Fmr12B
Hard-core CEG'er
Picked it up Friday the 20th in Houston and drove the 1900 miles home. Car now has 13,000 miles on it.
2006 Saab 9-3 Aero
Chili red metallic
2.8L V6 Turbo
250hp/258tq
6-spd manual
Parchment/black interior
235/45/17's on 7.5" wheels
Fully loaded with cold weather & conveniance packages.
Knowing CEG everyone will chime in telling me what I should have bought.
Well, I was going to buy a CTS-V but after doing multiple test drives and knowing the horrors of the build quality and warranty hell I had to pass on it. Perhaps Cadillac will get it right in 2009.
I also was seriously considering a Mazdaspeed6 but after driving the Aero and MS6 back to back it was clear the Aero was more suited to me. MS6 was not as refined, not nearly as good looking, loud on the highway, I love the old 6S design but the redesign makes the current MS6 look weird. Plus I was not a fan of the exterior color choices on the '07s. The other problem with the MS6 is documented on the MS6 forums, a problematic rear diff and weak clutch.
After 1900 miles I really like this car more than I expected I would. I acheived 28mpg with the cruise set at 85mph. The NightPanel is pure genius and should be in every car. Seats are very comfy and the interior is considerably larger, love the adjustable arm-rest. Only gripe is the shifter feel and long throws. The self-leveling Xenons are awesome for night driving. The rain sensing wipers I thought would be gimmicky, but ended up being damn useful. Even the factory stereo is pretty decent with the Aux in and 6-disc in-dash changer powered by 300W.
You can imagine the car needs a detail after 1900 miles of thunderstorm driving, my god the downpours I drove through in west Texas and New Mexico. So here is a pic of the car the dealer took:
2006 Saab 9-3 Aero
Chili red metallic
2.8L V6 Turbo
250hp/258tq
6-spd manual
Parchment/black interior
235/45/17's on 7.5" wheels
Fully loaded with cold weather & conveniance packages.
Knowing CEG everyone will chime in telling me what I should have bought.
Well, I was going to buy a CTS-V but after doing multiple test drives and knowing the horrors of the build quality and warranty hell I had to pass on it. Perhaps Cadillac will get it right in 2009.
I also was seriously considering a Mazdaspeed6 but after driving the Aero and MS6 back to back it was clear the Aero was more suited to me. MS6 was not as refined, not nearly as good looking, loud on the highway, I love the old 6S design but the redesign makes the current MS6 look weird. Plus I was not a fan of the exterior color choices on the '07s. The other problem with the MS6 is documented on the MS6 forums, a problematic rear diff and weak clutch.
After 1900 miles I really like this car more than I expected I would. I acheived 28mpg with the cruise set at 85mph. The NightPanel is pure genius and should be in every car. Seats are very comfy and the interior is considerably larger, love the adjustable arm-rest. Only gripe is the shifter feel and long throws. The self-leveling Xenons are awesome for night driving. The rain sensing wipers I thought would be gimmicky, but ended up being damn useful. Even the factory stereo is pretty decent with the Aux in and 6-disc in-dash changer powered by 300W.
You can imagine the car needs a detail after 1900 miles of thunderstorm driving, my god the downpours I drove through in west Texas and New Mexico. So here is a pic of the car the dealer took:
