What Is The Least Worst FWD Car Ever Made ?

"Margin Of Error" (marginoferror) 01/11/2016 at 12:05 • Filed to: QUESTION OF THE DAY

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Car enthusiasts don’t really like FWD car. Torque steer, propensity for under steer, bad weight distribution are among the undesirable side effects of sending power to the wrong wheels. However, some cars managed to do it better than others. Was is the least worst wrong-wheel-drive car ?

Mercedes Streeter > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:09

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Renault Avantime. Not fast...but maximum French.

20/10 - Would Garage Queen.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:09

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Lift-off oversteer for dayz!

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:10

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Mine might be the “lesser” supercharged version, but the Cobalt SS turbo was the FWD Ring lap time holder for many years.

Rico > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:11

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Fiesta ST, Focus ST, GTI all come to mind.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:11

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Original Mini

JR1 > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:11

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I win

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:11

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Party-vi > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:12

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mentions torque steer

posts a SAAB

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:13

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BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:14

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The ones that wisened up and added a driveshaft to the rear. Focus RS for example.

phenotyp > Mercedes Streeter 01/11/2016 at 12:15

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This is a very good answer.

Margin Of Error > 66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash 01/11/2016 at 12:15

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Pretty sure that’s AWD

Vítor > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:15

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phenotyp > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:15

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Margin Of Error > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. 01/11/2016 at 12:16

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That’s overly complicated when you can just make them RWD from the start.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:18

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Nope. All FWD goodness. Along with Volvo 5 cylinder goodness.

For Sweden > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:18

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Smart FourTwo

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 01/11/2016 at 12:19

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Didn’t the supercharged version have the better block, so you could swap the supercharger for a turbo and make insane power out of the stock bottom end?

TractorPillow > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:19

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No problem sending the power to the wrong wheels...hardly any power to send. More smiles per mile than just about any other car if you’re pushing it to its arguably easy to find limit.

Berang > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:20

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In terms of feeling like a RWD car, I don’t think anything comes closer than the Toyota Corolla-Tercel:

Toyota went out of their way to make this car (their first FF car) feel as much like a RWD corolla as possible. If anything it actually handles a little better than the contemporary corolla (period road tests back this up). It’s also as slow as an 80s corolla. No torque steer, moderate understeer that turns into oversteer at the limit, a longitudinal engine and gearbox for good shift linkage feel. It would be easy for somebody who didn’t know better to think it was RWD.

And to be completely honest, as much as some people don’t want to hear this: most front wheel drive cars are better than most rear wheel drive cars. Back when RWD was the norm, terrible understeer was the norm. There have been far more terribly handling RWD cars than there have been terribly handling FF cars.

BigBlock440 > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:20

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or

Margin Of Error > For Sweden 01/11/2016 at 12:21

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JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:21

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nope. FWD.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:21

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“Car enthusiasts really don’t like FWD car.”

You’re done. Just stop. No more posting. Please, leave.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:21

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I drove it. How is this even a debate? It’s a French GT car powered by a quad-cam Maserati V6 and backed by a lovely 5-speed manual.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/11/2016 at 12:22

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Yep! I have no desire or need for that kind of power on track, so I'm content with a blower.

ntl0505 > Party-vi 01/11/2016 at 12:22

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My thoughts exactly. My tuned 06 2.0T 9-3 torque steered hard.

Margin Of Error > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/11/2016 at 12:23

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Why not just buy a better Volvo V50 T5 AWD instead ?

For Sweden > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:23

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That looks like a Brabus, not a Smart

SkyNet > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:24

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Child Please.

Margin Of Error > For Sweden 01/11/2016 at 12:25

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Smart are RWD, and rear-engined. Brabus or not.

Margin Of Error > Mercedes Streeter 01/11/2016 at 12:26

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Looks like the new Chrysler Pacifica

For Sweden > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:26

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But Smart and Brabus are different badges

Mercedes Streeter > For Sweden 01/11/2016 at 12:27

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All fortwos have a RR layout. I think you mean the first generation forfour?

