So, without basketball tonight, on to the Saabs. I saw several cars in the “artsy” category, so I went with the theme. Prehaps except for the last one.

First, an oft-ignored goody, the Saab 9-2x in a magnificent shot with a strong background color from RyanMcLaughlin:

Next, a neat little vintage Saab pic from Spain for all of you two-digit fans out there. This one is from grismarengo and is sporting a great interpretation of the Catalan flag on the roof.

This shot is such high art that it’s really not even a picture of the Saab, it’s just using the Saab to take an artistic picture of a building. That’s Andrew Burrows taking a picture of King’s College Chapel using the hood (bonnet in this case) of a black Saab. Appears to be a 9-5?

Finally, a Saab that has art work on it, this is a Saab 9-3 with those amazing wheels — these should be mandatory for all 9-3 owners. I really like these wheels on this car! Anywho, our friend Goran Aničić (thank goodness for control-c), presumably from Serbia, is proving to all of us that diesels are great cars even if some of us can’t have them (thanks, EPA!!).

——

I reported last week on a crash involving a 9-2x that left one of the occupants with a mild back injury after the seat broke on impact. My comment at the time was that it was a worrying event given that Saabs (and Subarus) are generally known as being very safe cars.

The owner of the car, Jon, has got in touch with me via email and I asked if he’d mind giving us some more details about the event. Here’s his story:

The wreck happened the night of August 18th. Hurricane Erin made landfall the previous day in the southern U.S. Naturally, it weakened as it came on land, but then it began to reorganize (which is rare), and by the time it reached the area I live in, it was back up to a category 1 hurricane.

We were on our way home from dinner with friends, and it had just began to rain when the accident occurred. We were stopped waiting for a car in front of us to turn left across oncoming traffic into a neighborhood. Just as that car made its turn and got out of the way, we were hit from behind. The roads were wet, but I didn’t hear and skidding before the impact. I can only assume they didn’t get a chance to hit their brakes. The speed limit on the road we were on is 40mph (64kph). The car that hit us was a 1995 Dodge Intripid. The front end of the car went up over the back bumper of my car and most of the impact was absorbed in the back hatch area. The car also hit a little more on the passenger side. All things considered, the car held up pretty well.

I was driving, my friend was in the front passenger seat, my friend’s wife was in the back driver side seat, and my fiancé was in the back passenger side seat. At this point in time, everyone’s injuries seem to be minor, but we’re all under ongoing medical care just to be sure. Everyone has a good case of whiplash. My fiancé has a bruised back, bruised knee, and a concussion. My friend’s wife seems to have made it out with just the whiplash. My friend however, received the worst injuries because his seat back collapsed.

He’s a good sized guy, weighing in at 280lbs. (130kg) and is about 6’0″ (183cm) tall. Regardless of his size, the seat back should not have collapsed like it did. The Subaru Impreza is one of the safest cars on the market. I’ve owned a 2003 WRX sedan, and my friend injured in the accident currently owns a 2005 WRX STI. I believe the seat back failure was a fluke, but it is still unacceptable. As a result, he hyper-extended his back and received a severe case of whiplash, backlash, and a concussion.

I was told by the insurance company a couple of days ago that they’ve written the car off as a total loss.

Small photos only, I’m afraid.

Calling this one a writeoff gives me some fears for the fate of my Viggen, I must say. There must be some chassis damage there that we can’t see as the front of the car (not shown here) looks 100% OK.

I’d like to thank Jon for sharing the story with us and I hope he finds another car that’ll keep him happy soon (the 2008 9-3′s an absolute corker, Jon!!). I also hope his friend makes a speedy and complete recovery.

——

UPDATE:

Jon emailed me again a few days after sending me this story with the news that his soon-to-be-father-in-law was so impressed with Jon’s 9-2x that he went and traded his Hummer H3 for a Saab 9-3, a 2007 model with the 2.0T!

SaabUSA: safety stories do matter and more than that – don’t ever let safety be compromised in the design of new Saabs.

Here are some screenshots from the Saab US section of the GM Media website this morning. Do you notice anything strange?

Here’s the list of current models (9-5 BioPower?):

…..and the list of historical models:

See if you can pick it before clicking through for the answer.

Yes, the 9-2x is missing!

The were zero sales of the Saab 9-2x in July 2007 and it would now seem that the model has been removed from the company’s collective consciousness.

Despite my misgivings over the 9-2x, it doesn’t deserve to removed from the annals completely. The first step to recovery is admitting you’ve done something wrong, correct? Well, the only thing that was really wrong about the 9-2x is that it was underdone. It’ll likely go down as the most reliable Saab in the modern age.

