Wayhay - Aero on its way!
Discussion
Today was just one of those days that was a little bit special. After a lot of looking around for a 'respectable' looking car that matches my business image, I put down a deposit on a 3 year old Saab 9-3 Aero that seems to have every conceivable extra. I have never had a car with so much electrickery and leather onboard.
Originally in the market for another 9-5, I just could not find one that was in the slightest bit special. There are some incredible deals out there on nearly new 9-5s, how about a 54 plate 2.0t Vector with 14k on the clock for £10,995, or an identical 05 one (not even a year old) for £12,995. BUT, inside - gone is the leather, the heated seats, that mahogany dashboard. Instead there are cheap looking synthetic materials and scratchy silver plastics. I found them underwhelming and the brand new 9-5 that replaces them looks odd with its Dame Edna Everage chrome bespectacled headlights. They will take some getting used to for me.
So - the 9-3 it was. A cracking deal with full leather, auto, satnav, 1 year warranty etc etc - 40,000 odd miles and all for a shade under £12.5 against the £30k this would have been new 3 years ago. Oh happy days - but also a sad one as my shiny red 9-5 now appears in the classifieds. I will miss that car - but heyho, Aero on the way.
Originally in the market for another 9-5, I just could not find one that was in the slightest bit special. There are some incredible deals out there on nearly new 9-5s, how about a 54 plate 2.0t Vector with 14k on the clock for £10,995, or an identical 05 one (not even a year old) for £12,995. BUT, inside - gone is the leather, the heated seats, that mahogany dashboard. Instead there are cheap looking synthetic materials and scratchy silver plastics. I found them underwhelming and the brand new 9-5 that replaces them looks odd with its Dame Edna Everage chrome bespectacled headlights. They will take some getting used to for me.
So - the 9-3 it was. A cracking deal with full leather, auto, satnav, 1 year warranty etc etc - 40,000 odd miles and all for a shade under £12.5 against the £30k this would have been new 3 years ago. Oh happy days - but also a sad one as my shiny red 9-5 now appears in the classifieds. I will miss that car - but heyho, Aero on the way.
Arrived on Tuesday. Added bonus (for me) was that the interior is full parchment leather - my favourite.
Quite a different experience to my ageing 9-5. There is more turbo lag with the 9-3 so a heavier foot is required to get it going, but go it does. The 9-5 does not really have any lag, but of course the lower power output and heavier body makes it more sedate.
Early days yet - but if the mpg on the SID is reading true, then the Aero will be doing better mpg than the 9-5. Also getting to terms with the thick instruction manuals for the new motor - cars are so much cleverer these days with all of their electronics.
Now need to investigate getting some form of handsfree car kit fitted as unfortunately it did not come with the boot mounted SIM reader. Plus, I don't think that a boot mounted SIM reader would do for me - it would be an inconvenience having to keep opening the boot to insert/remove card at every journey when switching back to the mobile. Therefore looking for something like a drop-in-cradle or bluetooth solution.
Taking the 9-5 in to work today as I have neglected her so far this week!
Quite a different experience to my ageing 9-5. There is more turbo lag with the 9-3 so a heavier foot is required to get it going, but go it does. The 9-5 does not really have any lag, but of course the lower power output and heavier body makes it more sedate.
Early days yet - but if the mpg on the SID is reading true, then the Aero will be doing better mpg than the 9-5. Also getting to terms with the thick instruction manuals for the new motor - cars are so much cleverer these days with all of their electronics.
Now need to investigate getting some form of handsfree car kit fitted as unfortunately it did not come with the boot mounted SIM reader. Plus, I don't think that a boot mounted SIM reader would do for me - it would be an inconvenience having to keep opening the boot to insert/remove card at every journey when switching back to the mobile. Therefore looking for something like a drop-in-cradle or bluetooth solution.
Taking the 9-5 in to work today as I have neglected her so far this week!
Hmmmm. Tempting I know. One thing I noticed that are really good are the brakes - they need just a light touch to reign in the speed. That's quite an encouraging feature ready for a Hirsch power conversion. I note that BSR portable programmers are an alternative but would invalidate the Saab warranty.
Have you tuned up your Vector? Just wondering if in my case it would improve upon the low speed turbo lag?
Have you tuned up your Vector? Just wondering if in my case it would improve upon the low speed turbo lag?
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