Saab Convertibles in winter
Saab call their convertible the Four Seasons Four Seater and being designed in Sweden, you’d think it’s made with surviving the Swedish winter in mind. The original intent, of course, was to build a convertible for the American market, but they still had to cater for their home market, too.
I’ve only ever tested convertibles in short stints, the longest being a week with a TiD convertible in Sweden last year. I’ve also enjoyed a few weekends with convertibles here at home. Although Tasmania is the coldest state in Australia, I’d venture a guess that my convertible experience isn’t going to be enough to answer this question, asked by Dave R, in comments:
I’ve been lusting after a 9-3 Aero Convertible for months now. My biggest question is how they do fare in a US Midwest winter? Coming from Saab, I assume they’d handle snow and ice just as well as the sun, but they’re still a cloth top so I wonder. If anyone has a ‘vert in a snowy climate I’d love to hear your take!
So….. all you convertible owners: how do you find your car holds up to a ‘real’ winter? All the anecdotal evidence points to the Saab convertible being pretty comfortable and quite driveable in any weather. The roof on the new models has a triple-layer construction that’s supposed to insulate the cabin exceptionally well. I’ve even heard that if you get one of those fancy wind deflectors, then driving with the top down and the heater on in winter isn’t out of the question, either. I’d love to try it 
Get your top off in comments!!
——
I know it’s not a new series convertible, but this topic seemed like too good an opportunity to miss breaking out one of my favourite photos from the Saab Pride competition.
This beautiful red Viggen convertible is owned by Rich in the great state of Minnesota.
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I’ve never owned a convertible, but all of my Saabs have been able to handle ANY nasty New England winter condition. In some instances I’ve actually come through unscathed when 4 wheel drive SUV’s have spun out of control and off the road right before my eyes (while I worked the gas pedal just enough to pull my Saab out of a spin….Saab’s front wheel drive is GREAT)! As for the insulated convertible top…I’ll have to let one of my fellow Saabers answer those concerns…..
Would love to see more pictures of verts without tops in the snow. Saabs gone wild!
I’ve owned three convertibles, a ‘90 T16S Aero, a ‘93 turbo and currently have a ‘97 SE convertible. They’ve always been “summer cars” but have on more than one occassion been driven in the snow. With the right tires on them, they handle fine and the cloth tops (as long as you don’t get carried away with an ice scraper) will hold up very well.
I currently have an ‘06 Aero convertible, previously had an ‘02 SE convertible. The insulation on both has been good and they are quick to warm up in the winter. The only annoyance I’ve had with cloth tops in the winter is on those days that waver right around freezing (sleet/snow/rain mixed), which can create a small sheet of ice that grips the cloth pretty well.
If you get the winter package the heated seats and mirrors are great for really cold days.
I once asked someone to get their top off in my Saab, but she wouldn’t agree!
I own an ‘06 Aero Vert. I live in New York, and it is my favorite car for any season. I also have the windscreen, which means if it’s 45 degrees or more outside, and there’s sun, it’s more than likely that i’ll be driving around top down with just a light fleece on. seat heaters and heat to the floor, of course. Summer time (hot and humid) wind screen is back up again with the AC blasting… and i’m cool as a cucumber.
love it.
While I can’t coment about the winter as I live in the sub-tropics, I found in my 98 vert, the insulated roof works very well as it kept the cabin cooler (even though it is a matte black) when the car was in the sun then a normal metal roofed car. The soft top is actually better insulated then most normal metal roofed cars.
After 6 years I traded a BMW 328 Convert (bought used) for my 07 9-5 (bought new). The top was very similar to SAAB’s (triple layers, self-stowing). We get plenty of winter in Montreal. The top was fine in all seasons. The RWD was useless on snow or ice. See Bob’s comment above–do not try to scrape ice from a soft top or rear window–Let your heater and defroster do the work in time. Just brush off snow. And if you are driving when there is salt spray, get the car inside and hose or bucket and sponge the white spray off as soon as possible. It is ugly and stiffens the fabric after it fully hardens, and causes the top not to fold properly. Otherwise modern softops are definitely four seasons. The rest of the car might not be! A SAAB on snow tires devours winter. And keep a jar of sunscreen in the armrest, all seasons!
They’re designed in Sweden. They’ve got insulated cloth roofs. Effective climate control systems. And Saab invented the heated seats. He’s got nothing to worry about. Buy the car.
I second what Trent said above. I was at a Saab dealer in Southeastern Connecticut, and the guy I was talking to said that the way they insulate the convertible tops does in fact provide more insulation against the cold and hot than a standard hard top roof. Given that he is a dealer and has been working at the dealership since at least the 80’s when my parents got their second Saab,I would surmise he has some idea of what he’s talking about.
One guy who´s living 10 minutes from my house, drives ´89 Convertible all year around (we´re ~200km from Arctic circle border). He´s been doing that since the car was new. When I asked he told me that the car is better than his wife´s new Volkswagen Passat on a winter. Better grip and more effective heating system, better heated seats and so on.
