![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:19 • Filed to: None | ![]() | ![]() |
Let me be quite honest. I’m 19, and I’ve already owned a huge German luxobarge, a huger Japanese luxotank, and a classic Italian roadster. None of these are cars that a high school or college student should have. I should’ve had something boring, reliable, economical, and if I was really lucky, comfortable. I should’ve had that from the beginning, but I decided to learn that the hard way. I was finally to the point where I couldn’t deny it anymore. I needed something completely different from everything I’d ever owned before. And so, after much deliberation, I decided that I would buy a 2001 Toyota Avalon XLS...
over my cold, dead body. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the new SM70mobile, a 2005 Saab 9-2x Aero 5MT.
This is the car that I desperately wanted to get my hands on. After deciding for sure that I wanted a 9-2x Aero, I started searching the country. I found plenty of clean examples under my $6,000 budget, but they were all automatics located in New Jersey or North Carolina or Oklahoma (shoutout to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! for his willingness to help out!). Then I came across one right here in Des Moines, with leather seats, a manual, and 137k on the odometer for $4100. Long story short, the car was available, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , then the buyer backed out so it was !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , with the seller now quite impatient to get rid of it and asking just $3,500. I drove the car, loved it, and an exhaustive PPI revealed only a few problems such as the need for a new valve cover gasket, muffler, and tires, all within the next 6-8 months. At that price, I can afford some off-the-bat maintenance.
The most important thing, by which I mean the second most important thing after the fact that I can now afford to run my DD, is that I now once again look forward to driving my daily. When I had my D2 A8L, I couldn’t wait to leave wherever it is that I was and slip back behind the wheel of my old Autobahn cruiser. With the Lexus, I never had that. I was fine with driving most of the time it, but it was big, ponderous, slow, and numb. Also, it was really quite noisy above 75mph given that it had four gears and a shape like a warehouse. The Saab, which of course is just a WRX in a fancy costume with a few changes (STI steering rack for the win) is a bundle of fun to drive in all weather. It’s also comfortable enough, uses half the gas of the LX, should be reasonably reliable if I stay on top of the preventative maintenance, and it’s cool in a way that only other car geeks recognize. Plus, a hatch with fold down seats can still hold my mountain bike in a pinch.
If you can’t tell, I’m pretty stoked. I’ve got a laundry list of right-away stuff such as the new tires before the snow flies, new badges as the old ones are currently Saab’s infamous blank silver disk, clearing up the slightly yellow headlights, and a thorough detailing. Expect more posts to come.
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:23 |
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FUCK YEAH!!!! Nice job!
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:24 |
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Thanks!
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:24 |
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Aw hell yes
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:25 |
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This is good oppo trolling.
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:25 |
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Nice one Jim
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:26 |
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Thanks, I try my best.
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:27 |
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My name is Highlander and I approve this car.
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:29 |
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Stop stealing my comments that I thought of in my mind.
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:30 |
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Just when I was about to say you sold yourself short and should have gotten a Toyota Venza instead
Great job finding your Saabaru!
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:31 |
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Damn - nice! Drove one of these years ago. Was an automatic but I loved it. And it looks better than the wrx too.
Serious questiom- were all of the Saaburus silver? Seems like it.
Congrats!
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:34 |
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super nice Saabaru, (a little disappointed you didn’t go for that beautiful Avalon... they are total babe magnets you know...)
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:35 |
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Thanks! I agree, I far prefer it to the WRX, but the Saabs are also cheaper!
Most common color, but I also looked at some in black and red.
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:38 |
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Better than the Cruze I thought you were going to get.
While getting a Cruze would be a mistake, a saabaru is Definitely a good option
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:38 |
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What are the chances?
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:38 |
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Yeah once I saw that I could get a good one of these for under $6k the Cruze was no longer an option.
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:39 |
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Good luck with your Subaru dressing up as a Saab for Halloween :p
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:40 |
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Yup, I’d been following his saga. Both of our cars were on the 9-2x forum, and we both had PPIs done at the same time. The difference is, mine was very cheap and the seller pre-disclosed the problems. His was expensive and the seller didn’t. Ah well, Oppo gained a 9-2x anyway.
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:42 |
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It’s that time of year.
