10-27-2011, 10:36 AM
So I had to change the oil in this thing recently and figured I would write up a project/review/why the hell did I/we buy a SAAB.
Backstory:
My wife used to own a Mazda CX-7, and well it was a great car, Casey loved the size of it, but it had shitty mechanics, literally, the mechanics that worked on the car were retarded. The turbo seals blew on the car, which the engine was famous for, ask any Mazdaspeed 6 owner. Once the seals were replaced, the cam shaft was cracked at some point and time, during disassembly/reassembly, WTF ever happened. DonÔÇÖt take your car to WHITTEN BROTHERS IN RICHMOND/MIDLOTHIAN. Casey was sick of the car and ordered the Focus, as soon as the CX7 was fixed it was dropped off at the Ford dealer and traded. Since she was traveling a lot for work the MPG bump helped, and her dads FORD employee discount.
So she missed the size of the SUV, and with me getting the Hatchpile, I am thinking tow vehicle. So we checked on what we owed/trade-in on the Focus, turned out we owed less then trade in. I was thinking, new focus will be out soon, thus our focus's value will drop like a rock, so we started looking.
Options/Requirements:
Casey wanted an SUV, I needed V8s for towing, we wanted some nice options, leather, heated seats, HIDs, etc etc.
Casey doesnÔÇÖt like the size of a Tahoe/Denali, so that severly limited us to a smaller SUV with a V8.
BMW X5- Could be had in our price range but I read of transmission issues in the mileage range we could afford
Grand Cherokee- Read of transmission problems here too, and well, itÔÇÖs just not that nice on the inside.
Saab 9-7X ÔÇô Casey and I both liked it, obviously, GM reliability, GM Power, nice Swedish styling, nice upgrade in interior over the Denali
Envoy Denali ÔÇô Same as above, but preferred the styling/interior of the SAAB
V8 Pathfinder ÔÇô Rare find, since they just started producing the pathfinders in V8, and not many have hit the used market.
V8 4runner- OVERPRICED
So WHY A SAAB!?!?!?!
GM 5.3L V8 = Proven powerplant
6500lb tow rating.
Thats all I really have to say about why..
But seriously, this car shares the GMT360 chassis with the GMC Envoy, Chevy Trailblazer, Buick Rainer, Isuzu Ascender.(I donÔÇÖt think I left anyone out.) So parts are easily found/available/cheap. ItÔÇÖs a proven platform, it was around from 02-09, my parents have an Envoy and it has 200k on the clock, and have yet to have a single issue. The GM engine/tranny combo is hard to beat, it looks great, and was very affordable.
SAAB FOUND:
We looked around and found 2-3 in the area for a descent price, two 5.3i, and one Aero (6.0L LS2 version). The Aero was a little out of our price range unfortunately. Sowe went to the better mileage/priced 5.3i at a Lexus dealer. We went, took it for a spin, and Casey loved it, but wouldnÔÇÖt admit it, the V8 Gas mileage scared her, but she doesnÔÇÖt travel for work anymore unless Wells Fargo is paying.
Slept on it and went back the next day to sign the paperwork.
![[Image: 2009-saab-9-7x-6_460x0w.jpg]](http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200806/2009-saab-9-7x-6_460x0w.jpg)
![[Image: Saab_9-7X_1917_A.jpg]](http://www.carid.com/dash-kit-gallery/images/dash-kits/Saab_9-7X_1917_A.jpg)
SPECS ON THE WHIP:
54k Miles
Black, SAAB 9-7X 5.3i
GM 5.3L V8 with Displacement on Demand (17/20MPG)
All Time AWD
Rear LSD
Rear Self Leveling Air suspension
Tan(Cashemere) Leather Interior
Dual Climate
Heated seats
Sunroof
6-disc Bose sound system
HIDs
20in RIMMZZZZ
Tow Package (standard)
Only option not on the car was the rear entertainment system.
REVIEW:
So far so good, we did have 2 hiccups when we first got the car.
#1 one of the TPS went bad, thus the Tire Pressure light came on during the test drive, replaced by the Lexus dealer we purchased from.
