2005 Saab 9-3 Reviews

Sales in the UK are through the roof, there's a diesel available and a biofuel (ethanol) car is popular in Sweden. Costs are under control, more models are filtering though and the Swedish outfit looks like going into the black soon.It would be handy tapping into GM "the world" for what you need to produce cars.The latest Saab 9-3 Aero fully capitalises on this global "blessing".The chassis is from Opel, engine from Holden, auto gearbox from Aisin in Japan, turbo from Mitsubishi, and the whole box and dice is put together in Sweden. Talk about a hybrid and I don't mean petrol/electric.In a departure from previous high perform- ance 9-3 Saabs the new Aero runs a V6 engine, not a four pot.Turbo charging remains part of the equation as does taut dynamics, big wheels and brakes and more than a little luxury.Two models are offered: a four door sedan and the sexy convertible both with the same powertrain.The engine is a 2.8-litre version of Holden's Alloytech 3.6 but there the similarity ends. It is a far better mouse-trap than the 3.6 donk offering strident performance, a stirring exhaust note and gratifying response straight out of the blocks.The six speed auto transmission further improves matters but is let down by misplaced sequential change buttons on the steering wheel. It goes better in D anyway.A six speed manual is also available.Drive is through the front wheels, tamed by various electronic systems including electronic stability program (ESP).The 9-3 has a five star crash test rating including the convertible which was the first drop top to be so highly rated.Performance is impressive from the 184kW/ 350Nm V6 which features a water cooled, twin scroll turbo charger _ one scroll per cylinder bank. There is no turbo lag and maximum torque comes in at around 2000rpm. The all alloy engine also has variable valve timing.At 6.7 seconds for the 0-100kmh sprint, this is the fastest accelerating Saab ever.It is also one of the best mannered thanks to subtle refinements to the chassis, suspension, steering and brakes.Mindful of the type of person who'd buy an Aero, the new model has high thresholds of electronic intervention. In other words, the ABS for example doesn't intervene too early to over-ride a driver's skill.The car actually looks similar to the previous model but has wide spaced, big bore dual exhausts and other minor body alterations. It's a good looker and practical too with plenty of room for four adults even in the soft top convertible.The interior is mildly revised too with a cockpit style console surrounding the driver and comfy seats in leather of course.Creature comforts are extensive and include heated seats, an impressive audio system and park assist, glovebox cooler, rain sensing wipers to name a few.The new Aero is great from behind the wheel rewarding drivers with pin sharp responses and a feeling of solidity lacking in previous Aeros. It has incredible grip in corners and sits flat while absorbing road irregularities. The steer- ing is quick and the brakes are powerful.Exterior styling is toned down from Aeros of the past but still looks sporty and classy but where is the rear wing?Prices start at $69,990 for the manual sedan rising to a heady $92,400 for the auto convertible.

Launched three years ago, the 9-3 remains one of the tidiest compact sedans on the road, turning heads that normally admire 3-series BMWs.There is a touch of class about the styling; well-proportioned, flowing lines and a departure from its Swedish ancestry with a kink towards the houses of German stylists.A few seasons into its life, the 9-3 remains a good-looking, svelte sedan.It was a winner of its class in The Courier-Mail Car Of The Year awards shortly after it landed here for sale.And much of what made it good then remain strong selling points now.The hero Aero model is a highly capable chassis, lowered more for sharper handling than the rest of the 9-3 range.This front-driver is a charm to steer and is pleasingly the best handling of its model to date.It runs the same 2-litre turbo-charged four cylinder as the rest of the 9-3 family although extra boost gives it more power and lots more torque.There is 155kW of power on tap and 300Nm of torque, yet it remains supremely restrained and well behaved.It gives the impression the chassis could handle more.Although that has been tried by the same maker before in the shape of the unruly Viggen, which gave the driver heart palpitations when the boost kicked in, the front wheels darting off left or right for an instant lane change.Turbo assistance comes on with gusto from about 2300rpm and spins crisply and truly without any jolt to the occupants through to the 5500rpm red line.The brakes are excellent and the pedal has a reassuring modular feel, instilling confidence in the driver.In terms of dynamics, the 9-3 is up there with more mainstream badges and, front-drive phobias aside, there is a compelling case to try one.Grip, cornering ability, steering sharpness and braking are on song.It is easy to keep the Aero on the boil in 5-speed automatic mode with a couple of plus and minus buttons on either side of the steering wheel spokes so the driver can manually up or downshift.Self-shifting can also be done with the gear lever pushed away from the D-for-drive position and into sequential.The ride may not be as plush and cushy as some of the European competitors, however, it is not so intrusive that it cannot be driven for long commutes to work day in, day out.Fuel consumption inevitably suffers once you whack a hair dryer under the bonnet.On this 800km test, about 70 per cent highway work, the consumption according to the on board trip meter stood at about 10.3litres/100km.Inside, the instruments are typically Saab.They are a bit busy and complicated but are easy to work after you sit and give everything a once over and try for a couple of minutes before you set off on a journey.As you would expect there are lashings of active and passive safety features here.There are six airbags to cushion occupants in case of contact.And then there are Saab's clever active head restraints, which in most cases and — unlike airbags — do not need to be replaced in the event of an accident.

