Convertible Owners - How do you love your Saabs? Count the ways.
Here’s one from the mailbag that I thought I’d open up to the main forum here. Adrian and I exchanged emails on the Turbo X and Aero XWD and then he sent me this:
What are your feelings about the convertible models from saab? Like them/don’t like them? I mean mostly in comparison to the 4 door sedan version of the same model. What do you hear out there from the Saab community about people’s desire to be convertible vs not etc.
Just looking at other options. Does add roughly 10,000 american to purchase price here to make such a change so not sure if it would be worth it or not.
Personally, I’m not someone who hankers for a convertible. I love the Saab Convertible and I’m consistently impressed with the way they hold their appeal. I just don’t think I’m a convertible kind of guy.
I have a theory that most convertible owners are like that. They’re convertible people. Consequently I think if Adrian’s asking that question, he’s quite possibly not going to be a convertible person.
Convertible owners - your thoughts in comments for Adrian, please!
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i live in SoCal where it’s vert weather about 300 days/year. and if it’s above 55 degrees F out, my c900 vert usually gets the call over the viggen. this is probably more because the honeymoon phase with this, my first c900, hasn’t worn off since i bought it last summer…but boy do i love dropping the top.
one of my favorite things to do in a hardtop was open the windows at night or on a crisp day, and crank the heater/music. the vert does that on steroids.
plus i can hear the gorgeous exhaust note that much more with the top down.
Given the choice of only one car, guess I’m not a vert person either, but every time I’m at the local Saab dealer, I’m drawn like a magnet to the vert always on display in the showroom, a different one every time I’ve been there. The Saab 9-3 vert is just too cool for words. I’d sure have one in my garage as a Sunday driver if I could afford an extra car.
I became a religious convertible pastor. When I drove my 900 T16 -87 in the pacific northwest for a year in 1998.
Drive the US All-american Highways and byways http://www.byways.org/
A convertible makes life more lively, a higher presence, light sound and scents. An unconfined life communicate with other people in the traffic system, pedestrians other convertible owner so on.
Even the most boring commut turns in to something positive. Trust me.
Just waiting for the winter to end so I can put the 9-5 SW in the garage and bring out the convertible.
http://www.garaget.org/Trued see what I look forward to!
You do get a lot more road noise (almost defening in heavy traffic). Also, sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic in 30+C weather (with a black leather interior) with top down and all those exhaust fumes isn’t fun. Not to mention that convertibles typically lack trunk space.
If that doesn’t bother or scare you, then convertibles are great. They almost offer you the sense of open air freedom that a motorcycle offers.
I have owned my 1972 MGB roadster for the last 27 years, only used on nice days for the last 25 years. Up until last June, my everyday cars have always been sedans (most recently a 2003 9-3 Linear.) I did not know that living with a SAAB convertible everyday would be SOOO easy. I have had 4 people in it comfortably. I grocery shop topless and it does just fine. There is nothing more relaxing than to drive home after work with the top down, which is so between 50 f to 100 f unless it is raining. It is quiet enough with the top up. It is safer than most hard tops, much less any other convertible. It is quick (2.0T) and gets good MPG. It rides and handles better than I deserve. It does everything so well. I just love it!
I do confess that if I did not have our other car, a 2004 Subaru Forester, I would not have the SAAB Convertible, but would instead have a 9-3 or 9-5 SC for our 3 40-50 lbs. each pups. Transporting them is about the only thing the SAAB Convertible is not good at.
Adrian: Should you consider the Saab 9-3 vert, I can tell you first hand that you have made the proper choice. I have owned a Saab vert AS MY MAIN DRIVER for the past 10 years. Only Saab makes the best four season drop top that can be used as a daily driver. When you own a convertible it screams attention, especially a Saab convertible. I get loads of looks and questions when I am out and about, even with my kid’s in the back seat. The Saab convertible oozes class, safety and style. Blue-sky, fresh air and the feel of the warm sun just can not be beat. The drop-top adds another dimension to the driving experience. Go for it and never look back, feel the sunshine and wind!
Ive had my 93 vert from new back in Oct 03, its got 90k miles on the clock and i love it more now than when first new. its got a few dents and dings - but im amazed the number of people that still stare at it at the lights/ in traffic (and they’re not that rare in th UK).
Its pretty practical too (as practical as you can get with verts), the boot space is pretty good as a section concertines up when the roof isnt down, you can get 4 adults in, its well put together too.
Its also bit like having two cars. In the winter people often say what they point in having a convertible - but its the warmest car ive ever had in the winter (probably all the insulation in the roof)and it never suffers from interior mist. And then when the weather picks up in the spring/summer and you get the roof down its like having the novelty of a new car all over again.
I honestly cant recommend the convertible enough, sure its had its few problem over the years but the good points far far outway the bad.
