Somebody tell me what's so great about Saabs?

"Jake The Skull" (WishIhadaHolden)
10/30/2013 at 22:40 • Filed to: None

This isn't A rant. This isn't me being judgmental. I just honestly have no Idea why everybody freaks out so much about these. All I know is I think most of them are kinda ugly. That's it, that's all I know.

DISCUSSION (25)

BeaterGT > Jake The Skull
10/30/2013 at 22:42

They are quirky cars. Small, fwd, turbo 4cyl.

TSLA > Jake The Skull
10/30/2013 at 22:43

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Jake The Skull
10/30/2013 at 22:43

Quirky, fun to drive, Swedish, they have a history in rallying, they are safe, turbos, etc

Someone Else's Projects > Jake The Skull
10/30/2013 at 22:45

They're interesting, and almost as importantly, unexpected. Cars with character from a country that has never fought against or alongside the US in a major war (as opposed to all the other major car-making countries), and therefore nobody really thinks about? And yet they still, kinda, work outside the Nordic wilderness that they were originally designed for. I'm a recent convert to them, and I've been thinking about this for a while. Hold that thought because I'm going to post something soon that goes into depth about the whole Saab thing.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Jake The Skull
10/30/2013 at 22:45

There are three turbo badges in that picture. Question answered.

Your boy, BJR > Jake The Skull
10/30/2013 at 22:48

Drive a pre 1994 turbo model. It will be an awful experience, yet, somehow, endearing, fantastic, and perfect. It's impossible to explain, just try it.

Manuél Ferrari > Jake The Skull
10/30/2013 at 22:48

If you haven't seen the TG tribute videos you should watch them. Informative and entertaining.

http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/a-tr…

Jake The Skull > Jake The Skull
10/30/2013 at 22:49

Maybe I'm just not a "quirky" car guy. Maybe I need to drive one. I dunno.

Jake The Skull > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/30/2013 at 22:51

80's turbo badges though?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Jake The Skull
10/30/2013 at 23:00

Yes

GhostZ > Jake The Skull
10/30/2013 at 23:04

80s turbos were the best. Often times they were horribly inefficient, oversized turbos attached to engines not optimized for them. So you got output that was "acceptable" with turbo lag that was fun as hell and tricky to drive.

They're not objectively better than modern turbos, but when the technology came out, it was extremely fun and difficult to handle, making it for a good driver's experience.

desertdog5051 > Jake The Skull
10/30/2013 at 23:28

I have never liked Saabs for any particular reason. They are like women, we all have a picture of a perfect one in our heads. I have never seen that in Saabs. I know people extol all kinds of things about them, but these same qualities apply to so many other cars so it is not a valid argument. Love what you like, I guess.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Jake The Skull
10/30/2013 at 23:31

It takes a certain kind of love to enjoy a Saab. One that is neither right nor wrong.

But in all seriousness, if you diss the 9-3 Viggen I will slit your throat.

Jake The Skull > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
10/30/2013 at 23:37

Kinja'd!!!

Ghost Dog - For the kittens > Jake The Skull
10/31/2013 at 00:26

Very early on the turbo scene (as many others have mentioned)

Swedish

A 3-cylinder two-stroke engine in their history

A V4 engine their history

Clam shell hood

Lots of history and success in rally racing (lightweight and nimble)

Door handles designed to be strong enough to be used as tow hooks

First created by an aerospace and defence company with many of these themes carried through

Brown

911e46z06 > Jake The Skull
10/31/2013 at 01:23

I think Oppo as whole is a community of vehicular hipsters, myself included. We like them because they're weird and unappreciated by the masses.

b-rock > Jake The Skull
10/31/2013 at 05:16

It's the chain primary drive.

Jimmeney > Jake The Skull
10/31/2013 at 07:57

I have one and I don't know. But it's lime green and that makes it cool.

Kinja'd!!!

Makoyouidiot > 911e46z06
10/31/2013 at 08:17

This.

AMC/Renauledge > Jake The Skull
10/31/2013 at 16:10

Even better. Those are '70s turbo badges .

Like, OG turbo badges. You've got a 1978 SAAB 99 Turbo there.

Like, the only other cars with turbo badges in 1978 were:

Kinja'd!!!

SAABs also handled well, had great feel, and were immensely practical and sensible, but by a completely different approach to the term "sensible". Tough as nails, too.

Especially the SAABs through 1993.

A3R0 > Jimmeney
11/08/2013 at 17:14

We have another 92-96 on Oppo? Sweet, I love these, 2 stroke or 4?

Jimmeney > A3R0
11/09/2013 at 09:41

It's the V4 - it's a late one 1977. Slow, noisy and inefficient - I love it!

A3R0 > Jimmeney
11/09/2013 at 09:46

Good for you! I love those! It takes a special eye to like them too.

Gearshredder > Jake The Skull
11/29/2013 at 03:09

9-2x aero is a GREAT saab what are you talking about?

iceman > Jake The Skull
11/29/2013 at 23:16

They're just....friggen sweet. they do nothing great but a whole lotta things good. they're fun, peppy, wicked practical, efficient, kick ass in snow, and they really do grow on you. i don't think i'll ever get rid of mine. as a dd i don't really want anything else. ill have other toys for racing etc. but nothing will replace my lil' Saabster