Styling, handling, smooth ride, safety features, dealer experience, peppy engine, smooth shifting 5 speed auto, comfortable seats, interior room for the class

Could use a little more low-end grunt, resale value iffy

I'd never seriously considered Saabs before, but after seeing some ads for the new 9-3, I looked into it further and we test drove and wound up buying one. I guess their ads are right. "People who test drive a Saab usually buy one". We were initially drawn to the sharp Euro styling, and after reading reviews about the equally sharp handling, we were sold. There really isn't anything about the car we don't like, though about 50 more hp in non-turbo form would be nice. Even so, the 175hp turbo 4 is very smooth, with minimal lag, and Saab has nearly eliminated the previous torque steer problems too. I love the comfortable seats, extra interior space vs. the German competition, and the fact that you don't see many of them around. I recommend that anyone shopping Audis and BMW's try out a Saab as an alternative.

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'97 BMW 540i, '98 BMW 540i sport

Handling, acceleration, comfort! This car is luxurious and has all of the toys - without being overbearing and cluttered. It's very simple looking. The side view mirrors are shaped to view the blind spot, which is a plus. The 6 CD changer works like a charm.

The 9-5 has a much better cup holder. If you're a latte sipping sissy like I am, it's just no place to put a drink. I like to play with the turbo and drive like Bullitt from time to time (no not really, but I do like to do frequent "does the turbo still work" checks). The blind spot is difficult for me to see out of - I have to keep the seat at the highest vertical setting. I am also very short so this may not apply to most people. AM reception on the radio is not optimal.

I wasn't prepared for the sheer joy that comes from driving this car. A Saab performs like no other vehicle, and for my first "new(er)" car, I am extremely satisfied. You can drive the 9-3 as if it were a sports car, or you can drive it like a regular vehicle - it performs both ways and does it well. The Saab is a different animal and it takes a little while to "get the hang of it" but it's a true driver's car. If I could make one recommendation to anyone who is considering a Saab purchase - see if you can test drive one that has a set of Nokian tires on it. Many Saab enthusiasts will put them on their Saabs, and these tires really are made for the car. There is a huge difference in handling, and using Nokian tires brings out a whole other "side" of the car's performance.

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BMW is the most comparable - but the Saab is more comfortable and responsive.

Looks super sharp (mine's steel gray mica metallic w/beige leather interior, very classy), drives like a dream, loaded with features but doesn't shove them in your face and you don't need a Phd to get everything dialed in. 205 HP turbo 2.0 L is "HOT" (pun secondarily intended), very fast. Unbelievable "stock" sound system with premium package. Automatic Climate Control is awesome. I could go on & on...

Ever so slight turbo lag if you don't have it on the burn.

An excellent auto, in all respects. This is my second Saab (had a '95 900S prior), and while it looks somewhat like my old one, it is a completely different animal. Light, handles well, responsive, quick & fast, great braking, top-notch visibility, comfortable, huge cargo capacity, typical Saab understated elegance and intuitive controls, very functional. Quietly elegant and sophisticated.

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1995 Saab 900 S. Mazda 323.

Safety,extras,performance,you name it, a want to be in it .

My wife likes driving it too.

Can't stop driving this car!! Where have they been hiding. Drives like a dream has everything from leather to heated front and rear seats.High output turbo makes it drive like a rocket,totally impressed!

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Porsche 930, mazda rx7,BMW 320.

Driving is just plain fun, and the look is beautiful. Hatchback accomodates surprisingly large loads.

This car loses value faster than I can pay it off, and shows no signs of stabilizing. Extremely fragile. I want my '88 Bronco back. Onstar had approximately 20% success with computers down, misinformation, no one home, useless. Never take a car to VOB Autobody, they had my car for almost 6 weeks without ever providing even a vague estimate. Getting my car back required hours of making calls to managers.

In case anyone is wondering, I just found out what happens to a Saab if you don't take it in for scheduled maintenance. at 26,000 miles my car's engine needs to be rebuilt at over $6800.00. Add to that $3200.00 for cosmetic blemishes (I live in downtown Washington DC)and it equals a very bad decision on my part. My bike, puppy, and extremely busy lifestyle was no match for my poor Saab. These cars need a garage, a cover, and someone who really loves cars.

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VW Passat

Ride, quality, appointments,

none

What an awesome car! I get so many compliments on this vehicle. I only paid $14,000 in 1999. I have every option and have only had one problem...the whistling windshield. It was a 2 minute fix. I visit SAABNET.com and have any question answered. I can't say enough about this wonderful car. It handles well and gets great gas mileage. You cannot get a car like this by any other maker for this price. I will only buy Saabs, Volvos, and Toyota Camrys form now on.

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Volvo, Toyota

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This is not a review, I just want to tell you that the 900 is NOT the same as the 9-3, even though some of you seem to believe so.... The 9-3 looks the same but is based on a totally different chassis and many other new parts... simply better than the 900!

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Fit and finish is outstanding, better than any car I've seen. Seats are great. Acceleration is breathtaking. Visibility is very good. Quiet ride also. Feels like an expensive car, not just a mid-range car that became expensive due to options.

The foot-well is cramped and took about a wwk to get used to. The instrument panel is busy and distracting, but you can basically shut most of it down with the night-panel switch.

Gorgeous car, and am truly impressed with it in all ways. I don't know why there is an LHS review mixed in with the saab reviews, but it lowers the overall ratings.

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Olds Intrigue. Volvo S40.

quirky look, heated seats

NO reliability!! lousy dealership, Time the 0-60 with a sun dial!! Waiting for the next part to go. NO resale at ALL!!!!

I am finally getting rid of this hunk of crap!! After 1 year of ownership..and about a million visits to the dealership to have various parts fixed, I am getting rid of it!! Fixed everything from the exhaust system and motor mounts...to the coolant system and radio!!! I have had enough. I do not even trust this car enough to take it on a trip anywhere more than 10 miles from home!! The dealership sucked as well...and the dreaded blue book told me my $12,900 car was only worth 5,000 one year later. just love when I finance upside down...I owe more after a year than the car is worth. A lemon of a car and a lemon of a dealership!! My saab story is over!!!

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nissan 200sx, mercury mystique, ford explorer, jeep cherokee.

Aggressive looks with the Aero body kit & low profile wheels. Very comfortable seats. Very quick & low down torgue. Great engine. Good brakes. Very quiet car for a convertible. Good value for money in terms of features and appointments.

Handling is OK but not up to German rivals. Cabin is a bit crapped. Telescopic steering adjustment only. Dash cup holder is a joke. Pillarless windows tend to creak.

Great looking car, fast, plenty of torque, solid build, has managed to age well with classic styling. Any short-comings with handling is overcome by the great driving experience with the top down.

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Saab 9-3 S convertible