Saab 9-3 Turbo X continues to generate press
The Saab 9-3 Turbo X is still generating interest in the press, in this entry, we see:
- Saab 9-3 Turbo X vs. Lincoln MKS (odd juxtaposition, in my opinion)
- The San Diego Union-Tribune Reviews the Turbo X
- A video interview with Steve Shannon on the subject of the Turbo X posted on the Kelley Blue Book website.
As we’ve discussed, even though the Turbo X isn’t a high-volume product, it has been used effectively as a halo model to generate media attention. Three more examples posted today.
From the Cox News Service via the Greenville, North Carolina newspaper, Rob Douthit asks a question that I think that very few will ask: Saab 9-3 Turbo X or Lincoln MKS? The comparison ends just as you would expect:
The 9-3 is a clear winner in terms of performance driving. It would knock the socks off the MKS on pretty much any track test you would administer. But when it comes to styling, the MKS does the sock knocking, with its elegance and maturity.
Naturally, I’ll debate the Saab styling anytime/anyplace vs. the Lincoln. The MKS could be an Infiniti or Hyundai without stretching the imagination. I guess that some folks like conventional designs and bling. What can I say?
Mark Maynard of the San Diego Union-Tribune reviewed the Saab 9-3 Turbo X and it appears that his opinions match the majority of Turbo X reviews. I like this line:
BMW’s all-wheel-drive X6 gets 20 mpg highway and it isn’t nearly as much fun to drive as this Saab.
Finally, Steve Shannon, General Manager of Saab USA, appears via digital video on the Kelley Blue Book website, kbb.com. Other than reinforcing the standard Saab company line, I like to see Steve getting “excited” about the upcoming 9-5, which can’t come soon enough, in my opinion. Nothing overly interesting here unless you are planning to puchase a Saab in North America in the near future.
Click to view on kbb.com
More from this category
- Wednesday Snippets
- Saab multi-car review in Boston Globe
- TimesOnline review the Saab Turbo X
- Saab Turbo X coupe: photochop
More from this author
- Top Nine Things that I envy and don’t envy about BMW
- The EnG Pride of Ownership Entry
- Swedish Car Day Number 9 - Sunday
- EnG Monday AM Snippets
Subscribe to this author
Recent Comments
- Rob on 2009 Hirsch pops up on Flickr
- Markac on Awaiting the GM news
- swade on Awaiting the GM news
- Kroum on Awaiting the GM news
- zippy on Awaiting the GM news
- xtcee on Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!!!!!
- Markac on Awaiting the GM news
- Stephen B on Saab Lightburn: it’s been found (sort of)
- mike c on Awaiting the GM news
- Charles on 2009 Hirsch pops up on Flickr
On my way back from my colllision avoidance driving school this afternoon I saw a Turbo X parked one block away from my place. Very nice indeed!
The Turbo X is also generating press here in Europe; German Autobild (autobild.de) tests it against VW Passat R36, BMW 335i and Audi A4 3.2 Quattro. I haven’t read the full article, but as you would expect, the Saab doesn’t seem to fare well in this comparison. There is subjective criticism of the gear change (manual gearbox), steering, clutch operation, and turbo characteristics. What’s worse, the test car also seemed to have some tech problems: the warning light for engine overheating came on when it shouldn’t (apparently a well known software issue) and the brakes faded very quickly on the test track.
We all know that the 9-3 is fundamentally a far older design than most of its competition (the AWD system excepted), so it’s kind of logical that the outcome of a test like this isn’t always good for Saab. But I think it is a seriously bad thing that a performance car like the Turbo X, equipped with 19″ wheels and a reputation for top-level driving safety, gets complaints about early brake fade.
Jep Jonny, that’s exactly what I wrote earlier on - the comparison in Autobild. It’s said, that the TX got a itself a gap of over 2 sec on the Racetrack… nonetheless, the fading ist “normal” for Saabs. What they do not write is, that the brakes, even though a bit on the fading side, are up to great stops. Only Porsches seem to equal this - not a BMW, Audi or VW…
Johnny,
German car press seems to be quite “patriotic” towards their own products. Hardly ever has any non-German car won a test against a German car in German car magazines. That’s quite sad since in my opinion the editor must be objective and not patriotic.
