2008 Saab 9-3 Convertible review
March 17, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
My biggest issue with the 9-3 convertible range is the price. Starting from around $65,000 for the Linear 2.0-litre turbo, it goes all the way to $93,000 for the Aero and although the price can be justified, it’s a little out of touch with the rest of the market.
However, Saab lovers will need no convincing that there is just no other convertible on the market like the 9-3, and I tend to agree. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it is about the car that differentiates it so much from the rest. But I will try.
The overall body and look just seem to turn more heads than its rivals. My theory is that many Australians see Saabs as very unique cars, but uniqueness doesn’t always equate to great sales.
Even though I can’t speak for the rest of the range (wait for Tony’s review on the Aero), the 9-3 convertible TiD 1.9-litre diesel gets a green tick from me.
When a complete stranger takes time to come up and say great things about the car I am in, I take that as a good sign. I’ll be honest with you, that hardly ever happens, in fact the only other car that has received compliments from strangers was the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster, and that says a lot for the Saab.
Nonetheless, there are some notable problems with the car.
****** WAAHHEY BEAT YOU FRUGAL ******
I eating humble pie with this diesel and actually agree with Alborz if the performance is that slow, however the mid range acceleration must be more enjoyable. I recently drove a Vectra with the same engine and it was a really good drive and really economical, I got 5.6’s per 100 over a steady 880km at 130kmh.
Yep stick with the petrol until Saab slot the Fiat 150Kw diesel in it.
Oh and I much prefer rag tops to tin top convertables.
Hope you enjoyed the lunch Alborz.
Saw a very smart Saab 9-5 on a lot the other day. 2000 model, 120,000kms on the clock, they were asking $9990. This car was over $90,000 new. That says it all I’m afraid.
Saab no longer sell the 2.0 Low pressure turbo engine that was badged as 1.8 in Australia.
This is what Saab sells for 9-3 convertibles in AU:
2008 Linear Convertible 2dr Man 6sp 2.0T
2008 Linear Convertible 2dr SA 5sp 2.0T
2008 Linear BioPower Convertible 2dr Man 6sp 2.0T
2008 Linear BioPower Convertible 2dr SA 5sp 2.0T
2008 Linear TiD Convertible 2dr Man 6sp 1.9DT
2008 Linear TiD Convertible 2dr SA 6sp 1.9DT
2008 Vector Convertible 2dr Man 6sp 2.0T (129kW)
2008 Vector Convertible 2dr SA 5sp 2.0T (129kW)
2008 Vector BioPower Convertible 2dr Man 6sp 2.0T
2008 Vector BioPower Convertible 2dr SA 5sp 2.0T
2008 Vector Convertible 2dr Man 5sp 2.0T (154kW)
2008 Vector Convertible 2dr SA 5sp 2.0T (154kW)
2008 Vector TiD Convertible 2dr Man 6sp 1.9DT
2008 Vector TiD Convertible 2dr SA 6sp 1.9DT
2008 Aero Convertible 2dr Man 6sp 2.8T
2008 Aero Convertible 2dr SA 6sp 2.8T
^ and that is just the convertible, you should check out the back of a Wheels magazine where they have the price list for the updated Saab 9-3, including sedan, wagon and convertible.
I think a few of the big T’s should be small t’s in that lineup. The big T is for the 154kW version and the small t is the 129kW. It’s confusing, I know.
Nice review, though there are some holes. The Aero convertible is NOT available as a XWD (you called it AWD) variant, and there are no plans to make it as yet. It is however available in the Sport Sedan and Combi versions and will take apart just about any other vehicle you throw at it.
2nd point, the roof operates at speed up to 35km/h, which is better than….. any other convertible on the market. I remember driving past BMW with the roof going up while he sat in the rain waiting for his to start moving….
3rd, the seats in the Saab (which ever model) are the most comfortable you’ll sit in, anywhere.
4th, resale values of the convertibles are quite good. The rest of the Saab line-up resale aint that crash hot though.
Myke, Wheels have stuffed up. If you look you will notice that they have 2.3 and 2.3 BioPower engines listed for 93. These are only available in 95’s. So wheels has the 95 pricing listed in with the 93’s and then again by its self.
And wait til about mid year when the Aero is available in the 1.9 TTiD twin turbo diesel!
My god that is an ugly car.
You cant help but think that Saab has way too many model variants in their lineup given their sales volume. Its almost hard to imagine them selling double figures of any one variant.
Thanks for that Richo,
The press release may say the roof operates at 35km/h, but in reality, I couldn’t move more than 5km/h before the thing would give me an error.
The seats are quite good, not the best though, the C70 is quite comfortable tooo
Resale value of Saab in general is a big weakness but the convertibles are the best of all.
11.8sec 0-100km/h? A bicycle can accelerate faster than that!
Yeh tiz a bit leisurely. Would suit the old farts who are not after balls-out performance.
It still looks like a SAAB! Definitely an acquired taste.
The price is a bit optimistic.
Sorry Saab,
This car looks no different to the cars you have been puting out for the last 20 years.It a bit like me, it is starting showing its age and hasnt aged well. Bit of grey stuff on the top. Got the picture.I wouldnt part with 40K yet alone 93K to own this!
