Scimitar and Saab road test

[dollywobbler]

On Sunday, I drove down to Llanelli on the south coast of Wales for Drive it Day. I took the Scimitar. When I got home, Ebay told me I'd won an auction for a piano stool which was about ten miles away from LLanelli. DOH! What this has enabled me to do is drive the same cross-country route (A485 to Carmarthen) in a 1975 Reliant and then, two days later, in a Swedish barge. Here is a rather peculiar Head to Head.

 

It's no secret that I hadn't really bonded with the Scimitar yet. For nipping to the shops it just isn't the right tool for the job, being heavy and cumbersome in terms of pedal position, steering and gearchange. My little sister discovered that it's crap in the back for people and when we went on our monthly shop, we only just managed to get it all in the boot.

 

Sunday changed my opinion though. When it comes to covering twisty, hilly country roads at (never exceeding the speed limit, because I don't) speed, it's superb. The steering is no longer like trying to encourage a sleepy elephant to change direction. Instead, it's communicative, exceedingly direct (Landcrab rack don't you know) and beautifully weighted. Yes, you have to use some muscle to get around bends, but the reward is absolute certainty that you're not going to feel the scenery first hand. I'm getting used to the cramped pedal area - it is hideously tight and you do need a lot of care to not balls up gearchanges when braking.

 

The gearchange is notoriously a bit shoddy. It's a Mk3 Zodiac gearbox effectively, but with a remote floor change. However, between third and fourth, it's delightful - and overdrive means that actual changes are rare anyway. The overdrive switch can be flicked with a finger while holding onto the steering wheel. It's great.

 

The engine is superb too. Ridiculous amounts of torque so there's no need to extend it beyond 2500rpm apart from the noise. The firm ride keeps you on your toes, but it's not that uncomfortable, and there's enough ground clearance that you won't take chunks out of the road. The brakes do need a good old shove, but being used to crap old cars, I'm used to that and prefer it. Overall result? Scimitar is definitely in favour.

 

So, to the Swede. While down near Swansea, I got to take it on the motorway for the first time. I'm not sure I've ever owned a car that's so peaceful at 70mph! I turned off my new stereo just to savour the moment. That's the good. Now the bad.

 

On the hoon route, the Saab doesn't really deliver at all. One word springs to mind. Soggy. Don't get me wrong - it doesn't wallow like a Humber Super Snipe and it does actually go around bends - something my old A90 Westminster resisted strongly. But the steering has absolutely no feel at all and doesn't feel as sweet as the BX, let alone the Scimitar. The brakes are also soft and mushy and don't inspire confidence. However, it is certainly possible to drive briskly and comfortably and the on-board computer reckons 34mpg was achieved. You can bet that the Scimitar got nowhere near that.

 

For a four-pot, multivalve engine, the Saab motor delivers a fair old spread of torque. It picks up noticeably from 2750rpm but suffers none of the top-end-only power that most modern engines put out. Yes, it does get very brisk when you let it rev - overtaking is swift and punchy - but it sounds slightly like it's got laryngitis with a peculiar rasp, so you're not encouraged to explore the top end. The gearchange is sweet, if a bit rubbery and ride comfort is very impressive. It can't deal with sudden impacts in the same way as the BX, but most of the time, it is not far behind, and it's far better over potholes.

 

No real surprises then. The Seventies Bitsa easily triumphs (suspension pun intended) over the Swedish saloon. The Saab looks like it'll certainly deliver when it comes to vast distances (we've got a weekend over summer that'll see us go from here, to Norfolk, to Kent, to Home) but for getting about in Wales, the 2CV has a new rival...

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

9000s are OK to drive but they have an odd combination of sloppy handling and a jittery ride. I'd be happy with the jittery ride if it handled better or vice versa.

[dollywobbler]

It was very jittery over poor surfaces, but Wales has some of the nicest roads I've ever driven on. A huge stretch of road through the Brecon Beacons was so fresh I'm surprised I didn't get stuck!

