captain aero
09-30-2002, 01:41 PM
Well it arrived, delivered to the front door. For the day at least. A 93 SS 2.0 t Vector.
The verdict?
Photographs do not do this car justice. In the metal it has a sporting, flowing stance that makes the outgoing 93 look ‘sit up and beg’. Even the 95 looks less agile against the 93 SS. I could even live with that C pillar door detail - just.
I’ve been critical of the rear end design and I am relieved it looks so so much better than I expected.
But this is a driver’s car.
Into the driver’s seat and away. What a paradox that a car that has ditched the rear hatch drives like a hot hatch?
Corners? Roundabouts? S bends? Does anything phase this chassis?
Memories of my Peugeot 306 Xsi tailgating a 325i through twisty B roads, but much much more refined. Torque steer? Dead and buried on the 93 SS.
This is surely the best handling compact saloon made today. BMW will have to eat humble pie when it comes to that Ultimate Driving Machine drivel while Audi chassis engineers must be scrambling for the drawing board.
The 175 bhp engine is so sweet with a gentle turbo whistle. The mid range torque for overtaking just adds a smile.
And the ride is so supple. No bounce and wallow whatsoever nor any bump and grind. With the optional sports suspension fitted this is a gem of a set up.
On dual carriageways it has a definite waftability and eats up the tarmac in silence.
But no car is perfect.
While there is a general solidity and rigidity about the feel of the car the interior is bit of a let down for me.
I like the satin ali trim splashed around the interior but the plastics and general fit and finish are a step backwards - even compared to the outgoing 93. It all says Vectra rather that Vector.
There were even a couple of initial interior squeaks which came as a shock - but these are early production days.
For me the ergonomics are good apart from the centre bin between the seats - I hit my elbow every time I changed from 3rd to 4th. And at 6 ft I hit my head getting out of the car a couple of times.
So Saab is alive and well albeit as a mainstream manufacturer.
Will it take away sales from BMW and Audi? You bet it will.
But I think it will only take away sales at the lower end of the ranges because BMW / Audi owners are going draw breath at that interior. The 95 still looks a league ahead in the quality department.
Would I buy a 93 SS? Even with reservations about the interior - yes I would.
As a postscript, all three of my children disliked the car (“it’s not an Aero coupe dad!”). My wife was a bit cool about it too (“that interior!”) as was my sister (“is that a Saab?”).
Perhaps I’ll hang on for a 9x....
The verdict?
Photographs do not do this car justice. In the metal it has a sporting, flowing stance that makes the outgoing 93 look ‘sit up and beg’. Even the 95 looks less agile against the 93 SS. I could even live with that C pillar door detail - just.
I’ve been critical of the rear end design and I am relieved it looks so so much better than I expected.
But this is a driver’s car.
Into the driver’s seat and away. What a paradox that a car that has ditched the rear hatch drives like a hot hatch?
Corners? Roundabouts? S bends? Does anything phase this chassis?
Memories of my Peugeot 306 Xsi tailgating a 325i through twisty B roads, but much much more refined. Torque steer? Dead and buried on the 93 SS.
This is surely the best handling compact saloon made today. BMW will have to eat humble pie when it comes to that Ultimate Driving Machine drivel while Audi chassis engineers must be scrambling for the drawing board.
The 175 bhp engine is so sweet with a gentle turbo whistle. The mid range torque for overtaking just adds a smile.
And the ride is so supple. No bounce and wallow whatsoever nor any bump and grind. With the optional sports suspension fitted this is a gem of a set up.
On dual carriageways it has a definite waftability and eats up the tarmac in silence.
But no car is perfect.
While there is a general solidity and rigidity about the feel of the car the interior is bit of a let down for me.
I like the satin ali trim splashed around the interior but the plastics and general fit and finish are a step backwards - even compared to the outgoing 93. It all says Vectra rather that Vector.
There were even a couple of initial interior squeaks which came as a shock - but these are early production days.
For me the ergonomics are good apart from the centre bin between the seats - I hit my elbow every time I changed from 3rd to 4th. And at 6 ft I hit my head getting out of the car a couple of times.
So Saab is alive and well albeit as a mainstream manufacturer.
Will it take away sales from BMW and Audi? You bet it will.
But I think it will only take away sales at the lower end of the ranges because BMW / Audi owners are going draw breath at that interior. The 95 still looks a league ahead in the quality department.
Would I buy a 93 SS? Even with reservations about the interior - yes I would.
As a postscript, all three of my children disliked the car (“it’s not an Aero coupe dad!”). My wife was a bit cool about it too (“that interior!”) as was my sister (“is that a Saab?”).
Perhaps I’ll hang on for a 9x....