Date: Sun, 6 May 2001 19:33:11 -0400 From: "Greg Alton" <gsaltonnopsamcom> Subject: Re: SAAB 9-3 versus BMW 3 series
> The engine in the classic is mounted "backwards" with the pulleys against the > firewall and the clutch right behind the radiator. This makes it easy, well easy > for some, to change the clutch and interesting to change the belts. Most other fwd > cars mount the engine transverse. Many Saab mechanics will say that the Classic > with its engine mounted longitudinally was better in the snow than the 9000 with its > transverse engine. My experience with the classic in the snow and ice for 16 years > has been great. It was perfectly controllable and I often was able to go up hills > past SUVs that were just spinning all four wheels. I could stop on the hill and ask > if they needed help, then start right up the hill from a dead stop. I hope the 9-3 > is capable of this, but I will have to wait for a test drive in the winter to > confirm this. > Having owned a classic 900 and a 9000, the 900 was definitely much better in the snow (it drove like it was meant to be in the snow) while the 9000 is just an average front wheel drive snow car - acceptable, but not fantastic.
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