C’mon GM. Bring it back to the history pages.

After reading “Another April Sale…” I just thought I’d let you know that you have another 9-2x driver who frequents the site. Now that ‘Nevitz’ has made the enviable leap to the 9-3SC, in fact, maybe I’m the only one.

Not so. Another 9-2x owner popped up in comments to that post and there’s possibly a few more reading silently right now.

I know how you feel about the 9-2x, and whilst I am inclined to agree with you, I have a case to make for it, at least in my circumstance. Basically, I can’t afford a REAL new Saab, but Saab is all my wife and I want to drive (she used to be a Honda girl before I converted her).

We wanted the reliability of a new car (too many bad experiences with used cars), and the 9-2x was our way of getting our foot in the door with a Saab. To me it’s basically a starter Saab to hold us over until the instant we can take delivery of a brand new 9-3 in Trollhattan with the European Delivery program one day (probably far away). Deep down every time I start the car I wish the ignition was between the seats and the dash wrapped around me, but that will have to wait.

The car looks beautiful on the outside (as you pointed out yourself), and the suspension and handling has been given a “Swedish massage.” In it’s defense, it’s actually a really good car, reliable, safe, fun to drive, and was dirt cheap. No, it’s not a genuine Saab, but it lets us say right now that we are at least, to borrow Nevitz’ term, a pseudo Saab family. And one day, like Nevitz, we, too, will join your ranks.

(Plus, there’s a beautiful 1991 gray 900 turbo convertible parked down the street from my house that I covet every time I leave the house. I’ve promised myself one day I will buy it off them. One day our Saab collection will make the 9-2x a fond memory of how desperately we wanted to drive a Saab. Plus, it will be sort of a unique piece of the collection itself).

Welcome Robert and ex-Honda girl!

The 9-2x was a very interesting experiment and I’d say the jury’s still out as to it’s success (or lack thereof). On the plus side, there’s people like Robert who have found a way to get into a Saab earlier than they otherwise expected. Some of these would have knowledge about Saabs beforehand and a bunch wouldn’t.

One thing’s for sure, the reliability and fun of the WRX base isn’t going to be the thing to hurt Saab’s reputation at all. These 9-2x buyers all seem to enjoy their cars a great deal, which is a positive for the brand. Some of them will go for another Saab after their 9-2x experience and that’s a good thing.

The side-effects of the experiement?

Well, some will chase after a Subaru as their replacement car, for starters.

Secondly, there’s the battering that Saab took in the press for this car. On many automotive forums they’re still mocked as the company that did the Saaburu and the Trollblazer, in spite of how good these cars might be.

But stories like Robert’s are heartening. The 9-2x has opened a gate for Saab ownership that would have been closed to some. If there’s one thing that we can glean from this story, it’s that a Saab 9-1 base level model can’t come soon enough. Such a car would allow young families like Robert and Mrs Robert to get into a Saab without losing some of the future sales to another brand.

Thanks for the email, Robert. You, your wife and your car would be more than welcome at any Saab function I ever put together.

Just picked up the Saab 9-2xi for $17,500 + tax, tag, and title. It’s an automatic with options (power sunroof & cold weather package). MSRP was $26,790. They’re clearing these cars out like hotcakes…..Since this car is no longer in production (only a limited number were produced in 2005 & 2006 only) and 2007 cars are starting to arrive on the lots, they need to get rid of these fast, so they dropped the price. Since GM is offering a $5000 rebate through 10/2, it gets another price drop. The one I purchased stickered for $26,790 then reduced to $24,990, then $19,990 after rebate. This is before I showed up and haggled.

There’s no Aeros left, but if you’re after a smallish reliable AWD wagon with a substandard interior (OK, I’m kidding – sort of) then this is your bargain opportunity.

OK, I’m lying.

The post actually lists the top 10 clearance prices on outgoing 2006 models and the 9-2x, which is not going to be replaced, received spot #3 on the list with a whopping 21.75% reduction on it’s sticker price ($5,000).

I’m on record here as being a non-fan of the 9-2x. It’s a great car in the same way than the Impreza’s a great car, it’s just poorly executed as a Saab. Those with a nose for a bargain and a penchant for exclusivity will most likely snap these up in a jiffy.

