The key to an easier to drive turbo car is to have a low pressure boost turbo. These kick in sooner but don't have the power of a high pressure boost turbo. Generally, the higher the boost, the longer the lag. I drove a new Volvo and when you first stepped on the gas it seemed like 3 seconds passed before the car moved, it had a high pressure boost turbo. This turbo lag might explain the popularity of V6s now - they don't have the lag and they don't have turbo maintenance issues plus they are capable of getting about the same gas mileage. The plus factor of turbo lag is it is easier to start from a stop on slippery conditions, since there is not as much low end torque as a V6. As for the Saabs, I prefer the NA engines because it is lower is power and easier to drive in the winter, besides costing less to buy and maintain. I have a 1990 900S for slippery road conditions and a rwd Volvo turbo wagon for dry road conditions and large loads - the 900 hatchback just does not hold as much as the old 245. However, the C900 will hold its own in cargo capacity to the new V70 Volvo wagons. The turbo lag will be less if you stay in the higher rpms, which is easier to do if you have a manual transmission. Just pick the gear that allows you to stay in the proper rpm range. Good lucking finding a 91-93 C900 with a NA engine. They can be hard to find these days in reasonable condition. Just for fun, I am going to look at a 1997 900 turbo hatchback with a manual. This most likely has the cable clutch and I know it has the high back which reduces visibility, but it will make it a fun afternoon. Lance Morgan wrote: > I've been looking for a c900 for the past few weeks, having briefly > had an 86 900T years ago. > > Drove an 3dr 85 900T 5 spd (US) today, bringing back mostly v. good > memories with one exception. > > The good: overall just think v. highly of the casual elegance & > uniqueness of the c900 - driving position, cockpit, A pillars, curved > windshield, solidity, carrying capacity, handling, ignition location, > rotary switches, body style (I'm a fan of the pre-87 rect. > headlights), and many more this group's members are so familiar with. > I feel instantly at home just sitting in the car. > > But I (again) felt a bit uncomfortable with the turbo - on/off boost - > specifically in trying to balance the car in a turn. > > One thing I wasn't doing properly, was consistently keeping the RPMs > up, among other factors > > Digging around a little has shown a trend, apparently not only with > Saab, of moving from larger turbines (like the pre-90/91 Garrett T03) > to the Mits Te05, the latter apparently used for both LPT and full > turbo apps. > > Anyway - folks are buying/have obviously bought NA c900s, but has it > been due to preferred throttle response over the turbo (and > undoubtably vice versa)? I realize it's mostly preference and > compromise: the turbo is stellar at 3rd gear overpassing, etc - the NA > clearly can't match it (nor in aftermarket cost-effective performance > increases) > > Experiences/suggested techniques with learning how to drive a T03 > (realizing this can be changed to another model), esp in turns? My > test drive was too brief, and not on a good route - does the turbo lag > nearly/completely disappear if the tach is kept up (and there's got to > be to it than that)? > > I confess to being swayed by the 'turbo allure' - what Saab has built > a big part of its heritage on. But I'm also going to try and track > down a 91-93 NA c900 Return to Main Index
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