2003 SAAB 9-5 Aero Estate review from UK and Ireland

Rain auto-sensor wipers packed up at 1,000 miles - fixed under warranty, although I'd have to say the sensing mechanism doesn't seem too sensible, and not responsive enough!

This is the first SAAB I've had and it has been wonderful.

Performance is simply stunning, even for an automatic, away from lights, throughout the whole range - max I've done on autobahn is 140mph, and it was still going. Felt as safe as houses. And for REALLY quick overtaking, the SPORT mode feels like you'll take off, as it kicks in a richer mix as well as changing up later, so no need to hold in any one gear.

You pretty soon get to realise torque steer is a limitation, but what do expect from front-wheel-drive? So it is advisable to be a bit slower in the wet, which everyone should do anyway. I've heard there's a 310bhp version on the way, and I can't wait to test drive it - hope they do an estate version as I'll never go back to a saloon or hatch-back.

Quality build fantastic - my wife didn't think she'd like it, but now sold on it - less costly than BMW, Merc or Audi for similar performance and much better equipped, with heated / leather seats all round - very comfortable either long-distance or sitting it out in incessant M25 jams.

Some nice safety touches, such as what other car has 3 sets of washer jets? Reactive Head restraints also very reassuring.

Climate Control in both zones very effective, and I like the recirculate option at low speed and other nice little touches.

Front tyre wear bit higher than I hoped, but again it's the front wheel drive, whereas the rears are negligible.

Lastly, the carrying capacity amazing - dragging daughter's stuff back and forth to uni etc, and performance still unaffected even with flat-pack IKEA-wardrobes and all.

Very good quality audio, with great bass and depth, even on AS/2 (ie basic system) with 6-CD changer.

To sum up, I can quite see why SAAB owners get obsessed with them.