Saabaru

We drove up Mt. Diablo on Memorial Day.

This car is just a blast to drive.
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I updated my photo album with a few pics of my and my brother's 9-2x's side-by side.
He could not pass up the deal from Saab this month either, and we bought ours within a week of each other.
He has a Linear, I have the Aero.
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After a week of driving with the iPod hooked up via the FM modulator, I'd say it has been worth the cash and small install effort.

As far as audio quality goes, I decided that the stock speakers are not good enough to truly expose the audio limitations of FM anyhow. So, until I get new speakers, I'll stay with the current head unit and modulator. Sure, a CD clearly sounds better, but I'll compromise some sound quality for the freedom 20 GB of of music.

As far as interference goes, from the SF East Bay, we drove to Modesto, up hwy 99 to Sacramento, and back home on I-80/680 all with the iPod playing. Absoultely zero interference on 87.9 FM. The fact that the modulator shuts off the car's antenna when I turn it on works wonders.
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Yay:


Over 1000 miles.
I plan to keep the revs under 4500 - 5000 until 1500 miles or so, then gradually increase my rev ceiling every 500 miles or so to work up to the 7k redline.
Of course, I've found that a self-imposed redline is not very easy with this car. :)
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v. to vary the amplitude, frequency, or phase of (a carrier wave or a light wave)

Last night I installed an FM Modulator in the Saabaru, so I can hook up the iPod. In my Chevy Tahoe, I have installed an Aux-in adapter, and it sounds great. Unfortunately, that is not possible with the 'premium' stereo in the 9-2x. I knew getting into it that the sound quality would not match that of the Aux-in, but a FM signal is better than no signal at all....

So, I purchased an FM Modulator from David Navone (part N-724), and a Ground loop isolator from Radio Shack (part 270-054).

The install took about an hour. Piece of cake. Here are pics:

I unscrewed the shift knob and pried the facia off.


I then pried the front dash facia off. (carefully - using taped wrapped screwdriver)


Revealing the stereo (held in by 6 screws)


Stereo removed



Back of stereo. What is that square connector? Hmm maybe there IS a CD changer port??


FM Modulator



Powered up the modulator. Connected Antenna.


Ground Loop isolator connected to modulator via RCA cable. A headphone jack comes out the other end.
I then popped the ashtray out of the dash, and ran the headphone jack and the Modualtor's power switch into that area.



Back together again. The headphone jack runs thru the ashtray area and convienently into the Belkin iPod auto adapter.

More pics here

Everything you want to know about iPods in Imprezas


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Well, last night I Scotchgarded the $*$& out of the upholstery. I used pretty much a whole can. I plan to put another coat on in a few weeks. The can says the smell should go away within 24 hours. Well, this morning, about 10 hours after application, the funk was minimal.

Oh, the dealer did not bother to put and windshield washer fluid in the car. Nice.
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We picked up our black Saab 9-2x Aero with Manual Transmission and Sport and Cold Ppckages today.
So far, so good. We wanted to get the Premium package as well, but that combo of options (all except auto trans) simply could not be had west of Wisconsin.
The car had to be transferred from a dealer in Sacramento. That was not a problem with me. But, when it arrived, the car had 650 miles on it. Hmmmm.
I assume it was driven from Port Hueneme to Sac (~ 430 miles). Then, driven from Sac to Pleasanton Saab (~90 miles). That means there's 130 miles unaccounted for. That means, test drives and various demo drives.
Oh well, it seems to be in good shape. The dealer had their shop take a cursory look at it, and it all checked out.
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