Spent a few minutes in WH Smith today reading the tests of the 9-3 Vector against the opposition -

Autocar test had it as a 6/10 with the BMW as 'our choice' - oh how predictable http://www.saabscene.com/forum/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

Autoexpress tested against the tinworm 156, A4 2.0 FSI (whatever that means) and BMW 318. A4 was the test winner, 156 came second and the BMW came last http://www.saabscene.com/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif .

Chap reading the same review said he would only buy a German car, because of residuals (ie the badge) and the Saab wasn't that well built - I told him about my fairly intact 19 year old Saab - how many BMW, Audi, Mercedes of that age do you see?? I said it's all hype, my dad can't be worng as he's on his tenth. I turned round and left... drove back to work in the mate's passat.

Just to add,

my dad has had 10 saabs, 9 from new.

read them both and it would seem that the autocar/what car (almost same ) had the bmw bias
and the auto express marked it down for ergonomics ! and cost of ownership...
the second point I have to agree with as the saab option is significantly more expensive tax-wise
the 1.8t and diesel are much better

funny thing I noticed in the same edition of autocar was the review of the first golf gti..
they marked it as a poorer handler than an xr3 !!

need I say more
these people are driven by prejudice and fashion and find it hard/impossible to be objective

In autocar there was also a little bit on bargin basement £500 car which was a 9000 2.0T S though the piccy they showed look very much like an Aero!

In autocar there was also a little bit on bargin basement £500 car which was a 9000 2.0T S though the piccy they showed look very much like an Aero! *[/b]Maybe they did a picture swap with turboteameurope, who's '95 9000 Aero review has pictures that looks just like an ordinary 2.3 turbo.

I've been advised that the car I tested for TTE (which is pictured.. cos I took the pictures)was probably just a plain old 2.3i Turbo, and not an Aero,

However what's the difference if both Aero Auto and 2.3 Turbo Auto have 200hp ?

Anyway, I'll change the review to read 2.3i Turbo, even although the biggest clues to a UK person that this might not be an Aero (i.e. the seats and the wooden dash) WERE also available on the left-hand drive euro market Aero.

So since the car was de-badged.. I didn't know what I was driving, except that it had a HOT 2.3 engine and had the wheels etc. of an Aero.

Just as on the 9-3 the car you got in the UK as a Sport was badged Aero over here.

MarkA,

I was just jesting...

Give aways for me was:-

The seats,
The <=93 style Carlsson/Aero wheels on a '95
The lack of bodykit/spoilers/side skirts
The exhaust tail pipe.

As you say though, the Engine in the Aero auto was 200bhp like the normal 2.3T's

Goes back to the old days when we had Carlsson's and europe had Talledaga's.

Andrew,

No, I know that you were not having a dig.. but i'm so bloody confused over that car.. every picture i've seen of an aero, seemed to suggest it was an aero.. bar the seats of course.. but then it also looked exactly like a 2.3T S.. i've still no idea..

and it did have spoilers and skirts.. (although I don't think they were colour coded)

I think you're right.. I'll go with the side of caution and declare it a 2.3T S..

MarkA,

The Aero front and rear skirts are one piece, wrapping from the wheel arches, from the grill(f) and Boot lip® down (like the anniversary's).

Side skirts are also one piece fitted that come flush to the outer edges of the door (to catch all the mud and much on them).

Have a look at robert allimi's site for compare pics.

oh, and they have de-chromed side strips.

A.

spoken with the words of a true aero spotter

thanks for that..

Originally posted by MarkA:
[QB]spoken with the words of a true aero spotter * *
QB][/b]I think the word you were looking for was 'Anorak...'

6 more posts and marka will be one....

Well Ylee - if Mark and Andrew keep this conversation going without the aid of a saftey net (or the rest of us) they might both get there - off you go......

Anoraks at the ready...

okay.. there you go.. post : 500

Congratulations and Jubilations....
Andra

p.s. STTE review of alleged aero has been changed to 2.3T S.