Cars Worth Noting - 2000 Chevrolet Impala, 1999 Volkswagen Beetle 1.8 T, 1999 Saab 9-5 Wagon - Evaluation

Automotive Industries,  May, 1999  by Marjorie Sorge,  Norman Martin,  Ken Gross

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1999 Saab 9-5 Wagon

Let's get one thing straight. I normally don't like station wagons. I'm a baby boomer, you see, so whenever I see one of these on the road I look for a sheep dog, 2.2 children and a rather comfortable house in the suburbs. That's not the persona I want.

Now on to the new Saab 9-5 wagon. We drove it everywhere outside of San Diego. We glided through the hot, dry desert, slalomed around mountain curves and dodged in and out of traffic on the free way. Never once did the car falter. Steering and handling were superb. If you close your eyes, you could be driving a sports car.

Some engines, however, are a little better than others. The turbo 2.3L four has a bit more get up and go than the turbo 3.0L V-6. I'd get the four with a manual.

There's also plenty of room in the cargo area In fact, you could fit a refrigerator back there. The CargoTracks load securing system holds packages in place while the floor slides out of the back end and will hold up to 400 pounds.

That's all great, but I still love the dog seatbelt in the rear. It's about time somebody realized that woman's best friend is part of the family and deserves in-car safety, too.

Come to think of it, my own minivan projects the same image I trashed in the opening paragraph, and it doesn't have near the power or precise steering. Let's rethink the wagon ...

--Marjorie Sorge

1999 Volkswagen Beetle 1.8 T

Some think Volkswagen's New Beetle is going to get old. That its innate cuteness will wear thin on those hippie boomers lining up for a revamped bug. Well, don't bet on it, especially now that the Germans are adding more power to their showroom flower.

The supercharged 1.8 T carriers a lively 150 hp 4-cylinder and a knife-twisting speed-activated rear spoiler that pops up above 93 mph.

The spirited engine has VW's 5-valve per cylinder technology, linked to either a 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic. Other refinements for this top-of-line Beetle include electronic throttle control, 16-inch alloy wheels, handsome heated leather seats in front, power sunroof and a stiffened body.

It doesn't slow down when it comes to interior style, either. This might be one of the best small cars in the world when it comes to the design and quality of materials and how a company can successfully combine them in minimalist format. The cavernous interior belies the quirky exterior. Inside, it's much closer to a minivan than a small car. Well, at least in the front seats. No matter what's under the hood, it's still a bit cramped in the back.

The 1.8 T brand magnet is available in two models: GLS for $19,900 and GLX for $21,900. And for that price it's likely this spunky retro ride is going to be around for a while.

-- Norman Martin

2000 Chevrolet Impala

If you were hoping Chevrolet would resurrect the Impala SS -- the "Caprice on steroids" -- stop holding your breath. The newest Impala is a boxy, family-focused front-driver, powered by a choice of two ohv V-6s -- a 180-hp 3.4L or 200-hp 3.8K Unfortunately, there's no V-8, although Chevy makes one of the best ones in the business.

Despite its slightly quirky looks, accentuated on the up-level LS by a vestigial tail spoiler that looks like an afterthought, the Impala is an impressive handling car. A stiff structure, fully independent MacPherson strut suspension front and rear and big P225/60 16-inch wheels and tires all contribute. If you can control your own sliding around on that wiiiiiide front seat (perfect for drive-in movies), the Impala can be tossed into turns with all the aplomb of a European sport sedan -- well, at least a Volvo. The ride is biased toward smoothness, but the car still feels firmly snubbed.

The rack-and-pinion steering is nice on center, turn-in is reasonably quick, and the big Chevy shrinks-to-fit after a few minutes of familiarity. Braking is superb, with ventilated discs on all four corners and standard ABS on 3.8L models.

Driven back-to-back against an Intrepid and Crown Vic, the Impala outshines the floppy Ford and is comparable to the Euro-modeled Dodge. There's a bit of sheetmetal tilting in corners, but the bred-for-police-work feeling shines through. I can't help but wonder how much better this car might have been with rear-drive and a detuned Corvette motor.

--Ken Gross

COPYRIGHT 1999 Cahners Publishing Company
COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group