"Saabaru" 9-2x

MarekRozanski · **Posted:** Sun Mar 06, 2005 5:10 pm

Anyone driven this thing? Just wondering how it compares to the WRX. Are there any significant differences?

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

It's heavier & it costs a lot more... those are pretty significant to me. :lol:

Also, comes stock with 17" wheels vs. 16" for WRX, it has softer suspension bushings to decrease nvh, ummm... can't remember too much else.

From what I've heard, I'd take my 05 WRX wagon over the Saabaru any day, even if they were the same price.

Adam Ligon · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2005 11:08 am

You forgot to mention its also about 10x nicer inside than the subaru version

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

Define "nicer"

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

GM finally figured out a way to make a Saab uglier --> you make it in Japan.

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:04 pm

I testdrove the 9-2x when they first came out since I get a GM discount. I thought it looked ok, but not worth the price they are asking, even with a discount. I hadn't driven a WRX before, but my opinion of the Saab was that it was WAAAY too soft - to the point of being "boaty". That's just NOT what I'm looking for in an "enthusiast" car.

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

My wagon was definitely not soft from the factory - it had very nice (stiff) damping, and less body roll than previous WRXes. Boaty would not be a word I'd use to describe it. The ride height was a little bit SUVish, but some Prodrive springs fixed that.

As for the interior, the stereo is GREAT, the seats are GREAT, the controls are well laid-out, the fit & general quality of materials is GREAT, and I can't really think of anything negative to say about it, especially considering the price.

Adam Ligon · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2005 1:47 pm

Kevin Allen wrote:

Define "nicer"

Now as much as I joke woth people, I actually like the WRX, in all it forms.

I have sat in and driven both versions, Saab and Subaru. And the interior of the Saab is much nicer, both in quality and fit and finish than the Roo. The Roo's interior has always been the one strike agaisnt it in my book. But then for the pirce diff it is pretty easy to put with

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2005 2:05 pm

The WRX has some of the most supportive and comfortable seats for a stock car. I don't mind the interior at all. It's comfortable and ergonomically well set up.

The STi seats don't hold a candle to the WRX seats. I think they were designed for someone weighing in North of 300#. - AB

Chris Landi · **Joined:** Mon Mar 08, 2004 6:31 pm **Posts:** 579

Aaron Buckley wrote:

The STi seats don't hold a candle to the WRX seats. I think they were designed for someone weighing in North of 300#. - AB

You're dead on..
I am still sore from bouncing around in my seat last Sunday. My left knee got scraped raw and I was even wearing a knee pad. The STi seats are horrible for my frame. I've ordered a harness that will hopefully be in by the next event.

Brian Herring · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2005 2:30 pm

Chris Landi wrote:

Aaron Buckley wrote:

The STi seats don't hold a candle to the WRX seats. I think they were designed for someone weighing in North of 300#. - AB

You're dead on..
I am still sore from bouncing around in my seat last Sunday. My left knee got scraped raw and I was even wearing a knee pad. The STi seats are horrible for my frame. I've ordered a harness that will hopefully be in by the next event.

Yea, I dont like the STi seats anywhere near the WRX seats I had. Of course, all the WRX seats from 04+ should be the same as the WRX seats now. Only the 02/03 had the awesome seats.

I guess I am just not sliding around in the car since I am one of those 300# guys...

- brian

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

Yeah, my WRX has the STi seats, just in a different fabric. I didn't care for them at first, but once you get the seatbelt setup right (so that you can lock down the lap portion), they're great. I have an 03 WRX driver's seat in my 2.5RS, and it's much more supportive for racing, but not as comfortable on long trips.

Rich Anderson · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2005 3:30 pm

The 9-2X may be the best thing to come out of the GM orchestrated Saab madness. Not a high standard, as you will see soon.

9-7X, a Chevy Trailblazer under the skin should make anyone who likes Saabs of yore cringe.

Of course, the one after that beauty will be based on this Subaru.

Starting with something that hideous pretty much guarantees the second coming of the Aztec.

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

Quote:

the interior of the Saab is much nicer, both in quality and fit and finish than the Roo

I looked at the saab website & took the 360° tour of the interior - other than the ugly-ass leather seats & the ugly-ass door panels, it looks just like my WRX. Except that on the WRX, the tach is in the MIDDLE where it belongs. The interior quality on the 2005 model made a huge leap compared to the previous years. My 2.5RS is in good shape & is a pretty fun car to drive, but its body rigidity, steering (especially) & other controls feel like crap when I've been driving the WRX for a few days. Of course, when I go from the 2.5RS back to the WRX...

Christine's Forester XT is even better interior-wise (including heated leather), rides good, handles amazingly well, and matches the acceleration of the WRX. And it's an automatic. :shock:

This is the first car that she's driven that I didn't think was a total pos compared to what I was driving at the time. :lol:

Subaru is definitely looking up lately.

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

Oh, here's something that was posted on nasioc a while back... was going to post earlier, but forgot.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthr ... pmoto+saab

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"Saabaru" 9-2x

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