Possibly a very stupid question, but...

[pandaboy]

Hi all,
I currently drive, and greatly enjoy a 2001 93 SE HOT convertible, but have always wanted to get my hands on a convertible Viggen, (one of my childhood dream cars.)
My HOT has had the Abbott Racing rescue pack fitted which utterly transformed the car, can't recommend it enough.  I still find myself wanting to improve certain aspects of the car, as in better brakes, flatter cornering etc...
So apart from the hike in insurance for the Viggen, would I really notice a massive difference in driving experience if I swapped?
I'm toying with the idea of working with what I have, and upgrading brakes and fitting an upgraded LSD, among other things, but can I ever get close to it being a Viggen, without being a Viggen?
(I'm not particularly interested in upping power output, more interested in improving handling at this stage.)
I think most of the answers to this would be that the Viggen is unique and nothing I can do to my HOT can match it, but i'd like to do some digging before taking the plunge.
All advice welcome!
Thanks

[Audax]

The Viggen doesn't really handle that much better than the other cars and all the convertibles are somewhat compromised in the handling department as they lack the rigidity that the 3 doors and 5 doors have.

The main thing that the Viggen has over the other cars is more usable power from 40+mph but a good remap will match that on the other cars. Viggens (especially convertibles) are not much fun at speeds below 40mph as every time you try and belt it you'll end up in the hedge/ditch!

[pandaboy]

Hi Audax,
Thanks for the feedback.
I must say i experienced the 'where did that hedge come from' moment in my HOT a couple of times, but this symptom, the dreaded torque steer, has virtually vanished since having the rescue kit fitted.
Foot down and the car stays in a straight line, remarkable!

[saab talladega turbo]

I must say you virtually have a viggen barring the extra bhp.
Same big bumpers and other bits.
But the vig is one beautiful looking machine(but only in blue) they should have only made that colour in my eyes.
I think 210bhp is more than enuf. My old talladega only had 185 but with mbc and I embarrassed many a boy racer. 

[pandaboy]

Unfortunately my SE doesn't have the Viggen / Aero bodykit, so doesn't look the same.  (Still looks damn smart though...)
I'm wondering more about driving experience between the two.
I'm not power hungry, (210HP is plenty for me in a fwd!) but can feel room for improvement in handling and brakes.
I can probably answer this myself by finding one and taking it for a test drive, but would like other opinions from the experts!

In my head, I keep thinking a Viggen convertible with the Abbot rescue kit would polish all the rough edges I find with my (rescue kit fitted) HOT, but am wondering if its worth the extra insurance / running costs?

Would love to hear that it is a marked improvement, and worth the extra cash!!

[saab talladega turbo]

When u say rescue kit you mean rack clamp and bar?

[pandaboy]

Its the steering rack clamp, front anti-roll bar and new suspension bearings.
http://www.abbottracing.net/product.php?id_product=204
Makes a hell of a difference.
I can concur that it virtually eliminates torque steer.
Highly recommended...

[saab talladega turbo]

I've got the abbott clamp and bar kit. It's auto so don't really get that

[chris aka zaphod]

The original Viggen alloys are made of chocolate.

[Norfolk Jim]

Why don't you just take a trip to Abbotts and try one. Get them to take you for a 'REAL' drive, especially if its Ed.

http://www.abbottracing.net/carsales.html

Yeh the 2 shown are 3 drs but at least you get a drive of one.

Audax - aren't the Viggens all 2.3 and that's why they perform so well above 40 with the extra torque?

[Audax]

Audax - aren't the Viggens all 2.3 and that's why they perform so well above 40 with the extra torque?

Basically, yes, 2.3 and a TD04 turbo which means you have more fun at speed of 40+.

As already suggested a Viggen rescue kit is helpful but then those kits are useful for normal 9-3's too... I've never been convinced that a Viggen is really that much of an upgrade over a standard 9-3 (and it's a bit of a downgrade in some ways) except in the case that you really want to attain license losing speeds and my opinion of the Viggen convertible is that it's quite frankly a bit rubbish as the chassis just isn't really designed for that power.

Of course a well tuned Viggen is a better starting point that a well tuned 9-3 but I'm not sure that I'd want to be looking at trying to improve either car now as you can get one of the 2003 onwards 9-3's and gain from all the designed in benefits.