GTP Cool Wall: SAAB 9-3 Viggen

[Nicksfix]

Never really cared for the Saab line of cars. There is just nothing really appealing about them to me. Around here, the only people who you see drive them are the yuppie Dad's who are wearing their square cut Gucci glasses and have the Detroit Lean working while driving. If it's not the yuppie Dads, then it's the yuppie soccer mom who's Lexus SUV just happens to be in the shop.

Seriously uncool car.

 

[SVT Cobra GT]

Doesn't look offensive and it's a decent car to use and be seen in. But doesn't turn heads for me. Meh.

 

[TheCracker]

Vauxhall Cavalier in a party frock. Uncool.

 

[Dennisch]

Agreed, a 220+ hp car is not going to outrun a 320+ hp car.

With a few simple mods...

 

[daan]

+1

 

[Pupik]

Cool, not quite special enough to be sub zero, but you people give sub zero to anything these days.

On the other hand, there does seem to be a reflexive, anti-hivemind mentality, where nothing is allowed to be cool unless a deceased auto titan vouches for it from beyond his crypt. Ah, the polarizing auto battles between the fanboys, the enthusiasts, the accountants, and the hopelessly negative.

Wasn't this car plagued with some terrible torque steer, from what I recall? In an era of many vehicles with over 200 horses at the front wheels, is torque steer still a big deal any more? (I still get it from time to time, just part of the car's personality.)

And I think this was one of the last pre-GM Saabs.

 

[TheCracker]

Sophisticated front diffs and electronics have almost made it a thing of the past.

 

[Cano]

Saabs are cool.

 

[Joey D]

Wasn't this car plagued with some terrible torque steer, from what I recall? In an era of many vehicles with over 200 horses at the front wheels, is torque steer still a big deal any more? (I still get it from time to time, just part of the car's personality.)

I've never driven the Viggen, everything I've read on it suggested that it had insane amounts of torque steer. Even the standard 9-3 had a torque steer issue.

As for modern cars, it really depends on what car you get. The Focus ST is still awful with its torque steer, even with all it's electronic witchcraft.

 

[Dennisch]

I've driven a convertible one, and torque steer does happen quite a bit.

As long as you hold the steering wheel tight, it is not that much of an issue. But it is still 200+ hp on an older style diff, don't floor it when steering with your knees.

 

[LP670-4 SV]

I've never driven the Viggen, everything I've read on it suggested that it had insane amounts of torque steer. Even the standard 9-3 had a torque steer issue.

As for modern cars, it really depends on what car you get. The Focus ST is still awful with its torque steer, even with all it's electronic witchcraft.

I own a pre 00' black 4 door Viggen lol. The 99-00' had zero TC, so it has tried to punt me or my dad into a tree or guard rail every know and then (accompanied with a good deal of wheel smoke) if we just smash on the loud pedal in any gear above 2nd

Quick fact... Saab really underrated the hp/tq on the Viggen (think the SRT-4). On a cool day the routinely put down ~220whp & 280ft-tq.

 

[Kent]

Obviously people don't know much about this car if...
1) You consider it an average car.
2) You consider it a competitor to the Focus.
3) You consider the Viggen to have been a "good" car.

Torque steer beyond beliefs.
Cool in concept by for the price range and the target market it was a stretch to consider the Viggen a contender.

I'd say cool is a fitting rank.

Btw, leaving this here...
Only managed to beat the Lincoln LS.
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/saab-9-3-viggen-page-3
Not even sure it should have beat the LS but that could have been a V6 LS for all I know.

 

[BKGlover]

I did say in theory, but no I don't know anything about it.

 

[Joey D]

If it was around today, the 9-3 Viggen could easily be a competitor to the Focus ST since they are both FWD, roughly similar in size, and have catastrophic torque steer.

 

[Zenith]

On the other hand, there does seem to be a reflexive, anti-hivemind mentality, where nothing is allowed to be cool unless a deceased auto titan vouches for it from beyond his crypt. Ah, the polarizing auto battles between the fanboys, the enthusiasts, the accountants, and the hopelessly negative.

I prefer to think that some of us have the understanding that fast cars are inherently uncool.

 

[GranTurismo916]

With a few simple mods...

I meant stock.

 

[Keef]

I think the Viggen is cool because it's very capable, sporty, good looking, and practical, but also quite a rare car that many people don't know about. It doesn't really look like anything special either. I can't say I've never noticed one on the roads but I'd still love to have it.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

Gave it cool despite of being GM era product.

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

Subzero, because there's nothing more epic than the ones I've heard of with an aftermarket diff and strong rear anti-roll bar. The steering issues can be fixed for track use, but can be left as "personality" for road use.


It's reminiscent, to me, of what Jeremy Clarkson said, whilst describing the AMG thingy that's yellow. "This is just an axe murderer, with headlights." I'm not a fan of AMG, but I am a huge fan of underrated Saab cars that are beyond mental when compared with "regular" cars.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

The "axe murderer with headlights" was the C63 AMG in the AMG v M v RS comparo they did in 2007. The yellow C63 Black he described as "Winnie the Pooh with road rage."

 

[Lotus Exige S]

Nah sorry but does nothing for me..if I was going to get a SAAB I would want an original 99 Turbo thanks

 

[Encyclopedia]

A common sight here in Sweden. Meh.

 

[daan]

Subzero, because there's nothing more epic than the ones I've heard of with an aftermarket diff and strong rear anti-roll bar. The steering issues can be fixed for track use, but can be left as "personality" for road use.

You do know that "coolness" has absolutely no bearing on how good or bad a car is, right?

 

[Joey D]

You do know that "coolness" has absolutely no bearing on how good or bad a car is, right?

Coolness can always be altered with a few simple mods.

 

[daan]

You mean a car with a refrigerated glovebox is always cooler than a car without?

 

[Joey D]

You mean a car with a refrigerated glovebox is always cooler than a car without?

Well, the stuff in the refrigerated glovebox is cooler at least.