Pros :
- Great styling.
- Seats four full-size adults.
- Improved chassis.
- Good build quality.
- Loaded with safety features.
Cons :
- Older styling was better.
- Rear headroom is tight with roof up.
- It's no BMW when it comes to handling twisty roads.
- Premium price.
- Traditionally annoying Saab ergonomics.
Interior :
Press Coverage :
The redesigned 2004 Saab 9-3 convertible is more sturdy and larger than its predecessor. Although the interior space is roomier, it still retains the feel and manners of a entry-level luxury sports car. With two turbocharged 2.0-liter engines to choose from, Saab 9-3 has plenty of power in reserve. The problem of torque steer is nicely eliminated this year with a new front wheel drive configuration. The 2004 Saab 9-3 handles as well as anything else out there. Steering and breaks on the Saab 93 are masterfully engineered to be quick and sure. The standard engine pulls its weight with aplomb, and for those with a thirst for more power, the turbocharged 210-horsepower is deceptively quick. When we focus our 2004 Saab 9-3 review on the inside of this vehicle we are impressed with the clean, modern lines and the accompanying Saab 93 accessories. Saabs concert quality 300-watt sound system has no equal. Ventilation settings and seat positions can be saved in Saabs onboard computer. The BMW 3 Series interior space is not as large as the 2003 Saab 9-3 and neither is the trunk as cavernous. The new 9-3 is an above average entry-level luxury sports car that will give people cause to think twice about BMW.
The model comes standard with full leather seating, fabric door panels and gray trim in addition to a 150-watt stereo, keyless entry, the OnStar system, stability control and 15-inch alloy wheels. The "Arc" versions offers wood veneer and leather with poplar accents, power front seats, automatic climate control, a 300-watt audio system and 16-inch alloy wheels. The sporty "Vector" model boasts additional padding for the seats, chrome accents, special exterior body trim and 17-inch, twin-spoke alloy wheels. The Saab 93 convertible includes automatic climate control, power seats with memory, traction control and the OnStar system.
The new Saab 9-3 includes active head restraints, adaptive force front airbags, and seat-mounted side torso airbags. In side-impact collisions, passengers are protected by side curtain airbags in both the front and rear seats. Standard on all models are antilock brakes, traction control, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and stability control systems. The Saab 93 offers larger, easier to read gauges compared to previous years. To help keep driver's eyes on the road, a new center-mounted display screen allows for easier review of settings. There are also numerous environmental and seating presets that can be restored. With ample seating for 4 and 14.8 cubic feet of trunk space, the 9-3 is on top of the space race.
Wheelsdirect2u.com
Key to its enhanced abilities is a rigid body structure - almost three times stiffer than that of its predecessor - and an all-new suspension layout. These are the solid foundations on which Saab test engineers have developed the chassis poise, refinement and impressively low levels of noise, vibration and harshness that distinguish a premium-class, open-top car.
The new Convertible includes a supplementary 'ring of steel' reinforcement linking the front, rear and side structures, helping to compensate for the loss of structural rigidity due to the absence of a roof and also improving ride refinement, handling and crash-impact resistance.
Compared to its predecessor, the new car gains 2.0 inches (51 mm) in overall width and 2.8 inches (71 mm) in wheelbase. Despite reduced front and rear overhangs, the overall length of 182.5 inches remains the same as the previous model.
A new, compact 6-speed manual gearbox, capable of handling exceptionally high torque loadings, is standard equipment on the 210-hp 2.0T variants. A new 'smart' five-speed automatic transmission is optional, including Saab Sentronic, a sequential manual gear shift, adaptive to both the driver and road conditions and programmed to fully exploit Saab turbo power characteristics.
Crash impact resistance benefits from a series of new structural and occupant protection measures. Safety features for front seats include new seatbelts integrated into the seat frames, adaptive dual front airbags, two-stage side-impact airbags designed to offer protection for both the torso and the head, and Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR), proven to be effective in helping to prevent neck injury during rear-end collisions. Although rollovers are comparatively rare events, the consequences are quite serious and Saab has installed an active protection system in the new 9-3 Convertible. Its DynaCage concept combines pop-up rear roll bars, front seatbelt pre-tensioning and substantial reinforcement of the A-pillars to help provide an integrated protection system.
The 'one-touch' soft-top operation, requires no manual involvement beyond pressing a button. The roof is hydraulically-powered, with automatic self-latching to the header rail, and deploys fully in just 20 seconds while the engine is running. This is partly achieved by the Convertible's tonneau, which has a unique two-step cycle, being completely raised horizontally and then moved rearwards, parallel to the top of the trunk. Another innovation is a more practical feature: raising the roof automatically raises the capacity of the trunk. The CargoSET (Self-Expanding Trunk) directly links the soft-top's rearmost hinge mechanism to the flexible, 'accordion' storage well in the trunk. When the roof is in position, the well is fully retracted, releasing useful storage space.
Saabnet.com
History:
1998-2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible
1,985 cc / 205 hp / 209 lb-ft / 3400 lbs / 0-60 mph 8.0 sec.
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