new swede, non volvo...

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by biggbn

Car averaged 39mpg over last 450miles or so, filled up last night, drove about town then up to and through Aberdeen from Dundee this morning. 43mpg. Incredible.

I hope that your new car continues to please, 'biggbn'.

Coincidentally, I have also recently completed a deal on a 2006 car, although mine is auto with a 2.0 175 BHP motor. Decided that it was better to spend money upgrading, rather than replacing the rams on my 1999 model. The dealer was happy to take my old car in part exchange, which made for a very pleasant and stress-free change.

We'll have to compare notes once I've put a few miles under it's wheels!

Regards, John.

[irishcarfan]

I own a 9-5, which is a gentleman's express. And a OG 9-3 'vert, which is flawed but fun. 40,000 trouble-free miles between them here.

[biggbn]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

I hope that your new car continues to please, 'biggbn'.

Coincidentally, I have also recently completed a deal on a 2006 car, although mine is auto with a 2.0 175 BHP motor. Decided that it was better to spend money upgrading, rather than replacing the rams on my 1999 model. The dealer was happy to take my old car in part exchange, which made for a very pleasant and stress-free change.

We'll have to compare notes once I've put a few miles under it's wheels!

Regards, John.

This is a wonderful car. End of review. Pretty simple. I bought this 93 aero convertible with the v6 engine and manual box about three weeks ago and have covered about 2000 miles in it at an average of about 36mpg. It is smooth, swift, comfortable and quiet. Everything a premium convertible should be. Looks lovely roof up, gorgeous roof down. I do have one issue. It's a bit stiff and crashy in badly broken surfaces. I do not understand why Saab fit aero spec suspension to cars they have lopped a roof off. I wonder if the car would have been nicer if they had reintroduced say, griffin spec, thrown every extra at it and fitted it with schmoozey springs and dampers to suit its big lazy engine and general demeanour. A Saab should ride well, damnit!

Think of the word Saab. Think how you say it. It's a languid, luxuriant word. It's an unusual word. It looks like no other. It takes a split second to process the double a and then enunciate it. That's how saabs have traditionally made me feel. Their cars have looked unique, and made the driver feel different, feel spoilt, feel both insulated from and an integral part of both the car and it's environment. A great trick to pull off. When my car goes over a rutted surface, it's a SAB. In my head I hear it go SAB, SAB, SAB. A staccato, guttural word that has no place in my vocabulary. So I find smooth roads, relax, and enjoy the saaaaaaabery.

Gearbox is a bit notchy, ratios a bit long if your a sporty driver...I'd imagine this car would be a licence loser in other hands. I love the big sixth that gear. Just over 1500rpm at 50ish mph which is where you find me most often enjoying the aforementioned saaaaaaabery. I have had the car over 2500 rpm twice now in the case of scientific exploration, but frightened myself to an extent it's unlikely to happen again. I am not joking about the 2500rpm bit, but have my tongue in cheek about the scare. It even accelerates in a Saaaaaaaaab manner. No viscous step, little lag, smooth , linear power in every gear. More than I will ever need.

Seats are very comfortable, not quite up with Volvo seats but a close second. I now climb out after a 300mile day listening to radio four, cruise on, feeling relaxed and with no aches or pains. One of the reasons I bought the car was because I spend so much time in my car, I wanted a treat. The fuel has surprised me. I have seen a best of 41.7 mpg average from mauchline to Dundee, and a worst of 24mpg after a week of town use only. A weeks driving including many dual carriageway miles, a road miles and stop start town driving has been averaging between 34 and 38 mpg, lower figure with less long commute, higher vice versa.

Car has had few little glitches. A central locking that sometimes doesn't lock all doors and occasionally a stability control warning, which has not resurfaced from first week. Car had been in semi retirement, used only six months out of year, so perhaps it's the inactivity being shaken away, time will tell.

Basic details, 2006 aero v6 convertible, jet black with cream/black leather, 69k miles when bought with fsh, now 71500, extremely happy to be back in a Saab. Been a long time. I will get a pic up soon.

[S60D5-185]

There you go George, a picture of your Saab as requested.

[biggbn]

Many thanks, not the best pic but you get the idea....must learn how to do this mysel. For now, Darryl is my image hosting site of choice!!!

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by biggbn

Many thanks, not the best pic but you get the idea....must learn how to do this mysel. For now, Darryl is my image hosting site of choice!!!

I struggle with pics on here too, 'biggbn', but if you're quick you can have a peek at mine on Saabtec's website. It's the '06' up at £2750, now marked 'sold'. He did me a cracking deal (we bought Linda's 'Griffin' from him six years ago). We came home over the High Peak and the first thing I did on arrival was to ring him to say how pleased I am with car.

The only downside is - like your's - the road tax (£520pa!!!) but my P/Ex has covered the first year's!

Regards, John.

[biggbn]

Hope you enjoy it man. Is it because of auto box the 175 is high tax,? Bit of a joke the way we blanket tax cars. Put another few pence on fuel and it becomes a much fairer pay as you go operation.

[john.wigley]

Apparently it's a combination of year and emissions, 'biggbn'. A year older and it would have been half that!

Regards. John.

[biggbn]

Still, break it down and we are paying a tenner a week and change to drive a nice car.

[biggbn]

Put 3000 miles on this since buying it, hasn't missed a beat, averaging about 35mpg.