Date: Sat, 05 Jan 2002 14:46:16 GMT From: KeithG <no_onenopsamhlink.net> Subject: Re: Viggen in C&D 2/02 Shootout
Of the test cars, the viggen is the only one which is remotely practical (read: with a hatch). If this 'next' car is my only car or if I have another car which has a 'mail slot' trunk, there is no other option on the list. $0.02 KeithG JMEL5 writes: > 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
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