Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2002 10:44:08 -0500 From: "JC" <johnc_22nopsamo.com> Subject: Re: Viggen in C&D 2/02 Shootout
I haven't seen the article, but as someone pointed out on Saabnet.com (www.saabnet.com) the 9-3 SE does 0-60 in 6.8 (as reported in the same issue of C&D), so how could the Viggen clock in at 6.9????? In fact if you look on C&D's web site and read the review of the '99 Viggen you'll see it did 0-60 in 6.5! So, what gives? Did someone who'd never touched a manual tranny do the test? Did Saab slow the Viggen down? No, in fact they've added 5hp and 6ft/lbs torque since '99 . . . C&D just don't like non-Japanese, non-German vehicles. I've sat in a 330i and the interior is very bland, only a slight cut above a top of the line Accord. I haven't driven one, but I didn't bother since I'm not willing to pay $44K since that's what it would cost me to get the options I would want (for a car that is as ubiquitous as an Accord in Atlanta). I've had a brand-spanking new '01 5-door Viggen for just over a month now and I absolutely love it. I test drove it off the showroom floor and bought it the same day for $33K, 0% for 36 months, and $1000 down from Saab for owner loyalty (traded my '98 900SE coupe). No way could I get a better car for the money unless I bought something that was quite used. Once you feel the pull of the Viggen at 5500 RPMs you'll love the car - it's staggering. In addition the 2.3 engine makes a big difference in everyday driving around the city as well. Just my $0.02, John "JMEL5" <jmel5nopsamcomnospam> wrote in message news:20020105080435.17750.00003476nopsamn.aol.com... > I think that this article in C&D is of interest to many Saab lovers on this > Board. I won't post the entire article, but I did find some items of interest > that were said about the Saab, and it raised some thoughts in my own decisions > for a new car. > > The February issue of Car and driver has a shootout with 7 sports sedans, and > they ranked as follows: > > 1. BMW 330i > 2. Audi A4 3.0 Quattro > 3. Lexus IS300 > 4. Cadillac CTS > 5. Jaguar X-type 3.0 > 6. Saab 9-3 Viggen > 7. Lincoln LS > > C&D noted the Saab's "Highs" as "Traditional quirky, offbeat turbo front-drive > charm from Saab" and the "Lows" as "Traditional quirky, offbeat turbo > front-drive charm from Saab". The "Verdict" was "Traditional quirky, offbeat > turbo..." > > C&D essentially noted that the Saab 5 door hatchback design and front-wheel > drive was, "one last cry of protest in an increasingly androgynous world." > > The Saab took second of this bunch, behind the 6.4 second time of the BMW, in > 0-60 category, with a posted time of 6.9 seconds. The Viggen also tied for > first with the BMW in 0-100 with a time of 17.1 seconds, and it took first for > the 0-120 time with 25.3 seconds. The Saab posted a 1/4 mile time of 15.2 94 mph. The > Saab did have the highest overall top speed, non-governed, at 151 mph vs. the > goverened top speed of the next highest car in the bunch, the Lexus IS300 at > 139 mph. > > The last two paragraphs of interest about the Saab in the article stated, "It's > cool that Saab has refused to accede to so-called contemporary styling and such > nuances as four-wheel drive, natuarlly aspirated V-6's, or a swoopier, more > aerodynamic body style. In a world of automobiles that only small boys and > hard-core automotive writers can tell from one another-think Japanese cars-the > Saab steadfastly clings to its roots. For the unrepentant Saabistas and for > those who have not forgotten George McGovern and the plight of the snail > darter, this is a source of pride and comfort. For others, it is quaintness > that is rapidly descending into obsolescence." C&D also noted that the Viggen > had a "flexy chassis" and a "rubbery shifter", but they also noted that the > Viggen is "definitely a hoot to drive." > > My own thoughts on the cars in this comparo really made me think about what I > want in a car. I've driven the BMW, and it is an amazing driver's car, but I > just didn't feel comfortable in it. The Lexus IS300, to me, just had incredibly > cheap dash materials. The Cadillac was nice, I didn't get a chance to drive > one, yet, but, I would wait a year or two before touching a new model. The > Jaguar was a nice car, but the materials inside that car were also very cheap. > The Audi I was in was rock solid and very stable with a great interior, but it > just has a bland styling to it. The Lincoln LS just looks too much like the > Diamante and BMW, and it's engine is quite weak for the car. > > I know this Board has had much discussion about the styling of this generation > of the 900/9-3. Personally, I love the looks of the Viggen, and, even if it > ranked low on this shootout, I still think a one or two year old Viggen is > still my first choice for a "new" car. Not to mention, at 2 years old, I can > pick up a Viggen, if I can find one, for a lot less money than the Audi or BMW. > > Anyone else read this article? What were your thoughts? > > JJ
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