——

I shouldn’t laugh, but couldn’t help it. Comment #5 on the Autoblog post:

I bought one last summer, and had it only 8 months. Fortunately I didn’t take a bath on the trade-in. Full disclosure, I had the non-turbo Linear, not the turbo Aero version. If you really badly want a WRX, it might be a buy. It’s not as ugly as a WRX, but [commenter] #4 is right, the Saab dealers don’t know what they’re doing, and you’re the ugly step-child of the brand, they’re not going to go out of their way to treat you right. Other Saab drivers will give you dirty looks on the road. Someone once put a note on my windshield “Get a real Saab”.

I’d welcome any 9-2x owner to a Saab Car Club of Australia event, but……..well……..it’s still a little funny.

This is basically a WRX with a nicer warranty. It’s gonna’ be discontinued in ’07, and the production has stopped. Snap one up now if you can find one (Jun 06). These are rare, fast, and very fun to drive. WIth the Subie drivetrain, upgrades are a breeze, and parts supply will never dwindle.

4.5 stars out of 5.

If only Saab had been so honest when the model began, we mightn’t have ever descended into the debacle that the 9-2x became as time went on. 

For anyone that interested in a 9-2x, now is the time to get one.  They’ll be discontinued at the end of this model year and from what I hear there’s some decent incentives still available from US Saab dealers to help them out the door.

I’ve given the 9-2x a fair beating on this site in more recent times, but let me say this: there was little wrong with this car except for the execution.

ATR correctly notes the following:

Pros

Acceleration, reliability based on subaru counterpart, ride, styling, handling, fuel economy (been avg. 27 – 30 mpg), awd, longer warranty, dealership experience, and saab enhancements to the interior and exterior as well as mechanical.

Cons

No options for MP3 Player or NAVIGATION. Also, no option for six shifts and paddle shifting.

You’ll get no arguments from me there. 

Fundamentally, the 9-2x is a sound car.  I’ve not driven one myself as they’re not available here in Australia, but the WRX on which it’s based is the stuff of legend here and as far as I can tell, it’s well reputed everywhere else too.

So what went wrong with the 9-2x?

Here’s the Saab press release from 2003.  Do you see what I see?

Saab announces a cooperation with Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (Fuji) to produce a new performance-oriented all-wheel drive model — the Saab 9-2 — in Spring 2004. The new vehicle will provide Saab with a capable, dynamic entry below the new 9-3 Sport Sedan.

NEW YORK — Continuing with its biggest ever product offensive, Saab Automobile AB expands its product line further with the introduction of the new Saab 9-2. The 9-2 will be Saab’s entry offer and will help attract new, younger customers to the brand. It is targeted at customers looking for a distinctive, fun-to-drive car with the versatility to support an active lifestyle. As customers would expect from Saab, the 9-2 will feature excellent driving dynamics with its sophisticated all-wheel drive system and turbo performance as well as great versatility with its hatchback body style.

Leveraging the global resources of the GM Group, Saab Automobile AB is collaborating with Fuji of Japan to create the new Saab 9-2 model in cooperation with Subaru, Fuji’s automotive division.

"We see an emerging segment in the United States for a premium, small car below the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan," says Peter Augustsson, President and CEO of Saab Automobile AB.

"The Saab 9-2 is a result of collaboration between two like-minded brands. We both have a special aircraft heritage and a successful history in rallying, and our cars are known as dynamic, safe and fun-to-drive. It makes a lot of sense for us to combine our strengths in creating the next Saab and bring it to the market quickly," says Augustsson.

Saab will offer two versions of the new 9-2, both five-door, all-wheel drive cars. The base Saab 9-2 will be equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, while the Aero version will feature a high performance, 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Initially, the vehicle will only be offered in the United States and Canadian markets.

"Both brands have this special flair," said Bob Lutz, GM’s Vice Chairman for Product Development. "It is such a natural fit for them to combine their talents and expertise to bring the first all-wheel-drive performance car into the Saab family — a car with great dynamic qualities and exhilarating performance."

The new Saab 9-2 will be produced in Fuji’s facilities in Japan, beginning in the spring of 2004.

Did you pick it?

Saab shot themselves in the foot with this release and the 9-2x was pretty much doomed from the get-go as a Saab model.  Why?

Because the press release never mentions the direct WRX base.  It talks about the 5-door body style, the AWD and the engine.  All of them spell out Subaru and the market quite likely knew that this was going to be a WRX-based car, but they didn’t know the full extent of it until Saab launched the model.

Once that particular cat was out of it’s bag, along with Saab’s more expensive pricing, the car became the butt of many an industry joke and put Saab back another 5 years in terms of market perception.

The lessons for the future?

