Vs Your opinion: BMW 120i (FL) vs Saab 9-3 Aero

[Zafiro]

Ok, so Im early, not going to buy a car until after Christmas but I want to hear your opinion on these two cars. Like almost a year back I had decided my next car would be a Saab 9-3 Aero but now Im not so sure anymore. BMW 120i recently got a facelift and a new engine so its an attractive car again.

Ok, keep in mind that Im not a wealthy person so these two are going to be "used cars" but still I dont want them to have many miles on the speedo, low miles is important to me since I tend to own the same car for a long time.

I know many members here base the car ONLY on the looks but I dont want you to do that. Look at the overall package, the best total package.
Also I know this is GCF so please try to be openminded

You all already know how these looks like but here are some pictures.

BMW
http://img127.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=30634_1etta_122_550lo.jpg

Saab


Here are my "+" and "-"

BMW 120i (4-cylinders, 2.0 Liters engine, 6,4L/km, 170hp, N/A, 0-100km/h 7.7 sec)
+ Design
+ Fuel consumption
+ RWD
+ Driving Dynamics
+ Driver involvement
+ Free service for 4 years or 80.000 kilometers
- High price
- High insurance costs (?)


Saab 9-3 Aero (4-cylinders, 2.0 Liters engine, 9,9L/km, 210hp, Turbo, 0-100km/h 7.7 sec)
+ Design
+ Lots of standard equipment
+ Turbo (tuning potential)
+ Fast acceleration on the freeway
+ Fun to drive in straightlines
- FWD
- Traction
- Fuel consumption

---------------------------

What's your thoughts and opinion regarding these two cars?

 

[Zafiro]

Remember I dont have any kids so I ask myself, do I need a big car like the Saab?

 

[Kowalski]

I think you should ask yourself which one offers the BEST VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY?

 

[Zafiro]

I think you should ask yourself which one offers the BEST VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY?

Well , for the same money as 120i you get leather, sportchassi, more power and probably a lot more equipment (I havent checked it out yet) in your Saab, to get that in your bimmer you need to pay extra. But since Im not buying a car for another 6-8 months I dont know how much money I'm having at that time, all I know Im going to have more cash than I have today when I finally buy a new car so the money problem will come later , not now

 

[Mr. M]

This is a close call and I'd go for the Saab... Turbo baby! And I look how it looks.

 

[siko]

Of the few Saab owners that I know or talked to, they all say that the reliability sucked (might be different in w/Europe models )... plus I have zero faith in GM cars... so it's a "no way" vote for the Saab.

Plus... never FWD over RWD in a choice... never. Period.

 

[Sayyaaf]

BMW all the way Just_me. Believe me, Ride quality, handling, RWD can guarantee a smile on your face whenever you drive that car. The saab is nice and all but I really can trust its reliability + that car have been on the market for a while now. And its a FWD which I will never like. the only -ve part of the beemer is space. If thats no problem, then go for it. But If I were you, I'd wait for the new 1er Coupe. I can almost guarantee the fanatastic looks.

 

[audi_rudy]

I personally have not seen many 1er in real life besides this past month when in France, and I love the looks of the Saab so if I had to choose it would be the Saab.

 

[wltsm]

A weird choose, either a small sedan or hatchback, are these the only two cars you're comparing?

Personally I'd get a 3er over the saab, but probably the saab over the 1er because it's a bigger car which should mean it would be more quiet and a nicer drive. Of course the 1er would be more fun, easier to park, all of that but it's in a different class.

 

[Zafiro]

A weird choose, either a small sedan or hatchback, are these the only two cars you're comparing?

God works in mysterious ways

I could buy myself a BMW 330i E46 instead but I have spent too much time in E46, I want something new besides E46 is oooooold A4 is also a choice i've been thinking of but a A4 2.0T is still expensive and spare parts are more expensive than BMW.

 

[bum-man]

Ditch the practicality and just wait for 1er coupe. That will be a little demon.

 

[Zafiro]

Ditch the practicality and just wait for 1er coupe. That will be a little demon.

feels like ages before that car comes and I reckon it will be crazy expensive. Afterall coupe is a coupe.

 

[klier]

The BMW drives like a thousand times better. The only downside maybe would be space comapred to the Saab, but for the rest BMW alllll the way

 

[bum-man]

By then you will have even more money saved up.
Edit: You will regret a Saab. FWD bleh, and as others have said they are not reliable. I've put almost $3k into mine this past year just to keep it running the last two times it broke down has left me completely stranded. Believe me you don't want to be in that position.

 

[Tumbo]

Well, I had an easy vote here. The Saab is the more sporty one here. It also looks very cool. I never like the 1er, and its just a girls car in my eyes. If it would be the 3er E90, then that would be my pick.

Have you ever conidered something other german for that money?

 

[ree]

I would go for a testdrive! I like the design of both cars but I would personally go for the Saab 9-3 Aero! You'll get an exclusive and bigger car for your money (here in germany nearly none drives around with a Saab - I think it's different in Sweden! )

 

[klier]

Well, I had an easy vote here. The Saab is the more sporty one here. It also looks very cool. I never like the 1er, and its just a girls car in my eyes. If it would be the 3er E90, then that would be my pick.

Meh, an A3 is much more girly...what's up with the paintjob on that A3 though???? Looks nice with that lighting!

 

[Yperion]

Andreas why the 1 series has a plus in the design department? Sure it's not ugly but it aint beautiful like the SAAB either.

That said i would probably get the 1 series. SAAB's reliability is a joke these days like siko said.

As for the A3 being a girly car , here in Greece 80-90% of all A3 are driven by young men , usually below 30 yo while 60-70% of all 1 series are driven by women usually between 30-40 yo.

 

[wltsm]

Did you know that 83.9% of percentages are made up on the spot!

 

[Centurion]

You'll get a very good deal on the 9-3 Aero since Saab dealers happily bend over and take it in the ass in order to make one buy a car from them. On the down side the car will not offer as much joy and fun as the 1er. From what I have read and heard the Saab is just as dull as a Volvo. BTW have you driven them?