USED Saab 9-3 Sport Wagon (02 - 12)

My car

Chose a 93 Sportwagon because of looks, performance and 4 adult practicalities. Jaguar X type was hopeless, too many Audi's and BMW was too expensive with all the options. I went for Vector sport Tid 150 (plus Hirsch upgrade), lowered suspension plus other trivial but "essential" options including sub woofer. The extra power (175 bhp) means effortless cruising as well as confident overtaking. The lowered suspension is a must to stop the tail waving around the corners. The Scottish B roads are great fun to drive on and the car handles better than my previous Golf GTi. Comfort is OK but the leather option isn't as comfortable as I would have hoped and lumbar support is only on drivers seat, hmmmm, would have preferred both front seats when the girlfriend is driving. Economy isn't as good as first thought with only 45mpg, I would have expected more, especially with the Hirsch upgrade. Maybe as the miles increase and the engine loosens off it will improve. It has been back to Saab twice in the first 3 weeks to get software upgrades. Saab seemingly have experienced problems with the 1.9 diesel engines. And I hit both errors within 1k miles. Dealer was sympathetic and courteous and kept me on the road with a loan convertible - nice. Apart from initial niggles, no problems at all. The good points are quiet and refined driving, loads of comfortable space for 4 adults plus luggage, build quality and fun to drive.

My car

This is a smart, well-proportioned estate. I got between 44-48mpg on a combined run in the 150bhp 1.9 diesel. The engine is especially punchy at 30mph and is sporty.

The driving position could be improved by moving the pedals slightly in relation to the seats and the front seats need to go higher. Also, the front seats need more support beneath the knee. Rear seat space is similar to the X-type estate - it's cramped with the driver's seat back, although there is ample headroom.

It needs cup holders in the front and the green illumination looks dated. The ignition key is located behind the handbrake which is good as the keys can't be grabbed from the driver's side. It deserves the tag of SportWagon!

My car

I've owned a 150 TiD estate for 6 months now and I'm rather disappointed with it. It's smooth and quiet on the motorway, the engine is powerful enough, and the car does its job as a load-carrier (which is one reason I chose it over BMW and Audi rivals). It has also been completely reliable and I'm getting 45mpg from mixed driving.

On the downside, the diesel isn't as quiet or flexible as, for instance, the new Toyota or Renault engines, the gearbox is clunky and it's easy to beat the synchromesh from first to second gear or, when cold, from secon to third, and the car doesn't feel as solid as I've come to expect from previous Saabs.

The real downside is that at 6ft 2in tall, I find the driving position too low and stretched-out to be comfortable, and the seat itself is uncomfortable (the lumbar support is too low, and the headrest too far forward). It was not noticeable on a 50-mile test drive, but it's enough of a problem that I'm now looking for another car.

My car

I have a 120 diesel Vector Sport. It handles very well and 52mpg is the norm. Around town it drops to 38mpg. The emissions are only 149g/km as stated on my v5 , not 159g/km as stated in What Car?'s schedule for the car. Cabin space could be better in the back, but the boot space is fine. I used to have a Volkswagen Passat 130 Sport estate, and I don't miss it one bit.