Faults:

The front suspension bushing made noise when going over speed bumps. This was fixed somewhat by replacing it with the silicon version. Still hearing some sound.

Poorly fitted (locally) leather and wood effect in all areas of the car. Mostly fixed.

Lots of rattling and buzzing sounds coming from the doors. Probably due to the poor workmanship of the local fitters. Agent is hopelessly incompetent and cannot even fixed the noise after attempting to do so for 3 times already.

General Comments:

The car is brilliant. Lots of torque throughout and no turbo lag. It handles very well on straight roads and round corners, assisted by the Traction Control System, Cornering Braking Control, and Rear Passive Steering.

Full of advanced electronics and automotive gadgets. Like the optical network used for the audio system. Electronic key-less entry and engine starting, which acts as a security check for the audio system as well.

Many features are programmable through the SAAB TECH2 car computer.

The only let down is the local agent. Not only are they not sure of the new car features, they also try to pass off problems as "normal"! Outrageous!!

Faults:

I crashed the car at around 20,000km. The suspension was replaced, as were the wheels and the brakes. For such a major crash, it was a miracle that the rest of the body was completely unmarred. For that alone, I give thanks to SAAB for providing a car that excels in real world safety.

The front passenger light sensor that triggers the cabin light has malfunctioned, and there's a little ticking sound coming from the rear windscreen; apparently something that happens with all liftback format vehicles that I know of thus far, which would include the Toyota Corolla and the Ford Mondeo.

Left headlamp bulb is loose, as is the left fog lamp assembly.

General Comments:

The size of the car is excellent, and it is very easy to park, despite the high back.

The steering is a little too heavy, and while there's some vibration coming through, there's not much useful feedback. The 95 is better in that respect.

The air con controls are seriously cheapskate... the rotary dials feel like I'm trying to control the air con through elastic bands. The feel is imprecise and made of cheap plastics. As is the headlamp dial. The radio, thankfully is much better in that respect.

The omission of a console armrest is pretty sore in a premium car. As are the plastic internal door pulls in place of the chrome ones used in the Viggen and the 9-5 series. The handbrake feels completely awful.

The car seriously needs bigger footwear. My version uses 15" 195/60 tyres, but it's really crying out for R16 215/55, because the car struggles with corners sometimes, and the chassis feels skittish over quick but twisting roads.

The 1-2 gear change is also quite jerky.

But that's it for the bad points. Otherwise, the car has been wonderfully reliable, incredible boot size that takes all sort of junk, very very usable, and it has a smoothly integrated turbo that never fails to give me an adrenaline rush =), and excellent supportive seats despite my slip disc. There's not much storage space, but the glove box is very spacious and usable. The car alters its personality dramatically over 120kph, from slightly stodgy to wonderfully stable and smooth.