THERE'S a routine for starting up a Saab, and if you don't follow it, it'll send you potty.

Saab is one of those highly respected minority marques which is cloaked in an aura of mystique.

Add to this its rallying background, and you have a car with a built-in air of superiority.

As part of this, Saab has one or two idiosyncracies which owners find appealing . . .

One: the keyhole for the ignition is always set in that gulley between driver and passenger.

Two: You can't remove the key unless you've remembered to leave the gearstick in reverse.

Three: On starting up again, you therefore need to move the gearstick out of reverse.

Four: Before you even think of inserting that key, make sure you've fixed that seatbelt around you. Otherwise, you'll be treated to a tiresome symphony of chimes which will drive you to distraction unless you (and your seatbelt) beat them to it.

Right, well that's it, basically.

Once you've got that out of the way, you'll be driving in one of the finest, most rewarding cars you could ever choose. Among a long list of other makes which have plenty to offer, a Saab remains first and foremost a driver's car.

That's why, according to statistics, Saab owners are so happy with their cars that they keep on buying Saab after Saab.

You may think Saab is a fairly rare choice. So did I until I popped down to Sainsbury's: only half a mile, but on the way I encountered three other Saab saloons, plus one convertible and one estate.

Still, it has an image which makes it an alternative choice to Audis and even the smaller Mercedes.

Saab says its new range for 2002 is "more contemporary, more appealing, and more sporting to drive," and no doubt that is true, but this is one maker which almost makes a virtue of keeping things the same.

Wide range

In a world where most makers are desperate to come up with the next Great Idea, it is good to find a marque which knows it has some great cars, and owners who know they can rely on that maker to give them what the want.

Saab, which is part of General Motors, has only two basic models since 1997 they have been referred to as the 9.3 and the 9.5 but they give rise to a wide-ranging catalogue of no fewer than 39 variations.

The 9.3, based largely on the Vauxhall Vectra, is available in 15 versions, priced from £16,820 up to almost £29,000. The more expensive ones depreciate the least after three years, when many of our cars may be worth only a third of what they cost new, a Saab could still be worth 50 per cent.

The larger 9.5 is priced from £21,000, though top models don't get any more expensive than the 9.3s.

The 9.5 is available in 24 forms. You have to be something of a Saab nut to come to terms with the many variations. Simply, there's a choice of three engine sizes 2.0-litre, 2.3 and 3.0.

I have been driving the 2.0-litre Turbo, which is likely to offer enough performance for most needs.

The chassis, too, has been substantially reworked to provide a sportier and more responsive drive.

Visually, nothing changes much with Saab. The maker says with a certain pride that the 9.5's external appearance has changed little. Perhaps a little tweaking here and there the front bumper has been extended forwards by 20mm, while the traditional (and unremarkable) grille now has its openings framed by chrome. Bumpers curve round the front wings to meet the body more tightly.

But Saab never go in for major alterations, and the car still makes its own statement of individuality.

Same inside. This is still a Saab, and the driver is faced with the well-established huge fascia area (if it's not walnut it's likely to be matt black), very simple and straightforward, though certainly not crude.

Executive toys

Those who like executive toys will find that the information panel has four modes your mileage, average mpg, average speed, and temperature.

There are five air blowers two each for passenger and driver, plus one in the centre.

While virtually all of today's cars are built to a much higher standard than only a few years ago, there is a very definite feeling that the Saab is a quality car.

The stylish design modes of Sweden can be found all over; the cupholder, for example, starts out as a thin, upright item on the fascia; simply push it and in virtual silence it emerges and twists itself to become horizontal. (When you no longer need it, just give a gentle push and the circle twists itself upright and disappears into the fascia.)

Saab has taken up its compatriot Volvo's sensible idea of fitting a clip to the windscreen for your list of calls, and also heated seats.

Saab 9.5 2.0t

Body: 4827mm by 2042mm, four-door four/five-seat saloon.

Power train: 1985cc 4-cylinder 150bhp engine driving front wheels through five-speed manual gearbox.

Performance: 0-60mph in 9 seconds, top speed 134 mph.

MPG: urban 22; extra urban 41; combined 31.

Emissions: 218g/km.

Price: from £21,395.

Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles, with AA assistance.