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Near as I can tell from a mechanical standpoint on the TurboX: They did a ecu tune for more power. They put in an advanced traction control that the '08 awd Aero won't get until '09 models. They put in oversized brake rotors, but didn't do anything else like calipers (they're still cheap floaters). I'm sure I'm missing something like suspension bits, but not much else that effects the ride.
The Viggen on the other hand got a whole new engine; I thought I remember hearing once that it's actually a bored/understroked 1.8 with reinforced block. Heavier clutch, bigger intercoolers, slotted brakes (with cheap floater calipers, but at least they uprated the hydrolics), suspension bits unique to Viggen, and I think gearing specific to the model. The '99 Viggen faq on this site has a cool little chart with the differences between it and the base 9-3.
Don't get me wrong, the new 9-3's I think are beautiful cars and seem compenent enough. I just think they could of easily taken the TurboX concept farther. I find it hard to believe our little 4 bangers can put out better numbers than the six with some tuning. AWD should of opened up higher hp than was possible with fwd since steering has issues with high hp applied to the steering wheels. Eventually though, I was looking for "more" of a enthusiast car and higher end materials and components than Saab could offer.
I also looked at a ton of cars:
Mitsub Lancer Evolution; cheap interior
Caddy CTS (really wanted the CTS-V, but they aren't out). Nice cars, but the exterior aesthetics weren't doing it for me.
Used Audi A8. Luxo-barge, but they depreciated fast and everything in it is top notch. I just wanted something sporty.
Mercedes C Class: just to small to fit my 3 kids in the back.
BMW 5 Series: the new turbo 6 is quite peppy, but it was also more of a highway cruiser than sporty like the A8.
BMW 3 Series with a full Dinan package. Very tempting since it's performance rivals the M3, but the full cost with the Dinan put it into M3 pricing. So I'm figuring that the M3 will hold it's value much better than a souped up 3-series and I'll just have to live with the stereotypes associated with BMW.
The final push was that allotments are short on the M3. If I ordered one, it'd be October before I'd get it. The one I ended up with was a pre-order that the guy backed out of. More options than I wanted (it has every option), but I just couldn't wipe the stupid grin off my face driving it and had to get it.. the only "practical" reason I latched onto was that it'd seats five (which is becoming rare anymore).
btw; really wanted a wagon. I have a family of 5 and a Mastiff. Supprisingly, I can actually get everyone in the Saab (tight, but doable if I took out the shelf under the hatch). New wagons can't fit my dog because for some odd reason, the bottom deck isn't as deep as the 9-3 hatch, so the dog would be hit his head on the headliner in every single wagon out there... and I refuse to get an SUV. So, the dog gets kicked out of the car :P
posted by 165.236....
, Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:27:36
, Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:07:11
, Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:13:39
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