Date: 05 Aug 2001 23:34:30 GMT From: fernando <adriftOUTnopsamessblue.com> Subject: Re: Should I go Viggen?
In article <B792E6F9.C949%mgescuronopsam.com>, Marc Escuro <mgescuronopsam.com> wrote: <>On 8/3/01 11:09 PM, in article <>dgadd-C265F7.23085203082001nopsam.mindspring.com, "David Gadd" <><dgaddnopsam.com> wrote: <> <>> The Viggen has my vote for the sexiest Saab *ever* (except maybe the <>> original prototype 92!). I'm planning to test drive one soon, AS SOON <>> AS I CAN FIND ONE! <>> I've been to three dealerships in Los Angeles and NOBODY HAS ONE... (OK, <>> I did see one convertible on a lot in Santa Monica, but I want the <>> three-door.) <> <> Drive up to the Bay Area. Both dealerships in the area have 2-3 Viggens <>each. I was under the impression that they were only 5 door and convertibles available... may be not. I was told by a dealer that the hatchback was on the way out for 2002... 9-3 cars and wagons, like the 9-5. When I got mine (Dec00), there were only two available...both black and 5-door. I like having the extra 2 doors, as the 3-door model was a bit of a pain for people getting into the rear seat. <> <>> I know only 400 of the sexy beasts are supposed to be shipped stateside, <>> but you'd think a significant number of those would wind up in America's <>> No. 1 city for cars... (Sigh.) I've never even seen on on the road here <>> in LA, that I recall. <> <> There's a Viggen in the company parking lot. I walk by it everyday. I <>haven't figured out who owns that beast yet tho. It stands out, parked next <>to the Porsche's and BMW's.... Especially since it's in that Lightning Blue. Lots of them make it here (SF Bay Area), but the dealer also said that convertibles are extremely hard to get... and sure enough I see the least of them on the road... may be they mostly went to LA. <> <>> Would appreciate any feedback about the notorious torque steer problem. <>> Could it really require any firmer grip on the steering wheel than my <>> aging 1981 BMW 320i, which has no power steering, exhibits (in spades) <>> the 320's infamous 50 mph "shimmy," and is suffering from a worn tie rod <>> to boot? I doubt it. :) <> <> IT is very bad, but definitely controllable, IMHO. 2 of my friends were <>really put off by it though. I have encountered it... it is not as bad as the 900SE from '95, and that one had a lot less power... the TCS in the Viggen did solve the problem I had with uneven payment and one wheel slipping. In terms of torque steer... you really have to floor it... but if you do it in dry pavement, and have a decent amount of force on the steering wheel, it is very controllable... it seldomly happens to me, and it does not show up when trying to pass other cars, or speeding up to get to 65 on a freeway ramp. Nice. <> <>> BTW, BMW enthusisasts (of which I consider myself one): don't even <>> bother to quote the 0-60 figures. So what if the BMWW M3 has a 2 second <>> edge. Sheeesh! We aren't talking particle physics here. AND, the Viggen <>> has a hatch! <> <> I think you'd have a harder time trying to find an M3. But, since the <>2002 9-5 Aero's engine has another 20 HP... I wonder if the Viggen's engine <>will have that same increase. I'm sure the Viggen would be even more <>beastly with another 20HP. I think that it is pretty beastly for the car right now! It is not a slouch on the 9-5 Aero either (which I test drove at the same time). Yeah, the M3 will be harder to get, pay a premium for it, but it will depreciate a lot less with time. The only complain that I have is this ocassional "blocking" when shifting to 4th gear... it bounces me back to Neutral and I have to force it a bit to get to 4th gear... "it operates as designed" is the comment from the service place. cheers! -fernando
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