First Snow drive in the Turbo X (Repost for night crowd)

"Godspeed11- I own a SAAB" (Godspeed11) 01/28/2014 at 23:58 • Filed to: Snow, Turbo X

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Got out of school early to this. So excited to just drive around in the snow, but the roads weren't primed at all so everyone was sliding all over and the usual way home was way backed up. I decided to take the long road and got stuck behind a bus. He was doing fine all the way through the road and no one slid off. That is until he stopped at a neighborhood where the road is at an angle.

The bus pulled away no problem, as did the malibu and CTS behind it. However, the Sequoya driven by a fellow student gassed it too much and began sliding sideways into the other lane. Luckily no traffic was coming that way and she stopped sliding before reaching the ledge that led to the lake.

The pathfinder in front of me was able to pull into the neighborhood and return home. I however began sliding the instant I began to roll I slid sideways down the road with no hope of stopping it.

Again, luckily, the guardrail stopped my car from sliding into the ditch. Now I was waiting for traffic to stop and give me a window to pull out and get home.

Then the girl in the Sequoya called her boyfriend and he shows up coming the other direction in his 2000 v6 accord. He came in slowly and stopped maybe 10 feet from the Sequoya and began sliding. He was going slow enough that he didn't slide too much. Him showing up did nothing to help the situation, now we had three cars blocking traffic and still no way of getting the Toyota from teetering near a ditch.

Next, of all the things that could happen, the best possible thing happen. Best. Thing. Ever.

A mutual friend of the Sequoya girl and Accord guy comes from the same direction as the accord kid doing maybe 35....on solid ice....with 3 cars stuck....and other traffic lined up. She slams on the brakes when she saw the accord stuck and locks up the wheels. She's driving a 1997 toyota tacoma, because reliable and 4wd. She slides sideways straight into the front of the accord. This sends the accord sliding into the Sequoya.

The Sequoya was planted enough that it didn't move, meaning the Turbo X was still safe from danger.

At this point more people showed up and waited in line coming from my direction, getting stuck on ice and sliding into curbs and such. A newer accord tried backing into a driveway and just got stuck spinning its wheels on the road.

This is when I decided to get out of there. Being that my bumper was up against the guard rail I wanted to keep it from getting scratched up terribly. I took the passenger floor mat and wedged it between the bumper and the rail.

XWD worked its magic. Me, having 3 days of manual transmission driving under my belt, on an icy slope, with a ditch behind me, and cars surrounding me, was able to get out. XWD was vectoring and such wherever the wheels needed it.

Way to go Sweden. Good Job.

Brian Silvestro > Godspeed11- I own a SAAB 01/28/2014 at 13:21

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Sorry I had to.

505Turbeaux > Godspeed11- I own a SAAB 01/28/2014 at 13:22

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man I love those Turbo X's

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Godspeed11- I own a SAAB 01/28/2014 at 13:23

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that is a freaking nice car I need to research how much they are going for in my area.

with Saab being no longer how hard is it to get parts?

Textured Soy Protein > Godspeed11- I own a SAAB 01/28/2014 at 13:25

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So...looks like you're rolling on summer tires huh?

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Godspeed11- I own a SAAB 01/28/2014 at 13:27

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Wait, do you know that Velocity person then o-o I just saw this picture this morning.

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/first-time-dri…

Godspeed11- I own a SAAB > Textured Soy Protein 01/28/2014 at 13:28

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Haha all seasons actually. I don't think snow tires would have stopped the slide. Getting out was fairly easy but I give the car the credit

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Brian Silvestro 01/28/2014 at 13:29

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This requires more stars

offroadkarter > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna 01/28/2014 at 13:29

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I'm glad I wasn't the only one who just de ja vu'd

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna 01/28/2014 at 13:30

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Yes I'm actually over his house right now

Godspeed11- I own a SAAB > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna 01/28/2014 at 13:30

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Haha we're neighbors

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 01/28/2014 at 13:31

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LOL.

