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1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
"That generation has had many a reliablility issue."
Oh, boy, here we go.
I don't understand...you don't have a 9-3. You said it yourself. Besides the obvious question of why you're posting on this board, I'm wondering why you're making blanket statements about cars you don't know anything about.
The 9-3 is a wonderfully reliable car. Of course it is going to require some repairs, but so will any Saab, or any of its competitors. You yourself admitted that you have spent a lot on maintenance on your C900...doesn't that contradict your statement that the 9-3 is inferior to your C900?
On to the torque issue...first of all, the 9-3 does not pull to the side. It becomes a little squirrelly under hard acceleration. That's true to some extent of every front driver out there, including your 9-5. If your C900 didn't do it, it's because it didn't have enough power (yes, contrary to your statement, the 9-3 is more powerful than the C900). Yes, the Viggen got a lot of criticism for its torque steer...but that's what 258 lb-ft. of torque to the front wheels will do.
Now on to your disdain for platform sharing. No, Saab doesn't need anyone's help to design a good chassis. But it will cost them more to design their own. As you say, GM is allowing them to be a part of the Epsilon design team and use the Epsilon platform as a cost-saving measure. But after that is where you go wrong. GM is not doing this to make more money on Saab or to lower the cost of Saabs. GM is doing this to avoid having to raise the price of Saabs. Guess what? Saab has been losing money for a long time. Saab is sharing the Epsilon platform in an attempt to break even. I don't think trying to break even is greedy.
Guess who else is sharing platforms? Mercedes, Audi, Volvo, VW, Jaguar, Infiniti, Acura, Lexus...the only Saab competitor I can think of that isn't is BMW. And guess what? They are a bigger company, so they can share platforms within the company (BMW 1/3/4, 5/6). Oh, and by the way, BMWs are more expensive than Saabs.
You want a completely unique, Saab-designed car? You'll be paying twice as much as what the competition charges. Maybe you'd pay that much, but as much as I love Saab, I don't have that kind of money.
I agree that the C900 was a great car with a lot of character. I think the 9-5 is also a great car. I'm glad you enjoy them both. Just don't come in here and tell us our cars are "almost a joke." It hits a nerve.
Matt
'99 base
posted by 12.101.2...
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