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Being the replacement for the Saab 9000 in 1997, the 9-5 has quite a lot
to live up to. After all, the 9000 was not only a popular choice for men with ties, but also for those who desired a bit more
luxury than offered by the Accord, Camry, or Taurus. Thankfully, Saab realized that the 9000 was indeed a good car, and after
sanding down some of the pointier bits, the 9-5 was born.
I suppose I should begin by saying that it really is a classy
and genuinely good looking car. It has a peculiar way of catching your eye without standing out or showing off. It's sophisticated,
seasoned, and civilized. And yet, it has a slightly sporty appearance, which makes you wonder if there's more to this car
than meets the eye.
Well, to ease your curiosity, an inspection of the interior is in order. Here is where you'll find both
good and bad news. For example, the center console is littered with buttons and digital readouts, and the whole thing is brilliantly
angled to face the driver, making you feel like a pilot. Unfortunately though, the panels that fill the gaps between the air
vents, climate controls, and the radio are exactly the same color as the walls beneath your grandmother's wallpaper.
Sadly,
the interior doesn't get any better. The steering wheel is rather bulbous and points slightly toward the window, the switches
and dials are made of cheap plastic, and an incredibly amplified click echoes relentlessly through the cabin whilst employing
the turn signal. But it does manage get worse.
The gauge cluster, for instance, is unbelievably boring. And with only
a few scattered numbers to give the faded needles any meaning, the effect is somewhat lacking. In fact, having to look at
the gauges is a bit like sitting down to a meal of boiled skinless chicken. . . if it's at all possible, you avoid it.
So
perhaps the 9-5 can earn some redemption through the way it drives. Happily, it does. It has surprisingly tight steering,
surprisingly flat cornering, and a surprisingly comfortable ride. It does zero to sixty in the mid eights, which in all
honesty, isn't anything to brag about. Strangely though, that doesn't bother me. Perhaps it's the jerky gear changes, the
low exhaust note, the impressive acceleration from 40-70, or the turbocharged 2.3 liter motor whining it's little head off.
But for some reason, you just feel like you're driving a much livelier mid-range sedan.
So, overall, the Saab 9-5 does
appear to be an enjoyable car, provided you can peel your eyes away from the nauseating interior. But regardless of the aesthetics,
this car has an air of quality, and I can appreciate how it has become so popular. It's practical, economical, and reliable.
Make no mistake though, I can't see myself owning one. But for those who desire a comfortable commute, and can look past the
flighty interior, this may be the car for you.
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