Used 2005 Saab 9-2X Aero 4dr Sport Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M) Consumer Reviews
180k and still love it
The Saabaru is a great blend of sportiness, reliability, and practicality. It's sporty and powerful enough to stay entertaining for years. I really enjoy the on boost power, but there's not much low end torque. Handling is good enough for the street, but it's not really at home on the racetrack. Mine is still completely stock, and has been incredibly reliable. I've got almost 180k miles on it, and have only had a few repairs in all that time. I really like how practical it is. I frequently load lots of stuff in the back and tow a 5x8 utility trailer with it for household projects.
Practical, Reliable, Rally-Bred Monster
Last year I went used shopping for a practical AWD compact for city use and occasional road trips. To my surprise, this turbo Saabaru (which, yes, has an automatic) was the best of the lot by far. Plodding around in town it's as docile as any other auto-compact, yet the turbo means it doesn't run out of steam on the highway (I'm looking at you, SX4/Fit). But it's not all practicality: being a WRX, it's ready to play whenever. Put the tach above 3500 and it hisses, growls, and rips a hole in time. Show it some curves and it annihilates them (it's front heavy, but there's so much grip it almost doesn't matter). Best of all, you can go back to driving casually once you're done abusing the tarmac.
- Linear WagonMSRP: $4,980673 mi away
- Linear WagonMSRP: $4,995923 mi away
- Linear WagonMSRP: $4,9951,812 mi away
9-2X
The 9-2x is not an Audi quattro, or an Evo, or an STi. But it doesn't have the price tag of those other AWD performance cars. What it does have is the basics that the WRX gives you, minus some of the WRX's boy racer bug-eyed-ness, plus a little swedish minimalism along with a superior warranty and maintenance program - for a few thousand dollars less than a new WRX invoice! Of course, I'm talking post-GM employee discount pricing where the numbers went south of $20K. No car is without fault, but this one suits my daily driving demands (both rationally and emotionally) better than any vehicle I've driven in the last 10 years.
Rippen Griffen 9-2X Aero
Best car I have ever owned! Plenty of interior room for a small family, and the rear seats fold flat for more hauling room. Super reliable - over 108k miles, and no service repairs! My car has been modified, to produce ~100 hp over stock hp, and is still a reliable daily driver.
Resolving a midlife crisis
This is a "Q" boat of a car. It packages the firebreathing performance of the Subaru WRX in a skin that you would not be reluctant to drive to a meeting at the Harvard Club. I can recapture the sports car days of my youth yet remain outwardly respectable. The build quality is excellent and the car has proven ultimately reliable. Fuel economy is good but every time you use the blazing acceleration, it's like throwing a 50 cent piece out the window.
I'd be mad if I paid full price
But I spent $8500 off msrp, which makes me very happy. I paid less than my friends WRX. I really don't think it's any more quiet. It's more jarring over ruff pavement (17"?). Automatic is horrible. Aggressive driving is scary because of the automatic. The cloth is better, but gets dirty really fast. The seats don't seem to keep you in place as well. Oddly enough I love my car. Normal driving is pleasant. Side by side looks much better than the WRX. I have an AWD wagon with lots of safety for cheap. Only wish I got a stick, at least until I'm stuck in traffic.
Great car and value
We just purchased our 9-2x Aero and have been extremely satisfied. We purchased under GM's Employee Discount promotion for approx. $8000 below MSRP. Thus, we have a premium label, upgraded stereo, climate control, etc.,arguably better looks and handling with the same engine performance and reliability as the WRX, all for $1000s less. Many articles have been written about the car's performance, so I'll just say it is very quick and has excellent handling. The AWD is a useful feature on the slick Seattle streets. Up until the promotion I was set on a sedan (Legacy GT or TSX), but the value was too good to pass up and now I have to admit I really like the styling and driving something unique.
A Much Better WRX (and better looking)
Loved the idea of the WRX wagon, but couldn't get past the ugliness of the thing--the bug-eyed look wasn't for me. What I hoped for was a decent horsepower, better-looking, but similar sized AWD mini-wagon. Found it--the Saab-icized WRX--or, as I desribed it to everyone, a better WRX---quieter, better looking, better interior, but with the same great 230hp AWD chassis (and reliability) that Subaru is famous for. Really like the car--few nits are some early rattles (to be covered under warranty), but overall, a blast to drive. Love that you don't see one every 10ft. Easy to add 30hp with chip reprogram. A stealth mini-missile, with upscale badging. Gotta love it!
