Hooray to Saab for making a car that's not just quirky and different, but actually good. I really really like the Turbo X, though like most limited-edition cars, the value-for-the-dollar isn't as impressive.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/22/first-drive-saab-turbo-x/

I've always loved the 9-3 and have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Turbo X/Aero XWD. I'd take it over an A4 Quattro for sure.

their quasi-altezza lights are a few years too late, and infinitely ugly

From what I hear, Saab's eLSD (the acronym pcpGHB was rejected) is really quite good. I hope it works its way into more Saab models. I think the days of FWD premium (or luxury) sport sedans are rapidly drawing to a close.

I also think it's nice to hear that the next-generation 9-3 will actually be smaller than the current one, as everyone else keeps getting bigger and bigger. A coworker just got a second-gen G35, and it's huge. I guess the same is true of the new A4. I much prefer sedans the size of the E46 3-Series and the Lexus IS, which are currently a dying breed.

Yeah, everything gets bigger. Right now we're at a stage where compact cars are mid-sized, mid-sized cars and full-sized, etc. The good news it that with a growing emphasis on fuel economy, there's room for a new "sub-compact" class of cars which will come in and pick up where the formerly-compact cars left off. See: Audi A3, BMW 1-series, and some still-in-europe-but-may-come-across-the-pond cars like the Mercedes B-Class, the Cadillac BLS, the upcoming Saab 9-1 or 9-2 or whatever that's called, etc. etc.

The B-Class is already in North America, in Canada specifically. It thus must meet US regulations, as I think Canada has the same regulations as the US except for their stricter bumper regulations.

I hope more of these "subcompact" (not really) premium cars feature four or five doors, like the A3 and B-Class do, for the sake of young professionals with kids, like my family. The 1-Series coupe is a nonstarter for anyone with progeny, and I've heard that the upcoming Cadillac ATS will be as well. I have no idea what the confirmed-but-not-yet-spied Infiniti and Lexus and Saab "subcompacts" will look like, but I hope they're not solely available with two doors like the Bimmer.

I'm extremely impressed at Saab for making the Turbo X. I have always loved the appeal of the current 9-3 but felt it was always overlooked and underrated, as well its FWD drivetrain never did it any good. Now that it's offered in AWD it really makes for a good rivalry against Audi Mercedes and BMW. Sadly however, you'll be hardpressed to find a consumer willing to jump off the BMW/Audi bandwagon and jump into a little known Swedish car.

Their best bet in the short term is to target people like me, who like the feel of a up-market car, but actually dislike all the "prestige" baggage that comes with a blue-and-white roundel or three-pointed star. I've joked before that if I ever bought a 3-Series, I'd put Kia badges on it. I like how it feels and how it drives, but I don't like people thinking of me as the sort of person who drives a Bimmer. That makes this sort of car, as well as cars like the Hyundai Genesis, very appealing.

I like what they've done here. You don't need to fill out a Douchebag Association of America card if you buy one of these.

I for one don't trust Autoblog's reviews. Furthermore, I've read some British reviews on it already, and while it's a step in the right direction, it's still a mile behind the pack. I also think Saab's interiors are garbage. Yes, I love the way Saab's look, and I love the uniqueness (despite the fact that it seems my parents' neighborhood has more than its fair share rolling around), but a halfway decent, limited edition isn't enough to convince me to consider one if I was in the market for a sports sedan.

I just don't trust anything Autoblog ever says. In fact, I don't think I've ever read a single negative comment from them about a car. Back when I was reading them they pretty much jizzed over anything with 4 wheels and an engine.

The Autoblog review was indeed the most positive one I've read. However, most reviews still tend to praise the car, with some qualifications. It handles extremely well in the wet or in the dry. It's got absolutely superb seats. The engine is quite nice. On the other hand, while the steering is accurate, it lacks feel. The shifter is vague. And the interior materials disappoint, even if it's ergonomically laid out and equipped with wonderful seats. And most luxury buyers will run for the hills when they find out it platform-shares with a Pontiac G6, even though the final product between the two cars is extremely different.

But here's the thing. At $42,500, it's only $500 more than a similarly-equipped 328xi. Sure, you can get a 335xi for that price, but only if you forego a chunk of amenities that most luxury buyers aren't willing to pass up (including leather instead of vinyl seats). So while it's not as good in every way as a BMW 3-Series, I do think Autoblog is right that you can now mention it in the same breath without shame.

Anyhoo, here are some more balanced reviews of the Turbo X.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_li...st_drive_review
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/saab/..._xwd/index.html
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drive...rticleId=124967
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drive...rticleId=121626

Autocar said there's really nothing to recommend it over its competition. Crappy shift and lifeless steering are the real letdowns. However, everything it does is distinctly average, whereas the competition does it well. Never mind that in the UK, the Turbo X costs as much as a 330i with the M package. Factor that in with the fact that I personally think it has a garbage interior, ricey tail lamps, and the stupid "Ready for take off" message when you turn it on...and I'm still unimpressed.

Don't get me wrong, I love Saabs, and I want them to do well. This is definitely a step in the right direction, but I don't think they've gone far enough for me to start considering them over BMWs, Mercs, Lexuses, or even Hondas. I'm sure the upcoming 9-4x and 9-5 will be, at the very least class, competitive however.