2005 Saab 9-2X

Pros: AWD traction, sweet cornering, snow grip-ability, gas efficient
Cons: color of seats

Well, well, wouldn't ya know. My old 2WD SUV isn't practical anymore. I needed gas efficiency & AWD - since I live in snowy mountains. What would be more hip that a sweet deal on a LINEAR 9-2X? Driving this new puppy on dirt, that's what!

While the clearance is no where near that of the fun loving Amigo, the handling, all wheel drive & safety factor makes this wagon my new favorite toy. Let's just say I am using this little vehicle for all it's worth. I love driving it & I am praying for some early snow in SoCal.

Images of DanaMite's Saabaru here -
http://www.totalescape.net/pix/2005/saaaabaru/

Pros: Looks, power, cornering, Saab's service, Subaru's reliability, climate control system, audio system
Cons: Noise, gas mileage, automatic transmission, cheap paint.

The car is OK. It looks really pretty, shows real power after 3000 RPM; Saab service is perfect; climate control system easily and in minutes overcomes 100 degree outside, and the audio system is fine.
At the same time the car is really noisy; it vibrates/shakes on idle (a Saab technician told me it was because of the boxer engine, I am not sure I believe him though). Automatic transmission is poor, it does not catch up immediately, gear change is hard to predict - sometimes the car accelerate fast, sometimes not.
Gas mileage is 19/25 by EPA; in reality could not do better than 22.5 on premium, and the car does require premium. Already found a few scratches on the paint (less than 3000 miles), plus a couple of bad ones, down to the primer; if during parking I slightly touch someone's bumper - immediate scratch on mine.
Overall - a good car, but its abilities and quality are definitely overstated.
P.S. Already have a problem with right side rear door - cannot open from inside...