05 LGT vs 05 Saab 9-2x Aero (WRX)

[JKrieger]

So I am trying to decide between these two cars. The Saab is the Turbo Aero version and it is of course a wagon, it is silver, manual, and has 54k on the clock. Those of you who don't know the 9-2x is built on the WRX platform and is nearly identical to the WRX. The LGT is also an 05, silver, manual, and has 50k on the odometer. The Legacy has an asking price $1500 more than the Saaburu, not sure what I can get either car down to (both cars are at dealers). I have driven both: the Legacy is definitely smoother and quieter on the road. It has better low end and feels a tad faster overall. It has better rear seat room and of course has leather interior. Now the Saab. It has noticeably worse turbo lag that borders dangerous if driven below 2500 rpm. The power delivery comes in later but with a very strong rush. It handles a little better since it is noticeably stiffer. Terrible sounding stereo system. It has the convenience of a wagon for more cargo capacity. Now for my driving. I have a short commute to work and run basic errands with the occasional night out with some friends. Ok so now I need some help deciding between the two:confused:

[dmp]

The Saabaru is nice - would make a neat commuter. However, the Legacy might prove more comfortable in day-to-day driving. As you spend time out w/ friends, the better passenger room of the LGT might work out better.

 

 

You're going to get a LOT of "Get the LGT!" replies. I promise

[JKrieger]

Yeah I know this is a biased place to ask about these two cars but if anyone knows them its you guys.

[dmp]

well...we know ONE of them. We're typically Legacy fans. Some more than others. There are some where you'd sure has hell better not say ONE BAD THING about the LGT! There are others who appreciate the car for what it is

 

[Deer Killer]

IMHO The saab is horrendously slow. I don't know how the non-aero is even driveable.

[Dong Homez]

I really like the Saabaru. I was about to buy one until I saw an LGT wagon. The extra room and a little more power is what sold me.

[SlightlyEvil]

I was actually trying to make the exact same decision as you are before I got my LGT. It was a 2005 9-2x Aero 5mt with 19,000km on the odo, and all options. Red. It was nice, decent price, but these were my observations of it vs. the LGT:

 

• 9-2x AT - MUCH slower than the LGT actually the Auto trans was a joke. My MZ3 would tear its doors off. The Manual trans, 9-2x MT - still slower than LGT by a bit, and the gearbox didn't feel as nice, too clunky.

• 9-2x handled better than LGT because it's obviously lighter, but not anywhere as nice as the WRX, turns out the 9-2x shares some suspension components with the LGT, which I guess is a bad idea on the WRX chassis.

• 9-2x for 2005 has the 2.0L motor, in Canada we didn't get the 2006 like the US did, but if you find a 9-2x from 2006 you get the 2.5L motor and that will make all the difference in the world with low end (I felt the same thing you did, ZERO power below 2500rpm).

• LGT had nicer interior (too much of the Saab is shared with the WRX which is shite imho).

• LGT leather seats are black, 9-2x are white/black, and the white gets stained EASILY, and looked bad after so many suits had sat on it and stained the white leather a bit.

 

After all that, got the LGT and loved it. If you REALLY want a WRX, get the 9-2x because its much nicer looking than the WRX wagon even though neither is particularly useful as a wagon. If you want a PROPER wagon that will be useful AND fun, get the LGT wagon.

[sexylegacy]

+1. Get the Legacy. Did you know the Legacy comes stock with an STi longblock? It's not the same turbo and intercooler and the injectors are a little different, but the internals are all STi numbers matching. Also, the 5-spd tranny in the Legacy is the same as the WRX except for one critical difference. The Legacy's gears are thicker cut meaning the tranny can handle much more power and won't pull itself apart like the WRX tranny does so much. The Legacy is a better built car and worth the little extra money.

[gf2020]

05 LGT vs 05 Saab 9-2x Aero

 

You're kidding, right?

[deimos]

I

• 9-2x for 2005 has the 2.0L motor, in Canada we didn't get the 2006 like the US did, but if you find a 9-2x from 2006 you get the 2.5L motor and that will make all the difference in the world with low end (I felt the same thing you did, ZERO power below 2500rpm).

 

If you cant get the 2.5l in the 9-2X forget it and get the LGT, otherwise, depends on your preferences.

[deimos]

+1. Get the Legacy. Did you know the Legacy comes stock with an STi longblock? It's not the same turbo and intercooler and the injectors are a little different, but the internals are all STi numbers matching. Also, the 5-spd tranny in the Legacy is the same as the WRX except for one critical difference. The Legacy's gears are thicker cut meaning the tranny can handle much more power and won't pull itself apart like the WRX tranny does so much. The Legacy is a better built car and worth the little extra money.

 

fyi the 2.5l in the 06 plus 9-2x is identical to the LGT but with the WRX turbo (its actually the 06 WRX motor), it will thus feel much like the LGT motor, but in a lighter package, the mod potential is just as good as the LGT.

[Zed 2.0]

I looked at Aeros before buying my LGT. In my opinion, a 9-2x with the 2.5 turbo and a 5MT is the only model really worth considering. The problem is that they're VERY hard to find, and usually fairly expensive on the used market.

 

Also, the insurance quotes I got for the 9-2x were the same or higher than the WRX (), and much more expensive than the LGT.

[sexylegacy]

fyi the 2.5l in the 06 plus 9-2x is identical to the LGT but with the WRX turbo (its actually the 06 WRX motor), it will thus feel much like the LGT motor, but in a lighter package, the mod potential is just as good as the LGT.

 

You're mostly right. If you look it up however, the WRX 2.5L internals are not the same as the Legacy. The Legacy and STi are the only cars with the EJ255 engine code and internals. The only thing they share is the block. The mod potential is just as good, but you'll blow up the motor easier. And the tranny just downright sucks. That is certainly not sourced from a Legacy.

[JKrieger]

Hey guys I ended up going with the 9-2x. The Legacy had been hit in the rear and although it wasn't a salvage title that still kinda bothered me, guess that was the reason it was in my price range:rolleyes:. Anyways thanks for the help, the Legacy is definitely a great car and maybe my next.

[deimos]

You're mostly right. If you look it up however, the WRX 2.5L internals are not the same as the Legacy. The Legacy and STi are the only cars with the EJ255 engine code and internals. The only thing they share is the block. The mod potential is just as good, but you'll blow up the motor easier. And the tranny just downright sucks. That is certainly not sourced from a Legacy.

 

Interesting...

 

Good luck with the Saabaru!

[wrxvt]

I just traded in my 2005 saab 9-2x aero and bought a 2008 LGT

 

the saab is nice... but its no lgt... enjoy your saabaru

[wunderkind]

I had both. So lemme chime in. I had one of the early LGT in 05. But needed some room space. During that time Saab had wonderful discounts on the 92x. Traded in the LGT for the 92x Aero. There are some misinformation from the above posts in regards to the 92x Aero. It has much better suspension than the regular WRX. In fact it had the STi quick steering rack and suspension bits. The Cdn version comes with stock 17" rims with summer tires making it a better handler than the wrx and therefore LGT (thanks RE92). The space was great. I couldn't see myself in a GT wagon sorry. So the 92x was perfect. Saab improved the NVH on the car and IMHO 92x has the best front end of all post GC Imprezas.

But to be honest, the Legacy has better interior execution and drives smoother thanks to the 2.5l Turbo. I've since then modded the 92x to Stage II via Accessport and it has been a blast to drive. If you don't need the space, the LGT sedan is the way to go.