 |
|
Automobiles come in a variety of configurations and no one vehicle can fit every occasion. But whether you are driving a sedan or a convertible you shouldn't settle for a boring car. There are few things more exciting than breezing down the highway or winding through mountain roads in a top-down convertible with the air rushing past your face and hair. Responsive sports car control and glove-tight fit of a convertible with a minimum of metal is nirvana for a car enthusiast. But a "wind in your hair" roadster is not practical for all occasions. There are times you need a luxury sedan. Does this mean you have to settle for boring just because you need passenger room? The good news is that you don't have to give up the "sports car" experience just because you need a sedan. Recently I had an opportunity to attend an event where I needed comfortable seating for four adults. Luxury and style were called for but I wanted even more. I wanted the performance, handling and feel of a sports car mixed with the maturity of luxury and safety. In my opinion, no car commands these attributes of luxury, performance and safety together in one sedan better than the 2003 Saab 9-5 Aero. Built in Sweden, Saab has become synonymous with safety. Innovations such as Active Front Head Restraints, Traction Control and Electronic Stability Programs make the 2003 Saab 9-5 Aero one of the safest vehicles on the road today. And who better to take delivery of my 2003 Saab 9-5 Aero from than George's Imports on State Line Road at 81st Street in Kansas City? For almost 30 years Brad Schaffner and his family have been the exclusive Saab dealer in Kansas City. With a worldwide reputation for service and tweaking high performance turbochargers Brad has a loyal following of those who demand a little more from their vehicles. As I crawled into the 2003 Saab 9-5 and slipped into the heated and ventilated leather seats I knew why Saab owners were so loyal. While this is a vehicle known for safety and performance, luxury was present in equal measure. Although it took me awhile to find the cruise control (Saab has their own way with some things) and I had to adjust to the ignition which is on the floor console between the front seats, it was only a matter of minutes before I realized that the engineers who designed this car were giving a lot of thought to the driver. From the dual Automatic Climate Controls to the Bi-xenon headlamps this was pampering I appreciate. The 200-watt radio, cassette and CD with nine speakers made the drive fun as well as effortless. Handling was responsive and firm with the feeling of complete control. The ride was rock solid as to be expected in a vehicle of this class. Power is not always a luxury; sometimes it's a necessity. Power is often needed for driving situations other than thrills and you have all you might ever need or want. The turbocharged 2.3 four-cylinder engine cranks out 250 horsepower, more than some V-8 engines. But it's the 258 foot pounds of torque kicking in at only 1900 RPM that gives this baby snap. Just try to match these numbers for a luxury sport sedan at any price. I know there are a lot of great $40,000 sport sedans on the market today and the competition is tough. But before you spend that kind of dough you owe it to yourself to check out the Saab 9-5 Aero. Overall it is a cool ride with luxury wrapped around performance, handling and safety and all in a snazzy looking sedan to boot. I still love that open top roadster but there are times when I need the luxury of a sedan. I just refuse to settle for boring when I can have luxury, performance, and safety rolled into one exciting combination. In my opinion the 2003 Saab 9-5 Aero is not a compromise. It is a true sports car combined with adult safety and luxury. It's worth a serious look.
Vehicle:
Providing Dealership:
Additional Web only Information and Resources For Additional Reviews: |
©2003 - Stan Risener