Run away or enjoy quirky quasi-Swedish turbo goodness?
Mainly looking at 9-3 in 1999-2002(?) Viggen trim and later 2005+ models in Aero (turbo 4 and v6) trim, manual transmission.
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May 3, 2011 11:01 a.m. fastEddie SuperDork
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May 3, 2011 11:08 a.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork
I don't think the V6 is that great, heard stories of sludge, but have no personal experience.
The Viggens are awesome.
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May 3, 2011 11:22 a.m. fastEddie SuperDork
Hmm, apparently the turbo V6 is a GM design - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_High_Feature_engine#LP1
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May 3, 2011 11:22 a.m. mtn SuperDork
I'm not aware of the sludge in the 9-3... IIRC (and I could be very mistaken), the sludge was only in the 2.3 litre with the 9-5.
I'd avoid the 6, from what I've heard it isn't that great.
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May 3, 2011 11:23 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork
99 should be the last year for the T5 injection.. model least known for sludging and the model most able to be modded by programming.
A BIG leap forwards from the NG900 that proceeded it. Stay away from Viggen Verts.. too flexy
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May 3, 2011 11:29 a.m. fastEddie SuperDork
Eh, Viggens are apparently like hen's teeth around here but I'm keeping my eyes open.
I found an '06 Aero combi with the turbo v6 and a 5-spd - that's the main reason I'm asking. Also looking at sedans though.
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May 3, 2011 11:34 a.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork
fastEddie wrote:
Eh, Viggens are apparently like hen's teeth around here but I'm keeping my eyes open.
I found an '06 Aero combi with the turbo v6 and a 5-spd - that's the main reason I'm asking. Also looking at sedans though.
99-ish 4-door 9-3 Turbo is also one to look for. Near-Viggen performance without the rarity or price premium. Had the "H.O." motor.
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May 3, 2011 11:46 a.m. dogbreath New Reader
Do the 'steering rack brace.' :D
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May 3, 2011 11:59 a.m. Rusted_Busted_Spit Dork
dogbreath wrote:
Do the 'steering rack brace.' :D
VERY good info there. Viggens are rare everywhere but they are around. All Viggens are T7 cars, check for sludge. As far as the new Gen 9-3, all the motors are GM. The 4 is an Ecotec of some sort and the V6 is Aussie I think. Both are supposed to have been very much massaged by SAAB but I will tell you that my Dad's 05 9-5 vert gets worse gas mileage than my old 99 9-3 (the old 9-3 had more power too) but I would think that you should be able to up the power in the newer 9-3s just like you can in the SkySolstice.
Being a SAAB guy I would go for the 4 but thats just me. Take one of each out and tell us what you think.
On a side note the car HalfTrack is talking about would be a 99 9-3 SE with a 5 speed. With that car you got the T5 management system (easier to mod) with the same IC and turbo found in the Viggen, good for 208hp and 210tq stock. The nice thing is that with about $100 in parts you can make 1st gear useless at WOT and 2nd scary.