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Mercedes Streeter 01/11/2016 at 12:27

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I just love all that glass and the neat double-hinged doors. I think it would be fun to drive this around.

Mercedes Streeter > For Sweden 01/11/2016 at 12:27

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Brabus is basically AMG for smart. :D

For Sweden > Mercedes Streeter 01/11/2016 at 12:27

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I’m trying to describe this in a way a Moe can understand.

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:28

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The Lotus/Kia Elan?

Margin Of Error > Vítor 01/11/2016 at 12:28

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That thing is FWD ?

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:28

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The Integra and Prelude are always going to be at the top of every “best handling fwd cars” list, but I have an alternate suggestion:

Now stop laughing and hear me out. With the kind of driving these (or any fwd luxury car) are made for, it never makes any difference which wheels are driven. They simply aren’t pushed hard enough for any sort of understeer to occur. That means you get all the benefits of fwd (better snow traction and more interior space) without the drawbacks.

Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:28

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Longitudinal engine, FWD, hatch, clamshell hood, safety, luxury (maybe).

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:28

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My work PC doesn't kinja well, so no photo, but the 500 Abarth is pretty sweet. FWD predictability in a tiny car that thinks it's something more serious.

itschrome > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:29

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Cadillac Seville, Both the STS and SLS, though the STS with the MagneRide specifically would be the best of this bunch. The engine hangs out front like an Audi so that does push a bit of weight out front but that allows the best of the cars weight to sit back, I find the balance to be quite nice for a FWD set up. Power never seems to run to hard to either the left or front wheels which does help minimize the ol’ torque steer, even if It did have roughly 300 Ft-Lbs of the stuff. For being wrong wheel drive they handle quite well and are very low drama,

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:31

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I mean it’s probably not the least worst but I loved my little Saturn sc2. It was light and very tossable

BringBackTheCommodore > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:37

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I’ve owned a couple. The following photos are as close to an exact match as possible with the exception of the R/T:

One of them was:

Another one was:

And yet another fun one was this (mine was black, impossible to find R/T sedans in black even on an extensive image search):

By far, though, the one that I’ve owned that was the most fun was this, which had a Rabbit GTi swap under the hood:

It was lightweight, easy to take through a windy road, had the power steering delete but had a nice rack-and-pinion setup. It was an absolute blast to drive!

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:38

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Steve in Manhattan > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/11/2016 at 12:38

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The CRX Si is great - had one. My ‘97 SHO handled pretty well for its size - no torque steer.

Vítor > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:38

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Yep. A V4, rally car champion that won the Italian Rally Championship every year from 1965 to 1973 FWD thing

Autohaus Derp > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:39

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Hon hon hon!

.

And from the Krauts:

I had a polo GTI of the same vintage as the Lupo above (same 1.6 16v engine) and it was a proper hoot. I can only imagine how much better it’d be in something ~100kg lighter!

Margin Of Error > For Sweden 01/11/2016 at 12:39

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See Miss Mercedes post, she’s right.

Unfortunately you got mistaken with the forfour, which was some kind of Mitsubishi rebadge I think.

Mercedes Streeter > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 01/11/2016 at 12:40

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I wish these were sold in the USA...something about that design. <3

duurtlang > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:43

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Define: “better”

'Wägen, EPA LOL > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:43

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ITR

/win

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/11/2016 at 12:44

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Beat me to it. My ‘87 is fantastic.

duurtlang > Autohaus Derp 01/11/2016 at 12:44

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Agreed. Most fun to be had in a car with your clothes on and while not (or marginally) breaking any laws. I actually own two, one with and one without roof (205 GTI and CTI).

DoYouEvenShift > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:48

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Because LS thats why

TheHondaBro > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:51

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Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:53

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Because unless you want a somewhat boring wagon to cart your kids and dogs around in, the V50 isn’t better in any way.

TheHondaBro > For Sweden 01/11/2016 at 12:53

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Those are RWD.