Great car
I have been slamming the miles on this car which now has 151,000. I have had no problems other than replacing the tires. The paint on the hood peeled and Saab finally agreed to re paint the hood. It is a fast car and I get a lot of compliments on it. It still looks new when I clean it up. Would do it all over again
Great euro wagon
Very fun car, great value for the price. SAAB did a lot of work on this car. I have owned the car for about two months and am still learning features on this car. From little cubbie holes here and there to the larger issues like saftey, this car seems to be very well thought out. So far I love the car and have a ton of interest in car whereever I travel in CA.
So Far...
I have owned my 9-2X for 3-1/2 months and so far I'm generally pleased with my selection of the Saab 9-2X as my daily driver. It's a refined fusion of Euro-Style & Japanese AWD Technology. I am pleased with it's functional side as well as it's sporty/fun side. I like knowing that I have several safety features working for me with Side curtain and front airbags, ABS & 4 wheel disk brakes, AWD for slippery road conditions, and the Xenon driving lamps. I also feel secure with the great warranty offered. I really like the cargo capacity. The split fold down rear seats are vesatile feature. I would recommend this car for anyone whose functional criteria match up to what this car offers.
I Love My Saaburu
This car is so much fun to drive that my wife and I regularly fight over the keys.
Sweet car even for a guy in his late 30s
Love the looks of this car. The rear hatch opens up and fits 6 bags of groceries easily. Automatic Aero off of the line is very slow until the turbo kicks in. Makes up for that as you accelerate from 35 MPH to 75MPH in a hurry. Suspension is perfect for me. Not too tight, but still corners like a stud. The stereo is merely adequate. Meets the needs of most people. Its clear Saab expects you to upgrade the system.
Revenge of the Nerd
Remember freshman year of high school, when the nerdiest, scrawniest kid from junior high walked into homeroom, huge with a mustache? That's what this car reminds me of. At first glance, it looks like a harmless suby impreza wagon, look again, it's a wrx, one more peak, is that a saab? The 92x is a great car. It is fun to drive, handles well in all climates, it can get decent gas mileage, and if pushed, can accelerate like a fighter jet. I was trying to explain what it looked like to a coworker, and the first thing that came to my mind was, my car is Mini Me on steroids. But in reality, it is built like a pug and runs like a greyhound.
Improved WRX, more affordable than WRX
It's a great wagon - speed, handling, AWD traction and cargo space in one classy package. And a lot of fun to drive. It does suffer from turbo lag and has average at best fuel economy. Nevertheless, this car (IMHO) not only looks better that WRX, but it is overall a better car. Considering current GM rebates and other discounts, it can be had for a lot less than 2005 WRX wagon which makes 9-2x Aero an excellent value.
Great Sportswagon
I got the auto transmission Aero even though I heard that you need the manual Tranny to get good performance.(My wife doesn't like to drive manual transmissions) I have been pleasantly surprised with the performance with the auto- if your engine rpm is less than 3000 and you downshift to third gear before hitting the accelerator it will kick down to second gear and move out fast.Cornering and steering are exceptionally good on this car!
Good for the discount price
For the $20k or so that an Aero is going for now with the discounts, you won't find a more capable car. It is not the prettiest car, inside or out, but everything is well laid out and functional.
Beauty for the beast
Anyone up for a Subaru entree with Saab spices? I was, and it's delicious! The 9-2x Aero combines the practicality of a wagon (great for carting small- to medium-sized dogs, for example, or camping gear), the thrills of a turbo engine (it will put a silly grin on your face that you cannot wipe off), and the safety of all-wheel-drive with ABS and a limited slip differential. The turbo characteristics have been refined, so you won't necessarily take off like a Tasmanian devil at 3000RPM. The shifter is notchy and can definitely be improved. Seats are decent, and the two-tone interior is nice. Road noise is acceptable, but more than the Jetta I owned. In all, a practical car that spells F-U-N.
Best Value in 5-door sport compact
This 5-door Saab/Suub/Saabaru (pick your poison) is a step up from the great Impreza WRX wagon. More precise and comfortable handling, better body design, increased noise reduction, and overall better good looks differentiate this vehicle greatly from the Subaru. It's price is a bit on the steep side, but it's worth every penny. If the performance isn't quite up to snuff, you can always add aftermarket power toys to blow away the competition! I love this car, and I've owned and test-driven several 5- doors. This is by far the best of the bunch! Too bad they're practically sold out of the '05s. Buy an '06--you won't regret it!
Wheeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!
