAB?!?, turrbo
, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:45:50 - something from zee Deutschland, Trev, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:29:30
- Not Audi, but an MB and a Porsche, dw, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:21:03
- Re: If not a SAAB, then.....what?, AeroLady, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:52:17
- alfa romeo 159 sportwagon, don_young
, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:56:58 - Re: Volvo or Mercedes-Benz..., Dano in Texas
, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:54:17 - Peter Egan mobile..., Mike Lynch
, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:53:39 - CPO Mercedes wagon, JMF, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:44:29
- Re: If not a SAAB, then.....what?, Lawrence, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:38:34
- IDK -- my 9-7 lease is up in January - BMW? Acura?, Pete Saab 9-7 9-3, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:04:59
- Subaru Outback n/m, sonique, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:13:35
- Audi, B Millar
, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:11:14 - Depends on which car we're replacing., Noel, Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:02:34
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