Welcome to drive the debate

Good looks, torquey engine with decent auto gearbox and manual mode making for good progress without the need for high revs, averaged 35mpg over +60k miles of mixed use driving and 40mpg on long steady motorway run which is excellent for a 2 litre petrol turbo, comfortable drive with excellent supportive seats, good sized boot, pleasing to drive, takes long journeys in its stride and a feeling of safety! Great nearly new/second hand buys!

Quality of some interior materials not up to similar German brands but the dash layout is pleasing in my opinion, creaking noise from interior, limited rear leg room!

In my opinion this 9-3 is a huge improvement over the last model (I had a 1998 185bhp auto), more refined with vastly better handling and improved mpgs although the turbo boast doesn't seem to offer that huge surge experience of the old ''Saab 1985cc'' engine!!! Perhaps a Hirsch upgrade would over come this? Would I buy another 9-3..................oh yes!