Saab 9-3 2004 review

Gone also is the messing around with latches and hooks and the need for a strong wrist to yank the handle on the roof forward enough to clasp the hook when putting the thing back up.

Lined, mechanical roofs have become the way to go and they are not only convenient and effective, but provide a robotic-like entertainment for passers-by as various bits lift, fold, stretch and finally settle.

One of the best displays is from the latest luxury drop-top from Saab – the 9-3 cabriolet which sells from $72,900..

Press a button and the top, with its heated glass rear window, is out of sight within 20 seconds. And you can drop the top on the move up to 20 km/h which was particularly convenient when I had to move off at the traffic lights midway through a roof closing due to a quick but solid rain shower.

When the roof is stored away, there is still room for bags and bits and pieces in the boot but it would be pushed to fit a large golf bag and clubs.

And while on space, the roominess of the cabin is welcoming. There is ample leg room up front and even if you retract the front seats as rearward as they can go, there still seems to be stretch room for taller shapes in the two backseats.

Access to the rear seats from this two-door car is no hassle. Drop the top and it does get blustery in the back with the wind swirling around the cabin. Hats and or scarves are a prerequisite. It is even windy up front so it would benefit from the optional wind deflector.

When the roof is up there is a feeling of being in a fixed top car partly due to the rear glass and also because the roof lining is so well done.

With its wedge-shaped profile the 9-3 cabriolet is a gorgeous looking car whether the top is up or down and there is no question about it getting admiring second glances.

The good looks continue inside. Leather seats (with heating) and Saabs own jet-inspired dash and centre console design which these days is considerably modified compared to the pre-GMH days looks impressive and is also effective.

So is the airconditioning with its large vents.

Cruise and audio controls are on the three spoke steering wheel, theres a single CD player with the six-stacker adding $750 to the price, information display, plenty of storage and front cup-holders.

And, safety-wise, there are pop-up roll bars hidden behind the rear passengers and a strengthened A-pillar if the car is involved in a roll-over.

Other safety features include front and side airbags, active head restraints and seatbelt pre-tensioners.

But the cabriolet is not only looks. Saab is quick to point out that this car was designed with the driver in mind.

It is three times more rigid than the car it replaced which adds to the driveability and handling as well as working towards minimizing any shakes and rattles.

Under the bonnet sits a two litre lightly turbo-charged four cylinder engine that develops 129kW of power and 265Nm of torque and guides the cabriolet along with enthusiasm especially considering it has to carry around more than 1600 kilograms.

Right from the moment you take off the car feels strong and solid without losing refinement. The test car was mated to a five speed automatic transmission with a tiptronic-type mode (Sensotronic to Saab) so that gear changes could be made manually simply by flicking the lever forward or back.

It is great fun to use but the gear changes work well with smooth shifts when it s left in automatic mode as well.

Fuel use ran at about 10L/100km from the 62 litre tank in a mix of city and freeway driving.

The suspension on the 9-3 cabriolet is light years ahead of the car it replaces. Gone is the floundering floater with more than the occasional squeak and rattle to be replaced by a much firmer, neater and just plain nicer, ride. It takes bumps, tram tracks and ruts in its stride without losing comfort and composure.

This is a car to drive confidently and if things go a bit awry there is a range of driver aids to help like anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability program, cornering brake control, brake assist and electronic brake force distribution.

All up there is little to criticize in Saab's latest offering. Perhaps there is a tad too much wind noise even when the roof is up but it is not difficult to live with.

The price is well inside the ball park, especially with the equipment levels and, after all, it is simply a really attractive car to look at and it is fun to drive.