I drove a 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero today with six speed. You simply must try this car. It is sensational. Fast and handles so incredibley. It begs to be driven with gusto.

Edited January 8, 200620 yr by HarleyEarl

That picture makes it look stodgier than it really is. In person it's hot.

That picture makes it look stodgier than it really is.  In person it's hot.

I agree, this picture is not good. In person this car is super sexy.

It's hard to find good pics of the 9-3...here's a better one:

I really love the 9-3. I drove an Arc a couple years ago at the ASIM in SD, and it was a blast! If I wasn't a Camaro nut I would definitely look past the FWD, come to terms with its slightly higher price tag, and pick up an Aero. It would even be sweet if they made a coupe with the rear end of the convertible.

  It would even be sweet if they made a coupe with the rear end of the convertible.

Ahhhhhhhh, I've been thinking that too...... the rear end of the vert is absolutely gorgeous.

I would like for there to be a coupe version as well, but make it a hatch!

I'm not seeing what you guys are...I could see picking up one of these after someone else took a hit on the depreciation, but I'm not overwhelmed with paying for an inferior sport sedan. These things have awful interior plastics, FWD and, as a former Saab 900 owner, I think they lost their way with the change to a sedan (notice how the world is going back to hatches?).

In two years, these things are, literally, a steal. As a new car purchase, I see more value in the G35, IS or 325. If FWD is a need, I'd look at the Acura TL.

The 9-3 has fantastic interiors, especially in the cream colored leather. This has the slate grey.

They look great. They just don't feel so hot... I'm currently in an 2000 Audi and the quality of this high-mileage car is, literally, 10x the tactile and material quality in the new Saabs.

Saab needs to have Audi/Lexus quality interiors, IMO. The prices are dangerously close to high-line competition to half-ass the interior bits and pieces....Ironically, its the exclusively Saab plastics, like all the buttons on the center stack, that are the biggest offenders. The generic GM radio and other common components actually seem OK...

If saab was significantly less expensive or was a default alternative like BMW, it would be one thing. I just don't see import intenders walking into a Saab showroom and being blown away by their seat time.

I love the look and feel of the 9-3. However, in this entry-lux class, it's odd that XM radio is not available from the factory. Same issue with Volvo S40 and the upper-end Subaru Legacy models.

Who wants to spend 26K+ for a new car and then have the add-on XM or Sirius system hanging off the dash panel?