Here’s why the SAAB 9-3 is the BEST Convertible of the 00’s

Full review of the Saab 9-3 Convertible, sold from 2003 - 2011.
Car on test: 2005 Saab 9-3 Convertible (Cabriolet) 1.8t Vector manual
#saab #saab93
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[@johnwitmeyer]

Loved your video review. Still own my 2004 black, manual, 9-3 convertible. Only 85,000 miles on it and still on great shape. A joy to drive and fun to receive great comments on a 20 year old car. Had two other SAAB convertibles before this one...an '88 and a '96. They were fun too but the 9-3 has really held up well in terms of both performance and styling. Great car! Thx for the video.

[@JJonCars]

Hey, thanks and no problem. Yes that it isn't it, these just don't feel their age - still quite modern in so many ways. And solid, compared with some older convertibles. Cheers :)

[@shshh-fw9eh]

It's like you read my mind out loud, JJ. I love the 93 converible precisely for the same reasons you talk about in the vid. So much so I actually own one now. An absolute joy! Thank you JJ.

[@JJonCars]

Ah brilliant. Great minds think alike eh :)

[@Rjhs001]

Hi JJ. Got to say, the quality of the 'head lining' with the roof up looks amazing. You could almost mistake it for a normal saloon. Thanks, as usual, for an informative, entertaining and balanced review. Cheers.

[@JJonCars]

Hey John - yeah it is, and the headroom too, mega impressive. Cheers again man 😊

[@mikayle1618]

Thank you so much for these wonderful reviews of these saabs!

[@JJonCars]

Thank you! :)

[@wraithconscience]

So glad you liked the car. And how fortunate to have test driven one of its most elegant colours. That said, I generally dislike non-owner test reviews. Even when favourable as this one so decidedly was, there's always a rather odd imbalance when evaluating what's truly lovable and what' becomes wholly irrelevant after about a week of ownership. There is also always a dirth of basic advice that would make all the difference between loving these cars and enjoying them on the one hand, and ruining and hating them one the other hand. Some are little things, some are fundamental things. For instance: These cars purr intoxicatingly and are so comfortable driving, one has the feeling they were custom-made. Your wife will think you're having an affair because you're just out driving around at all hours of the day and night and in all types of weather -- though she'll forgive you when you take her out regularly for romantic, moonlight drives! Mine have draft screens, so wind in the cabin is irrelevant. Like the clip of the commericial (so glad you showed that), I drive it all year with the top down, even in snow -- as long as its not raining. BUT, I also have a clear winter-maintenance routine that includes and undercarriage sprayer to rinse of road salt and a de-salination product (that I also use on my boat). The heat on low and a scarf (which one has on anyway in winter) is more than sufficient to nullify the cold. The heated seats are more for long-distance driving than for cold, namely as a way to reduce back fatigue by promoting circulation. It works. The seats being so brilliantly confortable, however, I rarely use their heat function, even on an eighteen-hour cross continental drive. That buttons and emblems fade and need replacment after 15 years is about a 20 GBP issue, frankly something actual owners don't blink an eyelash at. Originals are still available and can be installed oneself in about 10 minutes. And one isn't supposed to be in the rear seat while operating the top. I also have a 23-year old 9-3 with 1/4-million kilometers on it and the door handles are still just fine. Perhaps it was not the focus of your video, it ought to have been, namely that these cars require a bit of knowledge and research to maintain properly. It's not burdensome, but, like housework, just needs to be done -- regularly and without complaint. Unlike the run-of-the-mill cabriolets of major marks, you'l have to support your mechanic with information, unless he's a specialist. He doesn't have to be, but one would do well to provide service, repair and maintenance information or a source or contact to a specialist. Before you go the to appointment, send the technical information over by email so he can plan properly. Locate the parts online -- if he can't sources them at "mechanics prices", you can get them for him. For example, my older 9-3 was a model for which it is ABSOLUTELY PARAMOUNT to clean the oil pick-up screen upon purchase and make sure a crankcase ventilation kit is installed. If not, install it! And change the crankshaft bearings while you're in there. These are not difficult or expensive "upgrades" but will save your engine from sudden death. The later 9-3s don't seem to have this issue as far as I know, but it would not hurt to check the oil pick-up screen for oil sludge (just clean it) and bearings for wear. And use ONLY the recommended top-quality synthetic oil type recommended in the manual. If the engine is tight (burns no oil), use the lightest of the recommended. Heavier viscosities are NOT better, but can actually cause problems. Sure, in an engine that has worn rings or in very hot climates, heavier viscosities are justified. My motto: Know what repairs to expect (at some point), budget for them, budget also for the unexpected (each season), and just fix it! No tears! My advice to the new or prospective Saab owner would be, BEFORE you buy one, get on the forums, find a qualified specialst (or at least an honest mechanic who already has a handful of Saab customers), join your local Saab owners club and make friends with their resident technical expert. Do your research. Budget for each season. If nothing goes amiss, great. Then, you'll LOVE these cars!