Sitting behind the finely shaped high windscreen I felt like the queen of the highway and attracted a royal amount of attention the inexperienced convertible driver is unaccustomed to.Just kick back and enjoy the smooth ride because this model is a little sluggish out of the blocks.However, who is in a hurry when you are driving a convertible?There are no difficult levers to contend with and concerns about lowering the roof and enjoying the sunshine as I prepare for a leisurely drive up to Palm Beach are allayed by the automatic button on the dash. The roof is an entertainment feature in itself.In one smooth, elongated flick of the convertible roof switch, the elegant Saab-design removes the top within 20 seconds – but don't try and make the transition while the car is on the move. The ever-sensible, safety-conscious Swedes have made the process a strictly stationary manoeuvre.The car has a host of standard safety features including anti-lock brakes (ABS) and side door anti-intrusion beams. There's airbags for the driver, and front passenger plus side (thorax) airbags in the front. The front passenger seat belts also have pretensioners.The LED information display on the dash provides the driver with myriad useful information from the time and outside temperature to safety messages and audio details.Reverse parking is a dream with the automatic distance estimator and warning alarm letting the driver know when the car is getting a bit too close to that shopping centre pillar or Lamborghini parked behind.Driving a key-less car was a new experience but once you get used to the feel and ease of the plastic wedge that slides into a central console to turn over the engine, you'll never look back.Using the audio system is enhanced by the convenient steering wheel controls that allow radio station changing without lifting your eyes from the road.The car's interior is spacious. There is plenty of room in the cabin and passengers in the back seat won't feel too cramped.The plush leather seats are particularly comfortable. And with the roof up, you feel like you are driving a regular car.Surround noise is minimal. The boot packs a picnic basket, enough luggage for a weekend away or a week's worth of groceries comfortably but space is reduced dramatically when the top is down.Other surprises include pop-out drink-holders and a curiously large glove box fit to contain whatever takes your fancy.The automatic model is priced at $69,400 or $66,900 for the manual.The linear convertible comes with an optional Linear Luxury Pack that will set you back another $4000. That includes a remote alarm, a six-disc in-dash CD stacker and electric front seats.It also includes the parking assistance.The Saab 9-3 convertible is a very comfortable ride.But if it's revs and grunt you are after, go for something that is more responsive. The car is powered by a 2.0-litre low-pressure turbocharged engine and produces a moderate 110kW of power at 5500rpm.Its maximum torque of 240Nm is achieved from 2000rpm to 3500rpm.Sitting behind the wheel a driver feels secure and safe but its acceleration performance leaves a little to be desired.However, on the road car handles well, takes corners easily and manages the higher speeds well once the car gets there.It really hits its straps on the straight stretches of the freeway where driving is an absolute pleasure.There is something incredibly romantic about the Saab 9-3 convertible, just don't forget your scarf or driver's hat and head for the open road.

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.

