Okay. Shoddy build quality, they really don't wear miles very well, poor interior materials in places (coatings on buttons, handles, trim etc all have tendency to scratch off looking ugly), inexplicable suspension creaks and groans in low temps, dull handling, terrible gearbox (5 speed,) undetectable coolant loss in early cars (porous engine block), electrical gremlins (particularly the car forgetting it has a remote, potentially rendering it impossible to access if parked with near side door close to wall or other car - nearside door has a key operated lock, offside doesn't), rough and unrefined engine (mine always ran/runs a little lumpy when warm at idle, not fixed with the changing of many parts (plugs, coils, throttle body, crankshaft position sensor, probably others that I can't remember).
Mines a convertible, but the above could apply to any 4 cyl petrol-engined 9-3. I remember being shocked by my mate's dad's almost new Aero saloon and it's numerous creaks and rattles. The MD I work under also had an Aero saloon from new - he complained of creaky suspension, a habit of breaking rear springs, leaks into the cabin and the heater matrix failing (all under warranty).
One last thing - my convertible forgot it has a folding roof a couple of times, and refused to operate or acknowledge any kind of failure). I could probably go on. I can't think of any car I've been in that's been reasonably well looked after that felt to tired.
The 9-3 is cheap when compared with the BMW E46/Audi A4 for a reason. I just bought an E46 saloon - it looks and feels like its done less than half the mileage of my Saab despite being a bit older and having done similar miles.