I traded in my Mazda Protege 5 for the 9-2x Aero a week ago, and haven't looked back. I was a bit concerned that I would miss the handling of the Mazda, but a week in the new car has put that worry aside! I absolutely love the handling of the all wheel drive, and the kick from the turbo is just a blast! It's like my Mazda and my old 98 Vette combined. Now I ask ya, can you get any better that that?? :-)
Excellent deal for the money
Picked up my Aero 5mt early July, 2005 and have already put about 4400 miles on it. The car is a lot of fun to drive and a bargain for the less than $20k that I paid. Engine pulls strongly above 3000rpm and puts a smile on my face every time. Shifter is a little notchy but is getting better with use. Lower gears are spaced a little too far apart which needs them to be revved higher before upshifts for max performance. Interior is spartan by Saab standards, but quite adequate at its price point. Huge selection of WRX aftermarket bolt-on/tuning parts make it very easy to upgrade power and handling at reasonable prices. All in all, an excellent ride at a very affordable price!
It's worth the extra 3K
Many reviews of this car focus on whether or not it is truly a Saab. That's a shame since the car should be judged for what it is and not if it is a Saab. Also, these professional auto reviewers never point out that real Saabs, speciafically the 9-3 are not the most reliable cars. Subarus are very reliable. That said the WRX is a great car and the extra 3K for a 9-2X provide you with- longer warranty, upgraded exterior and interior, optional features not available on the WRX (leather, heated mirrors and seats), addtional sound deadening for a quieter ride, and a much better dealer experience. Current rebates make the base list price equal to the WRX. No toll ticket clip? Who cares?
Saab 9-2X
Buy this car for what it is; a rebadged Subaru with a little Saab improvement (sound deadening, etc.). The exterior is unmistakable for the WRX Wagon and the interior is Subaru, through and through, with chaep plastic everywhere. I was very disappointed at the lack of power seats, steering wheel stereo controls, etc. The car has to be punished to get all of the 227 HP out of it and it does have a lot of body roll, though less than the WRX. The only reason to justify spending more money on this car than the WRX wagon is the upscale Saab name and a little tighter suspension. Other than that, save a couple grand and buy the WRX wagon.
BEST BUY
Excellent combination of Saab inspired good looks, quiet cabin and Subaru practicality, sporty performance, race proven chassis design and reliability. Umpteen suppliers from aftermarket for Impreza WRX souped-up parts.
A Very Good Premium Compact
This is a quality entry in the premium compact class. First, identify what you want. If you love driving, have a preference for European cars or European styling, and don't want to spend a fortune, you have come to the right place. This car has been tastefully upgraded by SAAB, and is not really a competitor to the Subaru WRX, but a new entry in what is expected to be a rapidly growing category...the premium compact class. Think a fast Audi, with comparable handling, but at a base level Audi price. You will likely not find even the upcoming Audi A3 at this price, with this performance. This car offers very good performance and handling, huge utility, good looks, at a reasonable price.
14 Months of Ownership
I had the Silver Bullet for 14 months before I traded it in. The 92x is a very fun car to drive. On an open winding road, I can't imagine a better vehicle. It also handles extremely well in the rain. Every day use though is a different story. In stop and go traffic, it beats you up. I took a 5 hour road trip and found that it performed much better on the highway than I expected, but by hour 4, my back, shoulders and neck hurt so much I couldn't wait. Turbolag is poor, slow off the line, from 30-70 in 3rd gear, it's an F16, arguably one of the fastest cars on the road. Bottom line, this car is like driving a race car. What it lacks in comfort, it makes up for in fun.
I love my Saab 92X except it takes premi
The 92X is zippy and handles well in all weather conditions. The mileage could be better...I get 21 miles to a gallon of premium gas - Highway driving. I didn't know it took premium until after I paid for the upgraded turbo car. Originally I was going to buy the less expensive model.) My dealership did not explain the covered service features to me until after I had the vehicle serviced for the first time and had to pay for the oil change.
Great Car, Great Price
It was nice to see that I could get a high quality car for an affordable price. The seats are a little stiff at first but they loosen up a bit later. It would be nice to have a one touch moonroof but I think I can manage. If it seems I am being nit-picky, I have to be. I can find no major thing wrong with this car. The ride and power obviously are comparable to the Subaru WRX. The styling is Subaru with enough extras and finess to make it a Saab. This is definitely not your mother's Saab. I love it.
Best of Both Worlds
Right, so I bought my Satin Grey Aero for 22,500 out the door--9 miles on the clocks, bags on the seats (9 grand off sticker?? I'll take one, maybe two). Only option on mine is the Sport Package, which is just a sunroof and beautiful 17" wheels wrapped in decent RE011 Bridgestones. Most don't realize that this car has the STi's steering box (2.7 turns vs. 3 on the WRX) which is mounted with rigid bushings to the car, for a more responsive feel. And responsive it is! Great handling, with all the body roll expected from Fuji Heavy Industries. Easily fixed, mind you. Really, the cornering is spot on--you will hug this car after driving hard in the rain! Buy it now before August 1!
