Saab 9-2x Aero

"JasonStern911" (JasonStern911)
11/04/2014 at 23:35 • Filed to: None

So my girl has been nagging me about the AE86 since I bought it. And I've had my fun, but realistically I should get something more winter-friendly with fuel injection, anti-lock brakes, airbags, etc. If it was a GTS and not a SR5, I probably wouldn't consider it. But it isn't and both of my streetbikes make more power than the 4AC. So I'm considering moving on - albeit at a "if I see something better" pace. Recently on craigslist someone put a Saab 9-2x Aero up. 127k miles. "Original" service records provided, but no indication that the timing belt and water pump have been replaced. Asking $6,500. So...

Anyone have experiences with these?

How is the driving experience?

Anything to look out for besides the interference engine?

Is it luxurious enough inside to pursued my "I hate wagons" girl that it's not a wagon - it's "Swedish"?

How much extra performance can I reliably get out of the EJ20T (no! that's not a motor! the actual designation is different!) - whatever, the 2.0 liter variant of Subaru's EJ motor that is turbocharged, for ~$1k and spending my weekends wrenching on a car that was running perfectly fine before I decided I know more than teams of automotive engineers?

Thanks!

DISCUSSION (15)

AM3R > JasonStern911
11/04/2014 at 23:37

CP. There's one with like half the mileage for $6500 near me.

Besides that, I don't know much about them besides the fact that they can be modded like a WRX.

TheHondaBro > JasonStern911
11/04/2014 at 23:39

Is there still a place that services Saabs, or can GM do it?

Viggen9er3 > TheHondaBro
11/04/2014 at 23:43

This one is not too far off the norm. Anyway, most good shops can service Saab's no problem.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > TheHondaBro
11/04/2014 at 23:44

You'd take it to a Subaru dealer. It is a rebadged WRX hatch.

Corey > JasonStern911
11/04/2014 at 23:46

I've always wanted a Saabaru because they're a little odd. Totally a Subaru by all measure, but with a European nose in place of the Japanese one. If the girl doesn't appreciate that it's different, well, good luck selling her on it.

I'm in now to see what people who've owned them might say here in regards to their performance.

I am guessing you could find a better deal on one than you mentioned. Negotiating may be fun.

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/04/2014 at 23:47

This. Its all Subaru besides the front end and interior.

Arben72 > JasonStern911
11/04/2014 at 23:49

1.I bought mine for 2k, not the norm, considered a steal. Steering feel is amazing (sti rack).

2.Rod bearings, oil leak, powersteering pump ($2 fix), auto trans solenoids, glass 5 spd.

3. It's cozy yet sporty. A black headliner would really help it. It feels like a cheaper version of my m3's design principle (luxary gran tourer).

4.Performance, well, I'll be going toe to toe with stock GTR's in mine soon, but the ej20 can handle 350whp stock block. For 1k if you shop smartly about 300ish (or less if you have the 5 speed).

Arben72 > TheHondaBro
11/04/2014 at 23:51

Subaru dealers, the techs love the car. Really helpful in getting parts too.

JGrabowMSt > JasonStern911
11/05/2014 at 00:02

My girlfriend hated wagons. Then I got one. She doesn't hate them any longer. But having heated seats, a moon roof, and a really good stereo all helped.

Regardless though, even if my girlfriend continued to hate wagons, it's mine not hers. In the end, she knows her opinion will only go as far as the passenger seat with my cars. I don't do all the driving, but I do probably 97% of it in our relationship, so unless she's going to reverse that, whatever car I get is up to me. If she doesn't like it, then she can drive herself (which she doesn't really enjoy doing anyway).

I fully support the wagon (why wouldn't I?) so I would just talk them down from the $6500 because timing belts and water pumps require a million steps that would honestly be easier if the motor was fully removed...

JasonStern911 > AM3R
11/05/2014 at 00:28

Lucky you. Reno, with Tahoe, Squaw Valley, etc. is SUBARU COUNTRY. The only reason the Saab is that cheap is because nobody knows it's a WRX, or else it would be $1,000-1,5000 more. People ask at least $6k for beater 2002 WRXs with 200k miles, which, along with repeated lectures of "Subarus are so reliable. Sure, the head gasket blew, but that's just a gasket. Unlike your AIR FLOW METER" lectures is why I have a dislike for the Subaru culture, which might inadvertently carry over to the brand and cars themselves.

JasonStern911 > JGrabowMSt
11/05/2014 at 00:33

Yeah. I'm sure she'd dislike it at first, but as soon as I threw her around a corner in the "this is 80s safety?!" AE86, she'd be fine with aesthetics.

And if, which is a big if, I buy it, then I fully intend to talk him down based on any repairs or missed maintenance that needs doing. I am fortunate that time is on my side as far as trying to upgrade my backup beater.

D > JasonStern911
11/05/2014 at 01:07

what does the SR5 put down? It's like sub-100 hp right?

Conan > JasonStern911
11/05/2014 at 01:27

One of the Saabs that I would drive. The turbo engine is better than the 2.5 too.

AM3R > JasonStern911
11/05/2014 at 16:36

subies are the same around me. People want $17k for a blobeye wrx with 120k+ on it. It's stupid, if I wanted a WRX I probably would've just gone new.

JasonStern911 > D
11/05/2014 at 20:46

The claim is 90 horsepower, but that was before the SAE adjusted how it was measured, and with a fairly new (not 27 year old) motor. I'm honestly guessing the one in my car makes high 70s.