Hey all,
I know its not Pug related, but with all the car talk about other mfrs recently, I though I'd throw in my somewhat disjointed two cents.
Alongside my beloved Mi16, I've been a Saab fan since the early 90's (the first drive in an '87 900 Turbo SPG did it), and an ownership fanatic since mid '99, when I test drove a 9-3 Viggen and bought one shortly afterwards. Great power, outdated chassis, but one hell of a fun ride.
I'm now on Saab #4...the Viggen was traded in on a 9-5 Aero wagon...I bought a '91 900 turbo convertible 3 1/2 years ago (still have it, though it's for sale), and last weekend picked up a new 6 speed manual 9-3 Aero convertible with the GM turbo V6 in it. I live in LA where BMWs are a dime a dozen...and you can't find a manual transmission 3 series to save your life....
As we've talked about the crappy products of some mfrs and poor product positioning, I really wish GM execs here in the US would wake up and realize that Saab products are probably the best cars they have in their portfolio (except maybe the CTS-V and Pontiac Solstice). It's by far the most balanced and best built Saab I've owned and could be the best car I've ever owned. The GM V6, from what I can tell so far is a fantastic engine, though many Saab fans are crying foul (although the 2 liter 4 in the 9-3 is also a GM engine now too!). My 4 cylinder 9-5 vibrates at idle in D now and again, the 9-3 is like buttah... The handling is on par with my Mi16, though a bit firmer with no body roll, fantastic seat comfort, etc. The Epsilon platform this car is based on is rigid and a winner in my book.
I admit I have a weird loyalty to Saab now...maybe it's the uniqueness, the styling...I love the way they drive, the dash styling (though the '06 9-5 now looks awful inside and out....will be keeping my '03!). I'm even giving the 9-7X Trailblazer chop job a quasi thumbs up...there is a reasonable "Euro-Saabness" about it inside...not perfect, but not bad considering the limited budget. I haven't driven it, so I can't give you my honest opinion.
Maybe it's my love of driving something different, but my job allows me the opportunity to experience of a lot rental cars, GM, Ford, Toyota, Mazda, recently drive a Nissan Murano, Jeep Liberty, etc. GM should be embarassed by its constant string of crappy products...it wouldn't surprise me if Buick disappears the way Oldsmobile has. Ford has come a long way with the Fusion family, the Escape is a great little SUV, and the Focus is a winner for people who want a small car (although the European cars are built better than the American ones).
GM could learn a lot from Saab to improve ALL aspects of its other brands. Or it could bring a Federalized version of the Opel Vectra. I've rented many a Peugeot in Europe, and the 406/407 line could do well here. I think even the 307CC (with either a turbo 4 or a 6, for lead footed Americans...its too slow as it is...even Renault turbo-ed its Megane CC) and 206 GTI-esque car would be a hit (I would kill for a 306 GTI-6). My fingers remain crossed and I'll be one of the first buyers of a 407 SW. Ha ha :-)
Maybe I'm out of line with the typical American driver who looks at a car to get them from A to B (could be the UK blood in me from birth..just pick Top Gear magazine and read Jeremy Clarkson's rants on "Yank Tanks" and I tend to agree)....but I'd much rather have a Saab, Peugeot, or Alfa Romeo in my driveway...hell, even an MG TF, or TVR.
Just a $0.02 rant...now it's time to go put the top down and drive!
Cheers,
Paul Hughes
'89 405 Mi16 (I will be buried in it)
'06 Saab 9-3 Aero convertible
'03 Saab 9-5 Aero wagon
'91 Saab 900 Turbo convertible (yellow SE version, 5 speed and for sale!)
- Original Message ----
From: petermcgarvey@att.net
To: Peugeot Group <Peugeot-L@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2006 8:08:09 AM
Subject: [Peugeot-L] Question on the BA 10/5 Gearbox
Anyone know of the solution to solving a speedometer cable insert into the BA 10/5 Gearbox?
I am told that there is a plastic insert piece in the orifice (opening) where the cable end is inserted and held down with a pressure screw attachment.
I installed new cables from the Gearbox to the transducer (pickup for the cruise control) and the second cable to the dash pod. Everything is installed correctly, everything is new and spins but no pickup spin from the gearbox insertion. Is this piece accessible and how do I get to it and remove/replace it?
Second question is does anyone have one to sell. It is for a 505 V-6 5 Speed ( BA 10/5 ) 1987.
Peter
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Recommended format for your email subject lines:
Model # [Model Letters] Year Subject
Examples:
505 88 V6 Mileage
405 Mi16 89 Ignition Coil source?
To unsubscribe from this list send a blank email message to PEUGEOT-L-UNSUBSCRIBE@EGROUPS.COM
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
Visit your group "peugeot-L" on the web.
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
peugeot-L-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Recommended format for your email subject lines:
Model # [Model Letters] Year Subject
Examples:
505 88 V6 Mileage
405 Mi16 89 Ignition Coil source?
To unsubscribe from this list send a blank email message to PEUGEOT-L-UNSUBSCRIBE@EGROUPS.COM
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/peugeot-L/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
peugeot-L-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Received on Wed Feb 1 09:37:43 2006
