Thoughts on Saab 9-2X Linear (2.5)?

Fairly soon, I may want to get a newer car. I usually think about this when the weather gets colder, the MG gets put away and the Benz starts to moan a little when the temperature dips to freezing. Last year I still had the tail end of my Jetta lease. This year, I've started to wonder about what to do that will offer versatility, good all weather use, some measure of comfort and fun in use.

There is a 2005 9-2X Linear for sale at a dealer with 72K for about $9K with a manual trans. I've always liked these, but I've heard the 2.5 N/A is sloooow. So are my other cars, so thats not a huge problem, it specs out about the same as my Jetta did performance wise and I'm sure there are Impreza/WRX mods to improve things somewhat. I enjoyed the Jetta.

The price difference is high though, like 9K vs. at least 12K for a good Aero with a manual, if I can find one.

Anyone have any experience with the Impreza/9-2X 2.5? Other than the fact that a WRX might be had for a little more; thoughts?

I bet insurance is hella cheaper on the Saab.

Diesel Jetta?

The people that say the N/A 2.5 cars are slow are ones who've never driven one in anger. They are by no means a powerhouse, but offer great torque and reasonable economy.

'05 was the first year for hackable ECUs in N/A Subies as well, a cheap Tactrix cable and laptop will do wonders for the sloppy tuning these cars are known for. As with the rest of the Impreza family, the aftermarket is seemingly endless these days.

I'm all for the turbo monsters, but don't discount the lesser model's merits. Go drive it, I'm sure you'll like what you find.

The 2.5 is not underpowered or slow in that car. My 01 Impreza 2.5RS (2800 lbs) and my 2007 Legacy 2.5i (3300 lbs) were/are both fine. They rip pretty good in 3rd gear. That car, with a stick, at 3000 lbs will be fun!

My thought is that if you are spending that much you may as well get a turbo. I have seen them in that price range and a bit cheaper.

For comparison we recently bought my wife's 04 Forester XT 5 Speed for $12k with 63,000 miles. Huge upgrage in the power department from her 2000 2.2 5 speed Impreza. Both are fun to drive though.

The Forester XT is hard to find in a five speed and we could have easily gotten a comparable year/mileage WRX for about $9-10k.

RoosterSauce wrote: I bet insurance is hella cheaper on the Saab.

Possibly, but WRX wagons have cheap insurance rates. I pay $58/month with a $250 deductible for full coverage. I'm 27 so I don't think that's too bad.

I had one. really liked it a lot...

We've got an Aero (turbo) 9-2X. Something to keep in mind when cross shopping is that the turbo Saabaru also has lots of other little things that are better than the non-turbo than just the engine. STI suspension bits, stereo, auto HVAC, and sound dampening jump out at me. The options that make it a hell of a lot better car to drive, IMO, are the HIDs and cold weather package (heated seats, mirrors, windshield). The headlights are (pardon the pun) a night-and-day difference from OEM halogens or "retrofit" aftermarket HIDs. Our '05 92x Aero has the 2.0 turbo, 5 speed, cold weather, HIDs+leather, but no sunroof or 17" wheels. Jessica absolutely loves the car, it's rock solid reliable, and it's pretty fun to drive in bone-stock condition in any road conditions. If it were mine it would be sold, because I have auto-ADD, but it is her car and she doesn't want to get rid of it. We got a great deal on ours new, but if I was buying used today I'd probably look for a 2.5 ('06) turbo version or a really cheap 2.0 ('05) turbo with plans to spend about a grand on upgrades like a tuner + exhaust (and maybe a rear bar if you plan to do any aggressive driving with it).

I've seen the Saabarus go pretty damn cheap used, about 30% less than the prices you mention. They're hard to find, but they typically go cheaper than an Impreza/WRX and have been better cared for when you can find them.

Bryce

frenchy wrote:

RoosterSauce wrote: I bet insurance is hella cheaper on the Saab.

Possibly, but WRX wagons have cheap insurance rates. I pay $58/month with a $250 deductible for full coverage. I'm 27 so I don't think that's too bad.

WTF. I'm the same age, and I pay about three times that for an Accent and an old E36 M3 truck. Maybe I should shop around. Mind if I ask what insurance company?