SAAB 9-3 Convertible 2005 Review

First it's the Ferrari Scaglietti test drive in bucketing rain, when the legendary sports car would have coped better with the weather if it had been a 4WD.

Then, after a short break in the deluge, the Saab Convertible arrives just in time for another showery period.

Fortunately, the fabric roof effectively repels the rain, which is to be expected given the Saab's near-$70,000 price.

And the electrically operated hood goes up in about 20 seconds, even when the car is moving at up to 30km/h.

This is Saab's latest Convertible and follows on from its ancestors by offering drop-dead styling and topless allure of particular interest to female buyers.

The new model is a bit more rounded, a bit quicker, has better handling and, in the Linear 1.8T model tested, is more affordable.

After the rain, the sun came out. Not too harsh, because summer in Perth will bake an unprotected driver.

Although Saab calls this model a 1.8T, it is actually a two-litre. I don't know why.

Under acceleration, it's a bit slovenly for the first few metres, but is a delightful performer in the mid to top-end bracket.

From about 2500rpm, with the turbocharger just starting to sing, it wakes up and becomes a different animal.

The engine is from the General Motors stable because GM owns Saab, but while the Convertible gets a good powerplant, it seems this component sharing is all one way.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a Saab dashboard in a Holden? It is simply the best dashboard around as well as being communicative.

The trip computer is simple to use and comprehensive, the night-light panel dimming is a brilliant feature for long-distance night driving, and the sound system is so easy to operate that it makes BMW's look like the switch panel in NASA's Space Shuttle.

My daughter says the Convertible's seats are some of the best she's tried, though the lever that flips the front seat forward to access the rear is a bit awkward.

There's sufficient room for two adults in the rear and the boot is a lot bigger than some convertible rivals.

Roof down, the buffeting is minimal and the view unreproachable. It's best a night, when people can't see me and the cool air brightens my disposition.

If you work late at night, coming home topless — the car, not you — in one of these is quite refreshing.

In its latest guise, Saab has stiffened up the chassis to rid it of the minor scuttle shake that reared its ugly head in the previous model.

It handles well — with confidence through the bends — and is especially rewarding in the country, where the undulating roads and sweeping corners suit the car's strong mid-range powerband.

But it's not perfect. The visibility with the roof up is poor, especially to the rear three-quarter areas.

The handbrake, stylishly incorporated into the centre console, can nip at your fingers when retracted.

The Saab is also beautifully built — in Finland, not home turf Sweden — so it's quite expensive.

But in ideal weather, it's a magic car to drive.