Godspeed11- I own a SAAB > Brian Silvestro 01/28/2014 at 13:32

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That'll buff out

Godspeed11- I own a SAAB > 505Turbeaux 01/28/2014 at 13:32

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I love it so so much

Brian Silvestro > Godspeed11- I own a SAAB 01/28/2014 at 13:33

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I lol'd.

Godspeed11- I own a SAAB > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 01/28/2014 at 13:34

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actually no. We have a certified Saab dealer that services our cars (2011 9-5, 2011 9-4x, 2007 9-3 Aero Sportcombi, and Turbo X) and parts haven't been a problem at all. Even for the ridiculously rare 9-4x they can service it fine.

505Turbeaux > Godspeed11- I own a SAAB 01/28/2014 at 13:34

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my biggest die hard saab fanatic friend tracked one down in that color for himself. Loves it too

Textured Soy Protein > Godspeed11- I own a SAAB 01/28/2014 at 13:34

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Ah, I made out the Continental Extreme logo and thought they were the DW, but I guess you have the DWS.

I used to have a Mazdaspeed 6. When I first got it the dealer had put on Dunlop SP Sport 5000 M performance all-seasons on it, which for an all-season have really bad winter traction and they slid all over the place in spite of awd. I put Blizzaks on the stock wheels, sold the Dunlops on craigslist, and got summer tires on another set of rims. The Blizzaks were a huge improvement.

But...the Conti DWS are supposed to be a lot better in the snow than those awful SP5000Ms.

Godspeed11- I own a SAAB > 505Turbeaux 01/28/2014 at 13:35

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Haha they only came in black

CAR_IS_MI > Brian Silvestro 01/28/2014 at 13:35

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LMAO! (sorry OP not trying to be a dick, just am. glad the X is okay, I would hate to see that one get damaged).

505Turbeaux > Godspeed11- I own a SAAB 01/28/2014 at 13:37

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lol that is why he got one in that color then!

Godspeed11- I own a SAAB > Textured Soy Protein 01/28/2014 at 13:38

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When I wasn't sitting on solid ice they were great, I hooned for about 2 seconds in an empty parking lot and they had surprising amounts of grip.

Brian Silvestro > CAR_IS_MI 01/28/2014 at 13:38

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I'd also like to say I'm not being a dick, the car is awesome.

Godspeed11- I own a SAAB > 505Turbeaux 01/28/2014 at 13:39

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It is a fantastic car and I love it. I've only had it for 4 days now haha

Godspeed11- I own a SAAB > Brian Silvestro 01/28/2014 at 13:40

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If the car was mashed I'd be mad, but it's fine so lols all around

Brian Silvestro > Godspeed11- I own a SAAB 01/28/2014 at 13:45

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Ok good, that car is too beautiful to get hurt anyway.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Godspeed11- I own a SAAB 01/28/2014 at 13:50

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there is no dealer in my area but man are these things ever affordable a low miles (37000 miles) 2009 turbo x for $15000.

2009 9-3 XWD (not turbo X) 13000 miles $8500.00

this would make a great weekend play luxury-ish car

Godspeed11- I own a SAAB > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 01/28/2014 at 13:58

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With XWD they are fantastic. If you have a nearby European auto shop of some sort they usually service Saabs. We have gone to 3 different places and they all have had parts

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > Godspeed11- I own a SAAB 01/28/2014 at 14:00

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You own one of my dream cars? You own one of my dream cars. Steeeeck?

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Godspeed11- I own a SAAB 01/28/2014 at 14:02

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I will do some research thanks.

Austin Cox > Godspeed11- I own a SAAB 01/28/2014 at 14:11

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That second picture almost made water fall out from around my eyes. Hopefully just very light bumper contact?

Godspeed11- I own a SAAB > Austin Cox 01/28/2014 at 15:16

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very very light. It touched at like half a mile per hour. It left a few scuffs from where it rubbed up against the floor mat when I wedged it between the bumper and the rail.

Godspeed11- I own a SAAB > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 01/28/2014 at 15:16

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Stick? Stick.

