I think you'll get a lot of biased answers here, but personally I LOVE these little cars. I've had one for over 12 years now, and the exterior paint is still shiny (park mostly outside, in the sun). Interior is great, no cracking/discoloration, and luckily no headliner sagging yet (only driver, noone uses the back seats). Door panels and windows glass did need work but both can be permanently fixed.
My brother had a SAAB turbo, and I would recommend the 318ti over it any day. I'm gonna drive mine for as long as the frame allows it.