Or then it’s like in that US Saab vs. Lincoln article: US people tend to fancy cars with a certain design and the more “yankish” it’ll be, the more they’d like it. I believe that the German people also like German cars because of certain features.
Then there are also economic aspects: if the editors would announce Swedish car as a winner of a test, the readers who have their Audis, BMWs etc. would quit their subscriptions of the magazine because their car didn’t win. I believe that the car industry would also react to the test result and wouldn’t be so willing to put their ads and support the magazine in the future.
In my opinion the only really objective tests will be found in magazines which are published in countries which don’t have their own car industry. They don’t have a “duty” to please anyone
Maybe this is Saab’s way to get them off the dealer’s lots? My dealer in Rockville still has TWO! The 6-sp manaul was hard to pass up. And with my lease up, the bouns/rebate money they were offering was up in the $9800 range, but I had to pass and bought a 2.0T. Still got the $9800 off…
I’m gonna have my 6 speed manual 9-3 Sport Combi Linear Business on the 15th of October. I’ve already made some inquiries to have a stage 1 tuning software for that car
I am not sure what they have been smokin’ at Cox News, but when it comes to outside styling the Turbo X beats the MKS anytime in my book. Although the MKS looks nice, it is nowhere close to the Turbo X, which IMO is not an extremely photogenic car, but completely stunning when you actually see it “in the flesh”. They might be right on the interior though. Maybe.
More importantly, comments like this just show that they didn’t do their homework: “But the thing about this car is that once you get past that super energetic engine, there really isn’t much else that is remarkable about it.” I mean, how about actually mentioning that the Turbo X comes with one of the best AWD-systems in the world?
Oops, sorry rayman146, must have missed your earlier post.
I share the opinion that the Autobild journos may be patriotic, but then I think this would be more or less true for their journalist colleagues from any country with a car industry. And actually, I prefer having a degree of subjectivity in a road test rather than just chewing out binary facts, although this should reflect the car itself rather than its nationality.
But then again, I don’t think the Turbo X would have won an equal test in a Swedish mag - I have read one comparison test here in Sweden against the Audi, and the Audi won hands down except for the AWD system.
But of these four cars, the only one I would consider to puchase is the Saab. Not because I’m Swedish, but simply because I like it better than the other cars. If I owned one, the last thing I’d waste my mind thinking of is that a Passat is three seconds faster around the track.
The problem with the Turbo X is that it’s a great looking car with a top-notch AWD system, but it’s hooked up to a mediocre engine(compared to the 335i), hung from a mediocre chassis, and fitted out with a mediocre interior.
The drivetrain and styling are there, but the driving dynamics, interior, and driving experience are still “good, but not good enough”. That said I have great hope for the NG9-5 and even the 9-4X because they’ll be combining XWD and Aero-X inspired styling with platforms and interiors to match. My only concern is whether the engines will be as potent and high-tech relative to the competition as Saab’s mills used to be.
So when we look at all the reviews slamming the Turbo X, I think we need to step back and realize that it’s really a stop-gap car meant to hold the brand over until the wave of new cars hit in a year or so. I do have some questions for GM about why they hyped it up as if it was a true 335i/G37 competitor (which it isn’t) and priced it in the low 40’s, and I can’t blame the journalists for being a bit disappointed or for laughing at the outlandish price. As I’ve said before it should have been a $36k car, and at that price point the press would have been much more willing to look past it’s shortcomings. It’s hard to pass off chuck when you’re asking filet mignon money.
That MKS comparison IS a bit odd, though it makes sense in a “Swedish transplants” sort of way. On one hand you have the Turbo X, built in Sweden on a German platform, and on the other hand you have the MKS, an American-built car riding on a platform that was designed and engineered by Volvo. Once Ford gets the V6 turbo ecoboost engines going it will be an even more fitting match-up. Also, as a European car snob, the MKS is one of the first American luxury sedans (barring the CTS-V or the 300C SRT8) I could see myself driving, the exterior looks nice enough and I really love the interior.
Alex, I agree completely. The Saab 9-3 was originally launched in mid 2002, and the updates from there on have to be regarded as minor changes compared to “all-new” vehicles like the BMW, Audi and VW. I would assume the 9-3 chassis is not easy to update to a truly competitive standard, and car interiors are incredibly expensive to update thoroughly - it just doesn’t pay off with the sales volumes of the 9-3.
