Author Topic: Saabaru (Read 1072 times)

funkedup · « **on:** April 16, 2003, 03:53:39 PM »

I've often wondered why Saab prices were so high. Seems like you don't get much for the money. I guess it must have something to do with the economics of the country where the cars are made. High taxes and a welfare state are job killers.

http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/saab16_20030416.htm

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2003, 04:24:16 PM »

Saabs are, IMO, some of the best bang for the buck cars out there, if you can live with FWD.

My father had a 9-3 SE (HOT) for awhile and it was a good little car. Very fast considering the class, roomy, and somewhere just below Audi and BMW in terms of quality of fitment.

Ive always had a thing for the 99-02 9-3 Viggens. Much like your WRX, there are marginally impressive in stock form, but with a few grand, they can be made very, very fast.

The 2.3L Turbo Viggen engine pumps out 230HP and 260 ft/lbs at 21 PSI. There is a large aftermarket base for the 9-3 in all forms and with about $3,000 you can turn a Viggen into a 350HP monster.

The 99's are going for between $15K-18K - for the performance it offers, there arent many cars I know of that are in the same league. (That and the cars are very, very rare. Saab only made 400 Viggens in 99)

funkedup · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2003, 04:25:49 PM »

Every time I look at Saabs at the car show, they are at least $10k more than a comparable Japanese car that is equal in terms of luxury and performance. The Germans can get away with that, because they have the reputation of quality, but for a Swedish FWD 4 banger it's ridiculous.

funkedup · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2003, 04:30:56 PM »

Those Viggens were close to $40k new and they aren't nearly as quick as a WRX or a bunch of other less expensive performance sedans in the <$30k range.
I think they are cool cars, but at that price the are a non-starter.

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2003, 04:33:11 PM »

I tend to agree... although the cars do have a reputation for being comparable to Germany's finest in terms of reliability. Its not uncommon to see Saab's with well over 200,000 miles on them.

Personally... I considering one of these as my next daily driver... 00-02 Audi S4.

Make a call to Autothority... waste a Saturday in the garage... and then...

booooooOOOOOOOSSSSTTTTT!!!!!

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2003, 04:34:45 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by funkedup
Those Viggens were close to $40k new and they aren't nearly as quick as a WRX or a bunch of other less expensive performance sedans in the <$30k range.
I think they are cool cars, but at that price the are a non-starter.

Well, with the torque being limited in 1st and 2nd gear on the Viggens, they are hardly drag racers - and you just cant argue with AWD for launching - but having driven both in stock and modified form - the Viggen owns the highway without question.

funkedup · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2003, 04:36:45 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Saurdaukar
I tend to agree... although the cars do have a reputation for being comparable to Germany's finest in terms of reliability. Its not uncommon to see Saab's with well over 200,000 miles on them.

Personally... I considering one of these as my next daily driver... 00-02 Audi S4.

Make a call to Autothority... waste a Saturday in the garage... and then...

booooooOOOOOOOSSSSTTTTT!!!!!

Why get a poor imitation when you could get a real WRX?

STi is coming out soon. Save your pennies. It will eat even modded S4's for breakfast.

]
I guess German cars are cool if you have too much money. I'll take WRX + House down payment over S4 + Living in cardboard box anyday.

funkedup · « **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2003, 04:41:55 PM »

Hell for the price of the new S4 I think you could have a WRX and an S2000.

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2003, 04:44:30 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by funkedup
Why get a poor imitation when you could get a real WRX?
STi is coming out soon. Save your pennies. It will eat even modded S4's for breakfast. ]
I guess German cars are cool if you have too much money. I'll take WRX + House down payment over S4 + Living in cardboard box anyday.

HAH!! Because I dont like plastic interiors!

Ill see if I cant find a link to a video I DLed last night... Stage II APR S4 vs. Evo VIII... the Evo kept up nicely, but in the end, the result was as expected. I dont expect the Sti to fair much better.

(The SII setup is about the most aggressive setup you can run on the stock blowers - somewhere around 370 HP and 400 ft/lbs IIRC)

As for downpayments on a house... silly Funked... thats what monthly payments and debt are for!! Isnt America GREAT! LOL

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2003, 04:45:25 PM »

Oh hell, Im not talking new - the 2000 S4's are in the $25,000 range. Whats a new STi run? Somewhere around $30K right?

funkedup · « **Reply #10 on:** April 16, 2003, 04:45:50 PM »

I've sat in plenty of Audis. Sure looked like plastic to me.
(they had leather seats and cheezy aluminum trim rings though whupdefrikkindoo)

funkedup · « **Reply #11 on:** April 16, 2003, 04:46:48 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Saurdaukar
Oh hell, Im not talking new - the 2000 S4's are in the $25,000 range. Whats a new STi run? Somewhere around $30K right?

Yeah that's about right.

senna · « **Reply #12 on:** April 16, 2003, 05:05:34 PM »

Audis are crap. I know someone whos parents died in an Audi from a minor collission. He took the insurance money and nows hes pimping in LA driving a Ferrari.

Funked, I always hear about your WRX. Advice, get a Shifter Kart and do some real racing.

funkedup · « **Reply #13 on:** April 16, 2003, 05:06:58 PM »

Hey it was krautboy who brought up the WRX.

Dowding · « **Reply #14 on:** April 16, 2003, 05:12:15 PM »

SAABs are superb cars. Extremely well built and reliable, like Volvo before Ford bought them out.

Not my cup of tea though.