Satisfying your Fighter Pilot Fantasies
by Joe LaMuraglia
Saab’s latest ad slogan is “Born from Jets”. It is supposed to communicate to the consumer that Saab was started by aeronautical engineers and as a result, has speed and safety inherent in its design. Saab certainly isn’t the only auto company with ties to airplanes – that spinning propeller on BMW isn’t from a boat and we’ve all heard of Rolls Royce engines as being the best in the sky. No, many a manufacturer applied their expertise of aircraft building to the art of land-based transportation but Saab has always done it differently. Some examples are the ignition between the front seats, the “Night Panel” button that turns off all ancillary lighting so the driver can focus on what is important and and instruments and controls canted towards the pilot… I mean the driver. Add to that a history of wind in your hair driving and you can see the connection
If you read our review of the Saab 9-5 Sport Combi, you may think we here at Gaywheels.com aren’t fans of the Swedish car company. Au contraire mon ami, we love Saabs and always have had a spot in our hearts for the topless variety. The 9-5 review revealed our opinions and disappointment in that one model and part of the staff is still convinced we got a bad egg for our review.
Alas, we aren’t here to speak of the past. This forum is to extoll the virtues of one of my new favorite rides, the 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible.
To be 100% honest, after our experience with the 9-5 Sport Combi and memories of old Saab convertibles I’ve driven, my expectations weren’t set too high for the 9-3 Aero. I needed a vehicle for a two-week road trip to TN, OH and MI and the wonderful people at GM’s Southeastern regional office obliged with the 9-3 Convertible. In the continued spirit of honesty, I was excited it was a convertible because I needed some “culla” as I’ve been holed up in front of a computer too long this summer. At to that a published 28 MPG on the highway and I couldn’t have been happier.
When the Parchment colored 9-3 Aero arrived in my driveway, I was too busy to notice what a stunning vehicle it is. Not until I loaded up my luggage and headed out to Nashville did I get some time to really appreciate my steed. Despite a few headaches getting my bags in the trunk in a way that would allow the top to retract, I was really impressed with how solid, smooth and comfortable my new companion was. It drew quite a few comments as well. Gassing up for the ride, more than a few glances and compliments were directed at me. Hey, I need all the help I can get. When a car gets me noticed AND a tan, it gets some serious bonus points!
The intinerary included 2 weeks, 5 states and over 1,600 miles. The car performed flawlessly, rain and shine. Only once did a sensor come on to tell me that the passenger seatback wasn’t secure. After a pit stop for gas, it went off and never came back on. That was it. I averaged anywhere from 22 – 29 MPG on the highway. The lower numbers were with the top down at high speed but the majority of the time it achieved high 20’s on the highway.
The engine is smooooooth, loves to rev and has just a small amount of turbo lag. It is so vibration-free and quiet I found myself doing 85 in 4th gear and not knowing it – more than once. I quickly dropped it into 6th and wondered why so many gears were needed for such a great engine. Most likely to achieve those MPG numbers and because the competition has them too. If they go to 7 speed manual trannys in cars, I’ll be the first to cry “Stop the maddness”!
At the end of the alloted time, I was honestly sad to see the car go. This will be on my list of cars that I’ll offer when the inevitable “what should I buy” question comes my way. It is softer and more civilized than its German competitors and offers a great gay-friendly alternative to the pervasive BMW 3-series that every third gay man drives. With two engines offered, and usually excellent lease rates, there is no reason you can’t get a tan and satsify those fighter pilot fantasies at the same time.
Likes
• Styling – familiar yet still attractive
• Comfortable – Wonderful seats and a suspension that won’t kill your kidneys yet handles nicely
• Powerful – great power delivery without overkill
• Remote convertible top – Clearly the best “impress anyone looking” feature. Allows you to lower the top with the key fob from across the parking lot.
Dislikes
• Is a bit pricey in Aero trim
• Not wild about the two-tone seats in the car we drove
• Radio is confusing as hell at first
Saab is a gay-friendly company.
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