Vehicle details
Saab has been building convertibles for many years but the concept has remained the same – a four-seat soft-top that can be used all the year round. The 9-3 Convertible is the company's most desirable model, helped by its neat styling and understated image. While folding hard-tops are becoming more widespread, the Saab's soft-top still impresses. It's fast acting, opening or closing in twenty seconds and at speeds of up to 20mph, plus it is highly insulated.The 9-3 Convertible was the first car in its class to score five stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests. In addition to the four airbags it also features pop-up roll-over protection should the worst happen while the windscreen surround is massively strong ensuring that it is every bit as safe as the 9-3 Saloon. Deadlocks and an alarm/immobiliser help deter thieves. With the roof down, you lose a fair amount of the boot's storage capacity, although you can still squeeze the shopping in. Roof up there's a respectably sized boot as space rises from 258 litres to 352 litres – about the same as a Volkswagen Golf. However, it has no folding rear seats to increase capacity, but models with fabric seats have a waterproof membrane to provide protection should the weather catch you outSaab is seen by many as an alternative to premium makes like BMW and Audi but the interior of the 9-3 Convertible is short of the quality you'd expect. It's enveloping, with lots of gadgets and important-looking switches but the layout is rather haphazard with far too many buttons. A mid 2006 facelift simplified the cabin with a clearer look with fewer buttons. The build is good but the finish and materials used aren't particularly upmarket, however finding a comfortable driving position is easy thanks to outstandingly supportive seats with plenty of adjustment and a multi-position steering wheel. The 9-3 is able to seat four adults, although rear legroom is tight as you'd expect. It can also feel quite gloomy in the rear with the roof up as there's little light and a high window line. On the plus side, wide doors make access easy and Saab seats are some of the best around. The roof is very well insulated against noise and cold weather, but it's still not as secure or quiet as convertibles that use a metal-folding roof.There are two good diesel choices – both 1.9-litre engines. The standard TiD version has 150bhp and a 0-62mph time of 10 seconds (identical to the 1.8t) while returning an impressive 48mpg. There is also a twin turbocharged model (badged TTiD) that produces 180bhp and can sprint from 0-62mph in just 8.7 seconds. It has masses of low down pulling power and feels very responsive – surprisingly it's marginally more economical than the 150bhp version.
Vehicle features
- 'Guide me home' headlamps
- 3 point seatbelts
- ABS/EBD
- Adaptive driver and front passenger airbags
- Adjustable drivers armrest
- Alarm - category 1
- Anti submarining seats
- Audio+phone controls on steering wheel
- Body coloured bumpers
- Body coloured electric/heated door mirrors
- Body coloured front spoiler lip
- Body coloured rear bumper valance
- CargoSET- auto boot expansion linked to hood
- Colour co-ordinated sill covers
- Colour matched hood interior
- Cornering brake control (CBC)
- Cupholder
- Driving pack - 9-3
- Dual zone auto climate control+cooled glovebox
- DynaCage- pop-up roll bars
- Front and rear electric windows
- Front centre armrest
- Front fog lamps
- Front seat integrated seatbelts
- Front side airbags(head+thorax)
- Fully automatic soft top
- Heat insulating tinted glass
- Height/reach adjust steering wheel
- High level brake light
- Immobiliser
- Interior light with delay
- Isofix rear child seat preparation
- Load shift protection in backrest
- MBA- mechanical brake assist
- Mobile telephone antenna
- MP3 compa
