My Viggen now has 10K on it, and this might sound weird, but I find it more DIFFICULT to shift smoothly now that I did when the car was new. I have been somewhat surprised by this, and would expect that the transmission would loosen up with age. I sometimes find the car doesn't like to go into 1st from a stop, and 2nd to 3rd feels more clunky now, requiring a nice smooth shift. I've learned that it's not a transmission to be shifted quickly from gear to gear. And I usually upshift around 3000 rpm, unless I get that urge to use the turbo! :) But I'm used to it now.

I've driven a variety of manual transmission cars and none is like another. You read in the mags that Saab transmissions are rubbery, and I would agree with the assessment. Audi's and Mercedes are have a very wooden feel, and BMW, I hate to say it, probably has the best feel of any European car today. My '89 Peugeot 405 Mi16 has a much more cooperative 5 speed, especially for quick shifts, but it's a totally different beast (7000 rpm and torque peak at 5000rpm). And the Mazda Miata is by far the best manual transmission ever.

Heel and toe shifting is very tough and requires a balanced action...easier said than done.

It'll simply take time to adjust...give it a couple more weeks. I let a buddy of mine drive the Viggen and he stalled the car four times in a row because the the accelerator is set lower than he was used to...every car is different!

Good luck!
Paul H.
'00 Viggen 5dr

• Proper shifting in 9-3, bob, Mon, 14 May 2001 09:47:21
  • Re: Proper shifting in 9-3, Ari , Tue, 15 May 2001 19:57:40
  • Re: Proper shifting in 9-3, Kirk, Mon, 14 May 2001 22:29:45
  • Re: Proper shifting in 9-3, J.H., Mon, 14 May 2001 21:49:23
  • Re: Proper shifting in 9-3, Han, Mon, 14 May 2001 17:48:41
  • Re: Proper shifting in 9-3, Paul H, Mon, 14 May 2001 16:53:26 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Re: Proper shifting in 9-3, jp, Mon, 14 May 2001 15:18:35
  • Heel and Toe, Roger (NAWC), Mon, 14 May 2001 14:41:01
    • Devo, not Talking Heads...n/m, LDH, Mon, 14 May 2001 17:21:40
  • Shift, Coolknight, Mon, 14 May 2001 12:20:53

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