1. Don’t go down this type of model development path again
2. If you have to go down this model development path again, then make sure you differentiate the vehicles suffiently.
3. If you can’t differentiate the vehicle sufficiently, then at least be honest with the public

All Saab had to say was that the 9-2x is a model-sharing exercise with Subaru, and that the 9-2x would be an enhanced version of the WRX with Saab exterior styling, better steering and suspension setups and a longer warranty.

The public knows what to expect and can look forward to it without fear of their expections popping like a party balloon.

After all, isn’t that exactly how the 9-2x is being written up now? 

Favorite Features

Spirited performance with manual transmission. Solid handling. Saab service (loaner cars, 2 year free service, and a 4 year warranty). Features and styling not available on the Subaru Impreza. Easy to upgrade and modify.

Overall Review

Do not overlook this vehicle if you can find one…especially an automatic. This unique cross-breeding between GM and Subaru will be one for the history books considering Saab’s roots are of Sweedish origin and the vehicle is manufactured in Japan while being sold as American since GM’s acquisition of Saab a few years ago.

It’s not regarded as a bad car by any means, it’s just that the marketing is regarded as a bad joke played by the company on the people. 

If you’re after a 9-2x then go get the Aero model and enjoy yourself. 

Interestingly, whilst the Impreza also achieved the Top Safety Pick status (and wouldn’t it have been funny if it didn’t?!?), it achieved this for the non-WRX models only. Maybe Suuby didn’t submit a WRX for testing, but there’s nothing in the release on the IIHS website to say that Saab’s Top Safety Pick is for the non-Aero model of the 9-2x only. Puzzling.

Anyway, here’s hoping they flog this bit of news ’til it bleeds and manage to sell a few more of these cars.

———-

Detroit, Mich. — With the 9-2X premium compact joining the 9-3 Sport Sedan, Saab is the first luxury carmaker to receive a pair of ‘Top Safety Pick – Gold Award’ designations from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The Gold Award is a best-of-the-best distinction that recognizes car designs that provide the best occupant protection in front, side and rear crashes based on Institute testing.

“We commend Saab for making the 9-2X the second Saab vehicle to earn our demanding Top Safety Pick award”, said Adrian Lund, President of the IIHS.

The IIHS frontal impact test is carried out at 40 mph against a deformable fixed barrier, with a 40 percent driver’s side offset. In the IIHS side impact test a deformable barrier constructed to resemble a full-size sport utility vehicle, is propelled at 31 mph against the driver’s side of the car to measure side impact protection. The rear-end test simulates a 20-mph rear impact into a stationary car, during which the front seat/head restraint performance is assessed.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a non-profit research and communications organization in the United States funded by auto insurers. It investigates the crashworthiness of vehicles. More information at www.IIHS.org

———-

I thought Saab had 2 Top Safety Picks already. Why isn’t the 9-5 a Top Safety Pick? I thought it was. Maybe the new model hasn’t been tested yet. Something for the to-do list, Jay.

Of course, the really good news is that if you see a 9-2x you can ram it knowing the occupants will be quite safe.

OK, I’m kidding……

I know I’ve bagged this car a fair bit lately and I know I should be mindful of the fact that it IS built on a pretty good base car and it IS an ongoing part of the Saab family for the moment (someone once said that of the Saab 600 too) and it IS for all intents and purposes a pretty practical car, being AWD, turbo and wagonish…….but…….

but……..

Will someone please kill this car already?!?!?!?!  Either price it properly (it’s still $3K above the Suuby) or stop embarassing us and yourselves by trying to push shit uphill with a toothpick!

Give us a new 9-2, inspired by the 900 and the 9-3x.  Give it to us now you GM dirty-animal-food-trough-water!!!!

Aaaah.  That feels better…….

Unfortunately, I didn’t see this article, but it seems that Mark wrote it up as a big vote of disapproval for the model, rather than seeing it for what it was.

This prompted a reply from Jan-Willem Vester, communications guy for Saab USA:

We’d like to comment that the low sales numbers in recent months were mostly a result of limited product availability — not customer demand.

Earlier this year, we saw a significant increase in the popularity of the Saab 9-2X, with several months of consistently more than 1,000 sales per month. This almost completely depleted our stock of model year 2005 cars, while production of the 2006 model 9-2X did not start until late this fall.

So far, Saab has sold a total of almost 8,000 9-2X’s in the United States and Canada, which was generally in line with expectations. On average, the 9-2X attracts a younger customer to Saab, who tends to be very satisfied with his or her purchase.

With deliveries of the 9-2X at Saab dealerships now resuming, we expect sales to come back to normal levels soon.

It’ll be interesting to see what ‘normal levels’ turn out to be for the remainder of the 9-2x’s life cycle, eh?