Anyone got a Saab, and willing to admit it ?
Discussion
And can you help me ?
I've recently got a 9-5 (I needed an estate, it was cheap, it had to be diesel, justifiable to the accountants
) and I can't make the damn thing go round corners 
Are they all this loose ?
I've tried
-brake straight, power through corner, but the front washes wide
-brake straight, in on a trailing throttle, nail it once you can see the exit (a la early 911), but this has the same effect
The only way to stop it understeering like crazy seems to be to fast into the corner, lift off, brake, back on the power ASAP, but this makes the back end try to overtake (fun in a 205, scary in a
) or to drive incredibly slowly through the corner, having braked early and power on once I've straightened up (as bad as a big 4x4)
Are they all this hopeless, or is it me ? The car was slightly used when we bought it, it's got OEM Bridgestones which are very lightly used (4.5k miles) the pressures are as per the book, there's no evidence of dodgy tracking.
Help
I keep getting having to corner like a blue-rinser in a Micra, so what's wrong ???
I've recently got a 9-5 (I needed an estate, it was cheap, it had to be diesel, justifiable to the accountants
) and I can't make the damn thing go round corners Are they all this loose ? I've tried
-brake straight, power through corner, but the front washes wide
-brake straight, in on a trailing throttle, nail it once you can see the exit (a la early 911), but this has the same effect
The only way to stop it understeering like crazy seems to be to fast into the corner, lift off, brake, back on the power ASAP, but this makes the back end try to overtake (fun in a 205, scary in a
) or to drive incredibly slowly through the corner, having braked early and power on once I've straightened up (as bad as a big 4x4) Are they all this hopeless, or is it me ? The car was slightly used when we bought it, it's got OEM Bridgestones which are very lightly used (4.5k miles) the pressures are as per the book, there's no evidence of dodgy tracking.
Help
I keep getting having to corner like a blue-rinser in a Micra, so what's wrong ??? 
Jaydee, not got a Saab but I've been a fan of theirs for a while. I always liked the non-flashy image compared to your normal BMW etc.
Not sure if this will be useful, but the boys at Abbot Racing should abe able to sort out your suspension (even on a diesel
)and then it's simply down to improving your technique 
I think the weblink is [url] www.abbottracing.com/[/url] Hope this works !
Not sure if this will be useful, but the boys at Abbot Racing should abe able to sort out your suspension (even on a diesel
)and then it's simply down to improving your technique I think the weblink is [url] www.abbottracing.com/[/url] Hope this works !
Jaydee
Unfortunately I've think you've missed the point about owning a Saab, it is not a performance car of any kind but is an extremely comfortable machine, with geat seats, climate control and stereo. And in the estate you can carry a serious amount of gear.
I have owned a 9-5 Estate for just over two years. It is the sort of car that grows on you over time if you don't try to overdrive it. Drive it within its limitations and its a very component car that will get you from A to B effeciently and relaxed. 500 miles in a day is a complete breeze.
It is not the sort of car to go hooning about in and it will not reward you if you try to push the envelope.
If you want to do that on a regular basis, I would suggest that you either buy a good hot hatch (205GTi) or sportscar as a second car or change the Saab. (Buying a sorted 205GTi would probably cost you less than visiting one of the Saab tuners!!)
davidy
PS I like my Saab
Unfortunately I've think you've missed the point about owning a Saab, it is not a performance car of any kind but is an extremely comfortable machine, with geat seats, climate control and stereo. And in the estate you can carry a serious amount of gear.
I have owned a 9-5 Estate for just over two years. It is the sort of car that grows on you over time if you don't try to overdrive it. Drive it within its limitations and its a very component car that will get you from A to B effeciently and relaxed. 500 miles in a day is a complete breeze.
It is not the sort of car to go hooning about in and it will not reward you if you try to push the envelope.