Best part is, tomorrow I’m gonna go look at a Ford dressing up as a Jaguar for Halloween (for my brother).
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:44 |
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You had me for a second. I was about to pour out my drink for a fallen brother....
Congrats! That thing is beautiful
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:46 |
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The X-Type is the bast Jaguar ever made. Bonus if you can find a manual wagon (yes, they did sell them like that over here!). A luxurious station wagon with that awesome hood ornament? Fuck yeah! :p
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:47 |
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Thanks! Bottoms up!
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:48 |
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I hope to find a wagon, but it will most likely be a 3.0 auto sedan like the one I’m testing tomorrow.
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:55 |
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Congrats! man, these saabaru’s have been taking oppo by storm recently
![]() 10/25/2017 at 20:57 |
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Thanks!
![]() 10/25/2017 at 21:01 |
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Lol, 19 might be a little young for an Office reference.
![]() 10/25/2017 at 21:02 |
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Silver suits the car best, I think.
And yes, my initial reason was “what the fuck is he thinking with that Avalon, he’s pretty good with technology for a 75 year old”
![]() 10/25/2017 at 21:12 |
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Shit, I need to find one this cheap! Sad my “low mileage and clean” example I found was not this clean mechanically. It’s upsetting because I really wanted to get in the Saabaru. So what’s the best way to search for one, show me your ways!
![]() 10/25/2017 at 21:13 |
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Yeah fuck, I made the wrong choice going after that one haha. Would have totally been worth the extra money for how clean it is. But not with that crap wrong.
![]() 10/25/2017 at 21:17 |
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I’m super excited though to find out how the 92x forum reacts to the bad head gasket reveal. I didn’t post it since I didn’t want to start drama but I did tell the seller to do so or else I would lol
![]() 10/25/2017 at 21:33 |
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A WRX for adults. Probably doesn’t even have a vape pen holder ;)
![]() 10/25/2017 at 21:48 |
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Well done, old man. You strung us along pretty good. Looking forward to hearing more.
![]() 10/25/2017 at 21:53 |
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Haha - you actually had me going... Very nice! Glad you found one w three pedals!
![]() 10/25/2017 at 21:53 |
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Nice find. I used to have an ‘03 WRX wagon. Love those cars!
![]() 10/25/2017 at 21:55 |
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Reason for what?
![]() 10/25/2017 at 21:56 |
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Cars.com, AutoTempest/SearchTempest, and the forum.
![]() 10/25/2017 at 21:58 |
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I’ll grab the popcorn.
![]() 10/25/2017 at 21:59 |
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I have deceived!
![]() 10/25/2017 at 22:00 |
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Yup! Thanks again for your willingness to lend a hand!
![]() 10/25/2017 at 22:01 |
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*&€£÷×+ autocorrect. I meant to say “my initial *reaction*”
![]() 10/25/2017 at 22:08 |
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I am jealous. I freaking love the aero saabaru! Congrats
![]() 10/25/2017 at 22:10 |
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You’re quite welcome!
![]() 10/25/2017 at 22:11 |
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Nice Subaru! Do these go for cheaper since they’re sold as Saabs?
![]() 10/25/2017 at 23:10 |
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Thanks I love it!
![]() 10/25/2017 at 23:16 |
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They do indeed.
![]() 10/26/2017 at 03:16 |
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headgaskets and ringlands...
at least it looks better than a WRX
![]() 10/26/2017 at 07:03 |
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I will begin the search and wait again! I doubt I will find another “clean” ‘06 again but Im sure I will be happier with a cheaper one in better mechanical condition. I did find another one in the same area that im hoping to check out that same day at least. Seller seems legitimate but its a little more modded and isnt smogged already and definitely needs the same thorough PPI.
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/d/2005-saab-9-2x-aero-subaru/6333135328.html
![]() 10/26/2017 at 08:20 |
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excellent choice.
![]() 10/26/2017 at 09:06 |
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Absolutely! Hope this one give you many years of enjoyment.
![]() 10/26/2017 at 11:07 |
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Congrats on the sweet car!
![]() 10/26/2017 at 11:43 |
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Thanks!
![]() 10/26/2017 at 20:11 |
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Not exactly. That and Parks & Rec are by far the most commonly discussed and watched shows on my campus, as measured by what I hear people talking about and see them watching.
