9-2X impressions please

[P3 Nav]

My wife and I are looking to pocket a little bit of money, to put towards a new house, and I will probably get rid of my 9-3SS. One of the options that I am looking at is to get a 9-2X Linear/Aero (haven't made any Decision yet on which one I would go with). Am really interested in hearing how you guys like your linears and aeros.

Please educate me.

Tom

[hgiljr]

Me too, since I am in the exact same boat... Thanks

[GRIPEN]

I got the 9-2 X Aero loaner car when I brought in my 9-3 SS to the dealership for the seat belt recall and some other warrantee work. It's definitely a nice car, and it's fast. All wheel drive is excellent in handling, and looks is alot better than the Impreza WRX wagon. The only draw back is that there is no SID and the dashboard sits very low, which means that the audio controls and a/c controls are very low as well. I also felt some vibrations as well when the car seats on idle probably because of boxer engine's setup. Don't forget this car is a japanese car so it's very light as well comparing to the 9-3 SS.

If I where you, I would definitely go for the Aero in manual transmission. I believed this car would be definitely fun to drive and it will get alot of attention. Check the dealership, I think they have free oil change promotions as well.

[jlzmeehan]

If you are going to buy a 92x, get the Aero.The linear is a great car, but lacks the power to make it fun. If you wait a few months, they will be giving them away....that is, unless everybody suddenly discovers how cool they are.

[MikeNeri]

I've been very happy with my Aero over the first 2 months. I've driven both Linear and Aero in both auto and manual and I must say, if you decide to get one, go with the Aero with a 5-speed. Its just so much more fun than the rest.

I do have one complaint though. I'm quite dissappointed with the mileage so far. I've been averaging about 375KM to 400KM per tank. I know its winter and its been very cold and that doesn't help the mileage, but I just hope it gets better eventually. Paying for "premium" gas is getting expensive.

Overall I give the car 2 thumbs up.

Mike

[Jet 9-3]

Originally Posted by P3 Nav

My wife and I are looking to pocket a little bit of money, to put towards a new house, and I will probably get rid of my 9-3SS. One of the options that I am looking at is to get a 9-2X Linear/Aero (haven't made any Decision yet on which one I would go with). Am really interested in hearing how you guys like your linears and aeros.

Please educate me.

Tom

I'm wondering how you would be able to save $$ in this scenerio. The 9-3 probably has less value than what you'd pay for the 9-2x

[jlzmeehan]

There definitely is no money to be saved in that scenario.....You could probably buy 2 used 9-3's for the $35,000 "out the door" price of a nicely equipped 92x Aero.

Out the door would be less than the 33 grand for a fully equipped 9-2x Aero. They're still throwing deals at it, and the 9-3 won't have AWD, a 227 hp turbo or be a brand new car.

[Jet 9-3]

Originally Posted by apzer09

Out the door would be less than the 33 grand for a fully equipped 9-2x Aero. They're still throwing deals at it, and the 9-3 won't have AWD, a 227 hp turbo or be a brand new car.

But it will have everything else over it.

[WestsideWRX]

Originally Posted by Jet 9-3

But it will have everything else over it.

Facts, brother...give us facts, not opinions. What is this "everything else" the 9-3 has over the 9-2X? From everything I've read on both cars, the performance advantage belongs to the 9-2X.

As far as the price of a 9-2X...is Saab really asking $35K for a fully loaded 9-2X? If so, that's ridiculous...

[Teichs]

A well-equiped Aero should cost you well under 33k. Under 30k even. They are having great deals on them right now. Do what I did, go to the dealer late in the day when they are more willing to have another car leave the lot before they close. Sounds crazy but it worked for me. And I've been loving the car ever since. No problems (knock on wood) after 10k miles and counting.

