Hi Rob,

I too am a long time Saab fanatic.  I got my first Saab in 1973, a 2
door 99, and have had several flavours of 99 and 900 since, for a
total (I think) of about 12.  

At one time I had 4: two 99's and two 900's, 99's for the kids and
900's for the wife and me. I skipped the 9000 (not really a Saab) and
got a 1998 9-5SE, with no plans for getting rid of it for a few years
yet.

I found the 9-3 too small for all the things I wanted to do (carry
three grandkids and all their swim gear for one), so got the 9-5
instead, but the 9-3 is OK for a small family.  I thought about the
9-5 wagon but it wasn't available for another 6 months, and the 9-5
boot (trunk) is pretty big, so got the sedan.  Convertables are for
idiotic poseurs.

With the 9-5 I got the turbocharged 2.3 l engine.  I thought the 6 had
too much understeer and the 2.0 wasn't available here in the 9-5.  It
would be OK in the 9-3.

I have had very few major problems with any of my Saabs.  The 99's
tended to drop their roof linings, but that was easy to have reglued.
One 99 and one 900 had the automatic transmission fail at around
80,000km.  My 9-5 had a turbocharger which started to blow white smoke
after 2 years, but Saab replaced it for free under warranty before it
failed completely.  (3 yr warranty on Saabs in Oz)

I would recommend a 1999 or later 9-5SE if you want luxury and space,
or a 9-3 if the budget is a bit light.  But remember, the more
expensive and highly equipped cars are better value when bought second
hand, as they depreciate more than the base models.  Go for an Aero!