2003-2011 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
[Main 93 Bulletin Board | BBFAQ |
Prev by Date | Next by Date | Post Followup ]
Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos
Re: considering a 2009 9-3 2.0T XWD wagon [long] Posted by don_young [Email] (#815) [Profile/Gallery] (more from don_young) on Fri, 15 Jul 2016 01:36:23 In Reply to: Re: considering a 2009 9-3 2.0T XWD wagon, Keith [Profile/Gallery] , Thu, 14 Jul 2016 19:29:58 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
I agree with much of Keith's observations. As you can see from my "signature", I have both a '06 2.0T SportCombi and a '11 9-3X, both with auto gearboxes (5 & 6 speeds, respectively). As much as I bitch about GM's impact on SAAB, I must say that these two are among the most reliable cars I've ever owned (7 SAABs and 4 non-SAABs). Both wagons have been BSR Stage 1 tuned and while that has made the 9-3 SC into cargo-pocket rocket, it has only made the 9-3X modestly peppier. For the SC, mileage is low 20s around town and pushing 30 on the highway. With the extra weight penalty, the X's gas mileage is hi-teens in the city and mid-20s on the highway with a Thule box on top. They handle quite differently with the SC quick and responsive and the X more ponderous but sure-footed, particularly in low adhesion circumstances. The SC has understeer as you'd expect in FWD, but judicious application of the brakes before the curve and power after the apex makes driving a pleasure; there is little if any torque-steer. OTOH, the X's handling is more neutral with the added XWD bonus of enabling one to power through curves, before and after apices.
If you don't need XWD, I would hold out for a FWD SC.
Good luck!
_______________________________________ ================================ Current stable: 1967 96 V-4 Monte Carlo 1968 Sonett II V-4 1988 900T convertible 2006 9-3 2.0T sport-combi -- stage 1 BSR 2011 9-3X -- Stage 1 BSR ================================
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.