Great styling, comfortable interior, superb brakes, great engine, large trunk, balanced handling, Michelin Pilot Primacy high performance 16" tires.

Smallish footwell, the steering is very sensible to road camber, the shifter feels rubbery.

This car has a fabulous engine (far quicker than Audi A4 1.8T or V6, BMW 325) and it has great brakes. The 9-3 has a long list of standard features and the interior layout is well thought-out. It also boasts the biggest trunk I've ever seen. Furthermore this car really stands out in terms of styling.

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Audi A4, BMW 325

Cool Styling. Practicality. Good power when Turbo kicks in. Grip at high speeds.

Interior parts rattle; Below par build qaulity. Unforgiving ride; aging chasis. Ergonomics are way too quirky. Climate controls are confusing.

It's a cool car in terms of image but not in terms of ownership. Where do I start? I'll keep it brief: The Saab's quirkiness strays way too far from mainstream. I like the concept and image it tries to portray. Yes, it's an alternative to the norm but Saab takes it too far. There are just way too many important deciencies the 9-3 has working against it's cool image. First, there is the build quaility; one just expects more in the class it plays in. Second, the 9-3's aging chasis surfaces in the form of poor ride quality. Again, a lower classman amongst it's competitors. My buddies Volkswagen at half the price stomps the 9-3 in quality. Lastly, it has the worst ergonomics I've ever seen in any car regardless of price. You shouldn't have to have a PHD and magnifier to operate the climate controls. I tried to love this car but it just didn't out.

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Audi A4, BMW 325i, Mercedes C230K, Volvo S40, Acura TL, Lexus ES300, Infiniti I30, Mazda Mellenia

Good power. You can really feel the 205 horses when the turbo kicks in. Well crafted with quality materials. "Solid" feel to it. Large cargo area especially when the seats are folded down.

Foot well is cramped -- especially with manual transmission. Torque steer is a little annoying at first. Back seat is cramped for anyone over 6 feet tall.

I am very happy with this car after having owned it for 5 months. I hadn't really considered a Saab until I saw an ad for it in the paper. I was very pleasantly surprised when I test drove the car. The new style is very pleasing and it is a great road car. I also really like the amount of cargo this car holds.

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Much faster than a BMW 325 although handling isn't as good. Materials and workmanship are comparable.

Very little turbo lag, quick and easily manuvered. Great gas mileage, especially on the highway

A/C works poorly once the outside temp exceeds 100. Occasional surging problem when car is in "sport" mode. Dealer dosen't always know how to fix car.

This car is for someone who enjoys owning a car. It probably would not appeal to someone who views a car as a mode of transportation form point A to B. I enjoy the passing power and the cargo space. It holds an amazing amount of stuff.

My dislikes are the aforementioned surging problem (it only happens when it's really hot out). I find the stereo to be a joke for a car in this price range. With new models coming out from Volvo, Mercedes and BMW plus the existing Audi a4 series, Saab will need to do some serious retooling and incorporating more bang for the buck or the competition will have them for lunch. The worst thing they could do would be to allow their new owners (GM) to get their hands on the car. The only excitement with a GM car is when you're trading it in.

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I've also driven an Audi A4. The A4 felt a little more sure footed on the road, but not quite as quick.

Build quality is very good with supurb leather interior.
Verry powerful with hardley any turbo lag,good boot size and passenger comfort. A solid car to drive.

Central key ignition , slightly camped drivers footwell.

A very class act, with lots of gadgets combined with good handleing and a acceleration that leaves 90% of other cars far behind.
The A.C.C (climite control) is very effective which means the car never mists up or gets to hot or cold.
A very safe car, ideal for the family or for the person looking for something different.

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Far better than the bmw 320 &325

Power;
Ergonomics;
Utility;
Looks;

The Saab 9-3 is an absolutely wonderful car. However, it's a car for people who like cars, not folks who couldn't care less what they're zipping around in.

It's fast. No, I'm not kidding here, it's really quick. There are 3 motors depending on which model you chose and even the lowest HP motor is rated at 185! That's a big bunch of power! The car really can zip along, especially with the Sport mode on for the Auto's.

Inside the car is beautifully designed with the switches and controls perfectly positioned. The stereo is nice and the controls on the steering wheel are wonderfully handy. The weatherband is a nice feature as well.

All in all, irrespective of the price, it's a great car.

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Other Saabs;
Passat;
BMW 3 Series;
Audi A4;

Huge carrying capacity. 200 hp makes the car very quick especially in 3rd gear and up. Highways speeds are just incredible for a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder. Heated seats are very nice in the winter

Less body roll when ducking into a corner at speed would be nice.

I would definitely recommend this car for anyone looking for a practical sports sedan/coupe in the $26-32,000 catagory. Haven't had any problems after 15 months/33,000 miles of ownership.

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Previously owned a 1989 Saab 900 turbo convertible.

Absolutely fantastic, Plenty of room in drivers seat. Tons of power. Top down cruising is incredible

None

I recommend this car to anyone who loves to drive!

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BMW, Volvo, Mercedes

Fantastic mid-upper range power of (high-output) turbo model.
Superb ground-covering ability on long, trans-European highway journeys.
Discreet and unassuming looks with ability to leave 99% of BMWs for dead.
Lack of traction control in an obsolete front-drive chassis with 205bhp - someone at Saab must have a great sense of humour!
Excellent luggage space.

Cramped footwell, but front legroom OK. Rear seats really for children.
Chassis based on 1988 Vauxhall (GM) Cavalier / 1990 Calibra (Yes, really!) hence a slow-in, (very) fast-out approach is required for most corners.
Would be better with a modern 5 speed Autobox, not 4.

European price is $40k for the 9-3 h.o.t. SE Spec (and $47k for Viggen)!!

Greatest strength is the engine. If you regularly drive alone for 500 miles on highway, nothing comes close for A to B ability.

Chassis is old, old, old and, despite modifications, cannot compete with the best (or even the average). Just get it onto a reasonably straight road and hit the loud pedal!

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Volvo T5.
Saab is much faster from standing start despite no traction control.
Lower mass of Saab re-assuring when things really start to go wrong mid-corner!

1) Superb looks, outside and inside. Has "sporty" appeal yet very luxurious with very comfy leather seats, wooden dashboard and 6-speaker 200W stereo.

2) Excellent overall ride. Suspension very tight for better handling. At average driving ride is smooth with minimal noise. Engine is small which allows good fuel consumption as normal speeds, and Turbo allows great power when needed...speaking of turbo..

3) POWER! the car is extremly powerful with the larger turbo unit. Manual transmission adds to the fun and allows you to control the car better. Front-wheel drive won't appeal to everyone, but overall acceptable.

4) Excellent attention to detail, features...etc.

1) Lack of traction makes racing those beemers 328i a bit more challanging!
2) Transmission could have been smoother, Suspension a tad softer.
3) Turbo needs getting used to (one it peakes the car "jumps" like possessed by a demon!).
4) Horrible visibility when top is up (common for convertibles)

Highly recomended. At its price range, you won't find a fast, fun convertible that still is a great long-term prospect for its superb safety (its a Saab), smoothness, ride comfort and luxury. You can't go wrong.

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Volvo C70 Convertible: The Saab is cheaper and simple better. years of making convertibles
BMW 328i: a bit more solid then the Saab, and rear wheel drive, but more expensive, not as relaible and awful plastic read window!