2011 Saab 9-5 Aero Sedan (2011)

Overview:

This week we’re looking at the 2011 Saab 9-5 Aero Sedan. As you likely know, the makers of the original Saab also built aircraft. The instrument panel on this Saab is reminiscent of the instrumentation you find in an aircraft cockpit as to look and feel. Sweet.

The 2.8-liter V6 is the same engine found in the Cadillac SRX, and comes with the new XWD all-wheel drive that is termed “Cross Wheel Drive” and is capable of sending 100% of the torque to the rear wheels or front wheels, which is a departure from prior AWD applications. The front-wheel-drive only versions are powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and will be available in the fall. The car was developed by General Motors and uses the basics of the chassis found in the Buick Regal and LaCrosse.

Opinion:

HUGE California Traffic Ticket Fines Effective 01/06/2011
California is broke and they want to collect money from you, that is nothing more than taxation. If safety were the reason for the fine increases they would have been set long ago in the interest of safety. This is clearly a move to take money from the people to save government jobs. SO, be careful and don’t give those ^%#*&@&’s the chance to rip you off. While private sector jobs are being lost government jobs are not.

I remind you –

These folks are not your friend. When you get on the highway be wary of this ‘taxation without representation’ move by the Gestapo-like police. Our public servants are beginning to look more like the enemy and we pay them twice what the average worker gets in the private sector.

Herewith, some of the fines to be coldly imposed on you:

VC 22507(B)     $1876       Violation of disabled parking provisions, second offense.
VC 22507(A)       $976       Violation of disabled parking provisions, first offense.
VC 22500            $976       Parking in a bus loading area.
VC 16028(A)     $796         Failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility (insurance)
VC 22454(A)      $616        Passing a school bus with flashing red signals.
VC 21453(A)     $436         Failure to stop at a red signal.
VC 27360            $436        Mandatory use of passenger child restraints.
VC 22350           $328         Unsafe speed, 16 to 25 miles over the limit.
VC 23123(B)      $256        Driving while using a wireless phone not hands free, each subsequent offense. VC 12814.6    $214           Failure to obey license provisions.

If you do get fined, the following information is from a company who claims you can “Beat your California traffic ticket” or your money back. www.ticketbust.com or call 800-850-8038. If you have used them please share your experience – my email joe@atthewheel.com.

More information at http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=947063

Handling & Performance:

The all wheel drive system has a new twist and thus they term it the XWD system, which is a fully-automatic, on-demand system that is capable of sending up to 100 percent of the engine torque to the front or the rear wheels whenever it is required. Of course it is totally transparent to the driver and no intervention is needed to take advantage of this feature.

Styling:

“Nice looking car”! I hear comments like that on occasion and did with this Saab. I agree. It has the best design lines ever for Saab.

Fit and Finish:
Excellent.

Cost:

The Saab costs much more than the average price of others in the midsize class but is far less than most other luxury cars I see as comparable.

Conveniences and comfort:

The Electronic Parking Brake is the way Saab has chosen to apply the parking brake and it is found on other expensive cars. I can live without that kind of feature. It reminds me of a radio with a button instead of a dial. They both do the same thing but one is simple the other is a malfunction waiting to happen. I fail to see the purpose since I feel if it isn’t broken why fix it?

Leave your key fob in your pocket or purse except to open the doors or trunk. I prefer being able to leave the key in my pocket all the time.

Another handy feature is the parking assist and also a new adaptation that sounds a bell when you drift close to your lane divider lines. Of course you can see where all these features are leading us. It is like we’re given small pieces of the puzzle and one day the cruise sensors will allow the car to drive you down the road all by itself and instead of sounding a bell the computer will simply correct the drift to the side or get too close to the car in front of you. All of this at 70 mph. Great stuff.

However, some will tell you that by the time that happens, someone else will develop a ‘Transporter’ and Scotty will beam you up, and we will no longer need cars, oil drilling or crashes and car insurance.

Consumer Recommendation:

If this group is in your price range Saab is worth including in your search and I think you’ll agree it is really worth your consideration.

Recognized Competition:

Saab 9-5 Aero $39-50,000, Acura TL $35-44,000, Audi A6 $45-59,000, BMW 5-Series $45-62,000, Cadillac CTS $35-62,000, Chrysler 300 $27-45,000, Dodge Charger $25-38,000, Hyundai Genesis $33-43,000, Infiniti M $47-60,000, Jaguar XF Series $53-80,000, Lexus GS $46-55,000, Mercedes Benz E-Class $49-88,000, Volkswagen Passat $27,915, Volvo S60 $37,700, Volvo S80 $37-41,000.

Good News:

Wonderful handling and comfortable ride, fast turbo performance.

Bad News:

Fuel economy is 4 mpg less than the average in midsize class and I was not real happy with the visibility.

Standard Equipment:

2.8 liter V6 300 horsepower turbocharged engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, XWD all wheel drive system, electronic rear limited slip differential, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, electronic parking brake, 18” alloy wheels, electronic stability control, tire pressure monitor, keyless entry with start/stop button, tilt column and leather wrapped steering wheel with shift and audio controls, cooled glove box, 8-way power driver seat, power windows and locks, power heated mirrors, auto-dim rearview mirror, split folding rear seat with pass through to trunk, stereo with CD player and 9 speakers, USB port, satellite radio, headlight washers, Bluetooth for phone, heated front seats, cruise control, fog lights, rain sensing wipers, dual zone climate control, front side and side curtain airbags, rear side airbags, child security door locks and theft deterrent system.

Gas Stats:

$3.29/ Gal avg. Jan 8, 2010
www.fueleconomy.gov
for more information.

16 City and 27 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $47,565.