A two model line-up, the 9-3 and 9-5, adds to slow sales of this quirky car maker.Sales activity remains lukewarm as Saab struggles to win more friends and generate growth here in Australia.The latest push to stimulate growth is by chopping some gear out of the 9-3 convertible and lowering the price entry point.A basement 9-3 Linear convertible is $6000 cheaper at $66,900, with the largely unwanted manual transmission — unwanted because about 90 per cent of convertible buyers go for the automatic with the sequential shift.A reduction in import tariffs introduced at the start of the year has contributed to Saab sinking the price.The 9-3 Linear is quite comfortable up and down the highway.It cruises along well and handles the stop/start traffic without a hitch. The ride becomes a little bit of a chore on bumpier roads but is quite compliant running down the freeway.By no stretch of the imagination is it a sports car, and the 110kW of power feels a little underdone off the mark.But it does gather pace with surprising diligence once it's up and running.There is the usual bugbear of body flex, a trait inherent in a lot of open top cars.This ragtop car is pretty noisy and the roar of nearby vehicles and tyre noise reverberates on some stretches of concrete on the M1 between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.Toiling up and down that freeway on a five-day test, the Linear was quite cosy — the seat warmers came in handy for cold take-offs on some crisp dawn morns.On the safety front, the Saab convertible is fully loaded, coming standard with ABS anti-lock bakes, EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution), MBA (Mechanical Brake Assist) and TCS (Traction Control System).The only safety feature which is an optional extra is ESP (Electronic Stability Program) which is standard on the higher specification Vector and Aero variants.What was surprising was the fuel range —on this run the 58litre tank was good for about 700km.The onboard computer calculated consumption to be slightly more than 10litres/100km for most of the trip, before it dipped underneath double figures and settled on 9.6litres/100km over about the final 150km of this 700km run.This Linear, which costs $69,400 in standard automatic trim, came with the $4000 luxury pack that also is available on the Vector model.For that you gain a six-stack dash-mounted CD player, both front seats with power adjustments, the driver's seat adds a position memory for three different settings, parking assistance sensors and an anti-theft alarm.In summary, the 9-3 convertible is a capable cruising car, meant to take in scenery on weekend road trips rather than tackling a point-to-point run with any pace.

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.

9 Feb 2004 Saab convertible impressesFind your own Saab 9-3 ConvertibleSee the Saab 9-3 Convertible Specs 

But Noosa isn't playing the game. Instead of being beautiful one day, perfect the next, brushed aluminium skies occasionally sprinkle on Saab's parade of 9-3 convertibles at the launch of its expanded model range.And to rub salt into the wounds, the Noosa parking attendants have placed infringement notices on some vehicles and the picnic cooler provided by Saab to each driver doesn't fit in the boot when the top is down.But that's the convertible experience for you.You gamble with the elements and you put up with the niggling inconveniences for the excitement of open-top driving.Stevenson, previously of new owner GM, enthuses about the experience of driving through the country and smelling the pine in a forest, hearing the birds in the trees and feeling the cool air as you cross a bridge over a country creek. All experiences he has also gleaned from his other love – motorcycling.But he's preaching to the converted here in Queensland.While Saab sales floundered elsewhere in 2004 during the nation's record new car sales growth, the Sunshine State held on strongly and gave the company their only sales growth.In particular, convertible sales were up spectacularly with increases of more than 30 per cent on the Gold Coast, and more than 10 per cent in Brisbane. And now big dealer Zupps Brisbane has been added to the Saab dealership list.The new Saab 9-3 Convertible model line-up hopes to bridge the yawning price void between Astra and BMW/Audi four-seat convertibles.The strategy is simple.Drop the turbo power, lose some features (such as climate control and fog lights) and trim $6000 off the price of the Linear, now costing $66,900 in manual and $69,400 for the auto.Then slot in a mid-spec model, the $73,900 Vector ($76,400 for auto), between the Linear and the top-of-the line Aero at $89,900 for manual and $92,400 for auto.Basically the Vector is about the same spec level as the previous Linear.Stevenson says this makes the Linear an aspirational carrot for Holden Astra Convertible buyers wanting to extend themselves, even though it would be cannibalising the new parent company's market and almost a $20,000 leap from a top spec German-built Astra.However, the standard Linear equipment still includes leather-trimmed seats and steering wheel, 16-inch twin five-spoke alloy wheels (Vector and Aero have 17-inch wheels), remote and on-the-move opening roof (up to 35km/h), automatic expanding boot (when the top is up), body-coloured lower front and rear bumpers and side sills, pop-up roll bars, heated front seats, cruise control and rain-sensing wipers.Now, the "base model" comes with a two-litre low-pressure turbocharged engine, despite the fact that it is misleadingly badged 1.8t on the boot.While this smaller mill develops only 110kW of power at 5500rpm, Saab is emphasising torque."A lot of people talk power, but they drive torque," says Stevenson who has come across from parent company Holden last month.The Linear develops constant 240Nm of torque from 2000rpm to 3500rpm which compensates for the lack of top-end power.This means it won't baulk at hills and it can carry more than a picnic cooler without labouring. But don't dice with trucks when entering a roundabout. It lags down low.Yet spirited driving through the Sunshine Coast hinterland recorded fuel consumption of just 9.5l/100km on the trip computer's average economy readout.The mid-spec Vector features a 129kW two-litre turbo engine with 265Nm of torque, while the Aero claims 155kW and 300Nm, unchanged from the 2004 model.Stevenson expects about 50 per cent of buyers to choose a $4000 luxury pack available on Linear and Vector models. It includes electric front seats (driver with three-position memory), anti-theft alarm, parking sensors and six-disc CD changer.New exterior convertible colours are Chilli Red and Parchment Silver.Saab claims a 50-50 split between male and female buyers, but expects to attract even more females in future.Stevenson said his experience in fleet sales in GM would be helpful in getting young execs into the convertible through novated leases.Cheers for Saab which now has full-size spare wheels in all models, except the 95 Aero, and has a maximum 5-star crash rating by EuroNCAP for the convertible.But boos for its poor resale value which Stevenson admitted was an obstacle.However, he did stress that poor resale value was more of a perception than reality.

