1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
You won't find many good reviews of the Viggen, most give credit where credit is due - the amazing power, the brakes, the seats, the looks, etc, but these are usually offset by complaints about too much power for the elderly chassis design and the ensuing torque steer that occurs, as well as a less-than-perfect manual shifter. Usually this is done in context with being compared to the much more expensive BMW's known for excellent suspensions. While I can't really argue with those comments, it really comes down to how you drive the car. If you drive it like a street racer, you'll have to deal with the consequences of the torque steer and outdated chassis. The 5-speed shifter issues are throughout the 9-3 line, if not also the 9-5 (not sure about that). Hopefully the '03 will fix that.
I have a 5-door '01 Viggen. I paid $33K with 0% financing for 36 months, so I consider having gotten the car for less than $33K by whatever it cost GM-SAAB to give me the financing for 3 yrs. My opinions are that it's a great daily driver, with the 2.3L engine adding more baseline power when running ACC during hot weather, but not unruly - except when your foot asks it to be! :^) 3rd gear, wide-open throttle is almost orgasmic, and only for wide open stretches of road as it's like being shot out of a cannon. I don't usually notice the torque steer after 2nd gear.
The best advice I have is to take a test drive. When you do, concentrate on finding some traffic that's similiar to what you drive on your daily commute - that should give you an idea of it's daily drivability. Also find some rough surfaces so you can feel the harshness of the extra stiff suspension at it's worst. Hang on tight and punch the accelerator from a dead stop and when going through a slow turn so you can feel the torque steer that can occur when the car is not driven smoothly. Finally try to drive the car on a relatively empty stretch of interstate where you can really wind it up from 30-90MPH so you can feel how much power is there when you want it.
I think it's a fantastic car, especially if at the right price, but comparing it to the 9-5 wagon can only be done through experiencing them both.
John
Atlanta
'01 Viggen
posted by 66.156.111...
, Sat, 22 Jun 2002 20:57:54
, Sat, 22 Jun 2002 16:09:52
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