Saab Turbo X - initial review from owner
We’ve been following Beren’s purchase story for a while now.
His Saab Turbo X was one of the first photographed having arrived at a US dealership and it was also the subject of all those fantastic undercarraige photos that showed you the XWD system, the big exhaust, etc. Beren purchased his Turbo X from site sponsor, Saab of Hunterdon, in New Jersey, and they supplied those early shots.
Beren now has his Saab Turbo X at home and has written his initial thoughts for everyone’s perusal on his personal blog.
Here’s a brief snippet:
Handling in the car is really amazing. While I haven’t pushed it too hard yet, I can move through corners and turns easily where my previous ride [not a Saab - SW] would be straining and dipping just getting through…..
….Overall this is a great car. I haven’t found anything about it that I don’t like - its got personality and funk and it has guts and performance. If Saab keeps producing cars of this quality then there will certainly be a bright future for the company and its enthusiasts.
It’s a great read and highly recommended. Click here to read the writeup in full.
-
More from this category
More from this author
Subscribe to this author
Recent Comments
- 2-don on Friday Snippets
- Jeff on Friday Snippets
- Jeff on Lance Cole: The Saab Psychosis
- Jeff on Friday Snippets
- Jeff on Saab 9-1 - the opinion
- Markac on Saab 9-1 - the opinion
- Swade on Friday Snippets
- rogan2915 on Lance Cole: The Saab Psychosis
- zippy on Friday Snippets
- joemama on Saab 9-1 - the opinion
Such an awesome car. I will have one of these one day, I promise myself.
I see that he mentioned the apparent lack of an ‘auto-lock’ feature on the 9-3. I finally was able to set that up on my car with Tech II. You can set it up to lock all doors on drive away and unlock all of them when you remove the key from the ignition switch which is nice. I also set mine up to unlock all of the doors (and hatch) on the first press of unlock on the key fob so you do not have to press it twice.
Congratulations on your new Saab!!
I am getting jealous. Congrats on an awesome looking car. Any of you guys planning on attending the Turbo X Academy?
Hey Swade, you receive any news on when the pre-ordered Turbo X’s will reach the U.S. Left Coast?
TurboX running board label on one side of the car and Vector on the other? Attention to detail obviously not that important in Trollhattan. Quite bad for a top of the range 9-3SS. Beautiful car though!
Zero news from Seattle (left/west coast). Pretty peeved about it.
Here in Sweden we have a guy who has received his Turbo X. The fun thing is that he has built a new engine for the car, an engine capable of 500 hp. It has forged pistons, new fuel injectors, custom made manifold, huge turbo, massive flywheel, 9000/Porsche clutch and much more.
I hope he’s checked up on how much torque the Haldex system can take before he floors it with that engine…
Love the car and I am happy that the dealer experience was positive. I wouldn’t worry about the running boards. With all of the other goodies, that would’t bother me one bit.
GOOD LUCK WITH THE CAR. KEEP IT WELL WAXED.
What do people recommend for a wax? I’ve already put aside my electric buffer and will be going with the “Karate Kid wax on wax off” manual method.
Wax On - Wax Off with Pinnacle Souverän Carnauba Paste Wax. Pricey but well worth the finish.
Brenden: With today’s cleaning and wax systems, and far superior clear-coat materials put over all paint, I would keep the electric buffer put away. I have found that the “Mothers cleaner wax” works very well for my 2004 9-3 vert. (nocturn blue)
If you want or even need more “deep cleaning” then go with the Mothers spray detailer with the clay bar.” (followed up with the cleaner wax) This system will remove just about all contaminents from the paint surface.
Also, I have found that “Meguiar’s cleaner wax and other products work very well. For leather cleaning and conditioning. go with Mothers leather cleaner and conditioner. It smells just like leather and works great. I detail my car WEEKLY. I have tried many products, these work the best and last the longest.
do the newer Saabs not have the locking piston on the filler door? My 1999 9-3 convertible locks the fill door when the doors are locked — no need for a locking gas cap.
I agree with Mike – Mother’s Clay Bar is one of the best deep cleaners out there. Their spray on detailer is great as well for in-between waxing. Get a boatload of micro-fiber cloth’s as well to keep those fine scratches from forming in the paint. I use them for drying and polishing my car.
1. Have the sill plate replaced under warranty–that’s silly.
2. Gas caps lock when you lock the dorrs. Try to open the gas cap when your doors are locked. There is a pin that goes through a slot on the side of the exterior cap.
3. Any good brand-name wax high in Carnauba. Mother’s is good because you can do the whole car then wipe it off. But wait and make sure your paint is about 2 months old before waxing (check assembly date on door sticker). Hand buff only! Indeed, little buffing is ever needed with modern waxes.
4. Slather the leather conditiioner on by hand-feels good, you get to work it in, and you don;t waste a ton in the rag or sponge. Weekly is a lot–can get on clothes–a couple of times a year at least works to keep the leather supple.
Is it 18 or 19 disks at this photo?
No lock on fuel door !!!!!! I opened the panel in the trunk and the mounting holes are there but nothing in place. The XM module is right in front of it. Thank you GM! Also where the pin should have been there is a rubber grommet now. I remember my SAAB 9-3 2001 did lock when the car was locked.
Highly recommend Lexol Leather Cleaner and Conditioner.
For dashes 303 Aerospace Protectant only. It is very durable and non-glossy, UV protection.
Meguiar’s is the only car care product i would buy from Walmart
Oh, i forgot, HOLY COW this thing tracks like a Formula 1 car, accelerates insanely, i kid you not i drove it on my way to work and it just breathes easy where the Volvo S60R (300hp Haldex cousin) struggled. Acceleration is deceptively fast, i had to keep looking at dash to realize i was doing 50 in downtown, aouch!
His name is Bug BTW, because of the BUUUUG throaty growl it emanates between 1000-2500 rpms. Love him, we were made for each other.