SAAB 900, 9-5, 9-3 Or Volkswagen Jetta, Golf, New Beetle?? Help Me decide!!!?

I need a new car and i would like a SAAB or a Volkswagen. I like the later model SAAB 900′s like a 1997 or 1998 and both the early model 9-5′s and 9-3′s like a 1999. And for VW’s i like a 1999 “New” Jetta or Golf and a 1998 or 1999 New Beetle, my budget is like $4k.
I don’t know much about cars and I have got very mixed reviews on these cars on many websites but I need a safe, reliable car that will go for many miles and last me through college.
Anyway I was wondering which of these cars would be my best bet as to reliability and lasting me through college and many miles.
There is a local European Auto Repair place that my mom and sister took their SAAB’s to be serviced and my step-mom takes her BMW and they have been great at servicing them.
Please someone help me decide!

SAABs a great car so is VW, I like Saab more only because its american, VW are great cars with great safety and mileage, but they don’t have the looks or the power of saab’s

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