Repair-It

I'm sorry but whoever put the Saab Viggan on the list without ever driving one is fairly ignorant. People assume the torque steer is bad because of the high HP on a FWD car? Did they ignore there is no torque steer on the last model 9-3s that had more torque and HP? Way to base that entry on hearsay.

Fast_Ed wrote:(It's been more than a decade since I experienced that...)

Ford engineered RevoKnuckle to optimize the performance of its too-cool-for-the-U.S., 300-hp Focus RS. GM developed HiPer Struts for the Buick LaCrosse CXS and Regal GS.

Try pushing an unmodified one of these to the limit, and any number of things start to go wrong. First off, the obvious complaint is the straight axle; no camber, no toe, no independence, etc. Worse than just having a stick axle, though is that the rear axle is located poorly, and can move left and right about an inch either direction. That gives you wiggly-ass syndrome, and it makes the limit of grip much less of a line and much more a grey area. The geometry of the 4-link is trash, and the wheel-wrap from acceleration pulls the axle up into the body (causing wheel-hop).

Assuming you can keep the rear end grip in check, the front geometry is atrocious and between the lack of proper camber, the lack of caster, and the roll-center being in the ground that causes it to need a huge front bar, you'll start pushing something fierce.

And of course, the super-flexy chassis, that makes all of the above even less predictable. Sprinkle in 300 lb-ft of torque (did I mention the stock tires are all of 225s?) and it all adds up to make a car that when pushed to the limit, understeers until the rear suspension binds up and the rear end comes around on you.