[peter9000uk]

I've been trying to figure out why you kept going on about the cramped footwell in the Scimitar as I owned a K reg one many moons ago and never noticed any problems. It has however just dawned on me, mine was an auto! I had mine when I was in my late teens when all my peers had their 1600e lookalikes. I will say it was rather a hit with the ladies as they thought it was rather posh and I was loaded. How wrong they were on the second count! I have also had a few 9000's but all turbos and I think you will be impressed with the comfort on a long run over the Scimitar

[Mr_Bo11ox]

which of the two is the best in terms of earthing of the components in its electrical system.

[wuvvum]

I agree with you about the 9000 ride / handling incongruities - I've had nine of the things, and they've all been like that apart from the Carlsson, which was a complete revelation on back roads - the ride was even firmer than a standard car, but the handling was transformed.

[dollywobbler]

which of the two is the best in terms of earthing of the components in its electrical system.

 

Sweden wins by a knockout. Though the Saab did keep electrocuting me today, and the Scimitar has never done that.

[Richard]

My 900 did that too, grip the door frame tightly as you step out of the car and you won't get a shock.

[scooters]

interesting comparison - no surprises. I always found the Scimitar a bit of a beast which needed a lot of concentration to keep on the road especially in the rain. But it is certainly engaging!

 

As mentioned before if I get another I woulde be very tempted to get an automatic. I do like them though because theh are robust and pretty simple and with a modicum of tech skill you can address most of the issues if you don't mind fibreglass splinters.

[dollywobbler]

I'm not sure I'd get on with an automatic. I like being in the correct gear for any situation, and autos just don't offer that. Yes, you can lock them down to certain gears, but you're only locking a range - ie first to third rather than all four.

 

I must say, I can't remember what tyres it's got on it, but they're bloody awesome. I've driven it in the wet and driven sensibly, you wouldn't know it's rear-wheel drive. You don't really have to compensate.

[Rocket88]

I had an auto one of these, unfortunately, it encourages even more robust use of the right foot, manuals aren't great, although there are options..............

[autofive]

i found you can use the overdrive in 3rd & 4th, (as overdrive shuts off at below 2000 revs) effectively giving a six speed semiauto box

i didnt like the auto much, the se5 auto is better than the se6 auto, but that might be a weight issue.

 

have you checked the remote gearstick and linkages are all bushed and secure? it maybe the reason for you gearchange woes

[dollywobbler]

Actually, I can use overdrive on all gears as the inhibitor switch is knackered. Should sort that out before I forget it's engaged and destroy it by reversing...

 

It's great on third though as overdrive third is pretty much the same as non-overdrive fourth. That means you can follow a slower car in overdrive third and when the chance to overtake finally arrives, you can flick the switch to instantly drop a ratio and go belting past.

 

From what I've heard, it seems that all manual/overdrive gearboxes have a fairly cack-handed linkage. I will have a look though. Need to get underneath it to check an earthing fault...

[autofive]

might be easier to look down the hole for the stick - i have seen a few without the securing bolt between stick and shaft, and most have perished rubbers and missing clips

[Gompo]

I thought 9000s were meant to handle quite well, better than any 900? Maybe it was just the CS and Carlsson models. The only 9000 I've driven certainly wasnt bad though.

[dollywobbler]

It's not bad, and I find it handles better than my old 900, but there's no denying that it is rather vague. Don't forget - it is the only car I own that has power steering. Compared to three of the most accurately-steered classics ever made (Scimmie with its Landcrab rack, fabled Mini and almost-as-good 2CV) anything modern is going to struggle. I should also point out that I fear that it wears rather poor rubber. The BX was an understeering mess before I replaced the aged Michelin Energys with something better.

 

It's amazing how much feel you get with a good, un-assisted car. Over the winter, when I was in the 2CV, I could feel if there was ice on the road just via the feedback through the steering wheel.

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

C900s are great to drive but the assisted steering is very light.

[peter9000uk]

Try poly bushing the anti roll bars on the Saab and even looking around for ones off a turbo as I believe they are thicker. I polybushed everything on my last 9000 and it made quite a difference