Test drove the new 9-5 Aero XWD

2588 Views 20 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Derek, Aug 26, 2010

airsaab

Discussion Starter · Aug 23, 2010

Took out the new 9-5 for a 13 mile spin. Local roads and highway. No time for twisties but don't doubt that the car wouldn't do well being Xdrive.

Lots of power coming from the V6. Smooth, effortless, very quiet. Incredible handling, and fast. Dash has a digital 2nd speedometer and electronic SIDS inside the speedometer. Not sure if this was considered the Heads-Up option or not since car didn't have a sticker issued yet. An annoying message kept on coming up as soon as I hit 70mph, something like "exceeding speed limit blah blah blah with a warning chime.

Car is hugh compared to the older 9-5 (feels like it). Sits high in the trunk area with a small rear window limited view, but still easy to back up. Chrome strip on the lower windows to the back of the C-pillar makes the car area to be in motion. Looks great in person, better than it's photos. Rear view mirrors can electronically fold in (great for moving out of the showroom) and parking in tight spaces. Has a funky air vent on the lower front fender by the front door, and lots of chrome in the front.

Seats are really comfortable just as in all Saabs. Neat feature, has a lower thigh cushion that's adjustable, great for really tall people. Head rests for one as short as myself I found to be a little uncomfortable.

Color was Black Metallic. Since many of the higher end competitor's cars on my test drive were black would love to see this car in a kick-ass attention getting, stand out color saying LOOK AT ME, I'M NEW, CHECK ME OUT!!! This car should do well next to it's competitors in this trim level. As we know, the first cars are minus a sunroof. Hoping this won't hurt sales. I have one used mostly for venting the car. Will be interesting to see how the 4cy stands up.

Drove past the new Jaguar XF on the road and noticed the similarites in the rear to the 9-5.

Attached are some photos from my phone.

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BurnsSide42

· #2 · Aug 23, 2010

Yeah - That "Altimiter" setting for the speedometer is neat - it's one of the easiest to read Gauges I've seen. I liked that a lot. The heads up display is something else - which I think is standard. Also a nice touch. I too just saw a new Jag XF going to MD this past weekend and at first glace thought it was the new 9-5! lol Similar is right.
When are you ordering yours?

Derek

· #3 · Aug 23, 2010

I am SO bleeping jealous... I can't wait till it's available in Huntsville for a ride!

BurnsSide42 said:
The heads up display is something else - which I think is standard.

Unfortunately it is not

It's part of the "Technology package" which also contains the lane departure warning. (source)

airsaab

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 23, 2010

BurnsSide42 said:
When are you ordering yours?

A fourth Saab in my stable is not in the cards right now. Wish it was, I'ld buy one in a minute.

Priority now is to find a real job besides my Dog Business. Hoping to return to the sales floor and help with Saab's comeback. Been scoping out a few Dealers, but first they need inventory before one can make any $$$.

What about you?

BurnsSide42

· #5 · Aug 23, 2010

airsaab said:
A fourth Saab in my stable is not in the cards right now. Wish it was, I'ld buy one in a minute.

Priority now is to find a real job besides my Dog Business. Hoping to return to the sales floor and help with Saab's comeback. Been scoping out a few Dealers, but first they need inventory before one can make any $$$.

What about you?

Kinda the same boat - I'm waiting for the FWD 2.0T 6SPD to come out - then I'll try that out. I am all for a new 9-5 on looks alone and style - but I also want to see what the Wagon is going to look like. I really want to get one within 2 years... but we'll see what I am doing a year from now too. More income = high chance of new(er) car. If the wagons are as nice as the sedan's - perhaps we'll upgrade our 2001 Wagon for a 2011 or 2012 MY

DeLorean

· #6 · Aug 23, 2010

I like the car, but I have 2 practicality issues with it. Totally exposed rocker panels, which have nothing but paint for protection.... Those will get rock blasted the first year and perforation sure to follow, probably in short-order.

Also, no rub strips on the doors. Door ding city is sure to follow.