[Raven18940]

I don't know how you plan to make money selling your 9-3. Anyway I think the "everything else" is space. Imperza's are small cars and so are 9-2X's. If you're a tall driver you're not going to get anyone behind you. You also can't get one in sedan trim which means you don't have a truck. As for performance and handling, the 9-2X isn't that much better. It may have started life as a light japanese car, but turning it into a saab has made it heavy. It weighs the same as 9-3, little more than 3200lbs. And don't think the suspension is way better, cause it's similiar as well, Macpherson struts up front and independent in the rear. The weight distribution of a 9-2X is 58/42 and a 9-3 is 60/40. The 9-2X does 0.83G in a corner and the 9-3 does 0.85G and though both do a little more than a 62MPH slalom. The 9-2X hits 60 in 6.1 seconds where the 9-3 takes 6.9 being held back by FWD. The braking stats are about the same as well. So in terms of performance there really is that much between these two cars other than the 9-2X gets off the line faster. Also it should be said that while a 9-3 has a little less hp it has a little more torque to make up for it.

So to sum things up the 9-2X is smaller, more thristy, and has AWD. The 9-3 is bigger, torquier, and FWD. I also priced out a 9-2X Aero w/ manual and got a little less than $32K MSRP.

[Jet 9-3]

Originally Posted by WestsideWRX

Facts, brother...give us facts, not opinions. What is this "everything else" the 9-3 has over the 9-2X? From everything I've read on both cars, the performance advantage belongs to the 9-2X.

I didn't say that the 92-x DIDN'T have the performance advantage. Did I?

But here are a few FACTS
Much more room for driver and passengers
Much better safety record
Stability control
Many more interior features. While looks are subjective, I think most would say a much nicer interior, aesthetically as well
And I'm sure I am forgetting a lot.

For those who care about more than just performance

[WestsideWRX]

Originally Posted by Jet 9-3

I didn't say that the 92-x DIDN'T have the performance advantage. Did I?

But here are a few FACTS
Much more room for driver and passengers
Much better safety record
Stability control
Many more interior features. While looks are subjective, I think most would say a much nicer interior, aesthetically as well
And I'm sure I am forgetting a lot.

For those who care about more than just performance

No, you didn't say the 9-2X didn't have the performance advantage. As a matter of fact, you just made a broad, unsubstantiated statement.

I do appreciate your listing some "facts", though you should know the new generation Impreza has received the industry's top marks in frontal and side impact testing the past several years. Subaru is really big on safety. The new Forester has been named the safest small SUV ever tested.

The 9-2X, being AWD, has no pressing need for electronic stability control.

Look, I'm not saying the 9-2X is a better car than the 9-3. I'm saying the 9-2X is a better car than most of you Saab guys will admit to. You're so butt-hurt over the fact that it's a Subaru with a Saab badge, that you can't accept it for what it is...a cash injector for a car company in need of one. And that's okay, I guess. There's a segment of the Subaru crowd that's not too enamored with their cars being re-branded as Saabs, either. So, you could say it goes both ways...

peace...

[Jet 9-3]

Originally Posted by WestsideWRX

No, you didn't say the 9-2X didn't have the performance advantage. As a matter of fact, you just made a broad, unsubstantiated statement.

I did? Hmmm. Broad, perhaps. Unstabstantiated? Well, maybe you could tell me what the 92-x has over the 9-3, BESIDES performance. That was my point

Funny you mention it though, read on, and see how I think you made a broad unsubstantiated statement

I do appreciate your listing some "facts", though you should know the new generation Impreza has received the industry's top marks in frontal and side impact testing the past several years. Subaru is really big on safety. The new Forester has been named the safest small SUV ever tested

Being big on safety does not make it better than the 9-3.

The 9-3 is the IIHS' first "double best pick" sedan. Ever. It is safer than the 9-2x. Does the 9-2x even have full curtain airbags?

And on a side note, wasn't it the RAV 4 that got the only other "double best pick" Unless the Forester rating comes from somewhere else

The 9-2X, being AWD, has no pressing need for electronic stability control.

