[5Saab]

I'm thinking about upgrading my Arc for a 2006 Aero.

Have any of you Aero owners had any problems with the limited ground clearance of the Aero front-end?? Do you find that it bottoms-out going into and out of driveways, etc.??

Also, since I drive in NYC frequently, are the 17" wheels gonna be a problem (pot holes, etc.) ??

I'm pretty careful with my Arc, but will I have to be extremely cautious with an Aero??

 

[stryker]

I'm thinking about upgrading my Arc for a 2006 Aero.

Have any of you Aero owners had any problems with the limited ground clearance of the Aero front-end?? Do you find that it bottoms-out going into and out of driveways, etc.??

Also, since I drive in NYC frequently, are the 17" wheels gonna be a problem (pot holes, etc.) ??

I'm pretty careful with my Arc, but will I have to be extremely cautious with an Aero??

Most driveways can be avoided with an angled, slow approach. Parking deck inclines are a nightmare though. Escpecially the cramped ones in this part of the world.

 

[jmr]

I don't find it that bad. You just have to keep it in mind and go slow over some speedbumps, going in and out of parking garages and ferries and other stuff like that.

You hear it scraping sometimes and it gets a lot of beating from just driving (sand, gravel hitting it from underneath), so it doesn't feel very nice to the touch, but you can't see any damage just looking at the car from the front.

 

[cpufixer1]

I have an Aero and never take it to NYC. I live on Long Island and that's bad enough.

 

[GriffinAero]

2005 Aero in NYC

I live in Jersey City and drive my Aero into Manhattan about once a week, via the lincoln tunnel. I have the 17" wheels and I find that you have to avoid the deep pot holes when ever I can. When pulling in to a steep incline or driveway I try to take it slow to avoid any rubbing. I love the car and I think you will too when you can blow away any cabby that thinks he can beat you to the next light... Enjoy!

 

[WillieWonka]

I picked up my new Aero a few weeks back. Also with the 17" rims.

It does scrape, if you are not careful.

You have got to take it slow going in and out of driveways and over the speedbumps. I also find you have got to be a little more careful pulling into parking spaces. If you pull in too far, the front skirt can hit those concrete parking curbs, which depending on the hight could actually do some damage.

On the upside, it looks great!

As mentioned previously, the scrapes don't show when you are looking at the front of the car.

Don't know if it will be a problem for you or not, but being in Canada I am actually a little concerned about the depth of snow banks and the low clearence more than anything else!

 

[MichSaab]

Snow Banks and Winter impact for the Aero

I'm in the same boat living in Michigan. I'm wondering what to expect in the winter with the car. Both on the low clearance issue and on how the car will handle in the snow.

I do have the benifit of this being my second car. Other car is a 4 wheel drive Envoy. I'm looking at using the envoy for the really bad days. My family is telling me I should just garage the Saab for three of the worse winter months.

Some on this forum suggest getting a second set of rims and tires for the bad months. Is that really needed?

After predominatly driving the Saab the last three months with the top down, it's a big change hoping into the Enovy for a drive. Night and day difference on ride and handling (and room).

 

[Viscouse]

I'm not sure about clearance (haven't gone through any drifts yet) but it's no SUV.
As for handling, it seems to vary by person. I had no fears taking mine out last 2 winters, and I have the 16s. Do a search for "winter". I'm very excited to try my New Falkens to see how they fair in the snow!
If you have 17s, different wheels/tires are required I think. It's just a bad idea to roll around with 17s in the snow.

 

[MichSaab]

If you have 17s, different wheels/tires are required I think. It's just a bad idea to roll around with 17s in the snow.

Yes I do have the 17s.

Why are different wheels/tires required when you have 17s?

 

[strat81]

Yes I do have the 17s.

Why are different wheels/tires required when you have 17s?

IIRC, the 17s are a summer tire, the PZero Rossos. The 16s are an all-season, the P6. Summer tires + cold weather = lousy grip. Summer tires + snow = smashy smashy.

 

[epsilon93]

Do you guys use snow chains on your wheels at all (for those who drives in the snow)? Under heavy snow? Do winter tyres grip well in snow? I don't have much experience driving in snow so I don't have a feel for it. I may be driving up to the snow line during my coming vacation but thats on a rental car though.

 

[strat81]

Do you guys use snow chains on your wheels at all (for those who drives in the snow)? Under heavy snow? Do winter tyres grip well in snow? I don't have much experience driving in snow so I don't have a feel for it. I may be driving up to the snow line during my coming vacation but thats on a rental car though.

If the snow is so bad I need chains, I'm staying home. Depending on the quantity of snow you have to deal with, all-season tires might be ok. Here in NYC, I drive on all-seasons and they're fine up to about 6". Beyond that, snowdrifts tend to get too deep. Winter tires provide better traction not just because of their tread pattern, but also because of the compound. Summer tires get extremely stiff in cold weather and won't grip. Winter compunds tend to much better on snow and ice.

When driving in snow, the most important things are go slow and don't make any sudden control inputs - no hard acceleration, braking, or turns. Doing so might cause a spin or other loss of control. The average car will be able to get up to speed in a small snow fall (less than 8"). Stopping the car is a whole other issue. It amuses me to see Ford Expeditions and Toyota Sequoias stuck on curbs or buried in snowdrifts because the drivers use their 4WD to drive like crazy people but forget that 4WD won't help you stop!

 

[MichSaab]

Chains for Snow, reminds me of Studded tires

I haven't used Snow chains for years. Reminds me of a trip to northern Michigan for some alpine sking. We had a GM motorhome that was front wheel drive. I drove a group of friends up to ski with the plan to spend the night at a friends cottege. Major problem, the cottege was up a hill. Even with the front wheel drive and everyone in the motorhome up front over the wheels for weight we went no where. Decided to put a set of chains we had for just a problem. Didn't help at all. We ended up driving over to the ski hill and sleeping in the parking lot.

Also remember snow tires used to be studded tires. Really tore up the streets.

Back to the Saab thou. When I bought the car I told the dealer I was concerned about how the car would handle in the snow. He said it was a problem with the 2004 tires but the new 2005 tires on the 17" on the Aero where now general purpose tires. There Pirelli's but I've haven't checked which type. So if there summer tires, looks like I'll be using the Envoy more this winter.

Thanks

 

[jmr]

I found the winter handling to be absolutely amazing with stud free 16" winter tires (Gislaved Softfrost), i did not get stuck once last winter (except when me and my buddies, tired after 24 hours of driving, drove the car straight into the piste in Austria, see picture :roll .

The downside is that you have to use your front spoiler as a snow plow sometimes, but just take it easy and you'll be fine.

 

[voodoochile]

Mine rubs frequently. Got to go reeaally slow in and out of driveways and hit them at an angle.

As for winter, you can get 17" snow tires, but they are hella expensive, and it's tough on the rims as well due to the shorter sidewall. I bought another set of 16" wheels with some Michelin snows that I run in the winter. I get about 8-9 months with the summer 17s before I swap wheels for winter.

You do not want to drive the Rossos in even a dusting of snow!!! I was late swapping wheels last fall, and drove to work in an inch of snow one morning... just barely managed to save my bacon at the last moment.

 

[MichSaab]

2005 93's with 17" are P6 All-seasons

Went to fill up the car this am, looked that rear tires while I pumped $35 into the tank. The 2005 I have with 17" tires are P6 All-Seasons from Pirellis.

So it looks like I have an All-Season treed, but still have the issue of a 17" Wheel.