Saab 9-5 Aero 0-100, 1/4 mile times?

[alfa daley]

Hi Saabsters

I have been considering chopping my bike and old Alfa in for a 9-5 aero and after going to see one in the flesh yesterday this has only motivated me more, great interior, subtle exterior and a nice driving position for a midget like me, although I did wonder why I couldn't move the gear stick for a few seconds! (too bad about front wheel drive but I cant bring myself to be another BM driving drone)

A couple of questions, does anyone have any performance figures for a 9-5 manual saloon, not just 0-60s but quarter mile, 0-100 times and in gear acceleration. Whilst I realise that paper performance is not the be all and end all it would be nice to get an idea of whether the acceleration tails off over 60 and how they perform for common 50 plus overtakes.

Simon

[nicecupoftea]

Can't give you cold figures I'm afraid, but I can tell you that where Saab turbos excel is overtaking torque - blowing by most stuff on the road is effortless, not even requiring a gear change They have never been 0-60 machines, but they have it where it matters, real world performance. Get a test drive

[prof beard]

AS always NCOT has summed up the essence of "saabness". Mid range acceleration is awesome. My 93 Aero Hot, even with its auto box, will see off most things accelerating from anything over 30. 50-80+ is particularly wonderful. AS NCOT says, that's without changing gear. Using the "Silly" button on the auto plus kickdown is frankly verging on frightening. 0-60 is indeed ordinary but not slow - but that's not what Saabs are for.

[LongQ]

alfa daley said:

Whilst I realise that paper performance is not the be all and end all it would be nice to get an idea of whether the acceleration tails off over 60 and how they perform for common 50 plus overtakes. Simon

What NCoT said.

Depending on the year of the Aero (Therefore power and torque output) the 0-60 is something just under 7 secs for a manual saloon iirc.

I have an 02MY Auto Estate. No idea what the 0-60 is but the books say about 8.4 I think. I doubt there are many roads smooth enough to get close to the manufacturer/magazine times these days. The thing is that whilst not particularly quick from nought (though by no means slow) once moving the thing just pulls and pulls and pulls. A typical A-road overtake is a quick prod on the throttle and lift again before you hit 3 figures. I have never driven an manual version but I would imagine the red line and the need to change comes up very quickly indeed. The auto box red lines and changes without any drama if allowed to and the forward surge continues in every gear. My understanding is that in the right country on a suitable road this behaviour continues pretty much all the way to the maximum speed claimed by Saab.

The only overtaking problems I have experienced relate to people who for some reason brake if they happen to see the car behind suddenly accelerating rapidly for an overtake (had that 3 or 4 times now) and the need to be aware that few people overtake these days so doing so is likely to have you labled as a maniac both by those who you pass and those approaching who will still be searching for the mainbeam flash by the time you are back on your side of the road with half a mile to spare. As you have a bike you are probably used to that sort of response from a few road users when making good, safe progress.

[superlightr]

as above - Mid range shove is super.

I closed in on a chave cossie sahpire big boy exhaust some time ago, 2nd to 3rd up to 100 and you could see the disbeleive in his eyes in his rear view mirror at this family estate catching his wicked motor upto about a ton.

The mid range I would recon was as fast as my 996 Porker 40-80 ish if that helps. Clearly its once they are moving they are great, 3rd gear is awsom.

[Aerofoil]

I have a 9-3 aero hot, and I would say that as long as you turn the traction control off you can get pretty close, if not beat the manufactures times. All I find the traction control does is spoil the car as the wheel wriggles in your hand. Turn it off and feed the power in then I don't really get the torque steer. A second gear change can cause wheel spin. I would think 0 - 100 is similar if not q bit quicker to the below. If you want it quicker then I think £500 for an ecu change should get you about another 50bhp. Most hot hatches are in the 20+ range (unless you count modern super hatches) so pretty quick. There is relatively little turbo lag, unless you want there to be. They only thing that disapoints on mine is the handling, which I hope that once the budget tyres the previous owner has stuck on the front have worn out, may rectify. Otherwise its going to be new supsesion setup I think.

1999 Saab 9-3 SE 6.8 15.3
1999 Saab 9-3 SE Conv. 6.6 15.2
2000 Saab 9-3 Viggen 6.4 15.0
2004 Saab 9-3 Aero 6.9 15.1
1998 Saab 9-5 7.2 15.4
2000 9-5 Aero 7.0 15.3
1973 Saab 99 EMS 11.9 18.5
1980 Saab 900 Turbo 9.7 17.2
1981 Saab 900 GLE 13.2 N/A
1981 Saab 900 Turbo 4-door (auto) 11.4 N/A
1982 Saab 900 13.8 19.3
1983 Saab 900 Turbo 10.0 17.3
1990 Saab 900 Turbo SPG 8.5 16.3
1991 Saab 900 S Cabriolet 10.7 17.7
1994 Saab 900 SE 7.9 15.8
1995 Saab 900 Turbo Coupe 6.8 15.2
1996 Saab 900 S 8.4 16.3
1986 Saab 9000 7.6 15.6
1989 Saab 9000 CD Turbo (auto) 9.1 16.9
1990 Saab 9000 S 9.2 16.8
1991 Saab 9000 CD 9.7 17.1
1991 Saab 9000 Turbo 6.8 15.2
1992 Saab 9000 S 10.0 17.4
1992 Saab 9000 Turbo 7.5 15.9
1994 Saab 9000 Aero 5 spd 6.2 14.8
1985 Saab Turbo 8.6 16.5
1967 Saab V-4 16.5 19.9

[alfa daley]

Cheers for the replies guys it seems that 250 lb of torque must help with overtakes!

Aerofoil are those 0-100 times as they look suspiciously like quarter mile times but its still informative.

Just got an insurance quote today and was pleasantly surprised, (esp considering it will be parked on the road) so I will make plans, not just yet though as the weather's too nice to get rid of the bike!

[Aerofoil]

doh, yeah quarter mile times.

[PTE993]

Just joined PH and saw this thread... was interested in whether you took the plunge and went for the 9-5 Aero?

I bought an estate in Feb (MY01, so 230bhp, not the most powerful around, I think the MY02 were 250 and the new ones are even more). However it is an excellent motorway/A-road car, it's pretty agile, especially when you've got it in Sport mode - and when accelerating from 50 it just flies The only criticism's are ocassional torque steer (esp turning out of a junction) and a bit wallowly on country roads - happiest in a straight line. Engine note's not that distinctive, certainly compared to an Alfa. That said I've put 8K on it in the last 3 months without a whimper, it'll take the family and their gear when you need to and be a blast when you're own your own. Plus the standard stereo is pretty good too! So all in all a really good all rounder and I'd have no hesitation recommending it.

[superlightr]

and good real life crash protection as well as good score on NCAP