It’s time for another comparison drive.As many of the automotive journos don’t really “get” what Saabs are all about, it’s up to we Saab nuts to drive some of the competition and then reflect on how good/bad it is and what it makes us think about our Saabs.I’ve bought the future Saab 9-1 into this one as it’s going to be based on the same platform as the next Astra and both will be built in Trollhattan. Obviously there’s no direct comparison here as the 9-1 isn’t built yet, but it’s interesting to get an insight into what will likely be regarded by some as its forbear.Our reviewer is WooDz, and I should add that he does have a very special affinity with Saabs - and he sells them.——I’ve been unfortunate enough to have to drive an Astra VXR for the past 4 months. Outside the car looks cool. Saab should have rebadged this car as a 9-2 and not the Impreza. I’m sure production costs would have been less and it could have been sold in Europe too. But hey, we can’t rewrite history. The interior is far better than the Japanese competition and although many have written to the contrary, the VXR’s ‘Klavier Black’ centre console is far more appetising to the eye than the Grey dull plastic interior of a Golf. However there are some hang-ups. First up are the Recaro sports seats, which are built to fit the 13 year old kids who have this car plastered on their bedroom wall. I’m what you call a 6-foot bean-pole and the seats are snug on me. It presses my wallet so tightly against me that it constricts the blood flow to my leg and thank God my journey to work is only 25 minutes, as any longer would no doubt start the onset of deep vein thrombosis. Then there are the large useful side pockets that you can’t pull anything out of after you’ve dropped it in, as the average hand is too big to slip between the seat and the door. Naturally this has also been designed for the juvenile delinquent that can fit in the seats. The engine: What I really like about Saabs and even the 2.8 V6 Turbo does this, is that the power is delivered silky smooth but with purpose: you’re doing double the speed limit before you know what’s happened. (ring any bells with your first test drive?) (more…)Share This