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I bought my 2000 Viggen from a guy who is 'known and credible' in Saab circles after he put in a new motor, new turbo, new brakes, etc. John Whyland - Saab Saviour - KY. He was perhaps, the single most obnoxious, unhelpful prima donna I've ever dealt with and I say that after a career in NYC of managing rock bands. It was delivered 2 months later than promised which cost me $2.5K in rentals. About 12 hours after purchase, it left me stranded the 2nd time I cranked it (serpentine belt shredded by a pulley). He did fix that (charged me parts), but the check engine light was still on which he said would go out 'after the cycle.' Nope. Next day, headlight failure, front end noise...when I called him, he asked,"What do you want me to do fix every little thing for the rest of my life?" Uh, no, but it would be nice to be able to drive the car you sold without being stranded. It would be nice to have the check engine light off so I could pass inspection and register the car. I never spoke to him again nor will I. I will also check and double check before trusting recommendations instead of just trusting what's posted here.
Several of you were enormously helpful when I was frantically posting this past July. I thank you again. I was stuck in Louisville, KY after paying $8500 for a car that wasn't driveable. I have done everything I can to put her back into good shape. So far, I've spent $2K more. So now: >1000 miles on engine, turbo, brakes, tires plus new DIC, strut mounts, sway bar mounts, water pump, serpentine belt, alternator, etc. and she's in pretty good shape.
Now...I'm realizing everything about this purchase was me being emotionally invested in re-creating my OG 900S (God I loved driving that car!) and allowing that to supercede my better judgement. Between NYC and living out of the US, I had not owned a car since 2002. I'm no mechanic and learn what I need to know out of desperation, not desire. To drive home that point, it was a big deal for me to install my own DI Cassette. I think most Saabs these days are better off owned by someone who has at least basic skills. The good Saab mechanics out there are too few and far between which can certainly make it a real PIA if you need something as the good ones stay booked which means waiting, waiting, waiting. Ordering parts and waiting, waiting, waiting.
Fortunately for me, Leo of Nordic Motor Werks is in Louisville (where I was stuck at the time). He has worked exclusively on Saabs for over 30 years. He is amazing!!! You just have to meet Leo to know you can trust him. At first, he didn't think I might need a new DIC and did everything to save me money. I picked the car up and the check engine light came back on. Naturally, it was on a Friday, so Leo lent me one indefinitely to make it home. I ordered and received a new one in 3 days from Eeuroparts. That did solve the problem.
I Love/Hate this car. Wish I had never bought it. Kinda like flying on the Concorde...perish the thought of going back to regular flights.
I love the torque and handling on curves. She is as manueverable as my OG 900S...yay!!. I live up a mountain. The feel of this car on curves is perfect, solid, safe. The turbo is amazing. As Leo said, the turbo tested "damn near perfect." After the various rentals, it is a great feeling to have complete confidence in what she can do when pulling out in traffic, going up a steep grade in any gear, passing on 2 lane roads, etc. Not only is it a lot of fun, but it's a lot of peace of mind.
I love the driver's seat, the smooth shifting, the good viz all around, the sun roof, the SID info, the perfect head rest, the large cargo capacity with the seats down, etc.
But...I already got too close to a curb and pulled the bumper cover slightly off meriting a trip to the body shop to put back together properly. Ok, learned my lesson. I was really not prepared for how ridiculously low this car sits nor did I think in advance how contradictory to my lifestyle that is. I used my OG900S like some might use an SUV...not that I went off road, but I certainly did load her up at auctions and yes, I have put 2 rocking chairs in the back of my Viggen, but it just doesn't feel right to do. In short, the Viggen is far too precious for me I think.
I hate feeling every bump on the highway. I hate the limitations of how low she rides. I would put non-performance tires on her if I could figure out exactly what would work (Any ideas?). At least living in Latin America and driving there did make me somewhat of a pro at avoiding bumps and pot holes, good prep for a Viggen. I hate that I can either have AC at my feet or my face, but not a combination of both (though I do love how well the AC works, much better than some new rentals I had).
Yes, I did research before I bought the car, but nobody ever really said why they didn't like a Viggen, people only say why they do. I hate that Viggens can only use a certain types of fluids, must be treated like a princess and, in short, are not in the least bit practical cars. I guess I thought I was getting the practicality of my OG 900S and the speed and handling of a Viggen. Wrong...nothing practical about a Viggen.
I recently drove a 9-2X and if it didn't have 117K miles, I think I would have bought it and then tried to sell my Viggen. I know it's not a Saab, but it is probably more suited to what I need than this gorgeous performance vehicle I mistakenly purchased. I just bought a house that needs work, so now, I can't afford another car. Maybe I'll buy an old truck and keep the Viggen. Live and learn. Putting this up for anyone else like me who might be reading these forums to figure out why they might not want a Viggen. Not all of us are the mechanical types most of you on here are.
posted by 184.174.17...
, Sun, 18 Sep 2011 11:27:55
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