2008 Saab 9-3 Convertible review
17 Mar, 2008
30 Comments 
The 1.9-litre oil-burner puts out 110kW and 320Nm of torque, which is not bad in its own right, but the car weighs a tad over 1700kg, so the 0-100km/h dash is a little slower than expected at 11.8 seconds. It makes up for that by sipping a respectable 7.1L of diesel per 100km (6.3L/100km for the manual).
One of the reasons to pick the TiD diesel is for the 6-speed automatic transmission, which is otherwise only available in the range-topping Aero. The transmission works beautifully with the diesel engine, going through gears (up and down) very quickly and with little effort.
As for the interior, it’s typical SAAB, extremely practical but lacking a little in character. The Air-con system blasts you everytime you turn the car on, trying its best to cool you down, unnecessarily.
The leather seats are quite conformable too, providing excellent side support. For base trim, the Linear spec’s interior is not too shabby, it can, however, do with some more excitement.
The rear seats are another reason I would pick the 9-3 over its competitors, they can actually fit two fully grown adults, comfortably, for a reasonable journey.
As much as I love diesel cars these days, if I was to buy a 9-3 convertible, I would stick to the a petrol variant. Yes, the high output 2.0-litre turbo uses more fuel, but I would rather put up with a little more cash at the bowser than a noisy diesel.
The 9-3 convertible range is available in 3 different trims, the entry level Linear (tested), Vector and Aero. Standard equipment levels for the Linear include: leather upholstery, heated seats, automatic climate and cruise control, 16 inch alloy wheels and MP3 compatibility.
They say the average woman would rather have beauty than brains, because the average man can see better than he can think, if that applies to cars also, the Saab 9-3 is a winner on looks alone.
But as I said before, there is something special about the Saab 9-3 convertible that I can’t quite put my finger on, perhaps it’s the unique style, maybe it’s the badge, or it could also be the individuality that it brings out, whatever it is, if you’re after a European convertible, do yourself a favour and test drive the 9-3.
CarAdvice overall rating: 
How does it drive:
How does it look:
How does it go:
- Engine: 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel
- Power: 110kW
- Torque: 320Nm
- Top speed: 227km/h
- Safety: ABS, Cornering Brake Control, Driver & Passanger airbag, Side airbags, EBD, Mechanical Brake Assist, .
- 0-100km/h: 11.8
- NCAP rating: 5
- Turning circle: 10.2
- Fuel tank: 58 litres
- Fuel consumption: 7.1 litres per 100km
- Fuel type: Diesel
Location: Home / Saab, Behind the Wheel / ...
Rate Post: 
(6 votes, average: 3.17 out of 5)
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March 17th, 2008 at 1:28 am
****** 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.
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March 17th, 2008 at 11:31 am
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.
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March 17th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Saab no longer sell the 2.0 Low pressure turbo engine that was badged as 1.8 in Australia.
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March 17th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
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
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March 17th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
^ 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.
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March 17th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
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.
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March 17th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
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.
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March 17th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
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!
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March 17th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
My god that is an ugly car.
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March 17th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
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.
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March 17th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
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.
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March 17th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
11.8sec 0-100km/h? A bicycle can accelerate faster than that!
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March 17th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Yeh tiz a bit leisurely. Would suit the old farts who are not after balls-out performance.
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March 17th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
It still looks like a SAAB! Definitely an acquired taste.
The price is a bit optimistic.
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March 17th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
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!
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March 19th, 2008 at 2:59 am
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
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March 19th, 2008 at 7:35 am
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)
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March 19th, 2008 at 11:25 am
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
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March 19th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
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.
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March 19th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
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!
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March 25th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
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
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April 9th, 2008 at 9:49 am
^
^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.
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May 5th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
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.
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May 12th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
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.
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May 21st, 2008 at 6:01 pm
^^^^^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…………
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May 21st, 2008 at 6:02 pm
………….Oh yeah also with Budget!
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May 28th, 2008 at 1:49 am
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
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May 28th, 2008 at 2:25 am
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.
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July 26th, 2008 at 7:12 am
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?
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December 11th, 2008 at 1:08 am
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?
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