Early C900 or Early NG900 opinions...

[scantar]

May be a silly question, but I know a lot of guys here own both. I'm thinking about a Snow Saab since driving the vert in the winter is not my ideal choice. Not that it can't do it of course...just that driving in snowy and cold conditions with the top up is like driving in a cave.

So all things being equal - that meaning they both would require about the same amount of energy and elbow grease - which would be the better Snowmobile?

[Jim Mesthene]

Originally Posted by scantar

So all things being equal -...

But they're not....
c900, no contest.

[peva]

The C900 was designed by Saab for Scandinavian roads in winter. The NG wasn't either of these. Make your own mind up. It's a no brainer.

[scantar]

Yeah, that was the way I was leaning too...just wanted to hear it from the brain-trust. NG900's are so much more plentiful around here so the selection process would be more refined, but a C900 is a C900 after all...

Tacka Dig!

[li Arc]

It's funny. Up here, people dread driving in the winter, and there are plenty of vehicle accidents to prove why. But though I hate everything else about our wintry climate here, the one thing I love about winter is the snow driving. I thought it was just because I had a bit of a rallying bug in me, but after I had to garage my c900 for the winter during repairs and drive my Protege instead, I understood all too well why the apprehension. It's not just the fun of sprited snow driving, but the safety and incredible amount of control a c900 has in the snow, paired with decent snow tires of course. I've been itching to put in an LSD to see if that puts the winter driving experience up another level!

I can't speak about the NG900's during the winter season, but for me, my c900 is the only thing good about winters!

li Arc

[Jim Mesthene]

Just a a total bull effluent opinion, but I think the weight distribution, and resulting 'weight transfer' from having a lot of weight dangling out in front of the front axle is responsible for the outstanding snow performance.
A generic GM chassis doesn't compare (although I love the little woman's 9-3).

[scantar]

Originally Posted by Jim Mesthene

Just a a total bull effluent opinion, but I think the weight distribution, and resulting 'weight transfer' from having a lot of weight dangling out in front of the front axle is responsible for the outstanding snow performance.
A generic GM chassis doesn't compare (although I love the little woman's 9-3).

I agree 100% with the bullish effluentish opinion. I just don't know why it doesn't handle like a "nose heavy barge" as one Saabster once said. The more I drive mine, the more I'm fascinated by the way it works.

[peva]

Originally Posted by scantar

I just don't know why it doesn't handle like a "nose heavy barge" as one Saabster once said.

It's not really a nose heavy barge. It's only about 60% weight on the front wheels. Less so with rear passengers and a full tank of fuel. Plus it's got properly designed double wishbone front suspension. None of your strut nonsense. A double wishbone system gives the designer greater freedom to create the best camber curve during compression and rebound. Also this ensures stable suspension geometry during body roll and turning, and provides the designer with great opportunities to tune the car's roll characteristics through changes in roll center height and roll axis. They did well. That's why the C900 is so good.

[S900t8v]

Originally Posted by peva

It's not really a nose heavy barge. It's only about 60% weight on the front wheels. Less so with rear passengers and a full tank of fuel. Plus it's got properly designed double wishbone front suspension. None of your strut nonsense. A double wishbone system gives the designer greater freedom to create the best camber curve during compression and rebound. Also this ensures stable suspension geometry during body roll and turning, and provides the designer with great opportunities to tune the car's roll characteristics through changes in roll center height and roll axis. They did well. That's why the C900 is so good.

Saab claimed 52:48 weight distribution over front and rear respectively, so that's a bit tighter than 60% or is this just promotion blabla? Ahhhh I see 60:40 is when driver only and 52:48 is when loaded, how clever!