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Main Area => Odds n Ends => Topic started by: VTNewb on September 06, 2005, 09:17:20 AM

Title: Winter Car Hijinks. Help!
Post by: VTNewb on September 06, 2005, 09:17:20 AM
So I've decided I need to blow my new bike cash on a winter car because my 14mpg Chevy 1500 is too much for my wallet. So pending sale of truck I have a good friend whose father owns an Audi Saab BMW dealership. He has a 99 fire truck red Saab 93 turbo for 80k on the clock that he'll sell me for 4 and a half grand. Serviced all its life a this dealership. Thing is, I know next to nothing about Saabs. Anyone got the dirt on the 93?

Looks like it could be a fun autocross beater as well. Too bad about the FWD, but hey I need it for winter,
Title: Winter Car Hijinks. Help!
Post by: Roadstergal on September 06, 2005, 09:31:03 AM
My brother had an early 90s Saab.  His was fairly reliable, but they are all intensely FWD understeering pigs that give little joy to the driver.
You don't need FWD for the winter.  You need snow tires for the winter.

RWD, open differential, light cars, both of 'em.  I went places where SUVs on all-seasons had spun out.

(http://www.roadstergal.info/images/e30snow.jpg)

(http://www.roadstergal.info/images/miatasnow.jpg)
Title: Winter Car Hijinks. Help!
Post by: VTNewb on September 06, 2005, 09:32:14 AM
Trust me when I say no RWD car can make it up my hill reliably.
Title: Winter Car Hijinks. Help!
Post by: Roadstergal on September 06, 2005, 09:34:28 AM
Quote from: VTNewbTrust me when I say no RWD car can make it up my hill reliably.
I had a steep two-story driveway that was covered in ice during the winter.  I tried to take a pic of my E30 on that hill one night, but I couldn't stand on it when it was iced over. :)
Title: Winter Car Hijinks. Help!
Post by: Jake D on September 06, 2005, 09:36:55 AM
I drove a Saab turbo (older) and it was fun.  Packs a punch.  I didn't notice any understeer (a trait very recognizable to me from flogging my Scion).  I like that car.  

$4.5 K for a 9.3?  Dude, I'd buy that in a second.
Title: Winter Car Hijinks. Help!
Post by: VTNewb on September 06, 2005, 09:40:56 AM
RWD is not a winter possiblity here.  I'm not to worried about driving pleasure since my other car handles that quite nicely.  8)
Title: Winter Car Hijinks. Help!
Post by: RVertigo on September 06, 2005, 11:53:57 AM
Quote from: RoadstergalI went places where SUVs on all-seasons had spun out.
That's either 'cause they were 2WD (or in 2WD) or they were crappy drivers...

I had a '79 4WD Wagoneer...  You couldn't spin that thing if you tried (and I did try a few times).  My 4WD Exploder can spin, but I know how to drive... So I don't spin it unless I'm being an idiot.  I've been passed by other SUVs only to pass them when they slide into a ditch.  Silly bastards.
Title: Winter Car Hijinks. Help!
Post by: oppy00 on September 06, 2005, 08:07:59 PM
Saabs are nice, but I'm always wary of Turbos.  If something goes wrong with the turbo you might as well scrap it and buy another car, cause it'll cost you out the butt to fix.  If I'm not mistaken Saabs are swedish like volvos, so it will probably cope very well with the winter.  Of course here in south GA we don't have winter, we have the not so hot season. :lol:   It seems like a really good deal, so unless the dealership is gonna royally screw you on the trade for the truck, just trade and go.  Sometimes time and hassle are worth a lot of money.
Title: Winter Car Hijinks. Help!
Post by: aaronstj on September 06, 2005, 11:43:06 PM
Quote from: Roadstergal
Where is this?  I should be able to tell, but I can't.
Title: Winter Car Hijinks. Help!
Post by: davipu on September 07, 2005, 07:45:01 AM
it's at the lodge at sprit lake.  dumbass even I know that.
Title: Winter Car Hijinks. Help!
Post by: aaronstj on September 07, 2005, 11:15:49 AM
If you say so.  I thought it might be a nearby ski area.
Title: Winter Car Hijinks. Help!
Post by: Church6360 on September 07, 2005, 02:28:35 PM
I had an 87 9000 turbo, 5spd. not bad at all in the winter. just don't try to mess with it, don't shim the wastegate (I didn't, but it's still a poor idea, boost taper), enjoy it for what it is.

these guys, they rock. http://www.group9performance.com/

and pray you don't need to replace the heater core or blower motor for the climate control. (it sucks, been there)

another good resource.

http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/index.php

good saab forum, helped me out when I got lost.