Category: Convertibles 
Price Range: £26,030 to £34,622
Comfortable, creak-free and very complete car that should prove a pleasure to own
Some wind noise hood-up, not terribly exciting to drive, confined in rear
Attractive styling, few flaws and good to be in
A structure designed for easy repair and extensive thief-proofing ensures competitive insurance groupings for the Convertible, while long service intervals for the 2.0-litre engines should contain costs.
The previous 9-3 Convertible did not hold its value as well as its German competitors, but the markedly improved quality of the latest version should at least bring it closer: don't expect it to be a cheap second-hand buy for a good few years yet.
Carbon dioxide emission levels aren't especially low, however, from the petrol engines - a crucial issue for company car taxpayers - but the 9-3's competitive list price and equipment levels superior to those of its rivals should part-compensate. The low-emissions diesel will be by far the most cost-effective company car choice.
The previous 9-3 Convertible owed some of its popularity to the value for money it offered and the tradition is continued with the new model, which usefully undercuts its key German rivals when power outputs and standard equipment are taken into account. This is particularly true at the top of the range. The 9-3's not as keenly priced as the old model and, in absolute terms it's not a cheap car: however, it's competitive and this latest model is a decisively better car.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Saab 9 3 Convertible
wrote on 13 09 2007