Here’s why the SAAB 9-3 is the BEST Convertible of the 00’s

Full review of the Saab 9-3 Convertible, sold from 2003 - 2011.

Car on test: 2005 Saab 9-3 Convertible (Cabriolet) 1.8t Vector manual
#saab #saab93

***************

[blxtXthaPlug]

just got a 2.0t aero convertible as a first car, from my dad, who has a swedish car garage. never been so happy. 205hp. what a car

[johnsmith-jypx]

Great review JJ. I've just bought a 2004, Saab 1.8t convertible, automatic for my wife. 78, 000mls, two owners from new, FSH In a dark blue, in excellent condition. Drove it back from Cardiff to Devon. Absolutely love it, my wife is over the moon with her new toy. I'm a biker through & through, but I've been converted. Great video, thank you.

[LaszloBagi]

I loved my 2008 9-3. With the exception of both front springs breaking at 90K miles its great

[johnwitmeyer]

Loved your video review. Still own my 2004 black, manual, 9-3 convertible. Only 85, 000 miles on it and still on great shape. A joy to drive and fun to receive great comments on a 20 year old car. Had two other SAAB convertibles before this one...an '88 and a '96. They were fun too but the 9-3 has really held up well in terms of both performance and styling. Great car! Thx for the video.

[markwangontario]

It was my dream car back in the early 2000. Still one of the best looking convertible IMO.

[shshh-fweh]

It's like you read my mind out loud, JJ. I love the 93 converible precisely for the same reasons you talk about in the vid. So much so I actually own one now. An absolute joy! Thank you JJ.

[wraithconscience]

So glad you liked the car. And how fortunate to have test driven one of its most elegant colours. That said, I generally dislike non-owner test reviews. Even when favourable as this one so decidedly was, there's always a rather odd imbalance when evaluating what's truly lovable and what' becomes wholly irrelevant after about a week of ownership. There is also always a dirth of basic advice that would make all the difference between loving these cars and enjoying them on the one hand, and ruining and hating them one the other hand. Some are little things, some are fundamental things. For instance: These cars purr intoxicatingly and are so comfortable driving, one has the feeling they were custom-made. Your wife will think you're having an affair because you're just out driving around at all hours of the day and night and in all types of weather -- though she'll forgive you when you take her out regularly for romantic, moonlight drives! Mine have draft screens, so wind in the cabin is irrelevant. Like the clip of the commericial (so glad you showed that), I drive it all year with the top down, even in snow -- as long as its not raining. BUT, I also have a clear winter-maintenance routine that includes and undercarriage sprayer to rinse of road salt and a de-salination product (that I also use on my boat). The heat on low and a scarf (which one has on anyway in winter) is more than sufficient to nullify the cold. The heated seats are more for long-distance driving than for cold, namely as a way to reduce back fatigue by promoting circulation. It works. The seats being so brilliantly confortable, however, I rarely use their heat function, even on an eighteen-hour cross continental drive. That buttons and emblems fade and need replacment after 15 years is about a 20 GBP issue, frankly something actual owners don't blink an eyelash at. Originals are still available and can be installed oneself in about 10 minutes. And one isn't supposed to be in the rear seat while operating the top. I also have a 23-year old 9-3 with 1/4-million kilometers on it and the door handles are still just fine. Perhaps it was not the focus of your video, it ought to have been, namely that these cars require a bit of knowledge and research to maintain properly. It's not burdensome, but, like housework, just needs to be done -- regularly and without complaint. Unlike the run-of-the-mill cabriolets of major marks, you'l have to support your mechanic with information, unless he's a specialist. He doesn't have to be, but one would do well to provide service, repair and maintenance information or a source or contact to a specialist. Before you go the to appointment, send the technical information over by email so he can plan properly. Locate the parts online -- if he can't sources them at "mechanics prices", you can get them for him. For example, my older 9-3 was a model for which it is ABSOLUTELY PARAMOUNT to clean the oil pick-up screen upon purchase and make sure a crankcase ventilation kit is installed. If not, install it! And change the crankshaft bearings while you're in there. These are not difficult or expensive "upgrades" but will save your engine from sudden death. The later 9-3s don't seem to have this issue as far as I know, but it would not hurt to check the oil pick-up screen for oil sludge (just clean it) and bearings for wear. And use ONLY the recommended top-quality synthetic oil type recommended in the manual. If the engine is tight (burns no oil), use the lightest of the recommended. Heavier viscosities are NOT better, but can actually cause problems. Sure, in an engine that has worn rings or in very hot climates, heavier viscosities are justified. My motto: Know what repairs to expect (at some point), budget for them, budget also for the unexpected (each season), and just fix it! No tears! My advice to the new or prospective Saab owner would be, BEFORE you buy one, get on the forums, find a qualified specialst (or at least an honest mechanic who already has a handful of Saab customers), join your local Saab owners club and make friends with their resident technical expert. Do your research. Budget for each season. If nothing goes amiss, great. Then, you'll LOVE these cars!

