9-2

Some will deride the Subaru WRX based 2004 Saab 9-2 as nothing more than another example of GM badge engineering and as such only worthy of contempt. For some it's as if the act of sharing a part somehow magically renders that part junk. This line of thought ignores the realities of the situation on the ground and the fact that the WRX is a solid car.



2004 Saab 9-2 "Saabaru"

I like that GM is broadening Saab's line, that there is finaly an AWD Saab, that there is a 227hp Aero version (that's more ponies than the top 9-3) and that the WRX, a car I always thought was hidious looking is finaly draped in an atractive Swedish skin. I don't like that it's using Subaru's boxer H4 and not Saab's L4 and that the interior is base WRX design which means the key is on the wrong place. I understand that time didn't alow Saab to develope the WRX platform into a unique car using their own interior and engines but there is the good news that Saab and Subaru are co-developing the platform for the next generation in '07. Long in short is that I am glad the 9-2 is here but I probably wouldn't consider it until the replacement comes in 2007.