Honestly, $55K cdn is grossly overpriced for what the TurboX has to offer. IMO, the AWD system is all that the Turbo X had going for itself. I went shopping this weekend to look at what Infiniti(G sedan) and Audi (A4) had to offer and it made me realize just how date the current 9-3 is.
I was at my local Saab dealer this weekend and regarding the Turbo-X the salesman said that each dealer was given three. They traded one of them to another dealer, sold one, and he didn’t say what happened to the other, but he said they were having a hard time justifying the price to prospective buyers.
I was at the dealer for about four or five hours (buying a CPO ‘05 9-5 Arc SportWagon) and saw two other couples come in to look at Saabs. The first couple looked like they had just been walking by the dealer on the way to the Cadillac dealer next door and the other couple were a gay couple looking at a ‘vert. They didn’t spend long there. I got the impression the dealer isn’t selling ANYTHING. When we got there they only had two salesmen working and one was sitting in a 9-3 listening to the Giants game on the radio. He complained that they don’t give him a TV to watch…
So even with the GM Employee Discount for Everyone and cash incentives, I can say my anecdotal evidence shows that at least this dealer isn’t selling anything.
I should have added to my last post another observation I made at this dealer:
On the sales floor they only had 9-3 models: two ‘verts, two sedans, and a combi. No 9-5s. No 9-7Xs. Outside they had a bunch of 9-3s. They had a couple of 9-5s outside (one sedan and one combi hidden around the corner by the service drop-off) but no 9-7Xs (I saw one in the overflow lot across the street gathering dust. When I asked the sales guy about it he says they can’t even “give them away”).
A striking thing to me was that they didn’t display any of the lower-price 9-3s to try and hook the customer on price. I would have thought they’d have a manual transmission 2.0T Sport Sedan there so they can show the least-expensive model to get into. You know, the whole “starting under $29K” thing. All the display models were loaded with options and had big price tags on them. When you’re casually looking at a car that big price is a turn-off. The ‘verts had a price on them of $44K+! No thanks…
It’s too bad that a limited-edition car can’t be sold at full swack. I think that the asking price for the TX is kinda high, but limited edition cars should sell out, and quickly. It’s like hyping up a balloon-popping party and having all the balloons just slowly loose air.
Check this out: Turbo X’s for $36-38K
~Peter
Gripen - I’ve noticed that as well about the Saab dealership in my city. I drive past the new Saab/Saturn dealership they’re building and they have a lot of their Saabs parked in the front away from the construction. Since the sales office has opened there on July 1/08, the polar white 9-3 that’s parked out front that I am fond of has yet to be sold. There are numerous 9-3 verts and SC’s that also have yet to be sold.
I had a good laugh when I saw the drawings for their new building… The Saab showroom was designed to accommodate 3-4 vehicles.
Autobild.de tested the TurboX wagon against the 335i, A4 3.2, VW R36. At the track its the slowest, totally different from the jalopnik/jan Magnussen test.
http://a71.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/27/l_41272ad10b5d3d5cb6a29c2275f5123e.jpg
the strangest thing is that the new A4 with 265bhp beats the rest??? mmmmmmmm
regards
@ edusaab: I’m not surprised, that Audi builds a ton of low-end torque for a NA engine and has what is easily the most advanced chassis and best handling of the bunch. Reading down the features list of a $45k A4 V6 must be so depressing for the Saab dealerships.
And as much as I like Saab, I’d be inclined to trust the Autobild numbers more than the ones from a Saab-sponsored promo event. As hard as it is to admit, the Germans are probably going to hold at least a slightly fairer competition than Saab would. Remember also that from C&D’s tests the Turbo X couldn’t even match the latest FWD Nissan Maxima on the skidpad, so those poor numbers aren’t too surprising. The Turbo X really needed 300+ hp and a much more aggressive suspension/tire/brake package if it had any chance at being a real contender. It seems almost disappointingly soft compared to the Viggen or even the 9000 Aero.
Does anyone know what tires are used for a test like the Autobild test? Stock, or all equally equipped? I’m guessing stock. Or, might they cheat to give an edge to the home-country cars? I don’t know and can’t find any information, but the tires can make a whole lot of difference.
