Image and brand are what the sharp-dressed folks at the manufacturers' HQs are focussed on. They are, through their ads and product placements, trying to steer us into their own garage, their own range of 'lifestyle' vehicles. I've got no problem with that — it's just that I've never found a particular image that sits perfectly with me. Sure, BMW and Mercedes have plenty of qualities I aspire to, so do many of the Italian and French marques, but still I've never found my true love.

But then the Cars in Action long-term Saab fell into my grubby mitts, and at last I'm home. Finally I've realised I need an idiosyncratic car to be my long-term relationship. A partner with niggling quirks that can be forgiven for passionate fulfilment. Annoying switchgear that ceases to be a worry when the turbo kicks in and dropkicks my scruffy behind clean over the horizon.

There was an instant attraction when we met, the Saab's looks scoring heavily with me. Subtle wedge, with some discerning lines around the rear three-quarters help disguise an essentially simple shape. The front end is aggressive too, albeit in a dicky-bowed doorman type of way, though it does become fussier the harder you look.

Then again, people have said much the same thing about me. Maybe that's why I fit the Saab so well. I love its sledgehammer punch cosseted in the flimsiest of silk gloves. The 9-5 Aero has most of the electric goodies you'd expect of a car of this ilk, but it makes you forget about all those frivolities with a level of mid-range thrust that would make an M5 blush with apologetic embarrassment.

The 9-5 is a cavernous, seriously comfortable executive express that stands out from the crowd — and does the same for you. The Swedish marque speaks of your unwillingness to follow the crowd, but it also highlights your underlying common sense with four doors and enough legroom for a family of squid. And most importantly of all it hides your 250km/h top speed and sub seven second 0-100km/h sprinting potential under a classy and individual set of threads.

It's a physically large car, but it handles precisely and predictably for a front wheel driver, allowing you to play at road racer whenever the fancy takes.

A week was too short a time to fall completely in love with the Saab, but the bond that grew between us was strong nevertheless. And now there is a hole in my life and a new fantasy in my head. I think I could be a Saab fanatic in the making...