Randy G. wrote:

The one exception that I'm aware of is the classic Saab 900. FWD, with
the easiest to replace clutch I've ever seen. The engine sits on top of
the gearbox which has the oil pan cast into it and power is transmitted
from the clutch to the gearbox via an enclosed chain drive so the clutch
is right out on the front, you don't even have to remove the gearbox or
engine.

James Sweet <jamessweet1 (AT) trashmail (DOT) net> wrote:

I remember sitting in a VW dealership waiting for parts. They also
sold Saab (talk about gluttons for punishment). I was watching a
mechanic in the shop working under the hood of a Saab, dividing his
time fairly equally between wrenching and swearing. He called them
"Slaabs."

Mom had a '89 Ford Taurus. I drove it a couple of times. Hated it.
besides having a POS motor and transmission, my opinion of FWD was
reinforced. My theory is, when do you need the most traction? Going
uphill on low-traction surfaces from a stop. When accelerating on such
a surface, where does the weight transfer? To the rear wheels.

I know that there are fans of this FWD drivetrains, but I have video
of me driving my '90 245 RWD, a few miles in the snow including a
fairly steep climb up my dirt and gravel, snow-covered driveway with
no chains and standard tires. I would still be digging out that
Taurus. Through the climb up the driveway you can hear my wife, who
was in the passenger seat, saying, "Go Volvo!"

__ __
Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
\__/olvos
'90 245 Estate - '93 965 Estate
"Shelby" & "Kate"

Randy G. wrote:

My ex had one that was needing some TLC when acquired, so I've spent a
fair amount of time working on it. Funny thing is I miss that car much
more than I ever missed her. It was the car that opened my mind from
being completely dead set on RWD, I still love my 240, but I was very,
very close to picking up a 900 Turbo a couple years back. It's the sort
of thing where if you haven't spent some time driving one, you wouldn't
know. They're different for sure, but by no means difficult to work on.
Sounds like an incompetent mechanic more so than any fault with the car.
One I figured out the tricks, nothing I ever did on the 900 was any
harder than on a 240, just different. Keep in mind what I say applies
only to the pre-'94 900 series which has a longitudinal engine. The
later GM 900s as well as the 9000's have a more conventional transverse
engine, those are never any fun to deal with.