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, Wed, 14 Nov 2001 18:50:50
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Having owned both classic (93 900S) and recently a NG 900 (95 900S), and 3 other Saabs, I will chime in.
The NG is definitely more of a "user friendly" car. Smooth, quiet, accurate, etc. However this comes at the cost of being more of a "run of the mill" car when it comes to uniqueness and appearance.
Just because the key is between the seats doesn't make it a Saab, right?
GM clearly had alot to do with the NG900 (GM owned 1/2 of Saab since 1991 and 100% in the last couple of years). This is not totally a bad thing, as they kept Saab from going under and helped cut costs while not TOTALLY undermining what Saab has stood for since the early 80's.
However, they did make some serious cost cutting changes like cable clutch (94-97), no Direct ignition on non-turbos, and differentiating turbo's and non-turbos alot...on the classics the non-turbo is just a turbo without the turbo. Not so anymore. Plus I feel like the newer ones are miles more reliable and free from multitudes of minute problems which plagued the older Saabs, not to say they are flawless, but better I think.
We'll see what the future holds with basing Saab's on Saturns(Opel) (the 9-5 is the LS Saturn platform) and the new 9-3 will be on the SL platform.
Classics are classics. They are tight and rock solid with heavy guage steel and stiff suspension. But they are clunky and a bit awkward to drive and have their finicky disposition. But this is the car that MADE Saab, and that's kind of nostalgic for someone like me who has owned 5 of them and spent 4 years of my life turning wrenches on Saabs full time back when I was younger.
But lets face it...automotive technology has come along way since 1993 (or since 1979 for that matter as the classic 900 was basically the same since '79-at least suspension, interior and body) and if you drive a newer Saab chances are you will like the improvements in design and technology. Plus even if you get a 1994 convert...as new as you can get in a classic...this is still an "old" car and you are looking at potentially more maintenance than a newer one. Its up to you to decide which you want.
Nick.
posted by 24.160.2...
, Wed, 14 Nov 2001 18:50:50
, Thu, 15 Nov 2001 10:07:04
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