OT: Opinions on 9-3 Viggen?

[Stuttgart951]

I apologize for this being off topic - but the "Non-Porsche Discussion" board doesnt seem to get much traffic.

A buddy of mine has been looking into getting a "fun" daily driver. To date, hes test driven Audi S4's, A4's, BMW E36 M3's, and E46 330ci's. Recently he's taken out a 99 Saab 9-3 Viggen - and much to my surprise, has stated that its the best of the bunch.

I must admit that the car looks really good to my eye, the exterior looks purposeful and the interior seems very well put together.

My father had a standard 9-3 for awhile, and it was ok - a fine grocery getter - uninspired, and with gobs of tourqe steer and body roll, but it felt good.

Apparently the Viggen model is supposed to up the power level with a 2.3L 4 cyl at 20 PSI (!!!!), bigger brakes, wheels, and stiffer suspension. I dont know much about the car itself (only 400 built in 1999) but Im interested in learning more about it, given his reaction to the car.

Does anyone here have any experience with Viggen's? Any pro's/con's (besides being FWD). Any good websites you might point me in the direction of?

Thanks.

Oh and... um... my 911 (and its owner) is getting ready for its first valve adjustment... there - on topic.

[magilla]

I had a ride in one. It really screams!!!! That's about all I can say about it, not having driven it.

[beepbeep]

Hehe....in 8 hours me and Mattias are of to pick up one of those engines to be installed in his lightened SC!! :-)

Viggen is dynamically flawed car with big luggage space and gobs of character.

It's seriously quick in the straight line on typical highway and has best turbocharged fourbanger in bussines. But if you like nice-handling car you'll be dissapointed. Its FWD and high-output motor don't mix...lot's of plough and understeer. Good MPG, expensive parts...new 9-3 is much better balanced but also heavier/slower.

[Lucky]

Viggens are fun and very practical -- they can carry 5 people or swallow gobs of cargo through the rear hatch.

Only negatives I've heard are 1) torque steer, 2) the 17" wheels are fragile, and 3) crappy resale value. In other aspects (design, interior quality, etc.) they are pretty good cars. Either a good PPI or extended warranty might be a good idea, however, as no high-pressure turbo engine is truly bulletproof.

There is a front suspension upgrade, called the "Viggen Rescue Kit" (VRK), that reduces torque steer by replacing soft bushings with stiff ones -- your friend should check to see if that has been installed on the samples he's considering. Can't do much about the wheels other than replace them with 16 inch-ers. As far as resale goes, the biggest hit is in the first 3 to 4 years, so your friend will be doing OK buying a good used one.

I'm considering getting a Saab as a DD, but I'll probably get a new 9-3 SS Vector or Arc later this year (when Saab has no choice but to discount them).

Best BB (for Saabs) I've found so far is The Saab Network.

[NYSCAR]

Depends on what you want it for, but a FWD car will never be as fun or as good of a track car as a RWD or AWD car (i've seen some modified crx's TEAR UP an AUTOX course though ). I read somewhere that the Viggen's computer actually limits the boost (and thus torque) in the first couple of gears because torque steer was so bad.

[Dantilla]

I drove a Saab once. Hope I never have to again.

[OVRSTR]

The torque steer blows. If money is not an issue...M3 hands down.

Hmmm the 900 models had so many problems. This 9-3 is just a facelifted 900 model. So the question is: Did the facelift solve all the quality problems?

I'd say the M3 & S4 are both too expensive (insurance+running costs). I'd go for an E46 330i. Very fast, lovely inline 6 cylinder, rear wheel drive and quite sporty. Also I haven't heard of any quality problems with this model.

[clnilsen]

Mikkel:

I have driven the Viggen, and am in the process of dumping a 2000 9-3 SE.

My reccommendation is to run far away from it. I have had severe problems with the body structure of my car, as well as other more minor issues. The front firewall of my car is swiss cheese from rust, (this is a 3 year old car mind you..) and I have had issues with the brake master cylinder.

It's tempting, but not worth the trouble. You can get other nice cars for about the same price.

my .02$ as always..

Chuck

[atlporsche]

Read my lips, torque steer.

rear wheel drive would solve that.

IMO, it's just another thing that GM f'd up....

sjd
hoping they keep their mitts off subaru.

[racea911]

I'm not sure in what way your friend could have liked the Saab more than an S4 or an e36 M3. It's not as fast as either one. The e36 M3 handles like a go kart straight out of the box and has excellent steering feel. The S4 is fast, very torquey and handles fairly well stock. The S4 is substantially heavier than an e36 M3 and feels that way.

The Saab? 230 hp in a FWD car is not my idea of fun. Torque steer and plowing in corners is something I absolutely hate. I'm kind of amazed that your friend could have "liked" the Saab more than either the Audi or the M3. Hey some people "like" to wear burlap underwear too.

While the Saab Viggen is a pretty cool car, it is not in the same league as some of the other cars you mentioned. The coolest thing about the Saab is that it is a much less common choice and is kind of hip in its quirkiness.

[jhugh]

I like my Saab 900 SE turbo, but mainly because at $10K it was a good value. It's a grocery getter that also has the hp to pass well. I hate the FWD, but mostly I just don't put myself in situations where I notice it.

A friend of mine has a Viggen. It's a very similar car but with more hp. Can't imagine why he got it instead of an M3, except for the cult factor that Saabs have. Also, some people refuse to buy BMWs because of the yuppie stigma.

[ZAMIRZ]

My favorite FWD car, 'nuf said =)

[old_skul]

It's my favorite GM car!

[Wavey]

Go to www.saabnet.com - you'll find plenty of opinions!

Our "other cars" have been Saabs since 1984 - 4 new ones and 5 used ones. My kids drive them. I love everything about them. Never driven a Viggen though.