About a month ago I traded my two Saabs, a 1996 900SE convertible and a 2001 9-3SE hatchback for an S60 T5. I liked the Saabs, but hated the dealer. Since this dealership is the only one in the state (Kentucky), I had to change manufacturers. No regrets. I've put almost 3000 miles on the Volvo and I like it better and better the more I drive it. It's much more comfortable and better appointed than the Saabs, handles better (except for a larger turning radius that I'm still not used to), virtually no turbo lag or torque steer. It's not fair to compare the performance of the T5 to a 9-3 SE, because the T5 is in the Viggen class, but the 2.4 T I test drove felt livelier than the Saab. And now I've got 3 dealers within driving distance, although so far I'm very impressed with the one that sold me the car.

A few years ago, before GM, Saab closed quite a few dealerships, and, depending on where you live or how much long-distance travel you do, service can be a problem.

A replacement for the 9-3 is due next model year, and that could change everyting, but right now dollar for dollar, feature for feature, Volvo is a better car.