#2 was a bit more serious, when I am driving, and turning left, but ONLY left the car would completely shut off. Like someone reached over and just turned the key to off. This never happened to Casey, EVER. So the Lexus dealer we purchased it from told us to take it to SAAB. SAAB mechanic, could get the problem to repeat every single time, Casey went in to check on the status and talked with the Tech, mentioned it never happened to her. He had a smaller tech try and repeat the problem, nothing happened. Found out, when my fat ass was driving and turned left, my weight would shift and lean against the center console, where the ignition is. THERE WAS A LOOSE PIN IN THE IGNITION HARNESS. Shake the console the car would turn off, lean against it same deal. Mechanic fixed the pin, Lexus paid for the work, has never happened again.
So anyways..
Handling: Handles well, for an SUV, the suspension on the SAAB is ÔÇ£EuropeanÔÇØ tuned, has bigger swaybars and sits an inch lower, also slightly stiffer spring rates. It definitely handles better then the Envoy, without sacrificing ride quality.
Power: the car does not have a problem merging on to the interstate, with 300hp and 330lb-ft, you have to watch your speed or else your going well beyond the speed limit in no time.
The car is very comfortable, aside from the shitty tires on the car now, Nexens. There is little road noise, the seats are nice, and seem to have worn well, there are very few rattles/squeaks. Lots of room, for us and the dogs. So far we have put about 6k miles on it since we got it in August, lots of weddings/trips to the track this summer.
Only towed an empty trailer with it, but it wasnÔÇÖt even noticeable back there, I know adding another 2k lbs to the back will make me notice, but I have talked to numerous people who have towed 4k lb boats, and car trailers without an issue.
MPG is to be expected, we have an Avg of 17-18. I have gotten as high as 20 with HWY cruising, and as low as 13 when I left my foot in the gas.
Overall we love the thing, has power, looks good, and makes the wife happy. Plus I love the looks/comments of WTF I get from people, A SAAB SUV? I didnt even know they made one. Im anxious to see how well it does in the snow, assuming we get some this winter.
No plans for major mods, I cant sell Casey on a cam and dual exhaust. So, the only thing I am considering is getting the ECU reflashed for better towing, a trailer brake controller, maybe a larger transmission cooler, and an OBD2 gauge to hook up to monitor the transmission temps when I am towing. But, all of that ainÔÇÖt happening until I get a trailer. I plan on getting this thing detailed hopefully next month, so actual pics of our car will show up then.
Backstory:
My wife used to own a Mazda CX-7, and well it was a great car, Casey loved the size of it, but it had shitty mechanics, literally, the mechanics that worked on the car were retarded. The turbo seals blew on the car, which the engine was famous for, ask any Mazdaspeed 6 owner. Once the seals were replaced, the cam shaft was cracked at some point and time, during disassembly/reassembly, WTF ever happened. DonÔÇÖt take your car to WHITTEN BROTHERS IN RICHMOND/MIDLOTHIAN. Casey was sick of the car and ordered the Focus, as soon as the CX7 was fixed it was dropped off at the Ford dealer and traded. Since she was traveling a lot for work the MPG bump helped, and her dads FORD employee discount.
So she missed the size of the SUV, and with me getting the Hatchpile, I am thinking tow vehicle. So we checked on what we owed/trade-in on the Focus, turned out we owed less then trade in. I was thinking, new focus will be out soon, thus our focus's value will drop like a rock, so we started looking.
Options/Requirements:
Casey wanted an SUV, I needed V8s for towing, we wanted some nice options, leather, heated seats, HIDs, etc etc.
Casey doesnÔÇÖt like the size of a Tahoe/Denali, so that severly limited us to a smaller SUV with a V8.
BMW X5- Could be had in our price range but I read of transmission issues in the mileage range we could afford
Grand Cherokee- Read of transmission problems here too, and well, itÔÇÖs just not that nice on the inside.
Saab 9-7X ÔÇô Casey and I both liked it, obviously, GM reliability, GM Power, nice Swedish styling, nice upgrade in interior over the Denali
Envoy Denali ÔÇô Same as above, but preferred the styling/interior of the SAAB
V8 Pathfinder ÔÇô Rare find, since they just started producing the pathfinders in V8, and not many have hit the used market.
V8 4runner- OVERPRICED
So WHY A SAAB!?!?!?!
GM 5.3L V8 = Proven powerplant
6500lb tow rating.
Thats all I really have to say about why..
But seriously, this car shares the GMT360 chassis with the GMC Envoy, Chevy Trailblazer, Buick Rainer, Isuzu Ascender.(I donÔÇÖt think I left anyone out.) So parts are easily found/available/cheap. ItÔÇÖs a proven platform, it was around from 02-09, my parents have an Envoy and it has 200k on the clock, and have yet to have a single issue. The GM engine/tranny combo is hard to beat, it looks great, and was very affordable.
