SAAB 9-3 convertibles.

[ED209]

Looking on autotrader for a cheap summer convertible (mainly mx5's)however there appears to be a lot of cheap 9-3's about.

So what are they like?

Wobbly poor handling barges? or a decent drive with a bit of poke?

[Baryonyx]

ED209 said:

Looking on autotrader for a cheap summer convertible (mainly mx5's)however there appears to be a lot of cheap 9-3's about.

So what are they like?

Wobbly poor handling barges? or a decent drive with a bit of poke?

Not a favourite of mine. Wobbly, floppy chassis to beware of. The cooking models are sluggish and nothing to write home about, though the hotter models (like the Viggen etc etc) were known for having outrageous torque steer issues and struggling to get their power down. I do like quite a few Saabs (I've thought about buying both a 9-3 HOT and a 9-5 HOT in the past) but the convertibles are not for me. I am sure they make a passable summer cruiser but I wouldn't expect one to deliver the driving thrills of an MX5.

Check the Saab forum, there are plenty of threads about them there that may be of use to you.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Which shape?

Newer ones are a decent drive and not,that wobbly. Watch for interior and electrical problems.

Older ones are more floppy, but good cruisers and look classy imho.

Don't expect them to be as good dynamically as a 3 series, but much cooler.

[Baryonyx]

Was it only the older 9-3 convertibles that suffered the bulkhead issues?

[davemac250]

??? How many have you owned?

The last aero cabs were good cars, well worth looking at IMO.

I had a 2004 aero from new and it was a great drive, didn't torque steer me into a tree, did put a smile on my face and was noticeably more comfortable than a friends 3 series cab.

My only real complaint was based around the dealers, I couldn't use an indy as it was a company car.

Value for money wise I think they are one of the best deals about at the moment.

You do get some scuttle shake, I've not driven a car designed to be a tin top that has been turned into a cab that doesn't. Importantly, it isn't bad, and 95% of the time you won't notice.

There have been bulkhead issues, Abbott racing do a neat, low cost solution that beefs up the steering column mount.

I had a manual, and in all honesty I think an auto would suit the car well. It's a high speed cruiser more than anything.

Very comfortable over long distance.

Not bad on fuel either.

Mine went and was replaced with an older 9-5 which also hasn't torque steered me to death despite being 'enhanced'.