2000 SAAB 9-3 SE review from UK and Ireland

Oil pump went at 114,000 miles.

Computer display has started to play up.

205bhp under your right foot makes this baby fly, there is not another car that I have found that can out accelerate this car - yet!!

Comfortable enough to be classed as an executive car, but punchy enough to be rated as a serious contender as a sports car - definitely the ultimate 'hot hatch' with all the toys that the guys love. Everything available at the touch of a steering column control stalk i.e. cruise control, stereo, 6 stack CD with the heated seats and A/C controls centimetres away on the dashboard, with the power to take on an M3 and an SLK200 and beat both.

Not for the faint hearted as you get serious amount of torque steer when accelerating heavily and the steering becomes light and wanders immensely, tend to use the power in 3rd,4th and 5th only to eliminate this problem as 1st and 2nd disappear in a blur when booting it anyway.

Spacious interior at the front although I would not recommend a strapping 6' get in the back as he/she may be somewhat cramped.

Unique ignition position in the centre console with the reverse gear lock attached to the ignition so that all 4 wheels are locked when parked, certainly eliminates somebody towing it away, whether legally or illegally.

Oil pump blew at 114,000 miles and took the engine with it, fortunately it was under warranty and the garage replaced it with an engine of 65,000 miles and to be honest there is no difference in power at all.

One downside is that it will 'eat' front tyres with all that power so expect a heavy tyre bill quite often.