# Anyone drive a badge engineered car? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 25, 2006, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drive-a-badge-engineered-car/374048 "2006-09-25T10:14:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drive-a-badge-engineered-car/374048/21 "2006-09-28T15:54:32Z")
**Sam Stone** nailed the reasons for buying a SAAB 92-x. They were released a lttle iverpriced compared to the similar spec WRX it was based uppon. They didn’t sell, so SAAB nocked $9000 off the price. They were now cheaper new than a year old used WRX, so sold like hotcakes. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drive-a-badge-engineered-car/374048/22 "2006-09-28T16:00:30Z")
b.t.w. **Sam** do you know about [www.saab92x.com](http://www.saab92x.com) ? ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drive-a-badge-engineered-car/374048/23 "2006-09-29T01:09:15Z")
Yeah, I check in there once in a while. Not that much exciting going there these days… I forgot the other advantage of the Saab - safety. The Saab has added crash reinforcements in the doors, seatbelt pre-tensioners, and active head restraints. And the Impreza was already rated the #1 safest small car by the IIHS, so that’s pretty cool. And I think it got upgraded engine mounts to reduce NVH. I’ve driven both a WRX and the Saab, and the Saab engine definitely feels smoother and quieter. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drive-a-badge-engineered-car/374048/24 "2006-09-29T15:28:34Z")
[QUOTE=Sam Stone] Yeah, I check in there once in a while. Not that much exciting going there these days… I forgot the other advantage of the Saab - safety. The Saab has added crash reinforcements in the doors, seatbelt pre-tensioners, and active head restraints. And the Impreza was already rated the #1 safest small car by the IIHS, so that’s pretty cool. And I think it got upgraded engine mounts to reduce NVH. I’ve driven both a WRX and the Saab, and the Saab engine definitely feels smoother and quieter. [/QUOTE] The Saab’s got the next years WRX mods. So 2006+ WRXs have the same safety (and Leather options). ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drive-a-badge-engineered-car/374048/25 "2006-09-29T23:07:11Z")
Since someone mentioned Taurus vs. Sable, for the record, there is NO substantial difference between the two. Like, NONE. The only trend in the final generation was that there were more low-end Taurus packages sold than Mercury, but every single option was available on both. Now, the Panther package, Ford has had some fun with. Crown Vic / Mercury Grand Marquis… the same except for the Taxis and Police packages However, the Mercury Marauder… neat car, though they could have tried harder Likewise the Lincoln Town Car. Nice, nice ride, and more than just a spruced-up Crown Vic. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drive-a-badge-engineered-car/374048/26 "2006-09-29T23:10:16Z")
Oh, should mention, the Taurus/Sable did have variations in generations 2 and 3. In Gen 2 and Gen 3 the Taurus had the SHO, which was keen. In one or both of those generations there was a police package Taurus, which of course never showed up in the Sable line. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drive-a-badge-engineered-car/374048.md?page=1)