What it's like owning a 2011 Saab 9-4x Aero - A 3 Year Ownership Review with Costs

[@dbakker5240]

I currently have a 9-2x and found your video while researching the 9-4x as a possible next ride. Awesome looking ride. Was totally moved by your tribute to Turbo. 😢 I am sorry for your loss.

[@SaabDr]

Thank you. I love the 9-4x. And thank you about the thoughts on Turbo. I definitely miss that boy, he's the only dog I've ever let sit in the front seat of the 9-4x.

[@WindowsAndMacintosh]

Such a fantastic video! I aspire to have a 9-4x Aero someday. I'd love to have one along with an NG 9-5 Aero. They would be great with my Turbo X! Also RIP Turbo. Such a beautiful dog. I'm sorry for your loss.

[@SaabDr]

Thank you.

[@CarMotionUSA]

I'm selling mine

[@optimisticspeculator]

R.I.P. Turbo. 😢 Thanks for making these videos, Joe - I really appreciate it.

[@SaabDr]

Thank you, and thank you for watching!

[@MMSaabChannel]

Another great video thank you 😍 So few videos out there on this amazing car. Sorry about Turbo 😥

[@SaabDr]

Thank you for that. I agree on the lack of 9-4x videos. On my boy turbo it's been a rough week.

[@financetips]

Turbo...i replying years later...this guy is too cute. Dogs come into our world to teach is about love. 💜

[@roger8913]

Sorry to hear this, RIP Turbo. I have beagle too and love he also SAAB as well. Keep doing more video, i love it all!!!

[@SaabDr]

Thank you!

[@Wh9499]

Your dog was beautiful. Bless your heart a dog is a huge family member.

[@MRomisher]

I miss my puppy doggy too. I lost Rusty back in the mid 2000's. I still miss him.

[@jesdadotcom]

I have a beagle who is about a year older than Turbo was. His favorite cars, by far, were my 1991 900 turbo and 2001 Cadillac Seville. So sorry for your loss.

[@SaabDr]

Thank you. We also have another beagle that is a year older than Turbo -- we called them brothers -- his name is Columbo. Columbo is still with us and loves to ride around in anything that moves. Lol since Turbo passed we adopted two dogs from our local rescue -- a lab mix puppy and a 6ish year old Beagle (columbo picked him out). :-)

[@Hugolegobyggare]

Great video, and rest in peace Turbo

[@damianfraser2903]

Always informative! Great job!

[@mikeeyg1977]

Great video. RIP Turbo. I’m looking for one if these. The wife will only drive Saabs and Volvos. We currently have a 2010 S80 V8 and they are pretty rare but it was totaled very very little damage small dent above rear wheel and drivers side curtain airbag that’s we are debating on keeping it as it’s one of the cleanest ones around. But I’m really digging the 2011 9-4 and 9-5 I would by a turbo-x as well.

[@mooauto2388]

The price of these things is about to skyrocket

[@kspinman7587]

Wow. Hopefully you got a good deal on the car because you are fixing a number of problems the dealership should have addressed if you did a proper pre inspection/test drive.

[@yodabeeshdc8275]

So sad that Saab couldn’t survive the recession. This is such a cool SUV and it would be interesting to see how it would have evolved to remain competitive. I imagine that parts and finding someone who knows how to service a Saab would be challenging.

[@utterbullspit]

This car is better than most cars today.

[@GuidoHab]

Nice video, hate to see that your channel is still on 2.5k subs

[@SaabDr]

It'll grow. I'm sure part of that is the lack of videos over the last few weeks and the one prior to this being about the ML.

[@TriangIe]

Definitely one of my more “attainable” dream cars.

[@2steaksandwiches665]

My son and I broke our necks a few weeks ago when we saw one of these in the wild. I said son that things more rare than a Ferrari F 40 you have in your room on the wall

[@thevault9365]

Yeah Michigan has a lot of the 9-4x’s here

[@ClosingSoon5]

Where my mom got hers

[@PeterChomanic]

Oh man, a laundry list of stuff :D almost like on every one of mine SAABs. Almost. We really are Hoovies :D for sure.

[@SaabDr]

No joke, I actually sat down and put it all together and was surprised at what it all had needed -- I thought that it hadn't been that bad. lol

[@PeterChomanic]

@@SaabDr I make such lists for each and every of my cars, everything I pay for them to have then on aroad, apart from gasoline. Those lists go on and on, simply because I am exactly like Hoovie :) I buy the bad examples of interesting models. Enough problems require enough solutions, making for a never ending projects :D

[@SaabDr]

Sounds like exactly what I do... Buying the cheapest one around has been something I've done for years... Sometimes it bites me, sometimes it doesn't. -- I just normally don't add it up unless I do something like this.

[@PeterChomanic]

@@SaabDr my experience is buying cheap(est) one because that way I can afford it immediately and throwing (tons of) money at it over a (short period of) time to make it better, faster, more equipped, reliable, or at least fully functional, lol, because as my friends already say, what a bullshit would that be, me buying a functional car. But the way of getting it to the point where I want to have it is often more enjoyable than the finished car. In the end it costs more than a nice example, while still not being as nice.

