What would it take to get the Saab 9-5 Aero back in consideration with Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Lexus GS, Mercedes Benz E Class.

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/edmunds/VehicleComparison;jsessionid=Badsi22WVkjjyr1KmrPrl 7y8ND20c7V2s21pqLJ2DXTpXzIXZ5sz!541332227?basestyl eid=100344932&styleid=100321949&styleid=100359253&styleid=100306355&styleid=100339848&maxvehicles=5&refid=&op=3&tab=print.

Take a look at that comparison. They match up so well in size.

Ok here are my thoughts.

Handling - Much stiffer sport springs. Maybe some special Ohlins or GM's Magna ride suspension. Stiffer, less floaty ride but still compliant and smooth. More Heavy Duty anti-sway bars. 18" BBS, Speedline or OZ wheels.

Braking - AP or Brembo 4 Pot brakes front and rear and steel braided lines. Similar to CTS-V

Interior - Uprated headliners and molded trim pieces. The leather is pretty good as is. A better center console for drink holders. 6 CD indash + MP3/Apple iPod connectivity. Keep the Onstar and add NAV panel. OnStar is really great, you can get good directions.

Engine - Upgrade ECU, Exhaust and delivery pipes for Stage 3/4 upgrade to 300HP/350Trq.

Customer Service - 4Yr/50K free service: Oil changes and brakes and tire rotations included

Costs - MSRP
$2000 - Handling
$2500 - Braking
$1500 - Interior
$3000 - Engine

This is possible and still for under 48-50K.

Yea it' still a front driver. But when is the last time you slid your 30+K car around a canyon corner. For practical speed purposess, like highway blasts and normal canyon sport driving, FWD is fine. We ain't talking track work.

Would you buy one if it came in around 48 or is the STS or CTS-V or the other Euros' a better fit.

Sounds a lot like the Hirsch 9-5 to me. I dunno...50 grand for a 9-5 seems a stretch even with the extra goodies. Without RWD or AWD it wouldn't compete.

So nobody thinks even a 9-5 Hirsch Aero with the aforementioned equip could compete as a Luxury Sport Sedan/Wagon. Wow, not much passion from the faithful.
FWD isn't perfect but for highway blasts and resonalble canyon carving, come on people. :x

The 9-5 isn't a 1st tier luxury car like the BMW 545 or Merc E-class.
I doubt anyone would pay that much for a Saab no matter how good
it is. Saab should get the 9-5 out of the executive image and
back to pure drivers car like the 9000 Aero. Here's my list:
- Weight reduction from the use of composite panels and more use
of aluminum= -200lbs
- 6-spd manual w/short final drive ratio
- upgraded shocks from Ohlins(Swedish)
Cost: $4000
With these upgrades the 9-5 Aero should hit 60mph in under 6 sec
and pull .90g in roadholding while providing a compliant ride in a proper Q-ship.

I agree Saab is not first tier, and probably won't ever be. Size wise those cars compare perfectly. But I was more talking about performance feel. With the mods I think it might be able to compete with those cars and still be 10-15K less. I guess we will have to wait to see what Saab gives us in 2007/8. I think it will have AWD. Yeah I agree aluminum in the hood and trunk and suspension components would help. I think it could break <6 sec mark with the engine mods alone. The car as it stands is 400 pounds lighter than the next heaviest car.