I love the concept here, and execution looks like the work was fairly well done, but not well thought out. As mentioned already, the first time you get than turbo hot it's gonna melt the master cylinder reservoirs. Not enough details on the engine/trans combo for me to be comfortable with this. CP.

I was on the fence about what my next car will be. If this is as good in person as it is on paper and in photos, VW will have made me a repeat customer. I love my MK IV Jetta TDI, but it could be a bit sportier. I also like the styling of this SportWagen better than the MK V that they have been selling. Well done, VW.

If I had this car, I would no longer care about getting laid. I still say it's Doug, not the Ferrari...

Let's start with the hood. That clamshell unit doesn't just flip up, no it slides forward, then stands nearly vertically, offering unfettered access to the engine for either side. That's not Saab exclusive, but it's still pretty damn unique. Also, GM Saabs do nothing of the sort, the bastards.

Taz flame mats FTW!

IIRC, the Duramax is a product of Isuzu. Also, it's Cummins not cummings (sorry, that always makes me cringe).

My guess is someone hooned the 2.5 to death, which points to other potential problems. While it doesn't NEED a V8, I think it would be an entertaining drive. I'm not a buyer at $16,500, though.

I'm with you on the sketchyness of the wording. I don't trust anyone that calls something 'built' and doesn't describe what was done to it. It wreaks of a poseur that doesn't know how to change the oil in his own car and probably beats it to death.

I love the idea of pissing off WRX bros with copious rear tire smoke and a wailing V8. For $16,500, there are too many questions to justify the price. Though it looks to be well done, I had to vote CP.

With a 580hp LS2, that can be corrected with judicious throttle application.

Pretty sure the target demo isn't concerned about off-roading ability. That air dam thingy is barely tall enough to clear a parking block/curb.

The headroom is pathetic. Notice how the roof line slopes down in the back. Even with a short person in the front seat with the seat moved up appropriately, there isn't enough leg room. It's a horribly impractical design. Not to mention the cargo room in the back is inadequate for much more than groceries. I guess I'm…

Trucks AND bikes?!?!?!? I knew there was a good reason for you to be here! Good to have a little balance against the "two wheels bad" cagers. Great write up, BTW.

My mother-in-law has one. Nice car, but the back seat is useless for 6'4" me.

I wasn't sure about the champagne color, but the black accents make it. Awesome story and great write up! Thanks for sharing!

Nice pick on the seats! They actually look like they belong there.

I wish I had memories of the Cougar. I was two or three when my mom hit some black ice and hit the telephone pole. Good thing she dropped me off at the babysitter right before that. It hit the pole in the passenger side door. He did have an '86 XR5Ti later, though. Got to drive it a few times.

Those damned onions! They got me too!

It's not going to be a right now kind of thing. The engine and rear end have been sitting outside, though covered for quite a while. I have a million plans spinning around my head for it, but it is probably ten years out before I would be able to get it on the road. I haven't even started looking for a car to put it…

No prob! I just started my second cup!