I think the major points have already been hit...but I can't resist putting my 2 cents on this.

No offense intended here but my dad is an old school mech. engineer and I think we have a generational thing going. When my pop thinks of a 4 cylinder, he thinks of the decrepit 4 banger that GM was putting into its Cavaliers in the late 80's. That thing had 2.2 litres and only produced 95 ponies. A crappy cam and poorly balanced (ie. low grade) crank made then engine buzz like crazy at 4k rpms AND shake at an idle. The car sounded like it had dueling weed-eaters under the hood.

To get down an interstate entrance ramp, you had to floor it and you'd think the thing was going to fall apart. Using this as an example, I can see why your dad (and mine) might think that a 4 cyl. was a bad thing. Conversely, the GM 350 Vortec was one of the toughest, most capable motors on the market. Our family van got 155k miles before we sold it and it was going strong.

Fast forward to our Saab example. The 2 litre Saab motor has 4 valves per cylinder. Twin cams are balanced for high rpms. The Saab has a lighter crank and lighter pistons to create less inertial force. The throttle body is designed for a higher air flow and the turbo's effect is nothing short of remarkable.

To haul a bed, I swapped my 9-3SE with my dad and took his Volvo V70. He was sold on the Saab and even joked about keeping my car permanently.

Last point... GM and Ford are now just learning to do what Saab has known how to do for years....build a long-lasting small motor. There is a section on this bulletin board where people list the mileage on their Saabs. I promise you that you won't find an Oldsmobile with V8 that has the same mileage as the Saab in 100th place. Saabs aren't without their problems as they get old but I assure you, the motor is not going to be your complaint.




posted by 199.196.1...

• myth or reality 4 cyl's work harder, anthonmy g, Thu, 24 Jan 2002 22:31:57
  • Reality, JWH, Fri, 25 Jan 2002 10:37:30
  • head gaskets, Dean, Fri, 25 Jan 2002 10:27:35
  • Re: myth or reality 4 cyl's work harder, Bill D, Fri, 25 Jan 2002 10:15:24
  • Re: myth or reality 4 cyl's work harder, amtsst, Fri, 25 Jan 2002 09:40:28 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Re: myth or reality 4 cyl's work harder, EJ, Fri, 25 Jan 2002 09:17:31
  • Re: myth or reality 4 cyl's work harder, Jeff, Fri, 25 Jan 2002 09:06:08
  • Great question (which may lead to much debate), Schu, Fri, 25 Jan 2002 07:29:40
    • Re: Great question (which may lead to much debate), Will, Fri, 25 Jan 2002 08:29:31

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