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Saab 9-3 2005 Review

The 2005 version of the Saab 9-3 Convertible, one of the most popular four-seat convertibles for many years.

New-car buyers have never had such a wide choice of open-top cars, whether they are called convertible, cabriolet, cabrio, roadster or good old sports cars.

This autumn, I've been driving the 2005 version of the Saab 9-3 Convertible, one of the most popular four-seat convertibles for many years.

It is a magnificent start to the day on a fresh, clear morning to switch on the heated seat, put on a scarf, hat and jacket, maybe some gloves, turn on the heater to the footwell and set off.

You hear the birds chirp, enjoy the aromas of a fresh morning in the countryside – or even the town bakery – as you pass. Yet all cosy and warm. Only a lick of cold air tickles the ears to remind you you're sitting in the open.

(Sorry, back-seat passengers: being less protected by the windscreen than the front occupants, you get hit with more air – and your seat is not heated.)

Provided the car is kept on the move, you can drive with the top down in light mist. Should that turn to rain – in the Saab, slow to less than 30km/h – press the button on the dashboard and the roof will emerge and lock itself into place even as you go slowly along.

Saab now offers its 9-3 Convertible in three versions, introducing an entry-level model Linear, from $66,900 in manual transmission and $2500 more for the automatic (the car we drove) which is a five-speed with sequential manual shift mode. Its engine is called a 1.8T but it does have the same two-litre motor as the other variants, albeit with a lower pressure on the turbocharger. It produces 110kW of power and 240Nm of torque. Not enough to give jack-rabbit starts in the 1596kg car but having more than enough performance for a boulevard cruiser. The turbo works strongly on hills, enabling a good speed to be maintained when other four-cylinder cars would be falling back.

The Linear convertible comes with leather seats (for four), 16in-diameter alloy wheels, the automatic opening and closing roof (it can be opened from the key fob while approaching the car), heated front seats, cruise control and rain-sensing wipers.

Even this entry-level Linear variant gets a five-star occupant protection rating in EuroNCAP crash tests. It has pop-up rollbars at the rear should the car start to tip, as well as anti-lock brakes, front airbags and head-thorax side airbags for front occupants.

Next up is the 9-3 Vector Convertible at $73,900 manual and $76,400 automatic, its turbo getting more boost to give 129kW power and 265Nm torque. It has 17in-diameter wheels, electronic stability program, sport steering wheel with Sentronic shift buttons if it's the automatic, dual-zone climate control and extra driving lights.

Linear and Vector buyers should consider the $4000 Luxury Pack. It gives electrically adjustable front seats (with position memory for the driver's seat), anti-theft alarm, six-stack CD and rear parking assistance. The last item is important. Convertibles are notoriously hard to see out of to the rear when their roofs are up, so the parking sonar is well worth having.

Top of Saab's range is the 9-3 Aero Convertible at $89,900 manual with six-speed gearbox and $92,400 in automatic. It is tweaked to 155kW power and 300Nm of torque and has a sports suspension with lower ride height, exterior aerodynamic and dress-up bodywork, two-tone power adjustable front seats, auto-dimming mirror – plus the items from the Luxury Pack are standard. Linear gets an on-off switch for the heated front seats. Vector and Aero versions have a choice of off, 1, 2, and 3 settings for seat heat.

Rear-seat space is tightish but tolerable for adults, provided the front occupants don't have their seat shoved right back. The front-seat backrests easily fold forward to allow access to the rear.

If the roof is up, there's more luggage space in the boot (352 litres) compared with the area taken when the top is down, leaving only 235 litres.

The 9-3 Convertible retains Saab's ignition switch aft of the gearshift. One still marvels at the articulation of the pop-out cup holder.

Scuttle shake is negligible. The slightest tremor is detected at first but after that it is not noticeable, this car being more rigid than earlier models.

Lift the bonnet and you can find evidence of General Motors ownership of Saab, with some GM parts.

On the road, the automatic eases along at 2200rpm at 110km/h. The trip computer showed less than nine litres of fuel being used for every 100km travelled for much of the time, although our manual calculations showed a very good 10.2 litres/100km at the end of our time.

Going topless in winter can be comfortable as well as fun.

Pricing guides

$8,965
Based on third party pricing data
Lowest Price
$4,620
Highest Price
$13,310

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
Linear 1.8T 2.0L, PULP, 5 SP AUTO $4,950 – 7,260 2005 Saab 9-3 2005 Linear 1.8T Pricing and Specs
ARC 2.0T 2.0L, PULP, 5 SP MAN $5,500 – 7,700 2005 Saab 9-3 2005 ARC 2.0T Pricing and Specs
Linear 2.0L, PULP, 5 SP $5,830 – 8,250 2005 Saab 9-3 2005 Linear Pricing and Specs
Aero 2.8L, PULP, 6 SP $7,370 – 10,340 2005 Saab 9-3 2005 Aero Pricing and Specs
Pricing Guide

$5,830

Lowest price, based on third party pricing data

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Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication.  Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.