Saab make fantastic cars.

The 2008 Saab 9-3 in all its variations is a great machine and we’ve discussed at length on this site how a lack of advertising in the last few years has meant that Saab just isn’t on many people’s radar. I’ve come across a forum thread this morning that illustrates how even those who are seeking information about it aren’t getting the right stuff.

I’m not a frequenter of The Car Lounge at Subdriven, but it seems to be a community that could be right in the middle of Saab’s target market. The website features clean design. The community appears to be well mannered and well spoken, indicating a level of education and affluence that Saab claim as being typical of their customers (the Aussie Saabers are going to love that one). If you can believe what you read on the internet then they have some fine machines in their garages, too.

These guys are potential Saab clients.

In this thread, they discuss the Saab Turbo X. One of the forum members drove it recently and shared his experiences there, which prompted a number of curious replies, and a number of mis-statements:

I want to drive one of these soooo badly……I agree, the Turbo X should not be a limited edition model, but rather the ordinary top of the 9-3 range.

The ‘ordinary’ top of the 9-3 range in 2009 will be very close in spec to the Turbo X. The 2009 Saab 9-3 Aero will feature most of the Turbo X specs and some of the trim as well. It won’t have the wheels, the lack of torque limitation in 1st and 2nd gears or the fancy start-up message, but it will have almost everything else.

The 2.0T four cylinder version of the 9-3 will also get XWD access in 2009, though not the full system, unfortunately, with the eLSD being unavailable on that model.

I am guessing the X-Drive is basically a Haldex variation. Can someone confirm this?

Actually, it’s a brand new Haldex system and the most advanced AWD system there is, and Saab are the first to use it.

This guy’s more on track:

I could have sworn that Saab will now be offering 9-3’s in this configuration in the future, AWD 2.8T 6spds and they will be not “limited edition” cars…..

….But then….

…..didn’t see the point in buying the Turbo X when you could just wait and get a 9-1 equipped the same way for much less

Probably just a typo there, eh?

To another guy:

They really nailed the styling, and the handling is supposed to be really great. I’d love to see a comparison with the A4.

Saab USA tested the Turbo X against a number of comparative vehicles in southern Michigan a few months ago. Aren’t those results more widely available? The Saab outdid the Audit A4 3.2 Quattro in both the wet and the dry.

This one is from the thread-starter, and he may have even perused this site at some stage:

from what I’ve read the only Turbo X improvement that is getting passed on is the engine, and only in Aero models with the XWD option…..

….The Turbo X’s seats, gauges, steering wheel, carbon fiber trim, body kit, wheels, brakes, suspension tuning, and engine tuning will remain exclusive.

We all believed, early in the piece, that this would be the case. Subsequent information about the 2009 Saab 9-3 indicates that the XWD Aero will be very similar to the Turbo X in setup, but with the full range of colors available. As mentioned above, the Turbo X wheels will not be available (as far as we know), neither will one or two other bits and pieces (torque limitation, exhaust tips, startup message) but most other bits will flow through.

And a final word for our friends at Saab Canada:

I’d be more interested if it didn’t retail for more than a 335i in Canada.

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The Turbo X is an awesome car. I’m really pleased to see that it’s creating some serious and credible interest in Saab once again.

Saab’s next challenge as a company is to make sure that people are getting the right message about their cars and their technology. I don’t want to be seen as flogging a dead horse here, but I’ve been on Saab’s case about engaging in social media plenty of times in the past. The people are talking - engage them!

Get the ads and the info out there.

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