Comments on: Driving the Saab Turbo-X

By: berenerchamion

berenerchamion — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:41:32 +0000

LOL - true about the Audi comment…except I’m a former VW dude so buying in on Audi’s stuff is a bit much for me. A lot of $$$ for those rings. In reality I’m a jealous American that wishes he had the Hirsch option.

Agreed on the 9-5 XWD and my guess is that Saab over-engineered the 9-3. That’s the only answer to the weight question: why is the 9-3 so heavy? They knew that a bunch of breaking cars in a limited series sold to their biggest fans would be the last nail in the coffin. At least that’s my guess.

That Turbo-X cup is a perfect size for a double shot capuccino - I prefer a Lavazza myself. I also have a Keurig coffee maker. The large size fits perfectly into the cup.

By: adrian

adrian — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:20:11 +0000

Saw the note about the cup - got the dealer to give me a pair of those plus some caps. My wife thought asking for the Turbo X driving gloves would be just too sad! This car has got under my skin far more than my old 9-3 Aero Convertible.

By: adrian

adrian — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:33:13 +0000

Fortunately in the UK, Saab does (the company dealership fits it) and I have the standard 3y warranty with the Hirsch upgrade.

Agree that the wear and tear of the extra bhp is a concern. However, the other way to look at it is that if we were so concerned about buying into new technology (e.g the xwd), we’d all go off and get Audi quattros instead! Fortunately there seems to be just enough people of taste out there who want that something a little moe individual.

In my case I’m glad I have the Hirsch on mine (test drove one with and without before buying), it just makes the car a bit more alive and responsive (though would not take anything away from the standard car), and as I’m a relatively low mileage user (live in inner London) prepared to take some risk on extra wear if it means the rare times I give it the full welly I get the full 300bhp. If the rumours are true about the high-performance new 9-5, they are going to need to get the xwd to deal with a lot more than 300bhp!

By: berenerchamion

berenerchamion — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:09:26 +0000

Saab-USA does not allow the Hirsch stuff. I think if you install it then your warranties are voided. At least that’s my understanding. I’ve also heard some debate on what the extra HP might do to shorten the lifetime of the drivetrain.

By: adrian

adrian — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:03:15 +0000

If you want the extra performance do consider the hirsch enegine mamagment uograde to get to 300bhp. Makes more of a difference that the extra 25bhp would suggest.

Strange that in US you couldn’t get a discount - in UK very easy to get at least 10% off.

By: 666xxx

666xxx — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 13:35:32 +0000

Ok, so it’s a car safety device, we are lucky here that we don’t have this because it isn’t that nice to look at !!

By: berenerchamion

berenerchamion — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:26:23 +0000

Those are the on-star crap buttons we have to deal with in the states.

By: XfreakX

XfreakX — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:10:17 +0000

Hi Beren,

Can you tell me what the three little buttons are next to the cup holder,
my X doesn’t have them ??

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/9/web/3117000-3117999/3117762_5.jpg

Regards,

Fil.

By: berenerchamion

berenerchamion — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:37:25 +0000

Pretty much list. Since I ordered mine on the first day possible there wasn’t much leverage to work a deal.

Worth every single penny in my opinion.

By: Carson

Carson — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 02:09:16 +0000

Beren…
I am also looking at the Turbo X…Since I am in NJ as well, did you have to paid list for the car? If not, how much discount were you able to negotiate? Many thanks.