Advantages: Solid, well built, safe
Disadvantages: Boring

...What is the fixation with SAAB and the number 9? For the last 30 years all their cars have had the number 9 in them, we have had, that I can recall, the 95, 96, the 900, the 9000, and lately the 9-3 and 9-5. They must have the most unimaginative car naming department in the entire global motor industry. But what about the cars themselves. I have recently been driving a SAAB 9-3 turbodiesel. The car has a 2.2 litre diesel engine which knocks out about 115bhp. This is a good figure for such a diesel but whilst it competes on power at the level of a Passat or 406 or Laguna it always seems Saab see their product a little higher up the automotive pecking order than this. Saab are of course owned by GM these days and if you wanted a mid-range car there is the Vectra. The standard equipment on the basic Saab is quite low eg no remote locking... Read review

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Advantages: Amazing Car with great turbos, fun to drive
Disadvantages: There are problems, could be costly to maintain

...I own a Saab 93 2.2 TID Arc 2003, looks wise it's a stunner with it's unique graphite green paint work, which looks black but in the sun gives off a green shade makes for the DVLA to raise questions about the cars colour been changed, as people either write it down as Green or Black on the log book when it's actually both! Gadget wise you get Front & rear electric windows, central locking, alarm, CD player, radio/clock, trip computer,air con, dual zone climate control ,so the driver and passenger can set different temperatures and the car will blow warm or cold air to maintain that temperature. There are also vents in the back of the car which also emit air, that something I have not seen in a car before. What else? Cream Leather Interior with a wallnut trim, plenty of cup holders, dotted about the car, massive boot, plenty... Read review

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Advantages: Practical, comfortable and well equipped
Disadvantages: About to be ousted by new model

...to about 5 cars but 2, the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Vectra were struck off quickly. That left us just 3 cars. The... VW PASSAT 1.9TDI 100 ESTATE RENAULT LAGUNA II 1.9dCI PRIVILEGE SPORTS TOURER (Try saying that quickly) SAAB 9-3 2.2 TiD 5DR As you probably have guessed, this op centres on the latter, and after a test drive, a detailed briefing and several figures later, I am ready to indulge you with this op. Enjoy... THE CO2 TAX LAWS Before I start, I'd better just run down the meaning of these ominous sounding new tax laws bearing down on us in April. When cars are launched they will be subject to a Carbon Dioxide emissions rating, which then gives them a percentage that puts them in a group. This is a fixed tax rate that company car drivers pay. But the less economical the car is, the higher the group, the higher the tax (hence... Read review

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Advantages: Large Boot Space, Quick
Disadvantages: Handling Twitchy, Reliability issues

...journeys. You can get about 500 miles from a full tank on average (50% urban/50% motorway). Downsides to the car have been few but have meant the car being in for service a few times. The biggest problem is the turbo intake pipe which was rubbing on another part of the engine and developing a hole. The other thing to watch is that the onboard computer sometimes does not give you sufficient warning of oil levels so it is best to watch these yourself. Finally, the standard Saab Stereo Speaker System isnt particulary good, so if music is important to then consider replacing or upgrading it. This car can be pretty good for the second hand buyer because depreciation is relatively high compared to the likes of BMW or Audi. Therefore a very well specified car can be bought for relatively low money.... Read review

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Advantages: Solid Reliable
Disadvantages: Boring trim, expensive Parts

...This is a long term review on owning a Saab for 18 months. I bought my Saab 2.2 TiD Second Hand from a dealer, it a V plate 2000 model. This was the first diesel range Saab produced but its fairly advanced with all the nice diesel features. Later models feature variable vane turbos which adapt changing shape to give more boost as the pressure rises. Miles per gallon is pretty good regularly achieving 40Mpg and even for town driving its never fallen below 30Mpg. I travel at least 80 miles per day commuting and visiting sites so it important I have a reable and comfortable car. Safety Saab are very safe car solidly built and kitted out with front and side airbags for passenger and driver. 3 point seat beats all round. Added to this are abs brakes which provide excellent stopping distances. Comfort and style Saab seem to be pretty... Read review

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Advantages: Aggresive styling, Good Build Quality, Performance, Dealer assistance
Disadvantages: Depreciation

...and has a 2.0T 210bhp turbo engine which is different to the 1.8t and 2.0t In 2004 the 2.2Tid was replaced by 2 common rail 1.9litre diesel engines producing 120bhp and 150bhp used accross the GM range the Arc spec level was dropped and in popped 2 new specs Linear Sport and Vector Sport both offering a few options as standard extra over the non sport models, and just after this Saab introduced a 122bhp 1.8litre non turbo engine also used in other GM cars along with the launch in september 2005 of the Sportwagon or Sportcombi as it is know in the rest of the world In September 2006 an all new 2.8V6 250bhp turbo engine was launched which is also the same engine used in some of the Vauxhall VXR range All 07MY cars have a revised dash layout and touch screen sat nav is now an option and BOSE speakers are also an option All engines except the 1... Read review

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Advantages: Superb Roof Conversion. Excellent Front Seats. Spacious Boot. Well Built.
Disadvantages: High Price. Low Equipmet Tally. "Challenged" Dynamics. Draughty Top Down.

