Car Reviews: 2008 Saab 9-3 Convertible

The new Saab 9-3 was updated for 2008 and launched at the Isaac Agnew dealership in September 2007. Face-lifted and refined the 9-3, lready a handsome and unique looking car has been further improved. The Scandinavian luxury car manufacturer is already renowned for producing incredibly well made and stylish cars; so big things were expected when the revision of the 9-3 was announced.

The tested car was the 1.9 TtiD Aero variant, striking in metallic black and upholstered with high quality cream leather upholstery. This is a high-output 180 BHP 5-seat convertible, based on the 9-3 saloon. The electrically folded soft-top retracts in around twenty seconds - among the quickest on the market.

Once behind the wheel, the first thing that struck me about this car was the build quality and solidity'. All of the materials in the cabin were of a very high standard. Bearing in mind that your car is an important acquisition and usually the second most important item that you will buy (besides your house), combined with the fact that you may have to spend long periods of time in your car, the quality of the cabin should be an important factor. Surfaces that are pleasing to most of the senses should be high on your list of priorities and the 9-3 combines these perfectly. All the control surfaces are neatly arranged fall easily to hand and feel sturdy and solid. The seats are relaxing and comfortable and the cabin is generally light, airy and pleasant. Road noise and ride comfort are good, despite the soft top, which on some other cars produces wind resistance and generates an irritating noise. The up-rated suspension is firm but comfortable, not sloppy but not backbreaking either.

Externally, the 9-3 convertible possesses the sort of understated beauty synonymous with all of the Saab range. A Saab speaks well of you, tasteful and sublime not raucous or overtly ostentatious unlike some of its direct rivals. With the top down, this car presents a very pleasing form, the bonnet line raking continuously in a shallow angle to join the shoulder line, then the boot. The front end seems deeper and has more detail around the light clusters and grille. The rear light clusters have had a similar treatment and the subtle bumper and spoiler completes the look. The entire effect of all of these subtle changes is to enhance all the best features of the car.

I used the 9-3 for a variety of purposes over the couple of days that I had it, including commuting and shopping. On the B' roads, it performed superbly, completely at ease with the bends and crests that I encounter on a daily basis and motorway journeys were dealt in comfort. The fuel consumption rarely dropped below 46 MPG, whatever the journey. The 9-3 Convertible is a perfect car for any journey, coping with long haul motorway miles as readily as nipping off to the shops or commuting, however where it really shone was cruising with the top down.

The Saab 9-3 has often been cited as the choice of architects and dentists and this seems to ring true; I know several architects that drive Saabs and my dentist also drives a Saab. However this is no bad thing, they're both well paid professions and architects are trained to recognise beauty and practicality in form. This is the new Saab 9-3 all over; a beautiful yet practical form.