Item: Used Saab 9-3 Convertible 1998 - 2002
Author: What Car? Team

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Find a good example and Saabs make famously great used cars; they are generally well priced, well equipped and reliable.

The firm was declared bankrupt in 2012, so any used models on the market are now generally old and at the budget end of the spectrum.

Barring collectors’ curiosities, you’ll find the 9-3 and larger 9-5 filling the classifieds, in saloon, estate and convertible variants. Petrol and diesel options are available, and the brand’s long-time link-up with parent firm General Motors means that they were generally well equipped.

Prices vary significantly according to age, mileage and condition, but there are certainly some bargains to be had if you compare what your money will buy you against that of comparable rivals.

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The Saab 9-3 Convertible still looks classy, but needs regular maintenance

Used Saab 9-3 Convertible 1998 - 2002

The 9-3 needs regular servicing every 12,000 miles. The fact that the Saab shares many of its components with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/vectra/hatchback/used-review/n700">Vauxhall Vectra</a> means that replacement parts don't cost the earth.

What could cost you, though, is a potentially damaging mix of front-wheel drive and turbocharged engines. This is bad news for the front tyres, and you may have to change them on a frequent basis, depending on your driving style.

Some owners also complain of not being to get close to the official fuel economy figures, which are just under 30mpg for all models.

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The Saab 9-3 Convertible still looks classy, but needs regular maintenance

One reason for the 9-3's popularity was its powerful turbo engines, but there were two non-turbocharged petrols available when the car was launched: a 2.0-litre and a 2.3, with 130bhp and 150bhp respectively.

However, turbocharged units replaced them within a year. The 2.0t develops 154bhp, while the 2.0HOT (high output turbo) has 205bhp. There's also a mid-power 2.0t with 185bhp, while the most powerful engine is the 2.3t Viggen unit with up to 230bhp.

The most powerful engines are too much for the chassis, so the 185bhp 2.0-litre version is our favourite - it's fast enough without getting you into too much trouble.

The automatic gearboxes hurt performance and economy, so you'll probably want to avoid them. All models have reasonable levels of kit as standard, but the later SE trims are a good bet and many will have the optional leather interior, so look out for them.

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What we're looking for:<ul><li>Wind-in-the-hair excitement</li> <li>Roof that’s quick and easy to raise and lower</li> <li>Comfortable seating for four adults</li> <li>Sufficient practicality for everyday use</li> <li>Little wind buffeting</li> <li>Quietness, whether the roof is up or down</li> <li>Minimal shaking and shimmying over bumps</li></ul>

Despite the British weather, UK car buyers are among the biggest enthusiasts for wind-in-your-hair motoring, so convertibles have always been surprisingly popular here. It’s best to be able to react to the fickle climate, though, so we’re after a roof that opens (and closes) slickly and quickly and good top-down cruising refinement.

There are precious few bespoke drop-tops these days, so your choice of models is generally limited to soft-top&nbsp;versions of existing models. Mini will sell you a drop-top version of its style-focused hatchback, if you’re after a bit of flair. The Audi A5&nbsp;Cabriolet, meanwhile, brings all of the benefits of the regular A5&nbsp;– refined engines and a beautifully finished interior. Alternatively, the much more expensive Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet is one of the most luxurious convertibles on sale.

Convertible

The build quality is generally very good, and the cars cope well with high miles. However, service history is important and the Turbos need the right oil to run at their best. A dealer or specialist will know this, but look out for sludgy oil that can indicate engine problems.

A full service history also shows that the previous owners have taken care of the car and not tried to skimp on maintenance. Timing chains have a habit of rattling on engines and can eventually fail, so ensure they are checked.

As part of any test drive, make sure you rev the engine when stationary - if you get blue smoke from the exhaust when it's hot, the car probably needs a new turbo.

If the car's handling is a little sloppy (well, more sloppy than normal) it could be that the suspension bushes need replacing.

Last, but not least, also check the condition of the hood carefully. If it needs replacing, you'll be looking at a big bill.

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The Saab 9-3 Convertible might look just like the 900 model that preceded it, but beneath its familiar shape lies a heavily revised design. In fact, it shares its underpinnings with the contemporary Vauxhall Vectra.

Many Saab drivers like the understated sophistication of these models, and most cars are usually well cared for, making them a potential good used buy.

But, there's more to its appeal than that. For a start, this is a convertible that can happily take four adults, provides a decent boot and protects its passengers from wind when the top is down.

However, the loss of the roof does nothing to help the handling. And, because the chassis flexes so much, the 9-3 doesn't cope with poor quality road surfaces very well.

Saab has a proud history of turbocharged engines and the convertible is proof of that. However, the diesel engines available in the 9-3 hatchback didn't make it into the soft-top.

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Used Saab 9-3 Convertible 1998 - 2002 review

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Used Saab 9-3 Convertible 1998 - 2002 review

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