So I pull up to this light last night, and I look over to the car next to me. I can only see the outline of somebody looking back. I didn't think anything of it because it was a Saab(YUCK!). As I waited, it didn't even cross my mind that this girl in a Saab would want to race. I saw her look over several times, but it is a Saab. So the light turns green and she floors it. So In that short moment, I say to myself...,"self, you can't let her beat you in that piece of s*h***t. So I reved up the Max and with only a Stillen cone filter on it, I shifeted into 2nd and I caught her ina flash. I am listening to the turbo in her car screaming for mercy, but she doesn't let up. So i went for 3rd and flew by her. I brought the max up to its rev limit and went for 4th and she was gone.
All I can say is, never underestimate the person who least intimidates you. Damn... I can't believe I almost let this P.O.S. (piece of sh*t)run away from me.
I still had a good time though.

 

i would watch out for saab's buddy. My dad has a 97 9000 aero and it has a 225hp turbo with a 5 speed and everytime i merge onto the highway with him, when he floors it, i have no chance of catching him. MF top speed on that car is over 150. Our cars top out around 145. Next time you race a saab, if it says "Viggen" or "Aero" watch out, cause they are damn quick.

 

Ya I raced a Aero in my SHO which is faster than my auto Max and he almost pulled me. I was like WTF! I never knew how fast they were till then.

Mark

 

Hmmm. mine tops out at 150...

 

Hmmm. mine tops out at 150...

 

Even a stock 9-3/900 is faster than a stock Max from 0-60, in the 1/4 mile, and has a higher top end. Above 30 mph the Saab will absolutely wail on you as the turbo cranks up. Check www.autosite.com for some numbers. A Viggen is even faster, and many Saab owners "chip" their turbo and get an extra 40 to 65 HP, depending on model, for a measly $500 to $1K chip buy.

No offense, I own a Max too, but it's no match for a Saab turbo that really wants to go.

Bob

 

I'm not sure about how fast SAABs are but they are sweet machines. I love their interior and their seats. I could sleep in their drivers seats, it's that comfortable!

And have you noticed where their ignition is? Its on the center console between the front seats.

 

I've driven a viggen and it is a completely different animal. But in my experience, off the line it is not faster than a 5spd max. Even the autosite times are comparable to a 5spd max - 6.5 0-60 and 15.2 1/4 mi. That's pretty close. I would bet you are correct about a roll from 30, though. I'll have to race my buddy and find out.

 

If anyone races a high powered Saab, please don't be in the left lane. These ones have so much torque steer, it's downright dangerous. One magazine said the damn thing changed lanes when they stomped on the gas.

 

With your Intake and Y-Pipe you would rock him!

 

You aren't kidding about that! Hold the wheel tight if you are driving LOL!

 

They need to learn how to drive a FWD car with excessive HP. "Stomping" on the gas is not such a great idea.

Bob

 

That's not the point. The point is why go to great lengths to make a powerfull FWD car and not provide the correct platform to support it?? Why not stomp on the gas? Is there another way to go fast? How are you goning to get a decen 1/4 or 0-60 time if you don't get on the gas pedal??

Saab should have used some kind of LSD in their transmissions period. The fact that only offered open differentials in their high hp FWD is crazy and stupid.

 

They need to learn how to drive a FWD car with excessive HP. "Stomping" on the gas is not such a great idea.

Bob

 

NO they don't. How else can you get a decent 0-60 or 1/4 time if you don't use the go pedal?? The fact is that Saab offered high hp engines in a FWD platform w/o some kind of LSD. The fact that they didn't provide it is pretty stupid and borderline irresponsible.

 

Simply "stomping" on the accelerator in any car with an excess of HP is not a good idea. You don't move very fast in any car when the tires are spinning. You have to learn to apply enough power to get it to move without excessive spin. The Saab/Viggen does require a little more restraint on the throttle and would benefit by a LSD - but most of the hype you see is simply repeated heresay.

Bob

 

The car won't move very fast when the owner knows that severe torque steer is going to happen. When you hit the gas, the car is supposed to go forward in a relatively straight line, not 45 degrees left(or similar) I have read more than one magazine article that states exactly the same complaint.

If the car has enough power to warrant a lsd but doesn't have it, why have it?? If you cannot use the power it has to even 80% of it's potential then why have it? If using power available to it's potential creates a dangerous situation, that's downright dangerous.

 

The power is very usable. You just don't want to "stomp" on the gas all at once, Press the pedal smoothly to the floor and you are fine. Tromp on it like a teenager and you'll see some torque steer/tramlining.

Saab has never built 1/4 milers. I'm sure their engineers would be offended if they knew someone was drag racing in one. They build cars that excel on the highway at high speed. So, most of that power is meant to be used when travelling at speed. (Not that they should not have detected the issue in testing and resolved it).

Bob

 

Actually, on the Viggen, first gear does not receive full power even if you stomp on the gas. So Saab at least thought about that issue. But it is not that bad guys; you control it just like anything else. Personally, I'll take the power and worry about it controlling it later!!