myroad
05-03-2008, 02:25 PM
drove by a saab dealership today and there were two Turbo X's sitting outside. As an old 900 SPG owner I couldnt resist. Pulled in and asked if they were offfering any testdrives -- "Sure. You want stick or automatic?" Duh.
Got in and smiled when I forgot wherre the ignition was -- down there where it oughta be between the seats
Seat was excellent -- position was great -- not too low, not high -- just right. Nice bolsteing but not too crazy. Starts up and the message is clear -- very prominent burble from the dual exhaust. Stick felt good if a little rubbery. But clutch was easy to get right quickly and I didnt stall in the dealer's lot and look like a jackass. BTW he let me out by myself with my daughter and didnt even xerox my license. Car is nicely responsive -- not bullet fast but plenty quick. I think 0-60 is quoted as 5.7. Felt about right. The ride is very compliant tho definitely lacks the ultimate composure of 335 bimmer I drove a few months ago -- especially on a 70 mph exit ramp sweeper to the right with a mid corner bump. Back stepped out a bit and was momentarily unsettled. Bimmer just absorbed it and tracked true. But still the car felt extremely competent and fun. Back seat a little small but bigger than 3-series. Only real downside is the quality of the secondary controls. Definitely a notch (or two) down from Audi. Some things were on par with BMW -- radio and nav actually nicer than BMW as was dash lighting -- which I cant stand in BMW with the orange color everywhere.
All told a really nice car, if a little downmarket -- fun and definitely driver oriented. I love the look. But not everyone does. I expect the B8 will be more refined, possibly slightly roomier, tho not quite as quick in non-chipped guise. Dealer didnt have any #'s at all in terms of lease/purchase and was cool when I told him I was waiting to see what the A4 was like. Good to know there are some reasonable people out there -- Arroway Saab in Katonah, NY.
Anyway -- I think its a viable option especially if you want a wagon with a stick...
Got in and smiled when I forgot wherre the ignition was -- down there where it oughta be between the seats
Seat was excellent -- position was great -- not too low, not high -- just right. Nice bolsteing but not too crazy. Starts up and the message is clear -- very prominent burble from the dual exhaust. Stick felt good if a little rubbery. But clutch was easy to get right quickly and I didnt stall in the dealer's lot and look like a jackass. BTW he let me out by myself with my daughter and didnt even xerox my license. Car is nicely responsive -- not bullet fast but plenty quick. I think 0-60 is quoted as 5.7. Felt about right. The ride is very compliant tho definitely lacks the ultimate composure of 335 bimmer I drove a few months ago -- especially on a 70 mph exit ramp sweeper to the right with a mid corner bump. Back stepped out a bit and was momentarily unsettled. Bimmer just absorbed it and tracked true. But still the car felt extremely competent and fun. Back seat a little small but bigger than 3-series. Only real downside is the quality of the secondary controls. Definitely a notch (or two) down from Audi. Some things were on par with BMW -- radio and nav actually nicer than BMW as was dash lighting -- which I cant stand in BMW with the orange color everywhere.
All told a really nice car, if a little downmarket -- fun and definitely driver oriented. I love the look. But not everyone does. I expect the B8 will be more refined, possibly slightly roomier, tho not quite as quick in non-chipped guise. Dealer didnt have any #'s at all in terms of lease/purchase and was cool when I told him I was waiting to see what the A4 was like. Good to know there are some reasonable people out there -- Arroway Saab in Katonah, NY.
Anyway -- I think its a viable option especially if you want a wagon with a stick...