1999 SAAB 9-3

Best thing since surströmming

Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 4 Safety Rating: 5 Technology Rating: 3 Value Rating: 4

This has been an amazing car to own! It's an unusual and unique car, very stylish, performs well, and is extremely practical. it has a ton of safety features that rival modern cars, high performance and handling that holds its own even today, and efficiency that approaches the prius (of the same year). The seats are very comfortable; I have no trouble at all driving for 9+ hours straight, travelling between OR and CA. It's been a very reliable car. A few valves have gone bad, some lines have split, the fuel pump went bad, and a relay needed to be replaced, but it's still running strong. SAAB's B204 engine is a total powerhouse, it has a nice reliable timing chain, and famously over-engineered internals (they can supposedly handle upwards of 500Hp on stock internals). I have mine running a tune, bringing it up to 225Hp and 245lb-ft of torque, and the engine is at 210,000 miles. It's a very quick car, with a light tune puts down far more power than lots of modern sportscars, tons of cargo space, and is very comfortable and composed to drive, with a highly driver-oriented interior. I rate it a solid 5/5! The Swedes really know how to make a car!