If you want to do that on a regular basis, I would suggest that you either buy a good hot hatch (205GTi) or sportscar as a second car or change the Saab. (Buying a sorted 205GTi would probably cost you less than visiting one of the Saab tuners!!)
davidy
PS I like my Saab
I used to have a Saab 93 Viggen which was the 240bhp thing. It was a bit of a wild drive and gave a new meaning to torquesteer. I put it on a set of Toyo Proxes tyres and it made a big difference. Without embarking on expensive suspension stuff I would reckon that some grippy tyres would get things back in the right direction. I currently have a Volvo V70R Estate which is up to about 300 bhp. It is also front wheel drive and is quite driveable. It is on Pirelli P Zeros. The one good thing about front wheel drive is that if it runs wide you simply ease off the gas and it tucks back in. Thats some admission - both Saab and Volvo in one paragraph !!
davidy said: Jaydee
Unfortunately I've think you've missed the point about owning a Saab
The point was economic necessity and the need for an estate with the highest towing capacity I could find. I am very pleased with the car in this respect and It's certainly the best motorway car I've driven this side of an S-class.
It is not the sort of car to go hooning about in and it will not reward you if you try to push the envelope.
I don't expect it to handle like a go-cart, I do expect it to refrain from trying to kill me if I try to corner any quicker than a supertanker !
I'm 26 and I've just started my second business (and no, daddy didn't help AT ALL) so running a 'fun' car on the side is an absolute no no :impecunioussmileygoeshere:
I get the feeling from your post that you don't think yours handles, so I suppose I'll have to accept it as a limitation of the species, I'm just absolutely convinced it shouldn't be as bad as it is.
What tyres are you running ? Have you ever needed the tracking sorting or altered the tyre pressures from what's recommended? I can't afford to go down the route of totally rebuilding the suspension, but I can't believe that nothing can be done (as the garage are telling me
) LOL Ruf 3 ! I'm not sure what's more dangerous on here, admitting to a Saab and a Volvo, or saying you hated your Tivs.
I had Toyos on the Porsche and was very pleased with them so that might be worth a try.
At the moment lifting off if you overcook it induces wild (worse than an eighties hot hatch) oversteer. It's a big lump to get sideways
Did you find the Proxes more progressive than the stock tyres on the 9-3 ?
I had Toyos on the Porsche and was very pleased with them so that might be worth a try.
At the moment lifting off if you overcook it induces wild (worse than an eighties hot hatch) oversteer. It's a big lump to get sideways
Did you find the Proxes more progressive than the stock tyres on the 9-3 ?jaydee
The car does not handle like a sportscar, drive it 80-90% and it will not try to kill you!!! (Anyway its got a good NCAP rating so you'll be ok anyway!)
My car has Michelin Pilot HXs on it, originals on the back at 33k miles, fronts changed at 16k but currently are good.
My advice to you would be the following:-
1) SLOW DOWN, you are no good to either yourself or your business in hospital.
2) Put you efforts into your business and not into driving at 10 tenths and you'll soon be able to afford a proper sportscar on the side
Treat the Saab nicely, it will grow on you.
davidy
PS I have towed cars on trailers with mine, I would say two things, 1) I have a petrol Turbo and the lack of torque does not make a good towing car, no substitute for cubes and 2) Start braking about 300 yards early that you would normally!!
The car does not handle like a sportscar, drive it 80-90% and it will not try to kill you!!! (Anyway its got a good NCAP rating so you'll be ok anyway!)
My car has Michelin Pilot HXs on it, originals on the back at 33k miles, fronts changed at 16k but currently are good.
My advice to you would be the following:-
1) SLOW DOWN, you are no good to either yourself or your business in hospital.
2) Put you efforts into your business and not into driving at 10 tenths and you'll soon be able to afford a proper sportscar on the side
Treat the Saab nicely, it will grow on you.
davidy
PS I have towed cars on trailers with mine, I would say two things, 1) I have a petrol Turbo and the lack of torque does not make a good towing car, no substitute for cubes and 2) Start braking about 300 yards early that you would normally!!
OK Dad . I'm really not trying that hard though, honest
It is a superb tow car (diesel torque can't be beaten IMHO) and I've got a hydraulic braked trailer which helps !
The car's covered in targets and has an NCAP logo on the tailgate so it had to be something with a good NCAP rating, but I'd still rather it was 'if' rather than 'when' I crash...
. I'm really not trying that hard though, honest It is a superb tow car (diesel torque can't be beaten IMHO) and I've got a hydraulic braked trailer which helps !
The car's covered in targets and has an NCAP logo on the tailgate so it had to be something with a good NCAP rating, but I'd still rather it was 'if' rather than 'when' I crash...