Aside from those fairly major issues... it seems like it will be nice.

kalbers

· #7 · Aug 24, 2010

no sunroof? on a 50k car. and its the aero edition. why no sunroof?

zingZACH

· #8 · Aug 24, 2010

kalbers said:
no sunroof? on a 50k car. and its the aero edition. why no sunroof?

They won't be available with a sunroof this year... this has been known for quite some time now. Europe doesn't have the same "need" for sunroof's as we do. Oh well... more head room and better chassis strength are both perks I guess (if you feel like looking at it as the glass if half full).

dan-the-kid

· #9 · Aug 24, 2010

Lighter too.

airsaab

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 24, 2010

Charles River Saab up in Ma. already sold theirs. They were going to bring it to SCD. Bummer for us, good for them. Go Saab

kalbers

· #11 · Aug 24, 2010

zingZACH said:
They won't be available with a sunroof this year... this has been known for quite some time now. Europe doesn't have the same "need" for sunroof's as we do. Oh well... more head room and better chassis strength are both perks I guess (if you feel like looking at it as the glass if half full).

oh ok makes sense.

spgeebee88

· #12 · Aug 24, 2010

they didnt have a sunroof because it would put the car into a different weight class, the same reason it doesn't come with a spare tire. Saab said next year they will have one tho

Snabb SAAB

· #13 · Aug 24, 2010

^ No spare tire? Does it have run flats or one of those crummy spray and pump jobs? I prefer a full size spare over any of the alternatives.

TunnanXWD

· #14 · Aug 24, 2010

So far I like what I hear but I wouldn't worry too much about lack of sunroof personally. I have had the one on my 98 XC open once or twice and the one on the 08 Aero? Don't even know if it works.

On HUD's I also hate to be a nattering nabob of negativism but after owning a Corvette with one for five years I would use it for amusement on long trips .. sometimes up to 1,000 a day but on rare occasions did I find it useful. I mean If I was doing some serious competition driving or delivering a 500 pound iron bomb perhaps? In hard driving to know your oil or coolant temps are indeed critical but can someone (except for paranoia in a speed trap area), tell me a good use for it. My old flight instructor used to love to cover the air speed indicator at least daily and ask/make me feel the plane and know it by the sounds? Something to think about?

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jk88

· #15 · Aug 25, 2010

Stopped by Saab of Santa Ana for a part today, Orange County's only dealership. Found out they have 2 on the lot. This one was in the showroom w/o a sticker but the sales guy said it's fully loaded @ $56K. Apparently the other was out getting photos taken for the website.

This was the first time I've seen one in the metal. It looks bigger in photos than it does in person. Beautiful car.

Please pardon my finger. I don't know how to take photos.*

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zingZACH

· #16 · Aug 25, 2010

Snabb SAAB said:
^ No spare tire? Does it have run flats or one of those crummy spray and pump jobs? I prefer a full size spare over any of the alternatives.

TurboX's don't have a spare tire either... They had an air compressor instead. Just think of it as a weight reduction! (salesman in me) lol

NickTurbo900

· #17 · Aug 25, 2010

I like the wheels on JK88's much more than the multi spokes on the others I've seen out.

TunnanXWD

· #18 · Aug 26, 2010 (Edited)

It looks like they offer an optional wheel and they are pretty nice. It is difficult to navigate the "build" a car site, I tried to do it the other day and come to think of it I don't believe you can play "Build a 5" at all.

Run flats are not bad. Had them on a Corvette for years since you can't even put a spare in any Vette past 1998. Eagle GT's were noisy and edgy so I switched to Khumo.

You get used to them and now that I have some medical issues it took me over an hour when I last changed a tire a few years ago. Most are good for highway speed for about 100 miles.

The photos that Airsaab posted are not the same as the Saab site photos for optional stuff.

Tweek's Turbos

· #19 · Aug 26, 2010

I saw 2 at the dealer today, one outside, one getting a PDI.

jk88

· #20 · Aug 26, 2010

Seeing advertising for this all over cable tv. Discovery, Com Central, couple others, often multiple times per program.

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