This post is intended for this entire thread, not just Joe_MTL. Joe, I found the first Linear w/auto that I ever drove to probably be just as fast off the line as my Viggen due to the fact that the vastly better chassis does a much better job of putting the power to the road.

Everyone, if you are expecting a car that will whip ass off the line then you're buying the wrong brand (well ok, the 9-2X might fix that, but it's not REALLY a SAAB, IMO). If you want that sort of car buy American muscle (sacrificing style/safety) or really break the bank for an M3 or S4.

I have a Viggen and while it's really fast, having FWD and very dated chassis it's still tricky to get a good launch and did not have stellar 0-60 times in various reviews given the engine specs. This is still by far the best car I've ever had, and it would be hard to believe that you could do much better for the discounted price I actually paid for it.

I've driven and Linear and an Arc and again, unless you're looking for top-tier performance these cars are fantastic for the money. I haven't driven a stick so I don't know if that improves the performance of the 9-3SS, but in both cases, particularly at the Arc trim, I was able to picture myself driving one someday even with the automatic.

0-60 looks great on paper, but if you're happy with seat-of-the-pants feel, why worry? Sure, we'd all like to see SAAB put out the long sought after "3 Series Killer" but it's not likely to happen unless they go AWD or RWD with a V6 and larger displacement, and then the enginse would probably not qualify to have "eco" anywhere in their names like they do now. The fact that I can have a car that's faster than the majority of 4-cylinder engines on the road AND get close to 30MPH on the interstate is one of the big attractions for me to SAAB's products.

Ok, stepping down off of my soapbox now.

John
Atlanta
'01 Viggen

posted by 65.83.202...

• 9-3SS performance. Here it comes >>>, Joe_MTL, Wed, 10 Dec 2003 20:46:07
  • Folks . . . be happy with your 9-3SS . . ., jc, Thu, 11 Dec 2003 16:51:38 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Re: I agree. nm, Joe_MTL, Fri, 12 Dec 2003 07:02:40
    • how do people get such good gas mileage?, Bob M, Thu, 11 Dec 2003 19:37:53
      • On a cool spring morning before the sun was hot . . ., jc, Fri, 12 Dec 2003 06:41:05
        • my problem might be 4th gear..., Bob M, Fri, 12 Dec 2003 10:26:46
        • Great Mileage in my 9-3SS, ajv, Fri, 12 Dec 2003 07:47:22
      • My Focus ZX3 gets 16mpg, dont complain...., PaulYVR, Thu, 11 Dec 2003 20:31:43
  • 9-3SS BPV, Niteman, Thu, 11 Dec 2003 14:35:24
  • Is the problem with 1st gear or 2nd?, Sieglo, Thu, 11 Dec 2003 13:49:10
  • Re: You are quite right, Bruiser, Thu, 11 Dec 2003 09:05:32
    • a better BOV might help. Dean??? What do you >>>, Joe_MTL, Thu, 11 Dec 2003 12:13:51
      • Re: a better BOV might help. Dean??? What do you >>>, Dean, Thu, 11 Dec 2003 15:34:30
    • WoW Bruiser agrees!!! :) Just having fun. nm, Joe_MTL, Thu, 11 Dec 2003 11:44:38
      • Re: Hey I may rant, but I am a SAAB fan too, Bruiser, Thu, 11 Dec 2003 13:17:40
  • 5 speed vs. 6 speed, Sieglo, Thu, 11 Dec 2003 07:29:37
    • Re: 5 speed is 55mph. I did not try the 6 speed, but, Joe_MTL, Thu, 11 Dec 2003 07:52:24
      • My 03 Linear tops out at 110km/h (68mph) in 2nd gear, JoeF, Fri, 12 Dec 2003 11:48:39
  • Re: 9-3SS performance. Here it comes >>>, Chad Earl, Thu, 11 Dec 2003 05:55:00
    • Re: Yeah, OK. Hehehe. Dream on. nm, Joe_MTL, Thu, 11 Dec 2003 07:27:25
    • Re: 9-3SS performance. Here it comes >>>, Erik Wahlin, Thu, 11 Dec 2003 07:10:31

No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.

• Prev by Date: Re: a better BOV might help. Dean??? What do you >>>, Dean, Thu, 11 Dec 2003 15:34:30
• Next by Date: how do people get such good gas mileage?, Bob M, Thu, 11 Dec 2003 19:37:53
• Main 9³ Bulletin Board

StateOfNine.com

SaabClub.com

Jak Stoll Performance

M Car Covers

Ad Available

The content on this site may not be republished without permission. Copyright © 1988-2024 - The Saab Network - saabnet.com.
For usage guidelines, see the Mission & Privacy Notice.
[Contact | Site Map | Saabnet.com on Facebook | Saabnet.com on Twitter | Shop Amazon via TSN | Site Donations]

Random Saabnet.com Member Gallery Photos (Click Image)