Saab 9-3 Convertible 2005 Review

What we liked
>> Stylish top-down cruising
>> Quick, easy roof action
>> Smooth highway ride

Not so much
>> Poor rough road ride
>> Funky handbrake can pinch
>> The odd body creak and groan

OVERVIEW
Swedish automobile maker Saab has had a tough start to the new century. A small product range and insignificant sales volumes on a global scale provoked owners General Motors to step in and take over running of the company in its various world markets. For Saab Australia, that means Holden ultimately calls the shots.

This is good news for Saab, because the considerable might of General Motors -- the world's best selling automotive group -- is rallying to help the small Swedish company. We're just now seeing the start of a new product offensive that will triple Saab's product portfolio and, it is hoped, guarantee the company's future.

The model year 2005 launch of the popular 9-3 Convertible in Australia holds special significance because it is the first launch under Saab's Holden-appointed management. Indeed Saab Australia has plans to leverage the Holden relationship wherever possible, including pursuing the potentially lucrative user-chooser fleet market.

For now, let's concern ourselves with the new 9-3 Convertible range, which expands from two models to three. The 9-3 Convertible has been Australia's best-selling four-seat convertible, consistently finding more new homes than its competitors from BMW and Audi. In 2004 Mercedes-Benz took the mantle from Saab with its sleek CLK Cabrio, and Saab is determined to win it back.

FEATURES
The Saab 9-3 Convertible is a prestige two-door soft-top based on the 9-3 sedan. Its dimensions make it ideally suited for four adults, unlike some smaller 2+2 convertibles which claim four-seat status. Saab offers three models -- Linear, Vector and Aero -- all with the same 2.0-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels, in different states of tune.

Price at the time of writing starts from $66,900 for the Linear with manual transmission and stretches to $92,400 for the high-powered, highly specified Aero model. All models offer remote central locking, electric windows and mirrors, cruise control and rain-sensing windscreen wipers.

The Linear model includes leather trimmed seats with heaters in the front, remote opening roof, body coloured bumpers and side skirts and 16 inch alloy wheels. The mid-range Vector model adds bigger wheels, dual zone climate control, driving lights and chrome interior highlights to the features list. Aero builds further on this spec with fully electric front seats, 6-stack CD player, parking assist, two-tone interior and Aero sports kit.

COMFORT
Finding a comfortable driving position is relatively easy, with plenty of adjustability in the driver's seat and tilt/reach adjust on the steering wheel. Centre console controls fall readily to hand, and big, well placed buttons make it simple to change radio stations or adjust aircon. Steering wheel-mounted controls make life easier, again.

Occupant comfort is not an issue in the front seats, with plenty of leg, shoulder and headroom with the roof up. Roof down there's some buffeting from wind curling in behind the occupants, enough to damage the 'do, but not to impede conversation.

The cleverly hidden park brake is actually one of the side rails between the seats, and has a nasty habit of pinching your fingers when you disengage it. Form won over function that time.

Wait until you see the cupholder -- talk about overkill. It holds drinks very well, but shoots out and unfolds with a ferocity that'd out-punch a Tyson left. What was wrong with the previous version, simplistic perfection now adopted by Holden Commodore and other GM vehicles?

SAFETY
The convertible's impressive safety portfolio confirms its aspirations to worry-free motoring. Four wheel disc brakes are fitted with ABS antilock, EBD electronic brakeforce distribution, MBA brake assist and CBC corner brake control.

Traction control aids the front wheels in getting power to the ground and ESP electronic stability program ensures all four wheels maintain traction in adverse conditions or emergency manoeuvres.

Passive safety features include active rollover protection, three point seatbelts on all four seats, dual stage front airbags, front side airbags and active head restraints.

MECHANICAL
Is it an attempt to confuse us or make things easier? Despite a naming regimen in which the engine is badged 1.8t, 2.0t and 2.0T in the various models, all Saab convertibles share the same basic turbocharged four-cylinder engine displacing 2.0 litres. Various modifications throughout, including the turbo's state of tune, see power outputs range from 110kW/240Nm (Linear) to 129kW/265Nm (Vector) and 155kW/300Nm (Aero).

All models are front wheel drive, the Linear and Vector offered with a five-speed manual gearbox. Befitting its performance aspirations, the Aero employs a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission. All models can be optioned with a five-speed automatic transmission for those who aspire to more relaxing driving.

Saab's made progress with the electric folding roof mechanism, which, unlike some folding soft-tops, doesn't require any driver-assisted unlocking before beginning the stow. Twenty seconds is all it takes, and opening or closing can be done at speeds up to 30km/h. For added convenience the roof can be opened remotely via buttons on the key.

COMPETITORS
The Saab Convertible consistently attracts 600-800 sales every year, almost irrespective of competitive movements. Mercedes-Benz's revitalised CLK cabrio holds the position as Australia's best selling four-seat convertible, with 810 sales in 2004 from a range of engines and prices that far outstrip Saab.

Saab's grip on second position will firm in 2005 thanks to a wider range of vehicles, and make Audi and BMW's job of catching up even harder. Most of Saab's conquest sales with the new range, however, are expected to come from Peugeot 307CC, Renault Megane CC and other such vehicles, which can be optioned to above $50,000 -- perilously close to the Saab 9-3 Convertible's new entry price.

ON THE ROAD
There's no denying the sense of occasion in a convertible. Top-off motoring is equally about enjoying the experience as it is actually getting somewhere, and we stoically ignored light south Queensland showers to drive roof-down all day. Speeds above 60km/h are surprisingly efficient at keeping rain from splattering front seat occupants, though we can't vouch for those in the back row.

The Saab's on-road ride is remarkably smooth on less choppy roads, but has trouble coping with poorly surfaced country roads. Scuttleshake, torsional flexing of the body over rugged road, is evident and mars the otherwise floaty nature of the car's travels.

CarPoint drove the mid-spec Linear model on the launch, with 129kW/265Nm engine and five-speed manual transmission. This drive-train is best suited to unhurried motoring, and leaves you in no doubt that this is not a sports car. It has sufficient urge to clamber over hills and rises, and builds speed credibly on the flat, but won't have you searching out winding mountain roads for anything but the view.

Fact is, you wouldn't want to rush the journey anyway, because open-top motoring can be surp.