Justin Hughes > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:53

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B13 Sentra SE-R.

This was mine.

For Sweden > TheHondaBro 01/11/2016 at 12:54

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Not if you drive them backwards

Margin Of Error > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/11/2016 at 12:57

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Boring

Wagon

Autohaus Derp > duurtlang 01/11/2016 at 12:58

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Is the CTI flobbery or not?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 12:59

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Yes.

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 13:00

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I’ll vote ACR Neon

duurtlang > Autohaus Derp 01/11/2016 at 13:05

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What does flobbery mean? The opposite of stiff?

Honestly, I don’t really know. I bought it as a project. I drove it home 200 km and haven’t driven it since. It needs a lot more (engine) work than I had anticipated. I will finish the work though, it’s a rare pre-facelift model even. My GTI from ‘88 is a year newer, has the new dash and is in great condition.

Autohaus Derp > duurtlang 01/11/2016 at 13:08

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Yes! Like a blancmange or omlette du fromage

/hon

Hope you get it on the road soon! These things need to be enjoyed.

Sneaky Pete > 'Wägen, EPA LOL 01/11/2016 at 13:11

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This. All other answers are wrong, and I owned a Prelude Si for a long while. While a great handling car, the ITR chasis and engine are on another level. That car was brilliant when it came out. I think Honda realized they’d never be able to make a better FWD car and promptly quit trying.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Mercedes Streeter 01/11/2016 at 13:12

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They were, but they didn’t sell many due to The Answer.

duurtlang > Autohaus Derp 01/11/2016 at 13:12

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Well, it does have the bitchbasket handle, which provides lateral stiffness. Still no replacement for a real roof though.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 13:14

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Imo, the second gen Acura legend .

Sweet sweet v6 with a Honda manual

Alfalfa > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 13:17

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not for canada - australian in disguise > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 13:30

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obviously

AkursedX > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 13:32

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The MKVII GTI with the Performance Pack and adaptive suspension is pretty amazing.

Jdrentarol > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 13:36

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What’s all that smoke?!?!?

Jdrentarol > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/11/2016 at 13:36

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*GASP* You MONSTER

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > BringBackTheCommodore 01/11/2016 at 13:52

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Power steering delete ? Are you sure? I’m not aware of any 1st gen water-cooled VW that had power steering; there may have been a few, possibly, but if they did it is extremely rare. My Dasher, Rabbit GTI and Rabbit pickup didn’t have it. Heck, even my E21 BMW didn’t have it.

BringBackTheCommodore > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. 01/11/2016 at 13:56

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Oh! Oops. I always thought it was deleted when it was ordered, but then again, the car was made the year I was born.

Okay, so, no power steering then. Learn something new! Still a ridiculously fun car to drive, and quick, too! The Rabbit engine swap really woke that Scirocco up big time!

OPPOsaurus WRX > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 13:56

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i win

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 13:57

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Yeah only the new one is awd, the first one i think that is.

Margin Of Error > OPPOsaurus WRX 01/11/2016 at 13:59

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haha possibly the worst ever

Leon711 > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 14:07

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Everything that you seem to post seems to be ill thought out, and deliberately controversial in order to get some sort of reaction. It’s not reality TV in here, if people are interested they will comment naturally in the affirmative.

This one has to be the worst, why take uneducated stereotypes and perpetuate them? what’s the motive? I’d be more than happy to participate next time you ask one of these questions if you think about what you are writing and how it makes you look, others have already commented both in here and in new posts since this was created either talking about inaccuracies or just plain piss taking.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > BringBackTheCommodore 01/11/2016 at 14:07

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That sounds like a great combo. Ever since I first saw one in the mid-70s I wanted a Scirocco; heck, I still want one today. But when it came time to vote with my money I bought a Rabbit GTI for the better performance. The idea of the GTI powertrain in a Scirocco body seems like the best of both worlds, and should look stock enough to slip through California emissions testing. The only downside would be a little less practicality (I did move an entire full-size pinball machine in the back of the GTI), but on a fun car that’s probably not all that important.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Party-vi 01/11/2016 at 14:16

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Makes article asking which FWD cars are “the least worst”

posts it to oppo, where the ST twins can do no wrong.