But what about newer Convertibles? Well, I guess they´re even better. Actually they differ very little from a hard top 9-3. I had opportunity to drive one last october, which is already pretty cold here. No problem. The car is just as warm as a hard top, it´s quiet, smooth and everything. Excellent car, all year round.
About this ´89 convertible I told you. You really shuold see it. It has towing hook at the rear (!) and this guy actually uses the car for towing everything!! It looks a bit weird, but I´m used to it already. This has really proved me that the convertible is not only durable, it´s quite practical, and definitely works on a winter climate too.
Buy the car.
I drove my 1987 900 Convertible for almost 400 km during the winter, it was about -10 degress celsius and it was snowing. This is an old car and the window was not adjusted so it was a cold draft but otherwise it was no problem. Since then I have done shorter trips during the winter with adjusted windows and it is just like a normal car.
On the one hand top down motoring in winter is pretty harsh, even at 5°C, it feels like it is -5°C or less.
On the other hand winddeflectors are for
pussys / posers, in my opinion, more bmw 3 or audi A4-stuff, whose drivers use those items at 30°C after long contemplation if they really should use the top-down-function …
A good scarf and a hat are fine, heated seats do the rest, even below 0°C.
Great picture indeed, the red surrounded by white.
I think I’ll start downloading Swade’s big picture collection right now. I’m a bit scared next announcenment from Swade is the blog shuts down definitively.
Or do you keep the archive accessible somehow, Swade ?
Meanwhile I checked my comments, it must have been since beginning of 2006 or maybe end of 2005 (announcement of the Aero-X ?) that I first crossed trollhattansaab.net. Had been a great fun of reading and commenting this blog over 2,5 years.
The difference between hard- and soft- top?
The soft-top has several layers of various cloths whereas the hard-top has fibreglass and steel. The steel shouldn’t let in any draughts, but then again a decent soft-top shouldn’t either and steel’s not much of an insulator …
Dave: I have been driving the convertible for over 10 years as my primary driver here in Westchester County New York. (located north of NYC.) Let me tell you first hand that you MUST get the Saab convertible. The performance of this car as a “one car that does it all and does it well”, can’t be beat. Great looks, outstanding ride, safety and exclusivity.
A few words of warning: STAY AWAY FROM RETRACTIBLE HARD TOPS. They add extra weight, they do not work properly, they rattle, they dent while folding and they take up most of the trunk. The bugs have not been worked out of this type of system yet. The Saab retain’s the beautiful rag-top look with no added weight and the trunk has more than enough room. I have owned two 9-3 SE models that were great in the winter months. I currently own a 2004 9-3 (nocturn blue). Picked it up 6 months ago (CPO) and I love it. A few squeeks and rattles from time to time, yes. But, the ride quality is great and the top is even better than the older units. Saab uses a triple layer type system with an exterior material known as ” Twillflex-3..” It stands up to anything and wears very well. Just be sure to care for the top and the car by keeping it clean and detailed. Have it serviced by Saab Technicians only and change the oil frequently.
It”s the single most important thing you can do for your Saab. Take care of it and it will take care of you. I hope I helped you with this information. (PS: MOST ALL MANUFACTURERS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE RETRACTIBLE HARD TOPS, THE DEALERS WILL NEVER TELL YOU TILL YOUR IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DAY IN AND DAY OUT. )
SAAB’S TOP’S ARE TRIED AND TRUE.
Well, it’s not quite the Midwest, but here’s mine in the snow.
I use mine in winter - no problem at all. Getting huge amounts of ice and hardened snow off the fabric is not easy, but manageable. I’ve even used mine with summer tires; not ideal, but okay, and a testament to the overall handling.
Wow - I can’t believe my question made a post! I think I had to read it three times before I believed it was actually up here. Thanks, Swade! And thanks to everyone for all of the recommendations. I’m really glad to hear the soft tops are a real winter option. I love my 9-5, but every time I see someone in a 9-3 ‘vert with the top down my heart skips a beat.
What a great community - thanks again to everyone!
Only one recommendation: Park your convertible in a garage, if possible (as any other car) - your roof will age much better.
I drive my ‘01 Aero Convertible all year in Switzerland, lots of snow, never any problems at all. No need to hesitate…
Swade — Thanks for pulling out that picture one last time!!
I have to add my voice to the chorus here. There is absolutely nothing to rule out a Saab convertible as a winter car! The Viggen handles snow as well as my old 9000 did, the top is very well insulated and unlike in my last year with the 9K, I’m not always looking at a sagging headliner in my rear view mirror!
I have an ’07 2.0t 60th anniversary convertible. When the top is up it feels just like a normal car because of the way the inside of the roof is dressed. There is no problem with insulation or drafts and the cold weather package is a must for those semi-chilly sunny days when the top goes down. I love the car and would highly recommend the convertible.
i have an 2001 9-3 vert paid 1800 bucks for it from a guy that brought it in for a blown motor we put the 2.3 in and the td04, nordic exaust off my friends 99 vigg a cold air intake and fuel pressure reg the next thing is ecu and intercooler but love the car ive been blasting around in it all over great in the snow and fun in the sun just wish it was a stick