Writing about the
Rapid p609 given
33% (225-45-17-)
Driving on
mostly motorways for 9000
average miles
New car came with 3 brand new P609s and 1 old Arrowspeed N1000 (drivers rear). Over the summer months the grip felt pretty good and never understeared even when provoking it. Down to 2mm already on the front after maybe 2000 miles of back roads and 7000 miles of motorways and towns. In winter conditions (below 8 degrees C) I struggle to pull away from junctions without loosing a wheel or two, even driving as gently as I can. 120hp is apparently enough to spin up in a straight line in 2nd with no clutch kick and not that many revs. Over the summer the tyres were pretty good, but a new car made a huge difference (battered Peugeot to well kept Saab).
Average 32mpg day to day and 40mpg on distance cruises, but that is about what saab quote for my car, so not too bad.
Braking is average at best, and if ABS fails to stop locking for a second the stopping force in a skid is pathetic. Car doesn't feel settled on back roads when it's cold, but feels fine when it's warm.