USED Saab 9-3 Convertible (98 - 02)

My car

I own a year 2000 model. What Car is wrong with "what to look for" Here is mine. 1. The baulkhead around the steering column can crack. Get a screwdriver and just peel back the insulation a few inches and look with a torch when someone wobbles the steering wheel. Look for a crack opening. A "Saab" approved plate weld repair is around £500. 2. The roof hydaulic rams can leak and fail - around £250 each. 3. Timing chains NEVER fail and will go for ever, though tensioner pulley may need attention. (Don't know where WC got that one from) 4. Turbos rarely fail and if smoke is seen - don't panic more than likely a cheap seal failure. 5. Pixels go absent from the SID and can look odd. New one is £250 - repair is £50. If all is well then this car has been an absolute joy. Challenging handling is what I call it though and scuttle shake takes a little getting use to. Worth it though for the beautiful ride as a passenger and never fails to impress. Full leather and climate control a must, and 16" wheels look so much better.

My car

I bought this car 5 years ago, "S reg" and now the second owner. Only had to replace tyres and service items. Now at 90,000 mls it is still solid, like new. Yes, it has scuttle shake it is a convertible. With 185 bhp it is quick and extremly smooth.

The level of trim is suberb, leather, climate control, electric roof, viking alloys, etc,etc.

This car turn heads as it is a very uncommon colour cayanne red and sand interior which looks great.

Would I have another, only if I lost this one.

Only minus points are the basic speaker system but that can be upgraded and I would say an eibach lowering kit for handling but mainly for looks.

My car

We have owned a string of Saabs, including Classic 900 Turbo hatchbacks, a classic Aero Turbo Cabriolet, a couple of 9000 Turbos, two 9-5s and latterly the 9-3 convertible.

With the roof down, it's fantastic. It looks great in its bright blue metallic paint and with its large double-Y alloys but is even better to drive. It is remarkably refined, even at high motorway speeds, provided you use the wind deflector.

Roof up, the car is transformed into a useful two-door coupe, ours having the matching blue hood. Only criticisms are a little scuttle shake and a weedy radio, which is not easy to upgrade. Other than that, it is almost faultless.

If you are in the market for a practical, fun and reliable car, you will not go far wrong with the 9-3.

My car

I have owned this car for 12 months now and on the whole am very pleased with it. The car looks fantastic and has raised many positive comments and admiring glances.

The positive notes for this model is that it is fantastically equipped, with electric windows (x4), mirrors, heated, memory seats (leather), cruise control, climate control, more airbags thab an airbag factory and an absolutely fantastic electrically operated roof.

The car is very quick and has an extremely comfortable cabin......However, the bad points are that it drinks more than George best on his birthday, the awesome power soon shows on the tread wear of the front tyres and the biggest minus is that the handling is unsettled and skittish at best.

If you would use this car to travel to work through town traffic or maybe on the motorway then you could pick none finer, but if, like me you travel across country lanes then you'll find the handling is not quite up to the job...too much understeer.

To end on a positive though, this is the most practical covertible that you could buy, it seats 4 in comfort and has an unusually large boot space for a soft top, handling issues aside, this is a great car!!