![]() 10/26/2017 at 20:13 |
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Can confirm, came with a pair of fake orange Ray-Bans and a few Euro coins in the center console, but nowhere to put mah vape.
![]() 10/26/2017 at 20:13 |
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And it’s less yobbish.
![]() 10/26/2017 at 20:14 |
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I actually test drove the one pictured...not gonna lie it’s got a nice interior and is VERY comfortable on the highway.
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:27 |
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You tricky dicky.
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:30 |
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I’m disappointed that you didn’t actually get the Avalon.
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:30 |
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Also, nicer interior.
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:30 |
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Nice! I joined the turbo Saab Subaru club this month too, very exciting.
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:32 |
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Nice. Beautiful car.
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:33 |
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Nice. Hope it doesn’t encounter any pesky WRX issues
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:40 |
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That makes one of us.
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:40 |
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I would’ve got the Avalon personally.... but if you got the cash, go for it :]
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:41 |
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true
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:42 |
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Thanks!
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:42 |
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Hope not
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:43 |
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The Avalon was actually $2500 more expensive.
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:43 |
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SAAAABARU!!!! It looks absolutely beautiful!
Also wow, for a 19 year old you’ve had a lot of cool cars! :)
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:44 |
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Thank you!
And yes, I have been extremely lucky/spoiled thus far. We’ll see if I ever come back down to planet earth or not.
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:45 |
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What is this, Saabaru week?! Congrats man, best of luck! Just goes to show we all want to drive turbo Subarus and will put up with the inevitable repairs :)
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:45 |
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Dang, $3500 for a working WRX only needing basic age-related maintenance is a steal! That’s like 20-year-old Impreza money out here in SoCal.
Add me to the list of people bummed you didn’t get the Avalon. Was hoping to cajole you into going VIP style like a Japanese gangster. :D
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:47 |
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I really like the interior on those.
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:48 |
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You’re welcome!
And yes, I have been extremely lucky/spoiled thus far. We’ll see if I ever come back down to planet earth or not.
That’s basically how I feel lol. I’m 24, in the past year I went from being behind on payments on one car and living in an apartment in a bad town.
Now I have three cars and a house?!?!?!?
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:50 |
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Hey now, the Avalon is a great car!
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:51 |
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Yup, just like used 2011 Lexus vehicles are sometimes twice as much as 2011 BMW, Mercedes etc. They’ll cost more at first but.... well, you know how things are with all the euro cars me and you have owned :] That $2500 will balance out in a quick second compared to that hell solid Avalon.
![]() 10/27/2017 at 11:58 |
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SIQQQQQQQ
![]() 10/27/2017 at 12:04 |
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![]() 10/27/2017 at 13:43 |
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Hahahahaha
![]() 10/27/2017 at 13:59 |
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Yeah, it’s a nice interior (when in tan)
![]() 10/27/2017 at 14:02 |
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It’s is, it’s just really boring.
![]() 10/27/2017 at 14:18 |
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True. My hope is that since it’s actually Japanese, the Saabaru won’t kill me in maintenance. The Avalon is very comfortable and suits my needs fine (I was way exaggerating when I said I’d never buy one) but it’s not fun or interesting, whereas this is.
![]() 10/27/2017 at 15:04 |
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oh man the fun I could have in that big comfy couch. I need an Avalon in my life :] Trololos are the best lololos
![]() 10/27/2017 at 15:21 |
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yeah but your three cars basically equal 1 and a half real cars :P theyre more like roller skates for a giant mech :P
![]() 10/27/2017 at 16:43 |
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You can have fun driving anything. Some cars just make it easier. Say what you will, I drove the Avalon pictured above and I was more entertained driving my Subaru.
![]() 10/27/2017 at 23:02 |
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Wait i was really excited about the Avalon. I drove one for a year back in my teens and it was a great time. Insanely comfortable, shockingly fast, cheap as dirt to run. The Saab is pretty nice though!
![]() 10/31/2017 at 06:24 |
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I saw this post a couple of days ago and thought, ‘what a shame, he gave up and actually bought that Avalon’.
Then I clicked on it and saw the full post today…
…SM70 YOU LEGEND!