[@katthompson3852]

That hits the nail on the head for maintenance.

[@solomonboatman890]

I read this whole thing just because I started restoring my 06 9-3 Saab these cars are unmatched💯

[@patrickmcaleer8168]

Love Saab, had 3 93s started with Linear, then a Vector then finally an Aero. You get so much for your money in them and they look great

[@pavlospanteliadis6868]

Great video, few months back I treated myself to a 2005 93 aero convertible. Runs like a dream even though it's almost 157k miles! It's my 3rd Saab (had a 93 convertible 1.9tid and the new 95 before). They are different and amazing, not sure why but it's impossible not to love them!

[@JJonCars]

Very nice. Did you like the new 9-5? Saw one in white yesterday on the M60, looked superb. Got to love a Saab!

[@pavlospanteliadis6868]

Oh yes, superbly built. Felt like a tank. If you manage to find one to test make sure you do so! And they drive great. Plus as usual Saab was one of the first (if not the first) to introduce a light bar. Nowadays so many cars have this!

[@muhammadkashiffarooq2089]

I am thinking to buy one, how is heating on winter? Is it same as hardtop or like big difference?

[@pavlospanteliadis6868]

@@muhammadkashiffarooq2089 no problems heating the cabin it gets warm quite fast as the insulation is good. Especially if you have heated seats

[@bigfist255]

​@@muhammadkashiffarooq2089 I use my 2.0 t auto all year round has heated seats and heater is as good as any also ice cold air con for when its to hot to open the roof ,mine opens from the remote key si can do it from distance and watch people's amazement when no ones in it 😂

[@venenareligioest410]

Please test drive a SAAB 95 AERO HOT if you get the chance. SAAB were always ahead of the game. The A frames were the strongest in the industry as a result of the CEO/MD of SAAB was killed after hitting an elk. The lack of quality is down to the much lower standards of GM 🤬

[@JJonCars]

Yes, would love to review a 9-5 of any kind! Didn't know that about the MD.

[@TheBTG88]

Had a 1994 900 convertible and daily a 2001 Viggen convertible. Such good cars.

[@devlinracing3553]

The 93 was a great car. I had three new ones as company cars. Two of them were convertibles, my favourite was a Cerulean blue special edition. All 1.9 diesels and I did 70000 miles on each of them then changed to the later model.A very practical all car you can enjoy all year round 👍

[@wyattfamily8997]

Interesting to note, the V6 was manufactured in Australia.

[@macdapimp83]

I always loved the 99 turbo. The 90 which was a mash of 900 saloon/sedan/convertible rear with a 99 front end on. Currently on my 2nd 9-3 convertible which is also steel grey by the looks of the one in the video essentially same car but 2.0t with 15 spoke wheels.

[@DingDong-tj9ce]

Would love to see you do a CLK conv vs Saab conv review.... Just found your channel and i'm currently binge watching!!

[@JJonCars]

Maybe one day if I can get them both together! Cheers, enjoy the binge 😄

[@djtaylorutube]

I've got both of those. The CLK feels more luxurious, less General Motors. Both have gone through front springs because *UK roads* The roof on the CLK definitely feels higher spec. Can't operate the CLK one while moving so that's a plus for the Saab. Both work just as well though.

[@kelliemcnutt4512]

I love my Saab I have this exact car! Same color same everything. The only thing I wasn’t prepared for is I do a lot of shopping at Sam’s club and really have to be mindful of how much I buy because you really can’t fit a lot of things in it. Not a lot of cargo space. To put it in perspective my previous car was a CRV and had ALOT of cargo space.

[@lovesaab1258]

I have 2011 SAAB93， I love it and drive it everyday

[@MrSunnyBhoy]

Great review as always JJ. I have just bought a 2010 BMW 320i, and I am now craving a Saab... I would love to get an Aero, but unfortunately due to ULEZ I couldn't not get any because they're all diesels pre 2015... They are so dam classy!

[@JJonCars]

Thank you again dude. A disappointing amount of them are diesels, and then with petrols you've got high tax to consider post-06. Ah well, there's the right one there if you keep looking 😄

[@MrSunnyBhoy]

@@JJonCars exactly, they become too expensive to run. This BMW though is only 168 horses but it's decent, it's classy and it's about 42mpg but that's good driving lol.

[@split_pin]

Great review. I have had my 93 Cabriolet for nearly 2 years now and I agree with all of your observations. I haven't encountered a single person that doesn't like Saabs either! I totally get what you say about the interior materials, the plasticky, creaky interior door handle makes my teeth itch. Mine has the same engine as the one on test but did you know you can send the ECU off to Noobtune who will remap it to 220bhp and a thumping 360nm of torque. Mine is a rocketship now!

