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2004 9-5...no accellerator pedal space

I'm considering purchasing a new Saab. I had been looking at the 9-3's when I discovered a local dealer offering a brand new 2004 9-5 arc for only $26k (5-speed manual).

So I took it for a test drive only to discover that there was barely any room for my foot to hit the accelerator. What were the engineers thinking when they allotted so little room for the gas pedal (between the brake pedal and the console wall)? It seems like a stupid reason not to buy a car, but I have to admit I found my foot literally getting stuck underneath the brake. It was difficult to maneuvre my right foot past the brake pedal. While my shoes may be _slightly_wider than normal, I don't think they are unusually wide at 4 1/2 inches (at its widest point). My shoes fit just fine on my current Ford Focus, an otherwise much smaller car.

Has anyone else noticed this? Is it requisite that I drive the car barefoot?

- tex

Reply to
Tex
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No! =20 If you really want the car, you can:

Take the rubber pad off the brake pedal - gets a few more mm space. Don't use the gas pedal - use the cruise control instead. Don't use the brake: downshift instead. Only wear Italian (pointed toe) shoes or else cut off your little toe.

or do what I did - buy an automatic 9-5.

--=20 Regards, Peter Wilkins

Reply to
Peter Wilkins

It sounds like the spacing of the brake and accelerator was designed for heel/toe downshifting. The idea is to synch up the wheel speed with the engine speed for a downshift by applying brake and gas at the same time. You need to be able step on the brake and accelerator pedals at the same time with your right foot, while your left foot is on the clutch pedal.

After you have been learned to drive like this, driving an automatic is boring . . .

Reply to
ma_twain

That's probably true, I'm pretty sure it was designed like that for just that reason. I learned to do it many years ago, before synchromesh, with double declutching as well! (I actually won a bet in SVN changing down my landrover into (non-syncro) first gear at

40kmph without stripping or damaging anything!)

No, it's not boring, it's just safer. I do a lot of city driving here in Sydney in Oz, and I much prefer an auto in heavy city traffic - one less risk factor to think about. I usually drive my 9-5 like a manual anyway if I need performance. Unfortunately, it's pretty difficult to rent an automatic car anywhere in Europe, and driving in Paris or Milan with a manual, and on the wrong side of the road as well, is pretty scary.

--=20 Regards, Peter Wilkins

Reply to
Peter Wilkins

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