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Re: Turbo or Non-Turbo - what to buy Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Thu, 19 Oct 2000 13:16:21
In Reply to: Turbo or Non-Turbo - what to buy, Marv Kau, Wed, 18 Oct 2000 15:05:18 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
I have owned both, and presently own both a turbo and non-turbo 9000. I can say without reservation that I prefer the turbo hands down.
First, I disagree about the extra maintenance and fuel costs for the turbo. Yes, a turbo engine has more parts, and therefore more things to go wrong, but in my 3 turbo cars with a total of almost 500K miles, I've never had to replace a turbocharger. The only component I've ever replaced is a $50 hooter valve. Of all the things to go wrong on a Saab, I've never given the turbo a second thought. In general, the turbo cars get BETTER fuel mileage than the non-turbos. Yes, if you nail the daylights out of it, the turbo will use more gas. But with the extra power, you use less throttle on the turbo cars, and a turbo engine is more efficient than a normally-aspirated. I get better highway mileage on the turbo cars.
For everyday practicality, a turbo is great. I love my non-turbo 9000, but the turbo consistently gives me more smiles per mile. Yes, you can save a few $$ up front, but in my experience it just doesn't pay off down the road (pun intended). A non-turbo 9000 can be, well, a bit slow. So, when you hit that on-ramp and have to slow down to merge, instead of accelerate, or need to drop a gear going up a hill with a full load, are you going to think to yourself "Hey, I saved all that money!"? I doubt it. But every time you feel that power build, and keep building, you'll be glad you spent the extra buck. I enjoy my turbo car every day, even just going to the store for milk. No, not in tire-smoking burn outs, just in the extra power the turbo provides. I also consider the ability of a car to get out of the 'line of fire' as a safety feature - that extra oomph may be the difference between getting out of the way of that goat-roper in a SUV, or not.
In the used market, a turbo car isn't that much more money. Frankly, I believe the extra $$ mostly is in the extra amenities that are standard on most turbos.
, Thu, 19 Oct 2000 13:16:21 <-- Viewing This Message
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