Hi,

Isn't a race topic despite the title but i drove my dads Saab 9-3t(2001) today and was quite impressed with the way it soaked up the bumps on a particularly bad road on way to work.

It doesn't handle as well as my vRS and quite frankly it feels like driving a tank as it is a heavy car. Performance isn't bad but no way as quick as the vRS although originally when i first drove my dads saab when he first bought it a few years agai (and before i got my vRS) i perceived it as being blazingly quick.

the road on way to work is a private one and full of crater like pot holes but i found in my dads car it felt a lot more comfy over them and i was able to drive quicker. In the vRS i have to slow down to 10mph and felt like i;m being shaken violently.

My question is why didn't they make a better damper setup for the vRS. Just dont understand how my dads 10 year old car that isnt looked after that well can be better to ride over bumps?

is it due to tighter spring rates or are my shocks just worn?

Firstly, it will be quicker, it's the torque spike that makes you think the Fabia is a quicker car.

And you've bought a "sports" model, it will have stiffer suspension. Also, it'll be a shorter wheelbase on the Fabia, which isn't good for comfort.

+1 what Babs said.

newskoda,

I have a very simillar road on my way to work.. though it's council owned! (don;t get me started)...

That's also like driving accross the moon, on a good day.. They've only just patched the "loose your car to the earths core" holes the winter left.

I've had two fabais.. an elegance and a vRS. Neither were all that brilliant on the road it has to be said.. but the vRS is notably more thumpy. And my friends mk1 Corsa 1.2 was super smooth.

Have you tried finding the optimum speed? It always seems to me that if you get the speed right ona poor road you can hop over some of the holes with less clatter. If I do 25, the rides much nicer then 20.

Unfortunately, I think the vRS is one of those cars that just sounds like you've broken it all the time. If it's a real problem you could try smaller wheels with thicker tyres.

It's all swings and roundabouts though because my Elegance was quite skitish at overtaking speeds.. but the vRS is silky smooth.

Edited 29 April, 201016 yr by Rob.

My mates currently driving a 1999 Mercedes C class, 1.8 manual, terrible condition, not been looked after at all (he's using it whilst his new turbo gets fitted), but that's silky smooth over even the roughtest of roads! It handles like a barge though...

It's simple really. On a general scale, if you want ride comfort you can't have handling, and if you want half decent handling you can't get comfort. Even though the vRS is a barge as standard lol

That's also like driving accross the moon, on a good day..

Hmmm, floaty

Isn't the little t Saab turbo only 150bhp? Maybe 180?

Isn't the little t Saab turbo only 150bhp? Maybe 180?

yes 150bhp I think,....light pressure turbo. Not sure what the torque is. My dad's opinion of is that its too soft to drive.I wish my vRS was softer going over bumps. guess u can't have the best of both worlds - good handling and soft ride.

yes 150bhp I think,....light pressure turbo. Not sure what the torque is. My dad's opinion of is that its too soft to drive.I wish my vRS was softer going over bumps. guess u can't have the best of both worlds - good handling and soft ride.

.

Little know fact the 150bhp 1.8 engine is actually 2.0 and can be mapped to 240bhp. One of the biggest jumps for the cash. Brother has one but has no interest in turning the wick up. Oh and the seats are among the best I have rested my a**e on.

Edited 30 April, 201016 yr by Mr Bountyfull