Be careful before buying your first Saab, this could be very much like a marriage. You know you'll only get to sleep with that woman from ever on. The same thing goes with Saabs, you'll keep wanting them after the other. My neighbour is now on his 17th Saab (he's now 60 or something years old) and I'm on my third.
Realability is very good, and if you want even better, you'd have to get a japanese car, but that isn't an opiton, is it? No.. I did'nt think so either
Performance depends on which engine you get, the weakest thing about the 9-3 SE is the chassis, an old vectra floorplan which isn't stiff at all. Many people tend to like the soggyness, but if you want a stiff car for racetracks, this may not be the best choice. The interior is world beating in its category, and the looks are beautiful, especially with the right color and rims.