I’d say I’m not a convertible top. But like another stated I’m always drawn to them when I’m at the dealership or auto show. Especially this year with the new 08 body style, arctic white, black interior, Aero. It was beautiful. White + light pipes = stunning
Either you get a rush from top-down driving, or you don’t. Simple as that. The rush cancels out all the little inconveniences of the vert…if the rush comes at all.
Adrian the 9-3 vert is a REALLY nice car and I think a better choice than the other 9-3s. We have a 2007 4 cyl vert. With the top up it is very quiet even in heavy traffic and it has full 4 seat capability for normal-sized adults. With top up its like having a luxurious coupe. With the top down you get to enjoy the wind rush etc.
Car will cruise all day top up or down with great fuel economy and superb mid-range passing ability. My daughter just completed a 1500 mile run from N Calif to Arizona and back. 29 miles per gallon avg which included heavy traffic around Hoover Dam and a v quick run through the desert.
Also note that the vert is built in Austria by Steyr-Magna which is always ranked as one of the highest quality plants in Europe (up with the best of Porsche-MB-BMW) by JD Power and other sources. The quality of the interior materials is well above that of the normal 9-3s.
For me, those are the most desirable Saabs. Since last year I own a 1993 900 turbo, and I love it.
My desire will be to own a 9-3ss convertible, but with XWD and V6turbo 280bhp, it will be perfect.(I own a 9-3ss 2.0t, the 900conv. and the 9000v6)
With the experience of the Saab club of Spain, and the people I know, the Saabs convertible are the most desirable. Its the car that everyone is looking for as a second Saab, usually the 1985-1994 900 convertible, those a jewels. Many members of the club have a used Saab convertible as a weekend car.
There’s a few drawbacks that I might point out on the driving dynamics side of things too.
If you’re looking at the OG9-3 based convertable, it’s really flexy. The chassis isn’t really renforced well enough for having had it’s rough chopped off.
The new convertible fixed that problem with extra chassis support, but now it weighs alot. Load up an Aero and your looking at 3840 pounds (see http://www.saabusa.com/saabjsp/93c/features/viewAll.jsp)! And the chassis still isn’t as stiff as the sedan.
I think swade’s right, convertibles are only made for a select few. It works for some people and it doesn’t work for others.
I take Jeremy Clarkson’s advice on this one. He’s always saying how much anyone looks like a tool in a convertible. I’m sure I’d look idiotic. I have to admit blasting down an open road with the top down on a warm summer day would be fun though.
One shouldn’t worry how they appear to others.
Convertibles are very fun. I have an ‘89 c900 ‘vert for a weekend car, and I’m sure I’ll be keeping it for a long time.
There’s nothing like having the top down to feel connected to the driving experience.
The only time I don’t like the top down is stop-and-go traffic during the summer and driving through tunnels on the freeways (it’s amazing how much noise reverberates in a tunnel).
With my first Saab99 Turbo in 1986 I dreamt about a convertible which was then released the first time, but I couldn’t afford it. But 10 years later I got it! And wouldn’t wanna miss it for a day! Driving by rain or in winter is like with every other car.
But driving in spring or summer with good weather conditions is like holidays, even during working days! Top down, music on and live is wonderful. I had countless perfect moments like this, sometimes only for a couple of minutes, but this short time was just perfect and made my day!
I’m sorry for the guys who buy a Combi because it’s so practical… (except familys with kids and dogs, theres no lot of choice). If I want to move my appartement or something big, I rent a truck
As a Human factors professional I recommend convertibles for many reasons:
- Excellent 360 degree field of vision view
- Improved hearing of sounds in the environment
- Improved quality of life through well-beeing and pure happiness
- You look great in a convertible….
Swade, the loaner TiD convertible SAAB lent You at the Festival in Trollhättan was no fun or…. since You seam to be hesitant towards verts.
I’ll second Vance’s comment on high quality of the convertible. We turned in our ‘05 lease for a new ‘08 and the quality continues to be superb - they’ve even improved the sound insulation. Its a very solid car- no rattles, even after the 40k miles we put on the ‘05 . (Much better than my ‘04 Aero.) With the wind screen up, 70mph driving is pleasant. The trunk space is superior to the competition - my wife had no problem with luggage for our 1 week road trip last year.
I don’t consider myself a “vert fanatic”, but when I found an opportunity to buy a 2001 9-3 relatively cheap, I jumped. Long story, it stays in Canada (where my folks are) and I use it when I visit (often). Love it. Even in winter, it’s fantastic. The turbo is crazy-powerful for the weight of the car. And for some reason, my Dad was a fanatic for the heated seats.
As for the convertible - makes all the difference in an enjoyable ride at the right time of year. Fine as a daily driver, too. I guess I just think everyone should own a convertible at some point.