Behold!!! The 'RARE' Saab 9-3 TURBO X!!!

We came across a rare opportunity to test drive a completely stock Turbo X Saab! Lets learn what makes it unique, as I critique it with my own thoughts and opinions. Just remember thats all they are... opinions, lol.

[michaelakins]

I was a proud owner of a Saab 9-3 Turbo X for 4 years.
The problem was, that these cars were cheaped-out in conjunction with GM, and had the job was solely left to Saab: this car would have been properly spec'd and kitted, the ignition system was problematic and ran far too hot, due to settings left in too a retarded state hench creating too much heat under the engine hood and therefore constantly destroying coil-pacs and more, the best thing I did to eliminate this problem was a stage-1 remap from V-tune & the Do88 upgraded intercooler, this made a massive difference in performance, under hood temperatures and better breathing, also cooler running IKH-22 Iridium Denso spark plugs, freed up everything nicely, this should have been the standard factory setup instead of all of our sufferings caused by GM.
R/tax and other running costs were quite hefty, otherwise...what a beautiful vehicle to own
Does anybody know where or who owns her now...?
RE09 UBD

Saab: Born from jets...
Saab: Moves your mind...

[wowtheo]

Hey thanks for your new vid !!!! Aren't SAAB cars just the best ever...you taught me something today. Thanks again for all your hard work keeping the fellow Saab fans happy and growing interest in these cars...You would not believe it but here in south Africa I get stared at and people always say what a beautiful car I have and its an Og93! I get more attention in this car than a Porsche driver. Thanks again

[subigt]

5 years now with my 2005 9-3 ARC 5spd stage2 and almost 90k miles in 5years😁 still puts a smile on my face, funny how I was looking for a awd saab for this winter and I spend almost a full month looking and researching info, $$$, and the differences on this 2 Saabs, at the end I decided to buy back my old 99 subaru legacy 5spd GT from my brother, I just wish I could have found this vid before I spend all that time doing research😕, funny how almost at the end of the vid I knew what you were going to say about both cars and how it would be up to the buyer what was the car going to be used for at the end, at the end of the day I still have my jet fighter and my true awd symmetrical rides😊 by the way good video👍

[themancuniancandidate]

Australia got 26; the other 4 of that allocation of 30 went to New Zealand. Mine is number 17 :-)

[myklbllngsly]

211 Turbo X were made in manual for US market.

Only 76 Aero XWD in manual were made for the US in 08 and 80 were made in 09

So very much more rare than the Turbo X

Turbo X is much cooler though.

[jangravley]

Couple of fun facts. For 2009 the 9-3 Aero SS and Combis w/XWD have both eLSD and 280hp rating. The 2009 9-3 Aero Convertible, is FWD but also rated 280hp, not available with XWD.

[AutoAutopsy]

Want to add something about the XWD...in 9-3’s the only car to have the eLSD as part of the XWD was the Turbo X, which is another factor that differentiates it from other XWD 9-3’s. The 9-4X and NG 9-5 had the option for the eLSD, I believe. But the TX was the only 9-3 with it

[pvdmount]

After owning a 9000 CD, 9-5 3.0t V6 and a 2006 9-3 sportcombi V6 Hirsch I finally got the opportunity of buying a TX sportcombi automatic; Imported from Switzerland. A year later my wife wanted a XWD aswell. We found a beautiful Aero 2.0T XWD manual with eLSD! imported from Germany and tuned to 260ps. Everytime I love the sound and the ride....

[andydwill]

I have a Silver Viggen and Turbo X. Sat inside I dont see the colour just they both bring me smiles. In the UK their is not may Turbo X and she is special, and though I agree with you, I am adding an induction kit to change the induction note. cheers

[gregwensman]

I’ve owed both a 2008 XWD aero and now own a TurboX and I can tell you that my X is quicker and more agile than my aero. Both are 6 speed manuals and both my daily driver. And that was before a Maptun stage 1 tune on my X.

[paulcampagna]

I honestly don't think people that argue about the price and such, don't fully understand why it's "special". No matter what logic people use to justify disliking it, AND It's fine people have reasons they don't like it, but the special part is the entire package. One year car. Special version. Just like SPGs. and Viggens. Easy enough to "clone" them, but not worth as much without being the actual special model. Interesting video.

[WindowsAndMacintosh]

A fellow 1 of 211! Mine is completely stock too except for Maptun Stage 1. It's a fantastic car.

[cl]

Excellent and very educational thank you :) What are the rims at 15:15?

[jordanyanes]

When you said the Turbo X is exclusive might want to take this into consideration: US market only
2008 9-3 Turbo X: 600
2009 9-3 Aero XWD: 457
And they're internally the same car.

[northshorecottager]

I agree, but Black is the Limited Edition. I just bought a Turbo X with 73k miles. i'm the second owner and plan to keep it stock. It has a 6 spd auto, and my prior Saab is an 07 Aero 6spd manual.- nocture blue (which I perfer). Love them both and although the Turbo X is the replacement for the Aero, I can't bring myself to part with the manual Aero. We'll see how reliable the Turbo X is. Thanks for the video.

[jordanyanes]

Idk about other years but '09 9-3 Aero also has the fake carbon fiber trim option

[simmytu]

Here Turbo X's with 60k ish miles sell for $22 grand. Its nuts, absolutely nuts.

[do.u.groove]

You are correct sir!

if you get one of these the mission is to preserve.
for people to learn their story.

I think i found a TurboX for under 8k should i get it??

like for yes down for no

[zhanglin]

I just bought one from my cousin last week. I am lucky.

[mavric]

The Aero's exhaust will never sound like the TurboX's. To me that's the major and only difference. Elsd was an option on aero models in 2009. Also the term rarer is used differently here. I think of rarer as in if you look for a used turbo x you're more likely to find 5 aero xwds to one turbo x being sold. If you look for 2008 9-3 with the turboX exhaust, it's the only model that's got them along with its unique exhaust sound. HIrsh exhaust on a 2.8 aero will get you close to the sound of the turbo x or sound even slightly better but the hirsch exhaust is I think discontinued? since long long ago so there goes another thing the normal aeros do not have.
I have seen exactly 2 turboX's since I got my 2007 aero back in 2014 and haven't seen a turbo X since two years ago. I have seen the normal 2.0 9-3s and few 9-3 aeros xwd and xwd combis around but not a turbo X. It's almost as rare to see as a NGAero 9-5.