Just purchased: 2007 Saab 9-7x 5.3i

[AdsoYo]

Hello GMT Nation! I just purchased a 2007 Saab 9-7x 5.3i this August. I've been looking online for months, almost exclusively using autotempest.com for this vehicle specifically (any year from 06-09) and this was by far the best example out of the dozens for sale. Only problem: I live in Oregon and this was in Philadelphia. So my wife and I flew to Philadelphia, bought it, and drove it back. So far it's doing great, the seller was the original owner so I'm now the 2nd owner. He said he put about 5,000 miles per year on it, never had kids or pets in it, never towed, never smoked, and had it detailed annually.

I wanted the 9-7x 5.3i in particular as opposed to the other GMT360 platforms because I think it looks the best. It can handle Oregon snow and dirt/ gravel roads, and it's a SUV that came with a LS. It will be a grocery getter/ family hauler. My other car is a '94 Trans Am that I swapped a LS3 into and tuned myself with HP Tuners so I'm familiar with the engine and the software.

I've got a couple mods in mind already:

New camshaft
DOD delete
3.42 axle gears for a better highway stride
6L80 swap
Once we see how it all goes, maybe a Magnusson TVS1900

 

[AdsoYo]

Sorry don't know why the interior shot keeps uploading upside down.

 

[Mooseman]

Welcome! Definitely a nice example of the GMT360 red headed step child. A 6L80 is a bit ambitious as I don't know how you can interface it with the current PCM, but a DOD delete, or at least suppression from turning on, is a must. 3.42 gears may not be worth that much for MPG, especially since changing the front diff is a major job. And it wouldn't help performance wise if you do go with the blower unless you're going for top speed rather than take-off performance, which that rear 8.5" diff would likely explode, so that would require one from a TBSS (9.5")

 

[TollKeeper]

Twin to the one I got rid of back in 2023. I do agree that the 9-7x is the best looking, but after owning one, I would take the others just because of the normal key position, and gaining cup holders.

In either case welcome aboard! These are great vehicles.

I agree with the @Mooseman about the differentials, and the DOD. Stick with your GT4 3.73.

 

[northcreek]

You didn't post the mileage but, doing the math it would be about 90 k miles, if that's the case you've got a beauty.