I’ll give him this, he knows how to rankle oppo and jalops in general.

MHunter905 > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 01/11/2016 at 14:48

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I never got an opportunity to drive one of these. I always wondered what they were like. In my area there were a lot of them that were kind of “riced” and I think that may have turned me off of them prematurely. Now I hardly ever see a nice one around and I miss that.

NeedforSwedeNYC > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 15:10

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SAAB.

Specifically the SAAB 99 Turbo, the SAAB 900 SPG and the SAAB 9000 turbo/Aero, 9-3 Viggen and 9-5 Aero. They are extremely comfortable, quite fast in stock form, easy to work on, easy to tune, with excellent road feedback and precise/predictable handling that gives fair warning before reaching the car’s limit. When you do find that limit (whether driving like an asshat or on a closed rally course) they are among the safest cars on the road, then and now.

Their engines and drivetrains (except for 900 trannys) are over engineered and offer enormous tuning potential. With a few bolt-ons and a little tuning of the stock software, you can extract an extra 100-200hp for a few hundred bucks.

The performance, safety and overall character of SAAB turbos has made an indelible mark on worldwide car culture. To this day they remain among the coolest, best designed cars on the road.

Here are a few of my current collection that I’d like to nominate:

1993 900 turbo commemorative

1995 9000 Aero with 400bhp

2002 9-3 Viggen with a modest 300bhp

With all their quirkiness and torque-steer tendencies, they fit the description of least worst.

Margin Of Error > NeedforSwedeNYC 01/11/2016 at 15:18

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Nice cars

dogisbadob > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 01/11/2016 at 15:29

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dammit you beat me to it!

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > NeedforSwedeNYC 01/11/2016 at 15:30

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I have a feeling that you may be biased.

RallyWrench > NeedforSwedeNYC 01/11/2016 at 15:30

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This. A good 9000 Turbo or 900SPG will be mine someday. Maybe soon.

dogisbadob > Mercedes Streeter 01/11/2016 at 15:30

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Lotus only sold it here for one year.

Kia planned on selling their version here, but they went bankrupt and Hyundai bought out Kia, and then of course Hyundai decided to kill the Elan and not sell it here.

Mercedes Streeter > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 15:34

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The gen 1 forfour is a more luxurious Mitsubishi Colt (because somewhere down the line, someone thought it was a good idea that the Colt was spartan while the smart had all the cool stuff).

ateamfan42 > Justin Hughes 01/11/2016 at 15:34

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How crazy I recognized the car (from Loring) before I noticed the ME plate or the username on the post? Haha!

ateamfan42 > Margin Of Error 01/11/2016 at 15:36

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The original Mini and the Abarth 500 already nominated are great choices. But I need to throw in the Sonett:

Mercedes Streeter > dogisbadob 01/11/2016 at 15:38

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Darn! I would have thought the Kia version would be cheaper. That’s a roadster I’d totally not mind having, even with whatever probably crappy powerplant Kia dropped in.

Mercedes Streeter > OPPOsaurus WRX 01/11/2016 at 15:39

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You win, but Nissan doesn’t :P

Margin Of Error > ateamfan42 01/11/2016 at 15:39

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Saab is always the answer

Justin Hughes > ateamfan42 01/11/2016 at 15:39

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Ha! And the funny thing is I never changed its appearance from stock. Just resprayed the crappy rattle can paint job from time to time.

Speaking of Loring, here’s a run from that event in my SE-R!

Justin Hughes > ateamfan42 01/11/2016 at 15:40

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Speaking of CMC autocrossers...

Mercedes Streeter > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 01/11/2016 at 15:40

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Saturns of that era definitely aren’t fast...but with a Manual, omg are they fun to drive in. Turns out weighing pretty much nothing while having pretty much 0 tech makes for a fun drive.