9-7X company vechile in the family now

[AnF_Saab]

Found out today that my uncle has a 9-7X for testing (GM gives him cars they want mileage on fast) anyways so far he likes it. His personal car is a Trailblazer, he said that the V8 9-7x gets better mileage than his 6 cylinder TB. Ride's a lot nice, brakes aren't as "blah", overall a major improvement compared to the rest of the GM360 platforms. He's not an easy to guy to impress, so hopefully the 9-7X isn't as bad as the nay sayers have deemed it

[Raven18940]

*crosses fingers*

[SaabKen]

Encouraging first-hand account, especially from a TB owner ! But how does the V8 get better mileage than his TB's I6 ? And by how much ?

Originally Posted by AnF_Saab

Found out today that my uncle has a 9-7X for testing (GM gives him cars they want mileage on fast) anyways so far he likes it. His personal car is a Trailblazer, he said that the V8 9-7x gets better mileage than his 6 cylinder TB. Ride's a lot nice, brakes aren't as "blah", overall a major improvement compared to the rest of the GM360 platforms. He's not an easy to guy to impress, so hopefully the 9-7X isn't as bad as the nay sayers have deemed it

[AnF_Saab]

Originally Posted by SaabKen

Encouraging first-hand account, especially from a TB owner ! But how does the V8 get better mileage than his TB's I6 ? And by how much ?

Think the 9-7X has cylinder deactivation for the 5.3L but I'm not sure, guess it's probably only like a 1-2 mpg gain though. TB is rated at: 15 mpg / 20 mpg so I'd assume 17 and 22ish. Hopefully he'll be in the area sometime, be nice to check it out myself.

[Raven18940]

Nice to know the displacement on demand system works. I still hope for a turboed I6 in 9-7's future. Then there will be no disputing it's a saab. A shorter stroke version of the 4.2L I6 they have now, maybe 3 litersish would be perfect. Then there will be no disputing the saabness.

They have the 3.5L inline 5 they use in the Colorado/Canyon pickups and the new Hummer H3. Turbocharging that would be good, but there goes your towing capacity. That's the real benefit with the V8.

[Dante]

apzer's right. You gotta have that long stroke for the real, down 'n' dirty low-end torque that you want when you're hauling things. If they want a turbo'ed engine, the TrailBlazer's I-6 would probably be the better choice for an SUV platform.

~Dante

[Raven18940]

First, how many people do you really think are gonna be hauling stuff with their 9-7. Second, short stroke = smooth which seems more like a saab to me.

[Dante]

Actually, I don't think it'd be too uncommon for a family owning a 9-7X to want to tow a couple of jet-skis or a boat, that sort of thing. I don't mean pulling a horse trailer or anything, but I bet there's still a few things people will want to pull. If the 9-7X can't do that, then Saab will still be losing customers to other brands with bigger SUVs. And that's why they built it in the first place, isn't it?

~Dante

[Raven18940]

I suppose you're right, I'd still like to see a turboed engine in the near future.

They could stick a turbo in it and call it the 9-7x Aero. Maybe.

[Jet 9-3]

Originally Posted by apzer09

They could stick a turbo in it and call it the 9-7x Aero. Maybe.

I was thinking that's probably why there is no Aero model yet

[SaabKen]

IMO I don't think Saab should have an Aero designation in every model line. Dilutes the Aero concept and confuses the heck out of customers. Look at Acura's Type-S/Type-R or whatever they were called across the TL, RSX/Integra and Civic lines ..... my friend who works at Honda said the marketing behind that was flawed and it failed to do as intended.

Hate to say it, but stick with the successful M philosophy of BMW and keep the Aero moniker only on the 9-2X/3/5 lines.

Originally Posted by apzer09

They could stick a turbo in it and call it the 9-7x Aero. Maybe.

[Swade]

I've been as sceptical as anyone about the 9-7x but I'm really pleased to hear a positive report. Like it or loathe it, it's an important vehicle in one of the biggest marketplaces in the world, so here's hoping it goes down well. i've suggested my brother-in-law in Vancouver goes to try it out when it comes in.

Ken, can you let me know if you hear the dealers have got them in? I'd at least like to hear from Didier a first hand report on driving one.

[SaabKen]

No problem Steven.

Got a thing in the mail today from Saab about the 9-7x XM Satellite radio and OnStar offer. Nice little poster came with it too.