What do we think of this car?







Standard Engine 2.0L 227 hp H4
Torque 217 @ 4000 RPM

I know the lower end Linear is AWD, not sure if the Aero is too. I would hope so. Not too shabby for $26,950 base MSRP.

Is this Saab based on Subaru Impreza wagon?

 

This car is a CHEAP POS in IMHO. I went to take a look at one when they first came out I was a fan of the older 9-3 hatches. The interior is so cheaply done it screams SUBARU, there are no lights for the vanity mirrors, ok so this is petty but come on now how much does that really cost to install, if they skimped on something so little makes me wonder about the rest of the car. As it is when you close the doors you have to make sure they close proper and they do not have that solid feel to them.... all in all not to rant but money is much better spent on the Imprezza, same car less cash. Even go for the new legacy. GM has really missed the boat here, rebadging a Japanese car to pass off as a swede and owned by an American, I can't wait for the 9-7X AKA rebadged Trailblazer.....

To answer your question: It is a rebadged Imprezza, window stickers even have to say that they are not produced by SAAB, but buy FUJI HEAVY INDUSTRIES the parent company of SUBARU and they all use the AWD system, same motors, same tranny, same everything minus some cosmetics!!!! They tried to make a upscale version of a fast car for wealthier 18-30 year olds.

 

Its a nice package for the price. Definitely a step up from
the WRX wagon's interior if you're into leather seating
and near luxury ergonomics. Personally, I own a WRX
so I prefer the cloth seating, etc for its sportiness,
but the 9-2Aero is a nice package. I think the 9-2's
will attract not only mid-20 year olds but even mid to
upper 30's.

 

I think it's a better looking alternative to the WRX, though I thought I read it was a little slower.

Anyone know how Saab's resale values have been lately? Hopefully this car will be a bastard child in the Saab line, shunned by the Saab faithful, and resale will tank in a few years. Might be able to pick one up cheaper than a used WRX, and those are already getting dirt cheap.

 

9-2X has a revised suspension. Shame it doesnt have the 2.5L. If you're in the market for a kickass awd turbo wagon, check out the incentives available on the V70R on www.carsdirect.com



--
Cheese

 

I know that GM is already offering employee discounts on them. Maybe even PEP IV (drive 7,500MI then buy it @ a huge discount!) soon!

 

I'm looking at that Volvo V50 and thinking that's a hot little car!!

 

The WRX is a great little car, so it is hard to slam it's mechanical twin. It will appeal for those folks who like the performance and engineering of the WRX, but would rather stay away from the whole "Fast and Furious" image that comes with any high performance, somewhat inexpensive car from Japan.

 

I always thought SAABs were cool because they were different. From what I've read, this isn't really a SAAB at all, its a Subaru with a SAAB-esque apron on the front. The ignition is on the steering column. True SAABs have the ignition between the seats, a wonderful quirk IMO I've also read it doesn't have the safety features normally associated with SAAB. SAAD.

I'm not particularly fond of Subarus anyway, (what's up with the body cladding on that Baja thing-? :shudder: park it over there next to the Aztec, please ) but I respect their engineering-as Subarus. Seems wrong to me to dress a Subaru up as a SAAB.
I think the thinly-veiled rebadging routine is incredibly cheesy. GM and Ford can't seem to break that habit, GM being the worst IMO. It would be like if Suzuki sold stripped-down rebadged MINIs (eeesh, forget I even said that)

 

I test drove one a week or so back and was not impressed. The salesman let me take it for a 24 hour test drive, he practically begged me, and I was back in about 30 minutes to give it back. The Turbo combined with the 5 speed is very rough, nothing like my MCS. I finally figured out the you must release the clutch without giving it any gas or else you will stall or lurch your way down the street. Not very fast at all and very small for a wagon.

I agree that is is a POS. Might as well get a Focus wagon.

 

wow!

I would not consider it a piece of sh*t if compared to just a MCS.

 

Looks great in the pictures but I did not like the way it drove or the interior.

 

I really liked the look of it from the exterior, so I stopped at the dealer last week to have a sit. The interior just didn't do it for me. Quality looked OK; it just looked really dated. Maybe at a base price of about 5K less than what their asking I would give it a second look; but 26K ha!

The dealer I visited also has a Volvo dealership. I checked out the new S40 & V40 which start at about 1K less than the Saab. Those are fantastic looking cars. Inside and out, they just say quality. I really loved the interior design. It just all feels right.

 

The Saab really does have poor resale value. I know... I own a 9 5.

Regards, Glenn :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

There are about $7,000 in rebates plus more if you are a GM employee right now. So it is possible to get a 9-2x aero for about $19,000. I am going to test drive one tonight. Probably still not worth it over MCS since no nav available.

 

GM had nothing to do with the Aero or Linear design or production-wise...GM/Saab actually turned over production and design to Subaru for this one...GM figured they screwed up enough things lately, time to let someone else take the blame I guess...I too would rather have the Subaru version. The trademark Saab style grill look kind of out of place on a car like that...well, it is what it is I guess.

Dave.

 

When I checked it out before I bought the sport cross I liked the exterior, interior dated and the power was fairly strong but not linear. Not nearly as much fun as the MCS. I'm telling you to check out the sport cross. I bought mine on ebay with 15K for 22K and it is a lot of car

 

Is the ignition located between the seats by the gear shift?

 

If I remember correctly from sitting in one, it is not in 'true Saab fashion' with the ignition between the seats...I could be wrong though.

That's not surprising anymore though with it being turned over to another manufacturer.

Dave

 

I think I remember seeing the iginition on the steering column.


that reminds me of the first time i took a 9-3 out for a test drive...
where the hell does the key go?!

 

The Saabaru. IMO it is better looking than the Subie, you can get a sunroof in it and it has free mantenence. From what I hear people are walking out with them for under 20K, if thats the case, its a heck of a deal.

 

I agree...a little more subtle in styling. Under $20K IS a lot of car for the money.

My brother has a WRX, and I've owned 2 Saabs (a 900 with a V6 and a 9-3 2L Turbo). I was pleased with both the V6 and the turbo.