[@CarMotionUSA]

I'm selling my 2011 Saab 9-4x Aero with 81k miles in amazing condition

[@pontuswendt2486]

Rest in peace Turbo

[@seltzered]

Thanks for sharing. 11:12 is quite the saab story.

[@SaabDr]

I agree -- I didn't even know how much the total was till I sat down to edit. Now of course some things can be pulled out, like the useless Saab Secure warranty, but I wanted an actual representation of what I spent on this 9-4x from my inception.

[@seltzered]

Yeah, looking again some of the items are upgrades rather than maintenance/fixes (e.g. the trailer hitch). Was comparing to a base-model saabaru I drive but it's two different leagues. Always do a double-take when seeing these along with the final 9-5's / 9-3 wagons. (Also, condolences for Turbo 😥)

[@damianfraser2903]

Can you post a video on how to diagnose common suspension issues on the 9-4x? For eg clicking and creaking...I think it would help the community tremendously.

[@SaabDr]

That will actually be in an upcoming video. I'm doing a bunch of work on the 9-4x right now and am severely behind in video editing between the holidays, work and my wife opening a new business. But I promise that video is on the way.

[@jl3059]

Would you recommend the new Saabs? Looking at a 2011 9-5 but i dont want to drop 8k on parts for sure...... Thanks

[@SaabDr]

I've loved my newer Saabs. You depending on what you get sometimes you can cross reference parts and get things from the GM parts bin and save some money.

[@mikemarzano4958]

For the front end clunking, after several service trips on mine, it turned out to be the bushings.

[@SaabDr]

Good call, there are a few things on the list -- bushings were after sway bar links.

[@mav3ric100]

R.I.P Turbo. Beautiful Dog. Love the 9-4x If I was a SUV person I wouldn't have any other SUV. For me though it's all about the 9-5 NG aero :)

[@SaabDr]

Thank you! And I totally get it, the NG 9-5 is a great car. Probably one of my favorite road trip vehicles to date, but the 9-4x just makes me happy every time I drive it (even when it's broken) -- which is why it's probably my favorite.

[@jesusramonsuarezlopez9892]

SAAB fue una gran Marc de coches diferente y bien acabados una pena su desaparición ... no entiendo como la dejaron caer ....

[@guod1973]

It definitely looks much better than an SRX just like the 9-7 is the best gmt360 but SRXs are so much easier to find.... Is that a Beretta or Corsica in the background?

[@SaabDr]

I agree that it looks better than an SRX 100% -- and funny enough a friend of mine that works at a Cadillac dealer once said "if the SRX had this interior it would have sold even better". The car in the background -- if you're talking about the black one -- is a 2001 9-3 SE 5-Door

[@guod1973]

Honestly I think I would fix everything and just make it a drive every once in a while car and find you a cheap srx and put a saab emblem on the steering wheel and beat it like a rented mule

[@elfkind5590]

Did you ever finish diagnosing and fixing the rear diff? I have one with 50k on it and I am wondering what my worst case scenario might end up being. If it’s not the pump and it’s not the filter, was it just a sensor?

[@jamesruffenach7409]

Saab DR, I really enjoyed Ur video. I have a 2011 9-4X and bought it used w/ ~40k miles. 5 years later I have ~130k on it. Do u have a video for replacing the rear light bar? Turbo was adorable! RIP Turbo. Thanks, JB

[@SaabDr]

Thank you, and thank you for your kind words about Turbo! I don't have a light bar replacement video for the 9-4x yet, however I do need to order a light bar and replace the one on my 9-4 -- so there may be one coming in the near future.

[@jamesruffenach7409]

@@SaabDr Only the rear left driver side of my light bar is out and coincidentally the taillight is out as well. Do you think this could be a simple bulb replacement or am I looking at something more serious?

[@SaabDr]

The tail light and light bar are LED, so more serious than just a simple bulb replacent. Also be careful with the tail lights. I can't remember which one but one side went NLA again.

[@jooelrockefeller]

Turbo looked so healthy! RIP

[@SaabDr]

He really did, it was such a shock the next day when he was lethargic and I took him to the vet and they explained the prognosis.

[@SaabDr]

Thank you by the way.

[@RickMcDanielMusic]

Hey, it appears the blend door on my 2007 9-3 Aero is bad. You have any idea where I can find a video or instructions on how to replace it? Thanks

[@SaabDr]

I'd check WIS. I have a link to it in most of my videos.

[@bjorn1155]

@Saab Dr Would you say it is well suited as a family car? Also is this normal maintenance for a Saab 94x? Seems like much work and money.

[@SaabDr]

I'd say it's a decent family vehicle as long as you don't have two rear facing car seats. As for the work performed, I didn't luck out with the rear diff on this one. Otherwise it wasn't bad since the rest of the items replaced are pretty common issues on any car. If you subtract out the diff, some accessories and the warranty it's not that bad. Unfortunately I thought I was being smart getting the warranty and it ended up being a waste of money.