It must have some value, right? Why does Suburu (big on safety) offer it in the Outback, saying this: “Vehicle Dynamics Control offers the grip of VTD Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with the added peace of mind from stability and traction “

Look, I'm not saying the 9-2X is a better car than the 9-3. I'm saying the 9-2X is a better car than most of you Saab guys will admit to. You're so butt-hurt over the fact that it's a Subaru with a Saab badge, that you can't accept it for what it is...a cash injector for a car company in need of one. And that's okay, I guess. There's a segment of the Subaru crowd that's not too enamored with their cars being re-branded as Saabs, either. So, you could say it goes both ways...

peace...

This is where you made the broad statement. If I’m a "Saab guy", it’s only in the last 2 years as I never even really looked at them until the week before I bought my car. I have NO problems with the 92-x at all, with the whole re-badging thing. Or with the 9-7x either. I want to keep my car for awhile, and want Saab to stay alive. If this helps, so be it. It wasn't much fun when the value of my Old Intrigue plummeted as a lame duck car

I drove a Linear and it's not really my cup of tea, I would want something a bit bigger if spending that much money (I would need an Aero). But I do think it looks sharp and is a giant leap over the looks of the Suburu version

peace...

[CleveSaab]

Kind of getting WAY off topic, no?
I don't think it matters a hill of beans if you like the SS better of the X, does it?
The original poster wants opinions on the 9-2X from the PEOPLE THAT OWN THEM....not comparisons between them.
Can we FOCUS now?!?!

[WestsideWRX]

re-focused.

[Jet 9-3]

Originally Posted by CleveSaab

Kind of getting WAY off topic, no?
I don't think it matters a hill of beans if you like the SS better of the X, does it?
The original poster wants opinions on the 9-2X from the PEOPLE THAT OWN THEM....not comparisons between them.
Can we FOCUS now?!?!

He is thinking about trading a 9-3. So I think the comparision is relevent, no?

[P3 Nav]

Sorry it has taken so long from the last time that I posted/started this little debate. As far as performance goes, I do take my cars on the track for performance driving courses ( and not parking lot racing)...As for saving money, I am presently leasing the 93SS and it is the 11th vehicle that my family has gotten from this dealer, so there is a little flexability from the owners. Right now, I have about 55000 KM on it and have had it for less than 2 years. I was looking at various scenarios, ie 92x, newer 93SS..... I am not afraid to lease again, and the dealer can role over any KM penalty into the price of a new vehicle. END result, ......newer car, reset kilometers, and with the new incentives, a lower payment( I picked up my present 93SS when the rates were 6.9%, and now they are between 0.9 & 1.9%).


This is how I will save the money. I am familiar with the performance abilities of both of them, but want IMPRESSIONS of the 92X. I have driven both linears, and the Aeros, but just for a quick little jaunt around the block....As you can see from my present Km's I do a lot of driving.( a little less than 300km/day to and from work) All highway.

Thanks for the input, and I am still reading them all

Tom

[WestsideWRX]

As a Subaru owner, I can't tell you anything about the 9-2X. But, I can tell you my WRX is one of the most fun cars to drive that I've ever owned. I look forward to slipping behind the wheel each morning for my daily commute.

The Impreza has some drawbacks, as do most cars. The 5-speed tranny case is a bit flimsy for higher HP applications, and the lack of a first gear syncro can be frustrating at times. The paint is soft...very soft. The car understeers badly from the factory. Of course, that can be fixed with a larger rear sway bar. I paid $60 for a 22mm rear sway bar off a stock WRX sedan. Understeer problem fixed. The suspension is fairly taut, so the car's ride isn't as smooth as some, though I know Saab tweaked the suspension a bit on the 9-2X. I understand it has a smoother ride than the WRX. The non-HID headlights on the Subaru have major suckage. If HID's are available on the 9-2X, get 'em. There's more cabin noise than you'll find in more upscale automobiles. The stock exhaust is quite restrictive. But, as with any turbocharged car, a turbo-back and an aftermarke uppipe make a noticable difference in performance, freeing up approx. 30HP and allowing the turbo to spool quicker. Did I mention the paint is soft?

Overall, I enjoy my car very much. I've owned more powerful cars, and I've owned more luxurious cars. But, I can't recall owning a car that I enjoyed driving as much as I do this Impreza.