Y not WRX
This is a great car but for alot less you can find a nice cheap used WRX wagon on ebay. Actually Subaru designed the 9-2x for saab thats why they look exactly the same. great car.
saab2xaero
Terrific bargain at gm employee price. Fun to drive, steering is best of any car I have ever owned, all wheel drive means no front wheel spin or hop on hard acceleration. Awesome acceleration in 2nd gear when turbo spooled up. Hatchback is very useful. Like having a high performance car that looks tame.
Good value
A cute crossover- part SUV, part sport, part wagon- good on gas, unique, not a million on the road, feels super safe and stable. A quality car. Very happy. Easy to drive. I got the automatic transmission, cloth seats.
9-2x Aer-Ohhhhh!!!
What a steal! Quick, nimble, stylish, handles well, reliable, roomy, & solid. Everything the WRX is and wishes it could be. Price is better than a WRX, ride is better, interior is much nicer, exterior sleeker (WRX is fugly IMHO). Handles better and is faster than my former mod'd Audi A4 and costs 30% less. Never thought the car would turn heads, but in Brilliant Red, the car is intimidating and striking. There isn't a car out there that can compare at this price range. Being an avid car mag reader, enthusiast, and motorcycle rider I can honestly tell you this is the car deal of a lifetime if you seek performance, reliability, and all weather utility in an affordable but stylish package.
Not impressed...
I thought that buying a new 9-2X would be better than my other choice the V50. I'm starting to think the other way around especially since the interior quality isnt that great. The sun visors are slightly loose and the center armrest console is too. I still like the car, but theres better choices out there and too bad I had to find out the hard way.
Fit for me and fun to drive
I choose this car for fit to my driving style, safety and fun to drive. I like a manual, compact car and the styling suited my step up from traditional GM cars. I knew it was a Saaburu - but for someone who wanted a manual 5 sp with AWD, and didn't look like a boy's car (I'm middle-aged professional woman), the 9-2X is a kick to drive. I feel safe with some fun power. I hit a deer doing 50 mph and the car didn't even quiver (the windshield didn't fare too well - but held). While I don't disagree with the reviews - I still love my car - and that is what counts.
Excellent car killed by inept marketing
Take one globally respected rally car, add a pinch of style and a sprinkling of refinement; Sounds like the recipe for success. Trouble is, Saab thinks just putting their name on Subaru's econobox without any other major changes suddenly makes it worth BMW or Audi money. For what it is (a handsome, fast and agile wagon) this car can not be faulted. For what it claims to be (a premium branded vehicle) it falls way short.
Take it or leave it
We all know this car is a rebadged WRX. That said Saab has made this car more of a "luxury" car then a "race" car with sound dampening, slightly less stiff suspension, and i believe they took the steering components from the STI. The automatic turbo version of this car does not feel as spirited as its manual counterpart. The thing I am most impressed with is the AWD and the lack of body roll when turning partially due to the Horizontally opposed motor (IMO, 2/3's of a porsche's motor). I love my car and think it is an excellent option to consider besides an SUV.
The Silver Bullet
I caught WRX fever about 4 months ago and had been trying to figure out a way to buy one, but then, I stumbled upon reviews at Edmunds and then saw the GM discount and took the "You only live once" attitude. I love this car. I got a great deal on it, but more importantly, the 92x has reminded how much fun driving can be. It's only been a month, but so far, nothing but fun. It's a real head turner too, you just don't see many where I live in Bethesda, MD. The car hugs the road. My experience so far is that the 92x has a split personality. Drive conservatively, downshift and you can get good gas mileage. Hit 3000 rpm and Grandma's not going to miss bingo afterall, it feels like an F15!
Saabaru...Best five door for the money
I was going to buy a WRX until I test drove the Saabaru. This is simply the best five door available--not just for the money, but period. Sure, there are some more upscale models filled with fluff (onboard navigation, various electronic gadgets, etc.) but most don't offer 220-hp with a tried and true engine, drivetrain, and turbocharger, let alone what is quite possibly the most reliable all-wheel drive system on the market. This car moves when you want it to (especially in Aero manual form, though the automatic is still spunky), just like the WRX, but is also a friendly daily driver. It performs like the WRX but drives like a Saab!
