The handle “SoCalDaji” might sound familiar if you are active in the Southern California car scene. Mostly known for his unique take on modifying a Dodge Ram Van, Luwin also owns another unique gem in his stable: a beige colored 2005 SAAB 9-5 Aero Wagon. Add Luwin’s unique modification styling into the mix and the result is what you see on this week’s Avantturous blog entry!
What’s so unique about this wagon if you ask? Well… first of all, the beige on beige combination on this wagon is normally associated with the elderly folks. Secondly, this wagon is actually equipped with manual transmission (this one is NOT normally associated with the elderly folks). Starting off with a unique platform means aftermarket support may not be as readily available; Luwin must get creative in order to deliver the end result that he originally visualized in his head. Not willing to settle for spring / shocks combo for instance, Luwin dug deep and found a Taiwanese company that manufactured coilovers for Saab vehicles. Finding the perfect wheels is also another challenge; you see… this Saab has 5×110 bolt pattern! In the wheel department, Luwin went for two different set of wheels (Rotiform wheels with Aero Discs up front and Rays’s Gramlight 57DR in the rear). Since Luwin couldn’t decide on which color to get, the wagon is running white Gramlight on driver’s side rear and dark blue Gramlight on passenger’s side rear (what did I say about Luwin’s unique modification styling?!?) Brakes were also upgraded with Brembo units from Cobalt SS to improve stopping power. Braum bucket seats in maroon leather were picked to upgrade the interior of this unique wagon.
Creativity takes dedication! And I am glad there are still folks like Luwin who take on the challenge down a unique path in modification. While a lot of folks may go for the cookie cutter path, Luwin went ahead into an unknown journey with his Saab 9-5 Aero. I think the end result is WORTH IT!
Introduce Yourself
My name is Luwin, and I live in the Los Angeles area. I am a Licensed therapist working in community mental health – I do in-person crisis response all over LA County evaluating people who have reached out to the Suicide/Mental Health Emergency hotline
WHY A WAGON?
Share your unique story behind your WAGON ownership: It was in the middle of the pandemic and I was on Craigslist looking up things I had always thought were cool. I typed in “Saab” and this wagon popped up – I looked through the specs (9-5 Aero, MANUAL) and instantly knew it was worth a look. I took it out for a drive and while it needed a few things, it felt like “me.” You like what you like, and I was drawn to not only the way it drives but I really love the look of this model in a wagon – the proportions are spot-on, the shape is sleek and filled with character.
Did you consider a different WAGON instead of this one?
I had always had a soft spot for wagons, and had searched for Volvo wagons as well as Audi B5’s. I love that wagons offer space for an active lifestyle (carrying bikes, gear, etc.) while offering a dynamic driving experience (lower than SUV’s, with more sport-tuned suspensions and stance)
What was your original objective with your car and has that objective changed?
My original objective was to do the cosmetic repairs that were pressing (front bumper was pitted like crazy), do basic maintenance and get it running proper. Then lower it with a set of wheels and dial in the stance and handling. Because Saab’s are such unique cars to begin with, my objective c into how I can improve the performance and aesthetics of the car in a way that reflects my unique style and taste. As I started getting more into it, I realized that while there is not a whole lot of aftermarket support for Saab’s (this model in particular), a little digging around offered creative solutions. For example, I was able to source a set of coilovers from a company called KT Racing in Taiwan (there’s a huge Saab following there!) and I have been really happy with the quality and performance of their products. After suspension and wheels were addressed, I turned to modifying the motor with some bolt-ons and a custom tune that really makes things a lot more interesting. =)
What style would you say best describes your car?
I would say that “unique” is a good description of the style of my car. I wanted to keep things a bit clean, but also throw in some flair to it. I love the infusion of different styles, such as the wheel choice (Gram Lights being a wheel that you’ll usually see on a JDM car).
Who assisted in the planning/building/modding of your car?
For me, the car scene is about the PEOPLE. While the cars are cool, I love the relationships I’ve fostered and the stories we have. The following people and shops have been helpful with bringing my vision for this wagon to life, and I would love the opportunity to give them a shout-out.
Jason from Rotiform
Ben Lau
David at Monrovia Alignment
Young at Autotuned
Braum Racing
425 Motorsports
Planted Technologies
The team at Genuine Saab
Kevin at Zoom Tires
Turn 14 Distribution
Mike at Tint Monkey
Jason and team at NRG Innovations
What do you feel makes your car unique / special in your eyes?
The spec of it is pretty rare – for model year 2005, there a really small number of Saab 9-5 Aero wagons brought to the States, and for one to be manual and in my color, it makes it even more rare. On top of that, there are not too many extensively modified Saab’s around, so I feel a combination of that makes it unique and special. But back to that manual transmission – dying breed!! (Save the manuals!!)
What is your favorite part/feature/function of the car?
I love the way the tuned motor pulls, especially in the midrange. Part of the marketing campaign when this car was new was that it could outrun a 911 Turbo from 40-70mph, and the way this motor scoots, I believe it! I also really love my wheels – fitting Rotiform wheels and Aerodisc’s up front with Gram Lights in the back required some finessing (redrill bolt patterns, custom spacers, etc) and I’m very happy with how it turned out!
If you could pick one thing you aren’t satisfied with about your car, what would it be?
I wish the car was AWD, or RWD – to be able to throw it sideways into a corner would be awesome!
What has been the biggest obstacle you’ve faced while building this car?
Figuring out what parts would work or come close to working in order to achieve what I envision in my head. And as Saab went of the car business in 2011, sourcing parts can be a challenge at times. But I’ve encountered an AMAZING community of Saab owners who are passionate about their cars and open to exchanging information which has been very helpful, and I have been more than happy to do the same (i.e. post up detailed instructions on parts of the build such as the Brembo brake setup, seat install, etc)
What one word best describes your car?
Unicorn
What is your final goal with this car?
I’d like to track it but keep it streetable, and just take care of it and enjoy it as much as I can. I’ve taught my kids to drive stick shift on it, and my son in particular is stoked to take it out when he gets his license, so I look forward to sharing it with them!
