Messages

196

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: Where are we all from?

« on: 14 September 2011, 11:53:37 AM »

Originally Slough/Maidenhead.

Now, sensibly, Yorkshire.

steve

I would have said "Now, sensibly, somewhere other than Berkshire"

I work near Bracknell and that place sucks the life out of you.

197

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: If Saab does go..

« on: 14 September 2011, 11:52:18 AM »

I'll pick one of the latest 9-5s and run it for as long as possible... and putting up money to upgrade the other half's Golf (she has an utterly reliable 1.6 Auto Mk IV that's 11 years old) with another Golf

If I went VAG it would have to be a VW.  Mind you I did drive an Insignia Tourer CDTi in Germany/Austria last month - excellent car bar the electronic handbrake and appalling visibility.

Avis did give me a Hyundai Elantra last year, detested it - a Gutless 2.0 litre blandbox with auto, bloody thing drew blood as well.  The 1.3 Corolla I had more recently was vastly superior.

198

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: Where are we all from?

« on: 05 September 2011, 11:04:08 AM »

I am from Wales,

I have lived in Huntingdon, Ripon, Munich and The Hague

now in Richmond, Surrey, blasting down the A316/M3 towards Bracknell (and back) on a daily basis through the week, either in my 9-5 or the other half's Golf IV 1.6 Auto.

199

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Re: Accident damage

« on: 02 September 2011, 01:25:57 PM »

ALU38 were on earlier Linears....

Best wheels in my opinion are the 2006 Aero or 2009 Aero Turbo Edition 2.3T wheels....

200

Customer Service Desk / Re: Glossary of Saab Terms

« on: 01 September 2011, 03:51:51 PM »

Pedant mode engaged Will

B201 was in the 900 from M81 onwards, M79 and M80 had B20.  In the 99 the B201 appeared for M82, while the M81 had the B20

The B20 was better known as the B-seried and the B201 was known as the H-series.

99LE was available with B20 only, there were 99 GLi in certain markets, up to M82 they were B20, and M82 on were B201

B212 was a 16 valver, 140PS

The B284 didn't come with the 230PS option, which I think was availble for the Vectra Elite...AFAIK the 2.8V6 came first as a 250PS then a choice of 255PS (FWD) or 280PS (XWD/Turbo X). NG 9-5 Turbo 6 is 300 PS

Sorry

201

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: Sellers don't change. Wafflings on looking to buy a car...

« on: 31 August 2011, 02:48:54 PM »

Sadly it's not just sellers.

I'm trying to sell my V70 at the moment. Advertised for less than it's worth, and less than others of similar age / mileage, because I want a quick, no hassle sale.  Guy came to look at it, spent a good hour going over it, including a good long test drive. Pronounced it exactly what he was looking for and showered it with compliments. Then walked away without making an offer - and didn't even bother to call, despite promises that he'd let me know either way that same afternoon.

Thing is, it's a good example of a good car. So more fool him, really.

Having read that I have a nasty uneasy feeling, wasn't 'prospecting' it was he?  Doesn't sound like a genuine buyer, just keep it well locked up.

202

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Review your classic Saab 9-5 (M98-10) -2009 Aero Turbo Edition

« on: 31 August 2011, 02:36:47 PM »

Yo!

Some will know me for still grieving about the 99 I parted with 8 years ago (Nena )

Not long afterwards (after I moved to germany to work) I replaced my Vectra SRi 140 (a very good car) with the 9-3 SS Aero, with convenience and business packs, in Laser Red, a 2003 model with the 6-speed box.  Six years on it was replaced by my current car...

9-5 Aero Turbo Edition, 4-door, Auto, Carbon Grey, 2009 model.  All it lacks is a sunroof and ventilated seats.

Performance - can be very lazy, or hideously quick, 9-3 felt faster
Handling - shows it's age compared with the 9-3 (and the Insignia I drove last week)
Economy - for a 260PS car 35 mpg can't be quarrelled with. GF's golf is thirstier
Comfort - never been in an uncomfortable Saab, long distances are a pleasure in those seats.  Acres of room
Equipment - I've got the HK Audio, SatNav, 6CD changer, 4 heated seats, fronts electric, rain sensing wipers and folding mirrors.  The only thing it lacked was the MP3/AUX but then the car is 14 year old technology and the Insignia didn't have that facility either.
Looks - in the right colour and with the right wheel combination, the 9-5 can look fabuolous.  Mine does.
Size - just too big, the same reason I didn't jump in and buy a NG9-5 Aero in Slaters (new) for £25 k a few weeks back, I am looking at 9-3 again.
Reliability - apart from a mirror fault, no problems. servicing not cheap but it's not a Kia.

All in all, I love the car and I hope survive long enough for her replacement to be Trollhattan built, but much as I love it I thought the 9-3SS Aero was the most underrated and undervalued car out there and I still cast envious glances at any 2003-2007 9-3 Aeros I come across.

203

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: What you got?

« on: 29 June 2011, 11:04:44 PM »

Newest model in this thread so far

2009 9-5 Aero Turbo Edition Auto....in carbon grey...replaced 9-3SS Aero (2003)

204

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: The 9-5 Mk2 that never was...

« on: 29 June 2011, 11:03:04 PM »

I think the car was on a platform that was to be shared with the larger Alfas....this went the way of the dodo when GMs relationship with Fiat Auto (which spawned the Corsa/Grande Punto, Croma and Sedici (via Fuji Heavy Industries)) ended...

Then because Vectra sales were falling away rapidly GM prioritised the Insignia at the 9-5s expense.  And forced Saab to develop the BLS.

I would venture to say that since some of the NG9-5 features are similar to the Dame Edna and the current 9-3, the design we know must have been the design signed off some time ago.  It would be good to know if there is a book being issued like the one for the NG900, 9-3SS and 9-5 by Anders Tunberg....