Few people are aware but the famous Swedish aircraft and car manufacturer is wholly owned by Holden's parent company General Motors.However, until recently, the two companies were permitted to operate as separate entities – at least in Australia.That all changed from the first of January, when Holden took charge of the show and installed its own general manager.Together, the new leaner meaner team sink or swim.The decision was a global one, but follows on the heels of declining sales over the past three years in Australia, with the number of cars sold falling 14 per cent in 2004.Saab sells just three models here: the 9-3 sedan, 9-3 convertible and larger 9-5 sedan and last year sold a total of just 1848 cars.It's biggest seller is the 9-3 convertible popularised by actor Rebecca Gibney in the Halifax FP television series, which accounts for 40 per cent of sales.Consequently a lot is riding on the success of the "new" 9-3 Convertible, a car which is not so much new as revised, with a third and cheaper model added to the lineup.In Australia the two biggest selling four-seat convertibles are the Saab 9-3 and BMW 3 Series.The Saab commands 45 per cent of the market while the Beemer runs a close second with 40 percent, followed by the Audi A4 with 17 per cent in third place.It is not surprising then that the price of the entry level Linear model has been pegged at $66,900 – exactly the same price as the BMW 320Ci.Other models are the 129kW Vector priced from $73,900 and 155kW Aero priced from $89,900.Saab is hoping the Linear's lower more attractive price will draw customers from the cheaper cars like Astra and Peugeot 307 convertibles.It is also hoping to "leverage" fleet sales from Holden which has access to some 350 fleets across Australia.Saab is also looking to bolster sales in Sydney where it has only two dealers at present.Of course much depends on the quality and appeal of the car and there is no doubting the 9-3 Convertible is a sexy looking thing.It's a car that appeals equally to men and women.The Linear model is powered by a 2.0-litre four cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 110kW of power and 240Nm of torque.A five-speed manual transmission is standard while a five-speed tip-shift style auto is a $2500 option.Standard equipment includes: leather seats and steering wheel, 16-inch alloys, body-coloured bumpers and side sills, pop-up roll bars, heated front seats, cruise control and rain-sensing wipers.The 9-3 has one of the fastest opening and closing roofs in the business, an honour it shares with the BMW 330Ci.It's a soft, thickly insulated fabric roof unlike some competitors which now offer hard top convertibles.The roof has no retaining clamps and can be opened at the touch of a button in 20 seconds, either remotely or via a dash mounted button.It can also be operated on the fly up to a speed of 30km/h.Unfortunately, the roof on our test car was temperamental, refusing to fully close at times.This happened on two or three occasions but persistence paid off and the roof eventually responded.Although the engines of some competitors produce more power, none but the more expensive and soon to be released Mercedes CLK 200K produce as much torque.The more torque, the more driveable a car is and the more easily it goes up hills.Other than niggling problems with the roof, the car performs flawlessly.There's sufficient power there for top down cruising, with the the auto providing the option of changing gears manually for more spirited driving.Linear misses out on electronic stability control but remains sure footed even on dirt roads, with ABS, traction and corner brake control standard.Economy is excellent with our test car returning an average of 9.3 litres per 100km over the course of about 300km, using standard grade unleaded.The 9-3 scores a maximum five stars in European safety tests, with four airbags and front active head restraints.A full-size spare wheel is fitted.