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Date: 05 Jan 2002 13:04:35 GMT
From: jmel5nopsamcomnospam (JMEL5)
Subject: Viggen in C&D 2/02 Shootout


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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