Well, it’s been one hell of a journey, the Turbo X is a Saab I’d longed for, for a number of years and this one came along, the perfect spec with all options packages ticked, low owners and a great history. But it had its own agenda, dragging me through endless ups and downs and ending in a new engine.

Rather than be beaten, I focused on making it exactly like I wanted, lowered on Bilstein shocks and Hirsch springs, Hirsch grille, carbon dash, aluminium pedals and leather handles. Needless to say, it’s been a love hate relationship, it really is an iconic Saab and a definite modern classic, the combination of the smooth V6 Turbo engine, together with the XWD system is quite a powerful thing.

Almost a year after it had arrived, I tentatively put it up on Aeroriginal, unsure whether to sell of not, but just like the whirlwind, ownership has been, it had huge interest and this weekend, I waved goodbye as it was driven off by its new custodian.

I'm both relieved and proud I didn't let it win, another Saab lost to 'parts for sale', instead, it's found its way to a suitably deserving new owner who has just the right Saab background to ensure this Turbo X enjoys many more journeys, and one day, will easily be as desirable as our fabled 900 Turbos; the car it was designed to celebrate. I somehow doubt it will my last Turbo X, but for now, Farväl.

Incremental fixes and modifications mean that I’d been without the Turbo X for the past few weeks again, I collected it last Friday to take it over to the Wings n Wheels gathering. It was only a 100 mile round trip from where I live, but enough to give it a good run with a mix of fast B roads and the excellent A46 straight in to Newark.

Not having had a real chance to road test the Saab, it surprised me with it’s smoothness and reassuring composure, even at higher speeds, the X has plenty of reserve to overtake with ease. The active XWD system gives endless confidence and really does turn the 9-3 in to an exceptionally capable car, whilst the upgraded Bilstein B12 shocks and Hirsch springs have helped give it the perfect stance and really enhance the optional 19” alloys.

I’ve been wondering whether to add a sport cat downpipe and maybe a centre box delete, but for now, I’m quite happy with the stock system; it leaves the V6 growl a little quieter than I’d prefer, but also keeps it very refined and easy to live with on longer journeys.

I’ve got a couple more snags to get sorted and a strut brace to add, but after that, I’m looking forward to enjoying this one for a while, I didn’t want to fall for it after all the problems it’s given us, but it has a huge personality and really does honour the iconic 900 Turbo, just with a little more refinement.