Alex, Johnny grow up please and stop behaving as if nothing has been done giving us back the same of the same outlook as before the X and the rest of the 08 line up was released. By reading your comments it confirms that after all the pain we’ve had by not getting a major release nothing or very little has changed in our own community that keeps on bagging the cars we claim we love. The Turbo X is a mighty brilliant new release and one that is making a huge statement on the advances that Saab has made. And yet your negative outlook and efforts to point out on the defects that you see is appalling to say the least. This car is a huge step forward and a superb car overall, if you have issues with he price then go to the dealers and negotiate as I did since for what I got in value for money terms is about 1/3 below any A let alone B closest equivalent. Your comparisons with again A+B only prove that you should go and get these cars and hop in them like the rest of the masses do. So, why not accept Saab as a Saab and stop expecting another car and continue to point on the areas that you feel are mediocre as the engine is brilliant let alone the suspension. The whole car is miles ahead of any previous Saab in every respect. If amongst us we keep on hammering these cars we are the ones really killing them. Why not being positive for a change as not being constructive is what its really mediocre ????
Having owned a TX sedan for the past 4 months and listening to all comments, I can sure share some of my feedback.
First on price. If you compare the TX for what it was suppose to be compared against, ie not a BMW 335i but a 335xi, then what I found from my research was that the TX was significantly less expensive. The Audi A4 seemed to be priced less. Base models of the beamer were missing lots of stuff (cheaped down seats for one). Add up the real comparitive options and the price ballons. That doesn’t mean I didn’t think my car cost more than it should have. I think THAT issue stemmed from the base price of an Aero (ie V6). I thought 4 years back that its price was about 3K (US) too much and never understood it. Personally I think that set the stage for the TX to be too high. Did that stop me from buying it ? No … because I did want to XWD experience, I have been an Aero driver since ‘95 (various flavors), and loved the way a standard Aero (9-3) drove. I think SAAB should have found a way to twin turbo that engine, and keep it’s price. Then from an engine perspective it could have really compared/beaten the beamer. Do I wish it had more power ? Sometimes yes, sometimes no (been scared a few times at how well the XWD laid down the power so well in certain driving situations:) ). So I decided next spring, I’ll raise the bar and put in a BSR stage 1. May not help to top end but it will definitely help the rest.
Handling: Sometimes I feel like the car is on rails and telepathic, and other times I don’t (10% of the time). I’m still trying to figure out why the not so great experiences feel the way they do. One thing I wish, was that the seats had shoulder bolstering. That in my 9000 Aero was so great.
Brakes: I have yet to notice any fade. I don’t obviously drive like a maniac all the time with this car, but I’m definitely not driving like my grandmother (wait she was a fast driver). Seriously, I haven’t noticed anything yet.
Interior: Would somebody please tell GM to stop putting stupid head units in SAABs. I’ld give it a B+ rating, but the Harmon Kardon (sp) in my 9-5 was the best unit in my opinion. Controls ? Only buttons I cant stand are the cruise control (which I keep bumping and enabling [ not engaging ]). Memory seat button gets brushed on exit sometimes and goes for the wrong program. That was fixed by programming them all the same :).
Mileage: average has been 23+ lately in the US (back roads, highway). Conservative has been 26. Super Conservative effort has yielded 28. The worst I’ve had has been 21.
There is plenty of bias in the world markets. I totally agree with the comment that DRIVE the car. It’s not for everyone. Thats what SAAB offers. A unique experience. It’s why I’ve tried to migrate away a few times in the past 25 years, but always come back for something unique.
—
I actually was waiting for the next generation 9-5 but someone decided to slam into my older one. I did miss that car, but it only took me 30 seconds behind the TX to forget about it.
Barry
Well said Barry and Jose, it’s too easy to beat up on Saab. Saabs is a make that one needs to spend time with to fully appreciate. A case in point is the re-axs system on my 9-3SC. While generally as a base model it is an understeerer, when driven in anger it is amazing just how well it can take corners and you can really feel the Re-axs help bring it around. It is not so noticeable most of the time, but when called on it really works.
That said we can’t and won’t let Saab rest as there is still alot of work to do. I for one am very optimistic about the next 9-5, I believe it will be the definitive product of GM-Saab.
Barry, I’m sure BSR will help you all through the range.
I was at my local dealer in Beaverton Oregon and was amazed to see 25 or so Turbo X’s in their lot. When I asked the salesman about it, he told me that they had an allocation of 37 cars and have sold several. It looks like they have them competively priced.
