Junkyard Find: 2005 Saab 9-2X Linear
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.
Read more
Piston Slap: Saabaru Takata Airbag Recall Kerfuffle?

They didn’t make compromises, they made Saabs?

Ron writes:

Sajeev, I’ve what should be a straightforward question, but before I go down the rabbit hole with Subaru and GM, I thought I would get some advice. My girlfriend bought a ’05 Saab 9-2X recently. She loves the car and has been making plans for modifying the interior (she’s a lead electronics tech). Anyway, Subaru broadened their Takata airbag recall to include ’05 WRXs…which is essentially what her car is, under the skin.

You can see the question coming, of course.

Read more
Piston Slap: Saabaru, The "Reliable" Subaru?

95% Subaru, 5% Saab…100% Awesome?

Adam writes:

Hello Sajeev, I have a classic “keep it or sell it” question for you and the greater TTAC audience.

Read more
  • Yuda Very dystopian. Not good.
  • EBFlex Yes. They don’t work.
  • THX1136 I remember watching the 'Wonderful World of Disney' back when I was kid. One program imagined the future. In that future one could get in their car, tell it the chosen destination and the car would take you there without any further intervention. As a pre-teen I thought that sounded pretty cool. Now I'd be more on the side of wanting to drive when I want and letting the car do the driving when I don't. Not scared of autonomous vehicles, not ready to completely abandon driving myself either.
  • Dave M. Always thought these were a great design, timeless in fact. But as a former Volvo owner who was bled to death by constant repairs starting around 40k miles, run far far away
  • MrIcky no