Saab 9-5 Aero Estate

[petrolveins]

Well... a tyre update already. I now have one Rainsport 3 with a hole the size of my finger in the sidewall. Can't believe it, one bloody day on the car, not even 24 hours on there. Absolutley fuming, tyre wall does feel very soft I must say, not blaming the tyre though. The that was overtaking a bike on a blind corner is who I blame. I had no choice than to drop a wheel off the side off the road into what looked just like soft grass/mud, then bang, burst tyre. Had to change it at the side of a very narrow fast road, in the mud. The driving the Corsa is going to die. I want the money for my tyre and I want their licence revoked. Fuming is an understatement right now.

[petrolveins]

Photo time!

Been down to see my mates in Brighton, and with a new camera I got last week, a chance to photo the car. This one I think for something pretty much straight out the camera is pretty good. The second photo was after about an hour of exploring the back roads. Dirty cars are my favourite things.


Saab 9-5 Aero Estate by tlynchie, on Flickr


Saab 9-5 Aero Estate by tlynchie, on Flickr

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DanielJames said:

Pics look even better now they're on Flickr Tom

Cheers mate, seriously impressed with the jump in quality from my old Canon to this one.

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Yay! Finally back on 4 Rainsport Tyres. I have to say for a 94 load rating I am concerned at how soft the tyre walls are. While they have excellent wet grip I am very concerned about another puncture next week on the Irish roads.

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Clivey said:

Normally I don't like FWD, especially in larger cars…but these things actually seem like a laugh. - There's something just a little bit outrageous about sending an absolute boat load of power and torque to the front wheels…as this video (containing another powerful FWD Swede saloon) shows!

They are a laugh. I mentioned before this car has me laughing out loud at times, BMW never did that. It's become more gentlemanly after the new tyres, but on the worn ones before it would spin up 3rd in the damp. Smoke 2nd everywhere, and accelerating hard along anything other than a flat road the steering would be tugging left and right, proper handful! I still love on the motorway at 70, dropping to third, flooring it, there's a moments hesitation then whoosh, it picks up and will fly upto silly numbers very quickly indeed. Feels quicker than the 330i, but the 330i had a very linear power delivery. Which i must admit at this point I am missing the BMW and just how awesome it felt to drive.

[petrolveins]

I'm halfway through my trip to Ireland and I've got some photos for you all! Took the ferry from Clare to Kerry and had a good explore, never been there before, and my God, I was blown away by how stunning it was. Picked the only day it hasn't rained all week, but my gosh was it windy, photos were all rushed, suprised any are sharp as I could barely stand up at times. Although the bonus was no summer tourist traffic. On the Slea Head loop I met 3 cars in over an hour. Car has been great, roads are a lot better than previous years, so good in fact I spent a lot of time missing the much lower and stiffer BMW. For comfort though the Saab has been unmatched. Overtaking is a breeze too. Dare I say in the past few days I've not seen a faster car anywhere I've been

Without further a do... photo time...


Saab in Ireland by tlynchie, on Flickr


Saab in Ireland by tlynchie, on Flickr


Saab in Ireland by tlynchie, on Flickr


Saab in Ireland by tlynchie, on Flickr


Saab in Ireland by tlynchie, on Flickr


Saab in Ireland by tlynchie, on Flickr


Saab in Ireland by tlynchie, on Flickr


Saab in Ireland by tlynchie, on Flickr


Saab in Ireland by tlynchie, on Flickr

There's a few more in that Set on Flickr to see too, and I'll be adding as the trip goes on. Hope you like em.

[petrolveins]

Forgot to update after my trip!

Saab was awesome, effortless for overtaking and blitzing straight roads. May have been in a hurry for my ferry early Sunday morning, and might have crossed Ireland, Coast to Coast in 3 hours

However, is a little over a month too short a time to keep a car? In my week in Ireland I feel like I've explored everything the car has got to give. Didn't realise how much I would miss handling

Before my company car arrives in March I really want to try something else!

[petrolveins]

-crookedtail- said:

Enjoyed reading that mate, it would seem almost a perfect car for such a trip, comfy and fast if lacking a little handling finesse!

In regards to selling and moving on, I'm sure you'll get what you paid for it all day long so nothing ventured and a whole lot gained!

So any ideas what you would like to try out for a few months before the company motor arrives?

Audi TT 225 would be great, Impreza WRX also would be good. Or anything BMW Straight-6 and RWD. It's too much hassle to swap now so I might as well stick with.

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Nikko 40691 said:

So how much would you be looking for if it was for sale?

If I gave it a wash and 12 months MOT, I would be cheeky and ask for £1700, seeing as it has just had £300 of tyres put on it.

[petrolveins]

Been a long time coming but it's for sale. Please have a looksie in the classifieds. Suitable for Architects.

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Been a whirlwind few days! Car was sold and collected Thursday! Did not expect it to sell that quick and to the first buyer!

Glad you all enjoyed the ad. I am now without car. Back in the Skoda Fabia I used to have years ago that now belongs to my sister, God does it feel slow!!!!

Sadly the replacement for the Saab sold a few hours before I was due to see it. On the look out for another one now. In time plan is two have two cars on the fleet. Keep your eyes peeled!