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Junkyard Find: 2005 Saab 9-2X Linear

by Murilee Martin
(IC: employee)
April 27th, 2020 7:57 AM
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Weird examples of badge engineering! Who doesn’t love them? Bad people, that’s who, and so I do my best to find such vehicles while I’m exploring car graveyards. The badge-engineering world includes Isuzus badged as Hondas, Hondas badged as Isuzus, Mitsubishis badged as Dodges, Dodges badged as Mitsubishis, Chevrolets badged as Saabs, and — of course — Subarus badged as Saabs. Here’s an example of the notorious Saabaru, found in the Subiest region of the United States: Denver, Colorado.

Even though Coloradans love Saabs nearly as much as they love Subarus, the 9-2X has been tough for me to find in my local junkyards. Prior to today’s Junkyard Find, I’d documented just this lone silver 9-2X Linear, and that was two years ago. I’ve seen a few others, but they were WRX-based Aero models and had been stripped clean (presumably by Subaru fanatics) before I got there.

While the 9-2X Aero was a Saabized (Saabified? Saab-o-lated?) Subaru WRX, complete with wild turbocharged engine, the 9-2X Linear was just an ordinary Impreza hatchback with a somewhat nicer interior and a different grille. Still, this 2.5-liter boxer four made 165 horses, so these cars aren’t punitively slow.

You could get this car with a manual transmission, but… nope.

The Impreza got more vet’s-waiting-room-style interior materials, while the 9-2X had a more Swedish-influenced look inside.

Why did it end up here? Maybe a head gasket, maybe just lots of miles and low resale value for Saabs (and “Saabs”) these days.
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ROAD-BLISTERING PERFORMANCE, Y’ALL!If you must have more junkyardization in your day, check out the Junkyard Home of the Murilee Martin Lifestyle Brand™, where you’ll get links to more than 2,000 additional Junkyard Finds, Junkyard Gems, and Junkyard Treasures.












#2000s
#2005
#2005Saab9-2X
#9-2x
#BadgeEngineering
#Colorado
#Denver
#DownOnTheJunkyard
#Impreza
#JapaneseCars
#Saab
#Subaru
#Junkyard
#JunkyardFind
#SwedishCars
#SubaruImpreza
#Saabaru
#Subaru9-2X
Published April 27th, 2020 8:00 AM
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I own this car, it is my transportation. As I am looking to sell to buy a car higher for my back I'm finding out much more about it. Help me please. Do I sell it or hang onto it. So much excitement over ones at junkyard's. I bought 5 yrs ago for $3,100. Had new water pump & I have put in new Cat con, sensor. Just wondering if I should hang onto it. I live Reno Tahoe, good snow car. Help car guys please!
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