Date: Sun, 02 Sep 2007 12:43:33 +0100 From: johannes <johsnospam-nospamme95754-fitter.com> Subject: Re: What killed this group?
Richard Sutherland-Smith wrote: > > > Adrian wrote: > >> > >> Al (alistairdorenospamo.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they > >> were saying : > >> > >>> Real Saabs died with the 9000, the last Saab with any true Saab > >>> bloodline. > >> > >> The Alfa 164/Fiat Croma/Lancia Thema, y'mean? <grin> > >> > >> I s'pose that had a hint of Saab heritage - after all, there was the Saab > >> 600/Lancia Delta... > > > The 9000 was a more integrated design than the 900, which was after all > > a cheap editing job on the 99. > > > As I have posted many times, the 9000 couldn't be more different > > from the Italian sisters; I have owned a Croma CHT (1150Kg) and now > > drive a solid 9000 CSE (1400 Kg). The cars have little in common > > apart from some basic dimensions. There is some usenet folklore going > > round that parts are interchangeable, but that is complete bollocks. > > Like doors and front suspension:-) Nope Sir. The doors might look the same shape from the outside, but the structure and locking mechanism of doors are very different. The Saab doors have much more substantial side protection and are a lot heavier. The Electric window/ door locking are also different and much more durable on the Saab 9000. Both these mechanisms still works perfectly on my 1993 9000, but packed up on the Croma after a few years. The sound of the door locking mechanism is also different, a sharp decisive clonk on the 9000, a more woolly sound on the Croma. I don't know about the front suspension, other than they both use a traditional McPherson for the transverse engine layout. Nothing wrong with the Croma front suspension anyway, it was quite a nimble car.