Photo: Mobile.de
The Saab 9-4X is so rare that I had to use Google to remember what it's called. They made 457 examples of this first SUV in the Swedish company's history, which means it's almost as hard to find as an Enzo.
I can still remember the headlines from all those years ago, when Saab went under. The company was in deep financial trouble, but execs insisted this SUV was going to save it. It might have, but just like Hitler's miracle weapons, it arrived too late to influence the tide of the war. Production was rushed and the 457 models made were like prototypes, having frequent mechanical problems.
Despite this, they are becoming tricky to find and expensive. We did a quick search for near-new models and could only find a handful of them. The most expensive of them all is selling for €51,540 in a little country called Estonia. We'd call that totally unreasonable, as it's equivalent to $57,270 at today's exchange rate.
The 9-4X shared its platform with the old Cadillac crossover. But its replacement, the XT5, starts at $39,990, meaning a 4-year-old Saab is a lot more expensive than its modern equivalent.
The Estonia 9-4X is equipped with a 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 producing 300 PS, the same unit that went into the Opel Insignia OPC. She is a thirsty beast, consuming more fuel than a BMW M3 while emitting almost 300 grams of CO2.
The first Saab SUV is by no means a beautiful machine, but it looks a lot like the classic 900. The interior is pretty modern, despite being made four years ago. There are large screens or a digital dash, but it looks solid and sober.
If you are unwilling to spend BMW X5 money on the car but are still set on buying the 9-4X, we have an alternative. It's got just 10 km on the clock and is currently selling in the Netherlands for €39,999. Live the hipster lifestyle - buy something nobody else has.
Despite this, they are becoming tricky to find and expensive. We did a quick search for near-new models and could only find a handful of them. The most expensive of them all is selling for €51,540 in a little country called Estonia. We'd call that totally unreasonable, as it's equivalent to $57,270 at today's exchange rate.
The 9-4X shared its platform with the old Cadillac crossover. But its replacement, the XT5, starts at $39,990, meaning a 4-year-old Saab is a lot more expensive than its modern equivalent.
The Estonia 9-4X is equipped with a 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 producing 300 PS, the same unit that went into the Opel Insignia OPC. She is a thirsty beast, consuming more fuel than a BMW M3 while emitting almost 300 grams of CO2.
The first Saab SUV is by no means a beautiful machine, but it looks a lot like the classic 900. The interior is pretty modern, despite being made four years ago. There are large screens or a digital dash, but it looks solid and sober.
If you are unwilling to spend BMW X5 money on the car but are still set on buying the 9-4X, we have an alternative. It's got just 10 km on the clock and is currently selling in the Netherlands for €39,999. Live the hipster lifestyle - buy something nobody else has.
Google News