If you are thinking about a SAAB I would look at either a 00 to 03 9-3 (hatch and the SAAB engine) or an 02 to 04 9-5 Aero.
The biggest thing to look for in one of the 2.3 powered cars is oil sludge. When I was looking I would take a coat hanger, straighten it out, put a small loop on one end. Take the oil dipstick out, insert hanger and scrape the bottom of the pan, pull it up and take a look. If you get anything that doesn't look like regular oil walk away, unless they will give you the car.
Other than that they are pretty solid, are great bargin, fast and get great gas mileage. You are more than welcome to come by and take mine for a spin 
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On the 9-3 side the sleeper of the bunch is a 99 9-3 SE with a manual trans. Those particular cars got the intercooler and turbo from the Viggen (bigger) but also had the more mod friendly T5 computer system. With less than $100 you can make 1st and 2nd gear traction challenged and still pull down mid 30's on the highway.
Are they perfect? No, but I think they are close enough.