.../ 170 - 74.1% Putting that score into perspective are the following cars based on identical scoring criteria: ALFA ROMEO 147 1.9JTD Lusso (5 Dr) - 67.8% FIAT PUNTO GRANDE SPORTING 130 Mjet - 75.9% HONDA ACCORD i-CTDi Saloon - 80.0% HONDA CIVIC 1.8i VTEC SE - 78.2% HONDA JAZZ 1.4 SE CVT-7 (Automatic) - 74.7% SAAB 9-3 TiD Vector - 68.2% SAAB 9-3 TiD Linear CONVERTIBLE (2007 Mondel) - 74.1% VAUXHALL ASTRA TWINTOP 1.9 CDTi DESIGN - 78.8% VAUXHALL MONARO VXR - 71.1% VW PASSAT TDi 140 S ESTATE - 71.7% VOLVO S60 D5 SE - 70.6%... Read review

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Advantages: Strong, Safe, Long Lasting and Reliable. Fuel Economy. Seats & Ride Comfort.
Disadvantages: Too Expensive. Not Truly Class Competitive. Road Noise.

...- what a confusing handle! I pine for the days of the good old LS, GLS, GLX etc! From here on in, I am reviewing the Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon Vector TiD 150bhp. This model can be identified by a red "T" before the chrome "iD" on the boot lid. To the determined car spotter this shows that the more powerful engine nestles under the bonnet. IN WHAT CAPACITY AM I REVIEWING THIS CAR? As readers of my previous car reviews may remember, I am a director of a small family engineering business. One of my many roles in the business is that of "Fleet Manager". That title means different things to different people and organisations, in my specific case it means that I weigh up the costs, keep tabs on, and usually acquire and dispose of our company vehicles. As I have always been a keen car enthusiast (petrol head in modern terminology) this, rather small... Read review

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Advantages: A Very Nice Clock. Huge Boot.
Disadvantages: Too Many To List Here.

...of the table and by a big margin! It is several decades since I have driven a car that I found as dislikeable – or plain pointless as this one. Sorry Cadillac, but if you are serious about selling cars in the UK, let alone mainland Europe, you are going to have to do a good deal better than this mid-Atlantic lash up. Putting that score into perspective are the following cars based on identical scoring criteria: ALFA ROMEO 147 1.9JTD Lusso (5 Dr) - 67.8% CADILLAC BLS 175 LUXURY 55.9% FIAT PUNTO GRANDE SPORTING 130 Mjet – 75.9% HONDA ACCORD i-CTDi Saloon - 80.0% HONDA CIVIC 1.8i VTEC SE – 78.2% HONDA CIVIC 1.8i VTEC S i-SHIFT 68.8% HONDA JAZZ 1.4 SE CVT-7 (Automatic) - 74.7% SAAB 9-3 TiD Vector - 68.2% SAAB 9-3 TiD Linear CONVERTIBLE (2007 Mondel) – 74.1% VAUXHALL ASTRA TWINTOP 1.9 CDTi DESIGN – 78.8% VAUXHALL MONARO VXR - 71.1% VW PASSAT TDi 140... Read review

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Advantages: Different Styling, Exclusive, Cheap Servicing
Disadvantages: Depreciation HIgh

...currently own a Saab 93 ss on a 54 plate 05MY and have owned it since May 2005, I purchased it from my usual dealer in Cornwall, Before this I owned a 2003 53 Saab 93 ss 2.2 TiD The Sport saloon was introduced in September 2002 with the line up of 1.8t 150bhp actually a 2litre turbo, a 2.0t a 175bhp turbo engine and 2.2TiD a 125bhp Diesel Spec levels were Linear the basic trim level, Arc had full leather seats, Vector A more sporty interior. The Aero was not introduced until 2003 and has a 2.0T 210bhp turbo engine which is different to the 1.8t and 2.0t In 2004 the 2.2Tid was replaced by 2 common rail 1.9litre diesel engines producing 120bhp and 150bhp used accross the GM range the Arc spec level was dropped and in popped 2 new specs Linear Sport and Vector Sport both offering a few options as standard extra over the non sport models... Read review

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