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I bought a 9-3 Aero Anniversary, 57 plate 2007 (pre facelift model) almost 2 years ago now. I had hanckered after one of these for a while. It's a 2.0T (210hp) with a Maptun tune (to 255 hp and 360Nm).
When I was actively involved in motorsport I knew a number of people over the years who had various Saabs. My recollection is that everyone who's had one loved it.
A girl friend of mine has a 52 plate 2.2 diesel model which she's had for about 6 years now and has something like 130k on the clock. She loves hers and it was having a drive of it that reignited the spark for me. It rides and handles well. Very comfy overall (more 'comfy' than mine, which is firm). They all have very good seats.
They are very quiet - no surprise really as there is loads of rubber around the doors! The doors actually need quite a firm pull to shut them properly. Mine has the 6 speed box (I imagine the 1.9d does too on later ones) which means the motor is whisper quiet on the motorway. There's only road noise coming in really - more on mine (235/45/17 tyres) than on my friends (16 inch wheels - don't know the size).
They are very easy to drive. You feel right at home in them as soon as you get in. All the controls are easy and natural. the steering is light, but the car responds as you'd expect so punting it about with accurate placement is a joy. Ok mines the Aero, but it's rock solid on the tarmac up to very high speeds. I've no reason to believe the other models wouldn't be. Brakes are phenominal.
Interior space is good. I have two teenage lads and they are very happy in the back.
The boot is remarkably large for a compact saloon, both deep and long.
You can't argue with Saab safety. Loads of airbags, side protection and a strong superstructure tested to withstand elk impact! Mine has traction and esc - don't know if that's standard across the range or not. I've used the traction, but never had the esc cut in. I found recently that mine copes with very wet roads and standing water extremely well even at speed (only 4mm on my tyres too). I've disconnected the ridiculous swan neck air intake and so have been able to ford up to about 10 inches in nearby lanes.
Mine has the mid range stereo with nav, it is excellent and can blow the doors out! the twin zone aircon is extremely effective too. i actually found myself turning the ac off sometimes in the summer.
Security is good - Thatcham cat 1.
If you do get a 6 speeder, follow the instructions in the Haynes and re-set the gearchange cables (theres a service notification you can download). Then drain the 'box and refill with 2.4 litres of Redline MTL. This improves the change considerably (GM issued a bulletin to reduce the oil in the box from 3 to 2.4 litres, so ignore the Haynes on this and the MTL is way better than the Castrol factory fill).
The deisel engine has some issues, see HJs car by car breakdown.
Yes, the keys have issues too. The rubber breaks down and the key becomes horrible and sticky. I got a new key, complete and programmed, from the dealers for about £114 iirc, which I thought was reasonable. I've also had a cheap plastic case off eBay for one of my others.
I've found servicing easy enough. I'm about to change all 4 discs at 52k (but it lived around Glasgow for 3 years 40k) and they are easy enough.
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