It’s got to be a difficult time to get Saab driver’s excited about driving a $40K car that’s not exactly fuel efficient. I just hope they are able to sell them without giving them away.
Well mate it seems that some have a passion to hammer Saab we all love ??? I’ve been talking a lot about this with Ferd and we are all appalled to see at times how our own community is the worse promoter of Saab itself. Quite frankly and I have not had a lot of time up my sleeve lately to share with everyone my impressions of the Turbo X but at times I feel as maybe I should not do it in the open and communicate amongst us only. In only one month of owning it this car has simply blown me off in every respect. I took my wife’s 9-5 Aero for a spin over the weekend and could not wait to hop back on my X. This car is amazing in every respect and is a true Saab wholly and solely. Had it not been produced altogether that would have been a real shame. Barry is obviously appreciative of Saab and the X itself as he sums the truth very well and in sincere manner. I am glad there are some out there that share our passion in full !!!
I have read your discussion with great interest.
I am picking up my TX SC 6speed manual this week. It’s the last of its kind here in sweden!
All others left how are auto trannys. I have not driven the Car yet bit I am confident that
The Car will live up to its reputation (the positive one).
Saab is all about emotions that no german magazine Can convey in any way.
TX is a limited edition Car which might hold its value lite the Viggens !
I have not had a single regret on my decision to buy the X. After almost 4 months and 6,000 km. on the odometer, this car has been nothing short of amazing in almost every respect.
For once I am looking forward to the Canadian winter - this will be the ultimate test of how good the Turbo X really is. Then in spring, I may think about BSR stage 1 to help 1st and 2nd gears.
Well said,all of you who are growing a little weary regarding the Turbo-X Bashing thats being done “in-house” so to speak.I think I may have read more compliments emanating from the general Automotive press! I would like an informal “roll-call/head count” to be taken .How many of our posters ,both negative and /or positive have actually,in fact DRIVEN this car?Be honest now!
As to pricing exclusivity and what we who sell them THINK regarding discounting a limited edition car, as we are so often wont to say these days”it is what it is”.Saab USA and GM saw fit to include the Turbo-X in the G.M.Employee Pricing for everyone promo.That being the case,with discounts and owner loyalty qualification price on a Turbo-x can now be as low as mid to upper $30’s. As a result our dealership has sold 10 since the promo went into effect,including one spot delivery this morning and not counting two clients who are making final decisions on Aero vs Turbo-X this week. And by the way,the spot delivery was a BMW X-3 customer who took the Turbo-x Sport-Combi overnight and came back in total love with the car.
Joe: I am grown up. And if you had read my posts properly you’d have noticed that I’d take the Turbo X any day over the mentioned competitors, even though it apparently falls behind in some areas. I love Saabs, I love Turbo X’s, that’s why I am frequenting this great site, and I am happy to accept most of whatever flaws that my own Saabs have (that’s part of what makes them Saabs perhaps). I’m not here to deliberately kill the Saab brand by consistently pointing out weak areas.
That said, I find it very interesting and important to read third-party reviews of Saab cars against other brands that are more or less officially acknowledged by Saab as competitors. And I am slightly uncomfortable with not being able to discuss the results here objectively without being accused of being anti-Saab, and of writing “appalling” comments.
I sincerely congratulate Joe and all the rest of you here who have managed to get yourselves a Turbo X. I have driven it and it is a truly wonderful car. You made the right choice!
Happy Saabing,
Johnny
I’m with Johnny on that one, I love my 9-5 Aero and if I had the funds for one I’d be in a Turbo X SC as we speak. At the same time I feel that if we, the few remaining loyal Saab customers are going to be able to do anything to actually help the brand, it will be by expressing our desire for Saab to build cars that aren’t just some of the best Saabs ever built, but some of the best cars ever built. Period.
Today walking to class I saw a ~1990 or so C900 Turbo convertible parked right next to a white pre-facelift 9-3SC 2.0T and the comparison really stuck with me. The C900 had a shape that’s iconic and still looks fresh to this day, and the turbo models had performance that easily matched or beat BMW’s top regular production 3-series of the time, the 325i.