Godspeed11- I own a SAAB > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 01/28/2014 at 15:41

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Good luck! The 2009 Aeros are the ones to get. In 2010 GM stopped supplying the LP9 V6 meaning Aeros got the 4 banger. If you can find an '09 aero XWD it's basically a turbo X. If you can find one with the eLSD then the only difference between the Turbo X and Aero is the steering wheel, wheels, steering rack, and suspension.
The steering in the Turbo X is faster and weighted much more than the aero, not to say the Aero has bad steering feel at all, just different.
Either way I'm sure you'll love whatever you find.

A3R0 > Brian Silvestro 01/28/2014 at 16:11

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Picture not showing up for me...

Since you have 19 star clicks, what was it?

Brian Silvestro > A3R0 01/28/2014 at 16:11

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how about now?

A3R0 > Brian Silvestro 01/28/2014 at 16:15

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Yup. Haha

Burrito de EJ25 > Godspeed11- I own a SAAB 01/29/2014 at 00:19

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I cannot stress enough how absolutely awesome I think this car looks. It's so different , you know? I may have to seek one of these out when I've grown out of loud, harsh cars like my WRX.

I just can't see myself in a BMW or a Merc, or even an Audi. They're essentially middle management uniforms.

Godspeed11- I own a SAAB > Burrito de EJ25 01/29/2014 at 01:16

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I understand what your saying. Every time I see one on the road I just stare and take it in because they are just stunning. The Turbo X just makes everything look so much meaner and aggressive. It still looks brand new even 6 years out, the design hasn't aged a day in my eyes. Yeah BMWs and Audis are just everywhere so that's what pushed me towards Saab in the first place.

mrazekan > Brian Silvestro 01/29/2014 at 02:31

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I am going to be a dick...

So Godspeed, you are in your teens, not long with your license, only hours driving a stick, and you decide it is a good idea to drive one of the most rare Saabs that isn't a classic, in the snow!?

It's your, or your dad's, car so you can do with it what you choose. But part of learning to drive is showing good judgment.

gabdere > Godspeed11- I own a SAAB 01/29/2014 at 11:18

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dude... i'm terribly jealous! What was the damage like? What year is it? Any words on reliability?

Godspeed11- I own a SAAB > gabdere 01/29/2014 at 12:23

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There was no damage at all, it barely rested against the rail. It's a 2008 with 80,000 miles and so far the only thing wrong is the passenger door lock doesn't always work. My 2007 Aero has a fuel level indicator problem but that's because it sat on a lot for 6 months with bad gas in it. The engines and drivetrains are bulletproof, all you have to worry about is interior electronics, but the bugs usually show up and then fix themselves

gabdere > Godspeed11- I own a SAAB 01/29/2014 at 13:00

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Haha yeah, i'm used to this crap. One think you'll eventually notice is that it never fixes itself

BeaterGT > Godspeed11- I own a SAAB 01/30/2014 at 12:08

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Damn, this is a hard car to find. Considering eventual purchase.

Godspeed11- I own a SAAB > BeaterGT 01/30/2014 at 18:17

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You're looking for one? It took me a good 3 years to find this one, it was the right price and within a reasonable distance. I will say the '08-09 Aero XWD 9-3s are essentially the same car, save the optional rear LSD (some came fitted with it but those are hard to find too). If you do find one you will not be disappointed at all, I had high expectations for this car and it has far exceeded all of them.

A little advice though, if you can try and get a 2009 Aero. In 2010 GM stopped supplying the high feature LP9 v6 so all Aeros got the 230 hp 2.0t four-banger. In 2008 the Aeros had some issues with the XWD system but Turbo Xs apparently weren't affected.

BeaterGT > Godspeed11- I own a SAAB 01/30/2014 at 18:50

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I have two years so that's comforting news! Thanks for the heads up, appreciate it.

Godspeed11- I own a SAAB > BeaterGT 01/30/2014 at 19:34

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They're at rock bottom right now, the time to buy will be any time in the next 5 years. Soon people will start holding on to them and good examples will be hard to find.