you mean like how audi jumped on the m3 bandwagon with the s4/rs4? and how saab made the viggen, a powerful & efficient 4cyl? and how audi jumped on saab's small displacement turbo engine bandwagon many years after saab started it? you mean how the 4th gen haldex XWD system in the Turbo X crushed the A4 Quattro on a wet and dry track? might want to do some research before you rattle off nonsense. companies have been making performance versions of their mainstream product lines for eons, and saab has 10x more industry firsts than the 4-ringed Germans.

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for winding road -- i have driven the turbo x, but i didn't get much of a chance to really throw it around. i am curious to know how intrusive the traction control computer is when put through its paces. does it step in and dial things back? or does it act quietly in the background without making itself known? thanks.

• Fri, 07/11/2008 - 17:12
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I never comment on most sites where everyone's an f'in expert, but I have to in this instance because, god damn if that Turbo X is not the most fun, controlled, confidence inspiring vehicle I've ever driven. Is XWD neccesary for everyday driving? Hell no, is it fun? HELLL YES. I recently drove a Corvette Z06 which would smoke a Turbo X...especially a sport combi. And I have to say that SAAB has it all over the Vette in terms of everyday drivablility. If you enjoy driving...own this car. Otherwise buy up your Japanese Tuners and throw a whole bunch of money at em to get this kind of refined performance. The only thing I've drivin more Confidence inspiring is a BMW M3 sedan.

• Wed, 09/24/2008 - 22:00
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I've driven a 9-3 Aero with XWD and automatic, and a six-speed manual Turbo X. In much normal driving, I don't think XWD makes much difference. You feel it when you punch the throttle, and the torque is directed to the rear. For example, floor it from a stop into a right-angle turn, and it just stays completely planted, with no torque steer or other untoward behavior. Just point it, nail it, and go. Same thing in sweepers -- just keep the throttle down, and track through like you're on rails.

I'm on the fence about whether it would make enough difference in my mix of city and highway driving to warrant the extra cost, weight, and fuel consupmtion. But, in the Turbo X at least, it pays huge dividends in grip and performance limits.

• Tue, 07/15/2008 - 15:19
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You have quite obviously not driven the car, for if you had you'd not make stupid remarks about the shifter, which is actually quite good and crisp. Or alternatively, you don't know how to drive cars with a short clutch.

FYI, before you spit out another grade 6 insult, some of us "shameless Saab lovers" cross-shopped this vehicle against the competition (335xi and Audi S4 and S5 in my case) and still ended up picking the Saab.

And while I love the Viggen, it cannot compare to the Turbo X in terms of handling and performance. The Viggen is a great car, but it just can't handle the the horsepower it packs.

• Sun, 07/20/2008 - 18:10
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Is your 300 bhp hirsch performance turbo x, manual?
I'm confused. The thing is that the saab turbo x manual accelerates from 0 - 100 in 5.7 sec, while, according to what i have read ( and i can confirm since i own a saab turbo x automatic) the automatic take 7.2 seconds... I ve also read that the hirsch upgrade for it of 300 hp will make the manual go to 0-100 in 5.3 seconds and the automatic, suprisingly, only two tenths slower, going from 0 - 100 in 5.5 sec!!! Why is there suddenly such an improvement??? Is this just some nonsense hirsch wrote to advertise? How would it make the automatic improve by so much???? Does any one have any idea???

• Sat, 11/15/2008 - 08:07
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I purchased the Turbo X with an early reservation which included the Aero Academy.
I have since sold the car - thankfully without much of a hit.
Having owned M3s and S4s and others,
my observations and personal opinions of the turbo x are:
1) Excellent handling - close to, but no M3.
2) Great exhaust sound. Probably amongst the best.
3) A little harsh riding over the roads of NYC. Much better suited to the roads in warmer climates - Florida, California, etc. The suspension and the car overall are very tight - especially going around turns. But this tightness is a tradeoff for comfort over harsh roads. Ultimately, it comes down to a tradeoff between handling and comfort - like most cars in this class.
4) The cross wheel is excellent - probably better than the set up in the Audi.
5) Very distinct, exclusive - which is a nice thing.
6) Seating position - like in any 9-3, does not give the clearest view of the hood and road. High dash and sloping hood - like many Japanese cars - leaves you feeling kind of in a bucket without being able to see the metal around you. The 9-5, albeit ancient at this point, has a better seating position.
7) Pretty good gas mileage - needs highest octane to get the best response.
8) Turbo lag - present but not terrible. The 335xi practically has no lag at all.
9) Not sure if it is as fast as Saab claims in the 0-60. I would check to see if any of the magazines have done independent test of the 0-60. (don't think this car breaks 6.0)
10) The 335XI, for example, is certainly a better product with a great engine and probably better resale value. Although it is common, it is a far better made and all around vehicle. BMW has a better nav - despite the idrive. (No bluetooth in the saab turbo x - at least when I bought the car). Discounts, etc and the 2 cars are probably at a similar price point. While any car takes a hit on resale, the Saab will probably take the bigger hit - unless you find a saab person who really is looking for a turbo x.
11) The exclusivity of the turbo x is nice. But aside from the somewhat different suspension, you can basically build and purchase a 9-3 cross wheel with the same specs - and have more color choices.
12) The tires on the 335 are better suited for an all wheel drive and bad weather. Application of high performance tires - with cross wheel or any kind of all wheel drive set up - really is not ideal - regardless of the turbo x advertisement of its ability on ice - which is much different than snow.
13) Bottom line - if you love saab and like exclusivity - get one - if it can be found. (Saab did not come close to pre-selling the allotment - which I believe was 600. Many dealers were offering steep discounts.) But dollar for dollar - the 335xi is far more sophisticated, technologically and otherwise
14) Subaru has some great high performing all wheel cars for a fraction of the price - and they usually hold value much better than saab or bmw.
All of this - just my opinion.

• Wed, 11/05/2008 - 17:39
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