The GM-ified Saab 9-3 was built on the GM2900 platform (shared with the Opel Vectra, Saab 9-5 and Saturn L-something-that-you’ll-quickly-forget) as a replacement for the outgoing Saab 900. All Saabs had transitioned from classic Saab platform to some GM based thing by 1994…but the 9-3 still kept a degree of Saabiness that is clear and […]
The Saab 9-3 was built on the GM2900 platform which was shared with the Opel Vectra, Saab 9-5 and Saturn L-something-that-you’ll-quickly-forget. Anyway, the 9-3 was a replacement for the outgoing Saab 900, which had transitioned from classic Saab platform to some GM based thing in 1994…but the 9-3 still kept a degree of Saabiness that is clear and appreciated by Saab fans. The Viggen model was a nod in name to the Swedish fighter Jet, but it was unmistakably a reincarnated Saab 99 Turbo. With 230 horsepower and gobs of torque in a 2.3 B235R turbo 4-cylinder, this was a car that had more forward thrust that it’s competition, particularly in the 40-70mph range where turbo Saabs are known for spanking sports cars and muscle cars alike. Find this 2000 Saab 9-3 Viggen Convertible offered for $7200 in Boise, ID via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.
The Saab 9-3 Viggen (1999-2002) was the last great attempt at refining a recipe built by Saab starting with the 1978 Saab 99 Turbo. This recipe starts with a front wheel drive Saab with long-hood styling, sprinkle in some fighter jet inspiring interior, then add a small turbo that focuses on low end grunt and torque steer. I owned a Saab 99 EMS for a few years, and it was a great little car, but it needed more power…more thrust…more turbocharged 252 ft-lbs of torque. Maybe I need a Viggen. Find this 2001 Saab 9-3 Viggen offered for $9000 in Plymouth, MI via craigslist.
This next car comes as a tip from tipper Zach who writes: It’s always sunny on Thorsday! Worth it or not? No idea. Undoubtedly fun. Probably more so than my 9000 Aero. Oh yes, it is not just always sunny on Thorsday, it is also always Thorsday on days that end with “y”. This next example of Swedish delight is an OG 9-3 (Saab internal designation of 9400) and was the last Saab to use the H-engine, which was just a redesign of the Saab B-engine, which was just a redesigned Triumph slant-4 that was first used in the 1968 Saab 99. So…whatever is new is actually old, and whatever is Saab is actually a Triumph. Find this 2000 Saab 93 Viggen offered for $7,200 in Anchorage, AK via craigslist.
This next car comes as a tip from Johnny Bouncewell who writes: Man, I don’t NEED another Viggen but this one sure is tempting. Right number of doors, OEM wheels, and the proper six speed transmission. Yes JB, you are correct, the combination of a 2.3 liter turbo-4 boosted to 230 horsepower is cool, but only […]
The Christian feast of the Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th, (the word Epiphany comes from the ancient Greek work Τheophaneia meaning “vision of God”) and is a commemoration of the three Magi visiting the infant Jesus. Around here we celebrate the Epiphany by posting 3 cars, one for each of the magi, next up […]
Born from jets was the Saab marketing tagline of this era. The Viggen model was supposed to be a BMW E36 M3 competitor. The serious torque steer the car developed gave the Viggen a somewhat dubious reputation in performance car circles. Prices on the classic Saab 900’s have already started to increase, but the steep […]
General Motors’ top strategy during its mismanagement of Saab was parlaying the company’s jet history into a vague aeronautic brand association. It doesn’t add up: a logo that features a mythical winged beast (not showing its wings), and a home country with an air force 1.5% the size of America’s (according to Global Firepower, a website […]