[@bjorn1155]

@@SaabDr Hi again! Thank you for a great reply!

[@lyndonross7399]

RIP Turbo

[@SaabDr]

Thank you!

[@jesusramonsuarezlopez9892]

Una pena no llego a ser mi tercer SAAB para sustituir a mi SAAB 93 TID el segundo ....

[@d4ve587]

Saab Gm saab Gm Saab Gm saab Gm saab Gm😭😲what am I supposed to be 😣

[@SaabDr]

No Joke, that's what it did. I've also heard of the NG 9-5 ones defaulting to say "Cadillac" on the screen -- which is more funny IMO.

[@StellarBlue1]

UNFORTUNATELY, you started out with the odometer showing 70,000 miles. These SAABs (94x Aero) are selling in 2019 for $25,000. That is 10 thousand more than a lower mileage, similarly equipped sister Cadillac (SRX) with the same chassis and AWD. The original owners are making out like bandits and selling their used SAABs @ 70 thousand miles. Good for them, bad for potential 94x Aero owners...

[@SaabDr]

Fortunately I bought this one 3 years ago before " the 9-4x bubble" was a thing. At that point the SRX with 70k miles was more than the 9-4x. There were two Aeros for sale in the US at the time I bought this one -- they were both the same price with similar miles. Honestly if the market says that they're worth that I wouldn't say it's bad for potential 9-4x owners, that just means that the people that want them are willing to pay to own one. If the market didn't support the price they wouldn't sell. Part of why I think they've held value is because there are so few that were produced, even fewer left in the US since a bunch have been exported and totalled, and keeping one in good condition can be expensive (as I've demonstrated) and tough because of parts availability. Plus you can't just head down to the local dealership to own one, buying one takes a lot of time and effort and that's part of why certain Saabs command a premium (9-4x, NG 9-5 Aero, NG 9-5 6-Speed Manual, 6-Speed Manual NG 9-3 V6, Viggen, Turbo X, and so on...)

[@StellarBlue1]

Saab Dr - Make no mistake..I really like your Saab. A lot. If everything were to work perfectly and the reliability issues could have been worked out, there really isn't any decent comparisons to be made. Regardless, you still have a turbo-charged v6 with 300 hp under the hood. That alone is impressive...

[@TheoPhilpot]

That Toyota dealership hogging like 4 of em ain't selling em for 25k, that's what there listed for. Because it's such a low production car values are really hard to estimate

[@StellarBlue1]

Theo - You make a valid point. However the asking prices (as well as the selling price) are higher than a car of that age and value should command. Goes to show what niche vehicles can bring.

[@TheoPhilpot]

@@StellarBlue1 yes I agree with you there.

[@djr4840]

Beautiful Suv. This might be the best looking thing GM ever had a hand with. I’m truly sorry about Turbo. He looked so happy and spry for 11. On a side note it seems these XWD units are 75k time bombs. Had the same exact issue with my 09 Aero 9-3. Expensive repair and ultimately same issue here. Truly feel GM should have sent notice to owners because when I asked at around 35,000 miles they told me it was lifetime on the fluid and there’s no service. A dealer not trying to take $1000 from me? That was good enough for me back in 2012-2013. All new GM models using haldex systems, State 30k now on. Saab owners especially GM ones were left in the dark.

[@SaabDr]

I need to do a poll somewhere to find out -- I know the non eLSD unit in our Combi is solid at 120k miles, yet it seems that the eLSD units have had lots of issues. The one in my NG 9-5 has been replaced, the 9-4 needs replacement and I know others that have replaced the eLSD units in their Saabs as well.

[@djr4840]

I wonder if more frequent fluid changes and seal changes will remedy elsd issues? Mine is in the elsd type units.

[@SaabDr]

@@djr4840 I'm not sure -- Unfortunately I don't know the history of my 9-4x and the only guess on the 9-5 is that it was never changed then was changed and refilled incorrectly. I guess I'll figure that out with the new diff in the 9-4.

[@meme-yc4ks]

2011. Its basically a GM vehicle with Saab badging. Its very sickening what they did to the brand. Saab safety standards and better engineering is what caused them to price themselves out when GM bought out the brand. This is just when GM penny pinching engineering ruined the brand with shit parts and engineering. What GM does right..... Running under brands that they dont want to compete against. Just like Hummer, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Saab, etc...

[@jamesmcguire6706]

Oldsmobile and Pontiac where GM brands for roughly 75 years if not more. Hummers definitely not competing with GM never was never will never thought about it ever. This is Apollo Saab went out of business was going out of business is YG and bought them.

[@gert2764]

You should not drive a rare car like this, it's an investment which will have enormous value in the future.

[@ٴٴٴٴۥۥٴٴٴٴۥۥٴٴٴٴۥۥٴٴٴٴۥۥٴٴٴٴۥۥ]

I have one of these

[@JoeLopez]

RIP Turbo