[ricoseagal]

Love Saab, had 3 93s started with Linear, then a Vector then finally an Aero. You get so much for your money in them and they look great

[keaixiaomeinv]

There's something very calming and soothing about how you talk in your reviews (could be your accent perhaps). I really appreciate that, especially after having watched one too many American car reviewers screaming into the camera for 18 minutes straight.

[Karengale]

I've had numerous 9-3's now most were 2.0T Aero and convertible did them up and sold them, but now just sold my 2007 9-5 Aero which was rare manual and running a st3+Noobtune Noobtune and now got my first 9-3 Aero V6 convertible, oh my god I love it low mileage and in immaculate condition

[Rjhs]

Hi JJ. Got to say, the quality of the 'head lining' with the roof up looks amazing. You could almost mistake it for a normal saloon.
Thanks, as usual, for an informative, entertaining and balanced review.
Cheers.

[jenniferburk]

Excellent, well balanced, and informed review. I quite enjoyed it and learned some technical things about these Saabs, too.

I’ve owned a 2008 9-3 2.OT convertible for 14 years now, and I can say that your assessment is spot on. That car is as solid as a rock, amazingly quiet for a convertible, and an absolute blast to drive. The interior leaves a bit to be desired as things can show wear over time. My window button and the convertible button are starting to show white underneath, and I’ve replaced exterior badging that has faded over time. The key fobs are also interesting- you described those perfectly! I found replacements a couple of years ago, and they now look like a dog ate them.

Regardless, these cars are a joy to drive, and I am committed to keeping my car in top shape in hope that I will keep it going for many years to come.

[pavlospanteliadis]

Great video, few months back I treated myself to a 2005 93 aero convertible. Runs like a dream even though it's almost 157k miles! It's my 3rd Saab (had a 93 convertible 1.9tid and the new 95 before). They are different and amazing, not sure why but it's impossible not to love them!

[lovesaab]

I have 2011 SAAB93， I love it and drive it everyday

[Anth-Malone]

Thanks for this brilliant review. I am now a proud sabb convertable owner 2.0T and absolutely love it. Wish i had getting one earlier. First sabb i have owned and its brilliant.

[devlinracing]

The 93 was a great car. I had three new ones as company cars. Two of them were convertibles, my favourite was a Cerulean blue special edition. All 1.9 diesels and I did 70000 miles on each of them then changed to the later model.A very practical all car you can enjoy all year round 👍

[PMexPAT]

I owned one of these, had problems with the hydraulic roof( difficult to get spares), but my wife and I agree probably the best “ fun car” we’ve owned. Still miss it !

[witkacysracy]

I used to have mine. Best car I ever owned. I had it for 7 years.

[darraghmurphy]

I had the 9-3 convertible for two years. What a great car. A cool feature he didn't mention in this video is driving it at night. There is a button which switches off all the unnecessary dashboard lights so there is no glare distracting you. Its even better with the roof down. I miss that car.

[carolstout]

Thank you for making this video. I have the 06 Florescent green/yellow 2.8L convertable. You reminded me why I love this care so much!