SAAB FOUND:
We looked around and found 2-3 in the area for a descent price, two 5.3i, and one Aero (6.0L LS2 version). The Aero was a little out of our price range unfortunately. Sowe went to the better mileage/priced 5.3i at a Lexus dealer. We went, took it for a spin, and Casey loved it, but wouldnÔÇÖt admit it, the V8 Gas mileage scared her, but she doesnÔÇÖt travel for work anymore unless Wells Fargo is paying.
Slept on it and went back the next day to sign the paperwork.
SPECS ON THE WHIP:
54k Miles
Black, SAAB 9-7X 5.3i
GM 5.3L V8 with Displacement on Demand (17/20MPG)
All Time AWD
Rear LSD
Rear Self Leveling Air suspension
Tan(Cashemere) Leather Interior
Dual Climate
Heated seats
Sunroof
6-disc Bose sound system
HIDs
20in RIMMZZZZ
Tow Package (standard)
Only option not on the car was the rear entertainment system.
REVIEW:
So far so good, we did have 2 hiccups when we first got the car.
#1 one of the TPS went bad, thus the Tire Pressure light came on during the test drive, replaced by the Lexus dealer we purchased from.
#2 was a bit more serious, when I am driving, and turning left, but ONLY left the car would completely shut off. Like someone reached over and just turned the key to off. This never happened to Casey, EVER. So the Lexus dealer we purchased it from told us to take it to SAAB. SAAB mechanic, could get the problem to repeat every single time, Casey went in to check on the status and talked with the Tech, mentioned it never happened to her. He had a smaller tech try and repeat the problem, nothing happened. Found out, when my fat ass was driving and turned left, my weight would shift and lean against the center console, where the ignition is. THERE WAS A LOOSE PIN IN THE IGNITION HARNESS. Shake the console the car would turn off, lean against it same deal. Mechanic fixed the pin, Lexus paid for the work, has never happened again.
So anyways..
Handling: Handles well, for an SUV, the suspension on the SAAB is ÔÇ£EuropeanÔÇØ tuned, has bigger swaybars and sits an inch lower, also slightly stiffer spring rates. It definitely handles better then the Envoy, without sacrificing ride quality.
Power: the car does not have a problem merging on to the interstate, with 300hp and 330lb-ft, you have to watch your speed or else your going well beyond the speed limit in no time.
The car is very comfortable, aside from the shitty tires on the car now, Nexens. There is little road noise, the seats are nice, and seem to have worn well, there are very few rattles/squeaks. Lots of room, for us and the dogs. So far we have put about 6k miles on it since we got it in August, lots of weddings/trips to the track this summer.
Only towed an empty trailer with it, but it wasnÔÇÖt even noticeable back there, I know adding another 2k lbs to the back will make me notice, but I have talked to numerous people who have towed 4k lb boats, and car trailers without an issue.
MPG is to be expected, we have an Avg of 17-18. I have gotten as high as 20 with HWY cruising, and as low as 13 when I left my foot in the gas.
Overall we love the thing, has power, looks good, and makes the wife happy. Plus I love the looks/comments of WTF I get from people, A SAAB SUV? I didnt even know they made one. Im anxious to see how well it does in the snow, assuming we get some this winter.
No plans for major mods, I cant sell Casey on a cam and dual exhaust. So, the only thing I am considering is getting the ECU reflashed for better towing, a trailer brake controller, maybe a larger transmission cooler, and an OBD2 gauge to hook up to monitor the transmission temps when I am towing. But, all of that ainÔÇÖt happening until I get a trailer. I plan on getting this thing detailed hopefully next month, so actual pics of our car will show up then.
![[Image: saab-93-sportcombi.jpg]](http://www.privatefleet.com.au/images/upload/Image/saab-93-sportcombi.jpg)
![[Image: 2011_Saab_9-3-Sport-Combi_Station-Wagon.jpg]](http://www.onlydrivegreen.com/listings/2011_Saab_9-3-Sport-Combi_Station-Wagon.jpg)
![[Image: Saab_9-3_SportCombi_278243g.jpg]](http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/na/archive/00278/Saab_9-3_SportCombi_278243g.jpg)
![[Image: 87TaurusWagonRear.jpg]](http://www.ford-taurus.org/taurusinfo/G1/87TaurusWagonRear.jpg)
