So, my wife and I were considering replacing her '97 Saturn coupe with some kind of 5-door hatchback. We test drove a Mazda 3, but with leather and the good options it was pushing $24k; too close to TSX territory for a Ford. The Subie Impreza RS was never really an option, since you can't get it with leather and the grille/headlight are . I had read about the Saab 9-2X (Saabified Impreza RS in Linear trim, and WRX in Aero trim), but the MSRP was $30k+, so I never gave it a second thought.

However, this May GM is offering $6k-$8k in incentives on the 9-2X, and they are selling for around invoice since no one knows this vehicle exists and it looks overpriced at first glance. On a whim, my wife and I drove 1.5 hrs to the nearest Saab dealership with some 9-2Xs in stock for a test drive (my first car was an '86 Saab 900 S, so I still hold a place in my heart for the brand even if GM did bastardize it). 4 hours later she was the proud new owner of a Linear with every available option. (Leather, HIDs, 6CD, moonroof, heated seats/mirrors, AT). The Aero (turbo) would have been only a couple grand more, but she doesn't push her cars so the extra fuel and maintenance costs wouldn't have been justified (I lobbied for a few minutes, but had to remind myself it wasn't me who would be driving the car). MSRP on this car was about $30k; with the incentives+haggling, we paid $23k. I haven't taken a picture yet, but ours looks like this one:



It's a great car; proven boxer engine and AWD system, Saab warranty and perks (4yr/50k, 2yrs free sch. maint., free loaners, free season lift ticket to some ski resort in CO, etc), but sold at less than the price of a Subaru Impreza when optioned the same. However, the Saab had better options available (the two-tone leather looks great!). Basically, we paid about $2k over the price of a loaded Impreza RS for the leather, heated seats/mirrors, HIDs, moonroof, and improved aesthetics (Saab added a unique body kit, slick 5-spoke alloy wheels, and a MUCH nicer grille).

Saab also made some slight mechanical changes to the Impreza for the 9-2x:
Steering wheel and system from the STi
Custom suspension tuning (don't know if its softer or stiffer, but felt pretty sporty to me)
Much more sound insulation; this car is QUIET

The car drives well; I think the steering feel is better than the TSX, and since it has the same peak torque rating, it drives the same around town as an AT TSX. The dash/instruments/etc are pretty plasticky, but all the leather and metallic-looking materials give a decent pseudo-lux look. It has some neat little features not available on the TSX, like a knob to adjust the HID angle. Overall, I think the car should serve us for a long time as a pratical, safe, yet fun ride.

 

Here's a pic of the interior. The leather looks alot better in person. The giant slab of fake aluminum doesn't.

 

awesome, i've considered this car and unless the RDX is decent the woman and I may consider something along these lines. congrats!!

 

Isn't the 9-2X a rebadged Subaru and some different body panels?

 

it's based on the WRX.


congrats. i'm about to join the subaru family myself.

 

But the base model has only 165hp, just like its brother Impreza.

 

Nice job!

IMHO, the Saab version is the better of the two for the reasons you mention; however, the "edge" is questionable based on MSRP. At the same price (or less for the Saab!), it's nighty nighty for the 'buru.

Did you talk prices on the Aero aka WRX version? That's the one i'd go for.

 

Read the post and I described all the differences ;-) At MSRP, the price difference doesn't justify the relatively minor improvements for the Saab. However, GM's insane incentives on the Saab makes the car an appealing alternative to the Impreza RS right now. I can't think of another 5-door hatch on the market that can deliver AWD and so many luxury amentities for low $20ks.

 

The Aero was an even better buy than the WRX, since it had an even larger rebate from GM. You can get a stripped Aero for $20k even. However, my wife would never know the difference, and the turbo engine requires premium, gets awful mileage, and overall there would be more maintenance costs.

 

Great car, and a great deal; Congrats man.

 

premium gas is certainly a concideration. at first i said the lower engine was pointless, but then i remembered (remember, college = driving rarely) how expensive gas is, and premium would certainly break the bank if the added power wasn't going to be used a whole lot.

 

anyway, looks nice an all around nice car. i would have called too expensive but after the insentives it looks like a great buy

 

The Aero with the five-speed may be the best performance car value currently on the market, an absolute steal at these prices. I'm sorely tempted but it's a little too small and stability control isn't available.

 

My 14 y/o son (soon to be 15) is saving BIGTIME for a used WRX when the time comes in two years. There go my insurance rates.

 

Tell him to buy a Wave, Echo or Rio instead. You will save a lot on insurances.

 

I already expressed that he should consider a Hyundai Excel but, knowing him he'd probably swap in a 4G63t.

That said (and fortunately) one of his choices is a 1G Sentra SE-R. Let's just hope I can sell him on the SR20DE and its mod potential. ...so hard to say no to him though.

 

Glorified WRX. I do like the front end better though. And it's no surprise that there are such huge incentives on this car. I think I've seen about 2 on the road since it was introduced nearly a year ago.

 

Impreza actually. He got the equivalent of the RS not the WRX. Sounds like you did your homework and got a great deal Hokie. Nice work.

 

Oops, you're right. My mind isn't fully functioning yet. I had just gotten off a plane from LA not that long ago what I posted that.

BTW, cute kid. Much better looking than the father.

 

Motor Trend did this article months ago and I remember reading about it. It always stuck in my head about this car. For the $7k you saved on the MSRP (plus $2k more!) you could have this.

http://motortrend.com/features/perfo...04_tuner_saab/

Ahh, the possibilities.

 

:waitingforhondatareview:

 

sweet

 

I like Saabs and Subarus. You got a great deal. Congrats.

 

Possibly tomorrow night after I get home from work (no later than Wednesday, I promise). ECU should arrive for me tomorrow during the day, I'll install it during my lunch hour, fill it up with gas and take it for a spin.

 

I always liked the WRX, but couldnt get over the styling, especially the interior. The Saab however looks