The 9-3SC on the other hand looked almost, but not quite there. The shape of the beltline, pillars, and tail make for what is easily the best looking sportwagons on the market, but the bland front end dulls what would otherwise be the best looking car in it’s class. Almost, but not quite. The interior is no different as some of the best seats in the 9-3’s segment with are paired with what are easily the cheapest interior materials in it’s segment. I love the simple, ergonomic dash layout wonder how many buyers could have been brought to Saab on that interior alone if GM had only chosen to execute that interior with the materials and switchgear that belong in a $30k+ car. Again, Saab’s frustratingly close to getting it right, only to be held back by some easily fixable flaws. The same thing goes for handling and controls, if the Japanese can put a great shifter and communicative steering in their $20k econoboxes then there’s no reason why Saab’s still have to have rubbery shifters and numb steering.
Saab right now is in the middle of a sales crisis, and while car sales are down across the board, Saab is still seeing sales drops beyond those of it’s rivals. Saab is also ranked dead last in terms of owner loyalty, and the current addition of XWD hasn’t done much to help that. Saab right now doesn’t just need the enthusiasts if it wants to survive, it needs those precious “conquest” sales from people who have never bought a Saab before. As long Saab’s products like the “halo” Turbo X get almost universally panned by the major automotive journalists for being “Almost, but not quite”, that isn’t going to happen. That said, I have high hopes for the NG9-5 and 9-4X, and I’m anxiously looking forward to how GM manages to fix the “not quite” parts of those cars.
It’s just frustrating to see a brand with so much going for it getting held back by such easily fixable flaws.
Ahh, thank you Johnny you’ve made my day. But calling the Turbo X mediocre is almost as unforgiving as referring to the likes of Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman or Cameron Diaz as average looking ordinary women. Most of us will react to such statements and enrage with a counter response objecting to any such descriptive. I am very fortunate and consider myself very lucky of owning a Turbo X which it continues to amaze me. I have no doubt that some desires and potential shortfalls will come through after the “honey moon time”. But the car is brilliant and an amazing replacement of my 9-3 Coupe 02. If you are a regular you would have seen it a few times as I consider this the benchmark. Seeing it go I had doubts if my decision to replace it was the right one. So, I am glad to learn that you love Saab as much as some others do and that your passion is true. Alex, I am glad to see that you concur with Johnny on most of his impressions. Where are you both gentlemen based ???
Boston, MA. The heart of Saab country in the US, where Turbo X’s are clogging dealer lots and 335xi’s are a dime a dozen.
I bare this in mind when I get to Boston one day and will be glad to meet with both of you and chew the fat. You are right on your statement that MA is the heart of Saab in the US. I’ve met Bostonians in places like Colorado that still drive Saabs in this part of the world as they did back in Boston. Will be in contact once my trip allows me to get to Boston.
Well, I’m from Sweden, so my Boston trips are scarce I’m afraid
But it would certainly have been nice to meet both of you! For now, I guess I’ll have to be content with admiring the few Turbo X’s I’ll spot around here - and they are certainly not going to be a common sight even on the Swedish roads (not really sure about the Swedish allotment).
Cheers,
Johnny
Some interesting views here guys and I thought I’d share my experience, as I’ve had a Turbo X since April and now have almost 8,000 miles on the clock.
Overall I’m more than happy with the car. It’s my 5th Saab, and I’ve had some good ones in the past, including a 900 Carlsson and most recently a 9-3 Aero (last of the hatches). I love the look of the X, and as I approach it to get in I can’t help but grin at times. I also park in the petrol station in a position where I can see the car whilst I’m queueing, so that I can admire it from afar! How sad is that?!! I just don’t think I’d get that same feeling driving around in an Audi (ok, maybe an S5).
The performance is perfectly good, without being amazing. The power delivery is such that you don’t always realise how quick you’re going until you look at the dial. However, there are also times when you just feel it needs a bit more. I may treat myself to an upgrade before long, and will therefore need to check out both the BSR and Hirsh options. The AWD and handling is obviously very good, although it does take some getting used to. Whilst I always have a lot of confidence when cornering, it can feel like the car is pivoting around me and is quite unlike any other car I’ve driven.
It has to be said that the interior is not brilliant, but it’s by no means poor. It does look a little drab compared to the class leaders, but exterior styling is far more important for me.
After almost 6 months I am still very happy with the car, although I do feel it is somewhat over-priced…and I also paid the price for ordering early! However, how many other cars in the price range would give me that grin?