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1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
My family has owned three Saabs, a 1984 900, a 1988 9000T (still in operation), and a 1993 9000 CDE, still in operation. This is just to give you a little background on myself, and to show that I am not a troll.
However, my question is simple. Why does Saab seem to make performance cars that are very expensive, but not comparable to the competition. Here, in Canada, both the Viggen and the 9-5 Aero are expensive cars. It seems odd, thought, that these cars are expensive specifically because of their increased performance compared to other Saabs. But, I do find it interesting that despite this performance increase and subsequent price increase, on paper, it would seem that Saab doesn't really compete against the competition.
I know there is a consensus that 0-60 times and 1/4 mile times aren't that important. But, to many people, they are one of the ultimate benchmarks of automobile performance.
Thus, like many people have already started to say, I find it odd that the new 9-3, on paper, is only 210 hp with a 0-60 time of 7.5 seconds? That is ridiculous. The Nissan Altima with the 3.5 V6 for half the cost of the Viggen or Aero has a faster 0-60 time.
I will be the first to admit that until you drive a car, opinions mean very little. But it is odd that BMW, and Mercedes put out enhanced versions of their cars which are superior to what Saab does, with that specific intention in mind. I am not saying that a 5 series is better than a 9-5 or a 3 series is better than a 9-3...such comparisions are subjective. yet, when considering the Aero, or the Viggen, it would seem that they pail in comparision to the like of the the M3 and the M5 or the AMG line of cars.
However, to be honest, I am all Saab, and I say this in the hopes that Saab would finally make a car that truely competes with the like of BMW and Audi in terms of performance.
What does Saab have against V6's? You can always throw in a turbo there too...nothing stopping it. I do find it odd to pay $60,000 Canadian for a 4 cylinder car, no matter what the performance capabilites may be.
With the advent of the new Epsilon format, I can sense positive things in the future for Saab. They are getting the design issues down pat....but really, what about a 300HP engine... 5 second 0-60 times...I know these are all things that Saab are capable of doing.....what is preventing them from doing it. You may say cost, etc..etc....or numbers to purchase...but the Viggen falls into that category, so we know Saab would be willing to do it.
posted by 65.48.8...
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