Date: 15 Aug 2004 07:50:59 -0700 From: jsh1120nospamast.net (jsh1120) Subject: Re: Saabaru
T <tberknospamlobal.net> wrote in message news:<U_INc.99169$lo6.2264nospamsvr29.news.prodigy.com>... > Anybody actually had some hands on time in one of these yet? What > where you impressions? Had a 9-2X for the last couple of days while my new 9-5 was getting its accessories. My impressions of the "Aero" (turbo version of the car.) Fun little car with lots of power above 3000 rpm. Not much torque below that, however. I was struck by the difference between the 9-2X and the Subaru Legacy with an even hotter 250 hp turbo 4 I drove while I was shopping. The Legacy/Outback was tuned for much more low end torque. Still, the 9-2X was seriously quick and fast. Turbo rush was pronounced and if you keep the transmission from 3500-6000 rpm the car is a mover. (I suspect the automatic is much less impressive, but I don't know.) Overall looks (exterior and interior) are better, imho, than the Subaru WRX, but that's not a very high bar to surpass. Interior is very Subaru with little Saab. On the other hand, nice leather interior that's not available, as far as I know, on the Subaru. (And the 9-2X at least has usable cupholders, a lesson lost on those who design "real" Saabs.) Still, the interior is very Japanese without the quality of Hondas or Toyotas. I've read that Saab added significant sound insulation to the 9-2X compared to the WRX. If that's true, the WRX must be like driving in a cement mixer. Very noisy compared to my 9-5 (and the Subaru Legacy.) Not surprising, of course, but I'd expect the 9-2X to at least resemble the refinement of its Saab brethren. It doesn't. Would I buy one? Not likely unless the price (about $30K USD) were seriously discounted. Even then, I suspect that Saab will have a difficult time drawing the intended market to this car. The 9-2X doesn't have the refinement of either the 9-3 or the 9-5 and is at disadvantage in terms of the price point with its Subaru WRX sibling. All in all, strikes me as a prep school version of a boy racer sedan.
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