[Back]

"An Automotive Love Affair"

Point / CounterPoint
By Joseph Mavilia and Price Cobb

Note:  
Price tested the  
SAAB 9.5 SE WAGON

Joe tested the  
Aero 9.5 Wagon.

[Back]

Price

Joe

Hey Joe:
Love them Saabs.  I’ve always had a love hate affair with the brand and still feel the same. I’ll never forget my brother’s Saab with the funky interior and the ignition switch mounted down between the seats on the tunnel. What the heck is that all about? I’m not sure the reason for the key there. No matter, it all works marvelously well.  

I’ll try to stay objective but at forty something I am going through a strong station wagon phase. I’m certain it has nothing to do with my age. Although the rage today is all about SUVs, I would strongly argue that the SAAB Wagon is a better option. It does everything better, off-roading aside, than an SUV. From putting groceries inside, to real world safety the 9-5 Wagon is a superior choice. This Wagon can carry the same volume of stuff, as an SUV but is more comfortable and easier to use day in and day out.  

The most appealing aspect is the engine avec hair dryer. OK, I mean engine and TURBO.

Those of us living at high altitude here in Colorado are really spoiled by the added kick in the butt an engine receives from the turbo as it spins up to force feed the engine, more than making up for the loss in atmospheric air pressure.

Well Mr. Cobb:
I happen to agree that the Swedes make a pretty darn good car. Must come from their highly disciplined nature.

The “key” thing ticks me off too. Like Porsche putting the ignition key on the left side. You told me that was because of the racing history when drivers would have to run across the track, jump in and start the car and go. Being able to turn the ignition with the left hand and put it in gear with the right reduced time.

With Saab, I see not reason. Perhaps someone will e-mail us with the reason for the key placement. Someone told me it was because of the locking mechanism on the transmission for anti theft reasons. When you get used to it it’s not all that bad, but food crumbs get into it and the key fob just seems to be in the way all the time. Reasons aside, it’s poor placement in my view.

Price, the wagon thing has more to do with age than I think any of us care to admit. However, since you’re not all that old I suspect you’re having a “practical attack” in comparing it to the very popular SUV.

Price                                       Technical

Joe                                            Technical

The 2.3-liter inline 4 in the Wagon has the low-pressure turbo rated at 170 H.P. and 207 lb.-ft. of torque at a lower range. Incidentally, something that has always bugged me is the claim from Volvo and SAAB on where the torque is. In this case SAAB says full torque is from 1800 RPM on up. Try it yourself sometime and see if this is the case. Stick the car in a high gear (like forth or fifth) and floor it. As the tachometer passes 1800 RPM see if there is positive manifold pressure being shown on the boost gauge. If you have to keep slight brake pressure on so that the car won’t continue to accelerate past this point. Doesn’t feel like there is any real power here, nor does the boost gauge show it. Oh well, must be my eyes.

Price, I love when you talk dirty this way. I didn’t’ understand a word of what you said but I believe every word anyway.

I sure feel humbled when you talk technical. I really try to follow you but if I tried this, the car would blow up.

Price                            Features & Design

Joe                              Features & Design

Occupants are swaddled in a wall of air bags (side torso and head coupled with the industry standard front bags) and SAAB style force-reducing seat belts and pre-tensioners.  

I liked the nifty cargo tie-down system in the back, which reminds me of the simplicity of the systems long found in over the road haulers.

The thing that will stay with me a while is the air-conditioned seats. Wow, what a help on long trips or especially hot days.

The cargo area is very good and the interior is spacious and comfortable as well, in spite of the fact that this is not a big car.

The design is distinctly Saab and fit and finish is outstanding. One exception is I found the computer user-unfriendly.

Joe                    Performance & Handling

The brakes are strong and well balanced with no fade noticed until you start driving aggressively in situations that require many repeated braking applications.  

It drives well and certainly capable of staying with any traffic. But I find it to be too soft at anything over cruising mode. I’m not talking about the ride; I am specifically talking about the pitch (fore and aft movement of the chassis) and roll (the side to side movement of the chassis). They still haven’t gone far enough to control the platform stability (chassis motion).

Smooth is what comes to mind most and the high quality gives a confidence that you’ll be able to keep the “rubber side down” in most challenging situations.

I too liked the Turbo boost because it added to the driving confidence in passing situations. That burst of power eases my mind and adds a degree of safety to the trip.

I like to feel the road and I had just tested a Buick Century with a super soft ride that made me feel out of control. And no wise cracks about being out of control. I suspect average Joe drivers are all out of control, relative to trained race drivers. 

Price                                               Pricing

Joe                                                  Pricing

Good.

Agree.

Good News

Dash layout is superior in the Wagon compared to other Saab’s. Strong brakes and the great torque of the standard low-pressure turbo engine.

Quality built Swedish car with attention to detail.  Comfortable ride. Great air-conditioned seats. Turbo power for passing ease. Practical spacious interior and small enough to zip around easily.

Bad News

Front wheel drive torque steering degradation. Some folks call this simply torque steer but I call it torque seizure. In lower gears whilst turning the boost up, the front suspension literally seizes. In this modern world there is no excuse for that. Take an electronic steering system and integrate it with the ECU (Engine Control Unit) and be done with it.  

On-Star Telematics could be easier to use. I consider myself computer literate and yet this one is not in my humble opinion.

Less than user-friendly on-board computer. Terrible ignition key placement and the gas mileage is so-so.  

Price

Joe

I love the new Saab Wagon, but the only catch is there are some serious competitors out there. If you like to be slightly out of the ordinary, this car is unquestionably the one to have. It has but one foible, but what auto doesn’t.  In this price range, your only real choices are the Saab and the Volvo so you’re back to the GM vs. Ford argument. They’re both wonderful. You’ll have to decide this one on your own.

Green Flag

 Overall I like the car but wouldn’t run right out and buy one. I guess I'd opt for the Volvo from a personal point of view, but I agree, Price that this and the Volvo are similarly distinctive. BMW’s and Mercedes are a little too “in” and you have to pay too high a premium for the badges.

Green Flag