SAAB are a no where brand in Oz [actually all around the earth]
Gone all normal and backwards since GM took over…
WHEREs the metal-folding-roof?
EOS VW would sh*t all over this, and still be worth something in 10 years time
Cheers
F-0
My last car was a new Saab 9-3 purchased 3.5 years ago for over 65k.
I sold it half a year ago for 25k.
On top of my usual lease payments, I lost an additional 18k due to the shortfall against my lease residual value.
A hugely expensive exercise. The car was that bad that I just wanted to get rid of it and accept that I would be raped in the process.
I will NEVER touch that brand again. (Was the other halfs decision to get that car….thats another never again ;o)
SteveR32 -
I concur!
Guy i know buys cars wholesale, he valued a SAAB and the person fell over with what he offered [ie what the market would pay for it] it was like 6 months old and lost $30k.
This happens when a new model comes out at a cheaper price with more kit in it.
The selling dealer did NOT even want the car on consignment let alone make a offer, they had same at reduced anyway.
When the customer returned 2 weeks latter trying every form
ofadvertisment and visits to dealers, desperate to sell it, my mate low-balled it another $2k.
Parting words to selling customer “you bought it” LOL :-)
DO-NOT-BUY-A-SAAB-NEW….U been warned [unless u enjoy tear-up$]
NO market for a odd bod unknown and unloved that sells for the same coin as a Benz and BMW
Cheers
F-0
The issue of resale value for Saabs is a real concern. Haven recently test driven a 2008 9-3 wagon diesel I can say it was great drive and ran rings around equivalent offerings from Peugeot/Volvo/VW etc. And as NoName says the coming twin-turbo diesel should be even better. In spite of the dated interior the 9-3 is a great car to drive. Those who don’t agree I suspect haven’t driven the current model.
The sticking point is the resale value. I read a article about 12 months ago (had a search for it but couldn’t find it) where Saab Australia recognised the problem and was working with their dealers to push up resale values by offering better trade-in prices the same way that BMW/MB/Audi does. Obviously from several of the posts above its not working.
Because of this resale value issue I ended up walking away from the 9-3 as my next car.
Saab, the car looks great on the outside but the dash looks to old, its curvy like the vT and VX commodores were its dated! Come on Saab! Pick up your act!
i drive a 2008 saab 93 and have a 2003 saab 93 convertible and both cars have amaizing handling, safety,comfort and class. This is in comparison to its European rivals. I highly recommend this car, my uncle,a engineer states saab is the best quality production car I recommend to all
^
^Actually i changed my mine on the VT/VX thing like in the the other post i think the dash reminds me of VR/VS commodores with the curvy dashboard but flat faced surface.
I have the 2004 model.
I bought it off some guy when the car was 2.5yrs old.
He paid about 75000, i paid 43500 ! :D .. and it only had 23000km !
A bargain for me :-) hehehe.
A good private sale.
Though i’ve had some problems, they were all covered under warranty.
And the seats! I love the seats. Most comfy seats ive ever been in.
The roof, from what i read off the book, can be configured to be operatable between 5 and 25 … or maybe 35.. Ie, if yours doesnt like moving at more than 5km, get the dealer to reprogram it go move at a faster speed.
at about 20-25sec per open/close, its great at traffic lights.
I love the handling, and the 129kw engine can feel as oomphy as the old magna v6 I had.
Be aware though, that my experience of this car is relative to cars half its price. I had previously driven, magna’s, citroens.. etc. nothing to fancy. So this car definitely was a big step up for me.
About the resale value … I see it indeed drops like a rock. But … my pov is .. if you buy a convertible .. don’t sell it. Enjoy it until the day it dies, and if it does die, ask yourself why you didnt maintain it properly ! and buy another one.
Im hiring the 9-3 Convertible 2.0T Bioline for a weekend away in the country. AVIS are charging $70 per day for unlimited kms which i thought was very reasonable.
It will be a change from my Mazda 6.
^^^^^New Mzda 6? Or older model?
By the way Aaron the unlimited kilometre thing is pretty standard on any car on any big car rental place like Europcar, Thrifty, Hertz, Avis and…………
………….Oh yeah also with Budget!
Hi everyone. I am buying a Saab 95 model 9000 CD. Or a 1996 Saab 900s.. Just wanted to know if anyone knows where I can get either of these cars made to a convertible at an affordable price. I live in Orange nsw. And how much the cost would be. I’m not to fussed on electric.. Manual will do. Thanks. email is sydneychick35@yahoo.com Thanks
Gina – seriously save you money for a bit longer and buy a manufacturer converted car, you’ll have all sorts of problems else with roadworthy and safety compatability.
I Love my Saab93 Aero convertible, ive had many and in severe accidents and so impressive of how i walk away injury free and the protection around me. The only concern i have is the roof gap when closed after being open and its drafty unlike my others. Is anyone else having this issue?
im a sad person. i cant see any differnce from a slug-bug to a smart car (which pollute much less and rock this world). what make car so great other than the smart car?
i have saab 9-3 aero convertible and i just want to say that i love so much driving it its so confort, smooth handling, and i feel that im driving an aeroplane:)) when you step on and propably i will be a life saaber
saab cars are the best money value