Saab 92 [WR]x
Anybody out there get the feeling that this is a WRX in other clothing? Have a look at the Subaru Imprezza Wagon. Coincidence that Saab releases a 2.0L, awd *boxer* engine turbocharged wagon made in Japan? The WRX is great, but how is this a SAAB?
Blind spot
This is a great driving car. The only complaint I have is the blind spot on the drivers side. I was taught to glance over my shoulder before merging to the left but in this vehicle the view is obstructed. Compared to my last car, a 2001 VW Beetle, the Saab is much more comfortable and handles really well. I am anxious to drive it in snow.
Better than it's WRX cousin
Purchased the car during in July 2005, and have been very happy with everything, except turbo lag. The 2006 model gets a larger engine and should fix this problem. The car performs very well, so well that in snow and ice I can punch the gas and the 9-2x flys off the line. I also like the interior, easy to read gauges and very supportive seats (much better than WRX seats), also I chose the cold weather package w/ heated seats. The WRX only offers heated seats w/ the limited package (a $2000 option on WRX)!!!
The perfect sleeper
I've lived Saabs for years. I briefly owned an unfortunate '86 SPG, but loved its quirkiness (overused adjective when describing Saabs, I know) as well as its performance. The Saabaru is a near perfect marriage of two iconic marquees, in terms of performance, quality and quirk. It's a real shame more people don't even consider this car when shopping, especially considering the ridiculous incentives GM is currently offering. The power is there, the handling is better day to day than the WRX, it's stealthy (both to cops and the kid in the modded Civic), it's well made, it has a great warranty, and it's different. That counts for a lot with me in this age of SUVs and boring Asian lookalikes.
best
this car is classy and it needs no new component and it feel good to know you are in one
Equilibrium
Of all the car i've try and own it's the car that has give me the best balance between praticality and driving pleasure. Quick the suspension is amazing and in perfect harmony with the steering. The suspension is superb too use and the acceleration are more then adequate. The AWD system with the lsd is the best i've ever tried tied with the wrx sti, just mind blowing. Sound system is good tissus seats were right between confort and sportiness, superb. Trunk and fuel economy is good. Maintenance is expensive tho but a well maintain subaru is reliable. In the end the driving experience ressemble the one of a miata but with hhhuuummmfff of a wrx and the praticality of station wagon. A mind blowing gems forget by everyone. If i could find a clean one for sale where i'm living i'll jump on it.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
A good but not great little car.
I have had some problems with the tires and wheels on this car. After only about 10000 miles all of the Bridgestone tires bubbled and half my rims were bent. I had to buy new tires and aftermarket wheels. The car handles great but turbo lag and cheap seats are a downfall.
Conservative hotrod
The Saab Aero 92x is just the thing for senior citizens who want to recapture their youthful love affair with high performance automobiles yet not flaunt their second childhood in front of their neighbors. Encased in an attractive, upscale yet conservative, body lies the mechanicals of the firebreating Subaru WRX. This implies wonderfully responsive AWD handling, breathtaking midrange acceleration, near felony range top speed, and good reliability. And when you park the car you go back to being a responsible member of society. The only giveaway is the turbo scoop on the hood. There are few downsides except the requirement for premium gas. This is the penalty for the adventure.
Saabaru
My wife and I were shopping for a used Saab 9-5 wagon when we drove this at the dealer. The ride was amazing and my wife feel in love. With the employee pricing it was a huge steal. It isn't a true Saab, but it is one helluva Subaru.
9-2X happiness
Everyone wants to know if the 9-2X is worth the price premium over the Subaru Impreza wagon which it is based. It depends on what is important to the owner. GM/Saab definitely overpriced the 9-2X at first, but late summer incentives convinced me to buy. I really wanted a hatchback (3-door), but no automaker seems to want to offer this handy configuration anymore. So the 9-2X gives me two extra doors i will never need for hauling the two of us to the park, skiing, or on a weekend trip. Fuel economy predictably stinks for a car this size, but part of that is due to the desire of the driver to truly exercise the peppy engine and actually utilise the all-wheel-drive. Overall, the 9-2x is superb!
Just O.K.
First of all I'm a 21 year old college student. Its a black Aero with Cold & premium pkgs. I got this car myself it's my 1st car and couldn't wait to get it. With the employee pricing it was hard to pass up. But to that I add I should've gotten the new "06" Civc this car feels very questionable in the quality department. It's very slow off the line you have to practically floor it at every light to get it going which cancelled out the fuel efficiency of the 4cyl that it has as opposed to the "06" v6 eclipse i wanted it's the same MPG. The steering is said to be direct aka "Not enough power steering boost". I don't how Saab even thought this car would sell for 30k !!!