Thanks davidy.Sadly, one of my worse, or better, traits is that I tend to say things as they are, in my eyes !! To be fair to the Volvo, it would take one very determined and brave Tiv driver to get past it down a twisty road as the man in the Chimaera found out a couple of weeks ago !!
On the Toyo front, all they really offer is more grip, and in keeping with most grippy tyres, when they do let go it is usually more sudden. Despite being a fairly old type of tyre I really like the P Zeros. They have a good level of grip, even in the wet, and the end of the grip is fairly progressive. The Volvo does eat up the front ones every 5000 mls which is a pest. The real answer on a front wheel drive car where the rear steps out on lift off is to put a touch of toe out on the rear wheels, but I have no idea if this is possible to alter within the bounds of the standard suspension. Otherwise, you have to just find the limits and stick to them !!!
On the Toyo front, all they really offer is more grip, and in keeping with most grippy tyres, when they do let go it is usually more sudden. Despite being a fairly old type of tyre I really like the P Zeros. They have a good level of grip, even in the wet, and the end of the grip is fairly progressive. The Volvo does eat up the front ones every 5000 mls which is a pest. The real answer on a front wheel drive car where the rear steps out on lift off is to put a touch of toe out on the rear wheels, but I have no idea if this is possible to alter within the bounds of the standard suspension. Otherwise, you have to just find the limits and stick to them !!!
Update:
car's now on a kinetic frame to try and work out what's happening (nothing like being able to throw F1 tech. at a problem
) We (I say we, I actually mean, the people I work with who understand this stuff, ie. emphatically not me) were wondering about the rear toe-in, but it doesn't seem to be adjustable without getting out the Brummingham spanner 
>> Edited by jaydee on Monday 28th April 11:01
car's now on a kinetic frame to try and work out what's happening (nothing like being able to throw F1 tech. at a problem
) We (I say we, I actually mean, the people I work with who understand this stuff, ie. emphatically not me) were wondering about the rear toe-in, but it doesn't seem to be adjustable without getting out the Brummingham spanner >> Edited by jaydee on Monday 28th April 11:01
and I might be arguing for a full laser align while I'm at it by the looks of it If that is the case then I would consider the load-leveller ing rear suspension option if you do a lot of towing (especially if theres a lot of gear in the car as well).
I had this on a Vovlo Estate (Damn now also admitted to Volvo and Saab in one post, even worse that that used to have a 240 Saloon Automatic which you had to send a postcard to if you wanted to accelerate, slow or what!!) and it was great when towing.
davidy
I had this on a Vovlo Estate (Damn now also admitted to Volvo and Saab in one post, even worse that that used to have a 240 Saloon Automatic which you had to send a postcard to if you wanted to accelerate, slow or what!!) and it was great when towing.
davidy
Yep, got one as the workhorse.
Not a bad car and as said previously it's nicely understated compared the Audi/BWM/Merc.
I've got the 95 estate 2.3T. My only gripe is that its a auto and there is absolutely no engine braking so you're constantly on the breaks.
The sport mode isn't too bad, a bit twitchy in low gears.
I'm tempted to change it next year for another one probably the Aero and mannual box.
It is a real licence killer tho, since it's so quiet.
Steve
Not a bad car and as said previously it's nicely understated compared the Audi/BWM/Merc.
I've got the 95 estate 2.3T. My only gripe is that its a auto and there is absolutely no engine braking so you're constantly on the breaks.
The sport mode isn't too bad, a bit twitchy in low gears.
I'm tempted to change it next year for another one probably the Aero and mannual box.
It is a real licence killer tho, since it's so quiet.
Steve
just like to say I'm with Davidy regarding Saabs, I run a 9-5 Aero estate which is a top motor. Fast, comfortable and a bit of q car as well with 250bhp to play with. True not as honed as a sports car but work requires something more sensible.
How do you find the diesel jaydee, nearly bought one myself, but came away with an aero instead, stuff the economy work pays for the petrol
How do you find the diesel jaydee, nearly bought one myself, but came away with an aero instead, stuff the economy work pays for the petrol
I went with a diesel for the towing torque (because I loathe caravans and didn't want to be another person cluttering up the roads with an inadequate tow vehicle) So far I'm exceedingly pleased with it from the point of view of the engine. It's rapid, smooth and seems to return 45mpg on the motorway give or take.
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