Saabaru Aug 1, 2005
I found a killer deal on a new car! I bought one of the last 2005 Saab 9-2x Linears with a stick transmission. Our no-option car wound up costing us just $16,821 after the GM and Saab discounts. It'll make a great daily driver. More later!
Ok, seriously, this isn't a project car Aug 5, 2005
My SAAB isn't going to be a project car. But, being a non-repentant car geek, I can't resist a little tinkering. So I've russled up a few parts that I'll be adding to the SAAB to make my daily commute a little more pleasant.
1) A Draw-Tite trailer hitch from Kimball's Welding 2) A set of rubber floor mats and rear cargo mat from SAAB 3) A used rear skid plate/differential protector from a WRX 4) a used 20mm rear anti-rollbar from a 2003 WRX sedan (the stock rear bar is 13mm) 5) a used 6-cd head unit with weather band from a 2005 Forester XT (we miss the WB that our Outback had)
From here, I might add a front skid plate if for no other reason than they're cool. Oh yea, and I'm looking at a leather seat kit from Katzkin. Oh yea and....
First Mod for the Saab. Aug 8, 2005
Our first modification on the Saab 9-2x Linear was quick and simple. We replaced the stock single-DIN stereo with the double-DIN unit from a Forester XT. The Forester XT stereo has a six-CD changer built in, with a Weatherband receiver. Believe it or not, the WB is very handy around here, with our boating and those pesky little hurricanes. The Forester XT stereo set us back $115 after shipping from a NASIOC forum member.
Saab Gets Some Small Tweaks Aug 12, 2005
Despite having less than 900 miles on the clock, I felt the need to tweak my Saab a little more. The stock rear anti-roll bar is a pretty weak 13mm piece. While the stock bar from the Aero model is a little more substantial at 17mm, we went even further, finding a 20mm bar from a 2002-2003 Subaru WRX . It's a direct replacement that has transformed our 9-2x from a terminal understeer to neutral, without making it overly twitchy at the limit.
Last year's hurricanes were pretty intense and Kim and I found ourselves bouncing over fallen trees and various other debris with her Subaru Outback. I decided that some underbody protection would be a good idea for the new Saab and I found a used Subaru rear differential protector from a NASIOC member. We've got a proper front skidplate on the way from Primitive Enterprises for even more protection.
Saabaru Gets Hitched. Aug 25, 2005
Last night we installed a Draw-Tite hitch on our Saab 9-2x. The standard Impreza hitch (Part number 24710) fits fine and it's a lot less noticeable than the Subaru factory hitch. We also picked up a trailer wiring harness with an adapter (our trailer has taillights that combine brake and turn signals) that we'll be hooking up as well.
We've got about 1400 miles on the Saab and it's starting to feel a little more broken in, revving out a little freeer than it did when it was brand new.