Bruce

Hahaha! Post of the day, Will.

Anyways, I'm not overly familiar with either of these vehicles, but I know I'd go with the 120i.

Just_me

I dont like A3, I rather be driving a A4, the 2.0T but still little expensive for me if I want a car with low miles.

Giannis

To begin with, you have to know, that a car is not only driving experience, but i think you are grown enough to know it

Anyway, before making any choise you have to think of some things, like:
1. Which of those cars suits your lifestyle the most. Will you be using your car most of the time as "fun equipment" or as a "tool" that makes your life easier.
2. You are planning to keep your car for a long time. So think of what will you need from your car in like 5 or 8 years time and if you will be able to afford a second car by that time.
3. Buying a new car, means that it will have much equipment. If you get a striped out car you will get bored of it easily.
4. First make your mind about the car you will buy, and then look for the best deal in the market. This will make your life a lot easier (trust me on this).
5. Make your mind on if you are planning to make any mods on the car after some time.
6. The dealer you will have to work with (service and stuff) is very important. I hate to say that, but i regret buying a volvo simply because the service dealer is really really bad. Once i had to take legal action to get my car fixed.

Now, after answering those questions, i will state my opinion.

> Go for the Saab.
Reasons, pros and cons:
1. It is a medium sized family sedan and it is much practical, thing that you will actually appreciate later. (same happend with me) If you will have to leave with the 1er for many years, you will feel lack of space in some months!
2. Driving experience is not the only criteria when in the market for a new car. If you are planning on getting married/ having a child, while owning one from those cars, go for the Saab. You will just need it. (for once again, this happens to me as well)
3. I know from first hand that with the same money, you get a Saab with more HP and way more equipment. So go for the Saab.
4. After all, the Saab is not terrible when it comes to driving dynamics. The 2.0T with the 175HP i have driven, handles very well and it is surprising well. Off course, it can't match the 120 and it's gearbox could be much better. But think of the rest you get.
5. But if you want, even your 5 minutes drive to work to be as fun as hell, then go for the Bimmer. The 9-3 doesn't offer easily driving thrill, but it is way more practical and better equiped. So, we are actually in a kind of crossroad.
6. Based on what you are planning to do when you don't need the car anymore, i think that the Bimmer has better resale value, but that not the most important thing.
7. After driving a Volvo for two years, and mind that it is BORING, i can say that you can have much fun in straightline/ highway with any car that does 0-100 in less than 10 secs.

Anyway, i hope that i helped. Feel free to discuss it further.

Just_me

A BMw dealer promised me to call me when they get a 120i 3-doors. I hope they keep that promise.

No, I havent driven the new 9-3 Aero, only the old generation. But I hear from people the chassi is very good and car is kinda fun to drive and if you buy Aero, sportchassi is included. I need to check out the Saab realibility, cause realibility is important to me. All I know the first year (2003-2004) was really bad year for saab 9-3 so I need to buy a -05 or newer.

120i has a nice advantage, the fuel consumption is low, only 0.64 liters/mil which is good for a 170hp car and a redline at 7000 rpm . Free service for 4 years or 8000 mil, another good advantage.

Centurion

Are you planning on getting a 3 door 1er, ***? Biggest mistake ever. That car is going to be small in a matter of weeks and it will be a pain in the ass for people to retract the front seats just so that people could get in the backseat. Why do you want a 3 door? Sure it might be a tiny bit more agile and faster then a 5 door but IMO it's not worth it.
As for the car being fun to drive? Who have you heard it from, Sweden or Robert Colin at Aftonbladet? My point is that people in Sweden love Volvo and Saab and if you ask them, many will even tell you that a V70 is fun to drive.
If you even haven't driven a 9-3 then I think you should do it as fast as possible. IMO you can't really decide on buying a car if you don't know what it feels like to drive it. A test drive always make or break the deal.

Kowalski

Once you have driven the current Vectra, you will have an idea of what the current 9-3 feels like to drive.

Overlight steering, nose heavy Diesels and harsh ride on the sporty versions.

Just_me

A 3-door looks better IMO and in most cases the people will be sitting in the front seats, my resons why I want it over 5-doors. Also my mother own a 5-door 1er , it would be nice to have two different 1er in the family

I read it in AMS and Teknikens Värld. I remember AMS said 9-3 Aero was a "drivers car" when they compared it to S60 T5.
Från slalomtest om Aero , Citat "Snabb och kommunikativ styrning, välavstämt chassi med näst intill överstyrd balans. 70km/h mellan konerna är inget problem oavsett om antisladdystemet är i eller ur". Dock tyckte de inte motorn var lika bra som vägegenskaperna.

Oh I just remembered my cousin own a new Saab 9-3 2.0T (175hp), I.ll ask him next time for a drive but its an automatic

Just_me

Only Opel I driven is Astra OPC

Also, im not buying a diesel and harsh ride, no problem at all, I prefer it more harsh drive than comfortable drive.

Centurion

Sure it might be a bit better than the S60 but compared with its competitors it lacks big time. It has been at the bottom of every comparison test I have seen. But like I mentioned before, you should test drive it. A test drive always make or break the car, because at the end of the day it is about what you feel about it. More over I don't like Swedish car magazines, they are very biased and almost always give Volvo and Saab car top grades.

bmer

I'll have to agree with Luw here. Every now and then you will have to take more than one passenger aboard and then you will appreciate the practicality of the rear doors. Nothing is more frustrating for a grown Swedish man than to crawl to the cramped rear seat through the space between the front seat and the door. Also the baggage space in the 1er will be too little for a longer journey like if you want to drive to Denmark or Germany. For these reasons I'd take the Saab. BTW why aren't you considering used E90 or A4 1.8T?