[@JJonCars]

Thank you! Just goes to show we can look past things like the interior if the rest of the car has character / something to love about it. Oh yes of course, the advantage of these tough old turbo engines :)

[@katthompson3852]

Thank you for your really informative review. ❤. I've owned Saabs for the last 20 years. And last Thursday I bought a 2005 93 Convertible which is different from 95... (my current other Saab is a 95 Aero). I'm in NZ and unlike the UK they dont do manual cars here... but both my babies are UK imports and are manuals. Hooray!!! Today being a Saturday I get to go play... thank for all you have shared, it will help me assimilate faster. PS its in really good condition and both Saabs are being preserved. Cheers.

[@JJonCars]

You're welcome, glad it was helpful! It's nice to hear there is love for these cars all over the world. I wouldn't mind being imported to NZ myself 😂

[@witkacysracy]

I used to have mine. Best car I ever owned. I had it for 7 years.

[@jonnypiehair]

I’ve got one for sale in Oxfordshire UK that is in terrific condition. 2006 - Saab 93 Aero Sport Convertible - with Hirsch turbo package, including upgraded brakes, tires, aero package - 270bhp. Full service history available

[@JJonCars]

Oh nice, sounds great. Good luck with your sale

[@culaterw41pr]

Did you sell it?

[@mpainter22]

I think I met you at the recent Drivetribe event at Haynes motor museum, I had the only saab at the event

[@JJonCars]

Ah yes you did! I had to make sure to talk to the only Saab owner there :)

[@venenareligioest410]

In my SAAB 95 AERO HOT the original Pirelli lasted 6,000 miles, 2nd set were Michelin did around 28,000

[@JJonCars]

Michelin are famed for longer lasting tyres :) but 6k is rather poor, even for a torquey beast like the Aero HOT

[@venenareligioest410]

@@JJonCars Yes, I was worried the lease company would go mad, but not a word!

[@c.c.5472]

Hey JJ, lovely car, not a lot of these where I live so maintenance might be tricky. What are your thoughts on the Volvo C70 convertible?

[@JJonCars]

Whereabouts are you? I haven't driven the C70 but I do like the look of them. Can imagine they're a comfy cruiser.

[@c.c.5472]

@@JJonCars In Atlantic Canada, lots of Volvo’s, Lexus, BMW shops though.

[@boardernut]

Yes!! Jack Yes!!! at last a proper petrol Saab, thank you!!!!

[@JJonCars]

I found one at last, you're welcome 😂

[@Borzoi86]

I saw one driving locally just last week. I had heard years ago that these soft tops were built in Finland, not Sweden. Correct?

[@JJonCars]

I am not sure about that tbh, not something I'd heard

[@rammyx121]

Yep, well at least my 2001 9-3 convertible says Made in Finland, on the metal plate thing on the slam panel 😊

[@coolcat23]

6:11 "The Mercedes CLK wasn't available as a Diesel." Actually, it was with a "CDI" moniker added. There were three Diesel engines to choose from: 2.1L, 2.7L, and 3.0L.

[@JJonCars]

Convertible ;)

[@coolcat23]

@@JJonCars I see, thanks!

[@shakeelfaris7623]

I'm coming back to a Saab after an 18 year absence. Last one I had was a 1997 900 no turbo petrol. Was a great car to drive and beside the clutch cable snapping, nothing else went wrong with it. Anyway, I am wanting to get a convertible. I've seen a few. One is a 1.8T petrol and the other is a 1.9 TID. The petrol one is a Vector and the Diesel is a Linear SE. The petrol one has low miles for a 2006. The Linear is 2008 but is better spec'd. Completely spoilt for choice!

[@JJonCars]

My dad had a 1996 900 non-turbo petrol back in the mid 00's. I remember really liking the car, I think it's where my love for Saab began. The nice thing about the convertibles is that in general they seem to be looked after better than the saloons and estates, which are seen more as run-in-to-the-ground daily drivers. Good luck in your search for the right one :)

[@shakeelfaris7623]

I managed to get the 150bhp 08 diesel convertible. After a couple of weeks of ownership, someone and something has told me that I should have gone for a petrol and a later run out model Aero. Firstly, I don’t do enough miles to warrant a diesel anymore, not to mention ULEZ. Secondly, the diesel just doesn’t sound as refined as the 3 series E90 I had or even the diesel Passat I have owned. Although my Linear SE has heated seats, auto dimming rear view mirror and folding side mirrors, I do like the aggressive Aero bumper and the spoiler. One of the reasons I also opted for the facelift was because I could install a CarPlay double din and not have to contend with the fibre optics in the pre-2007.

[@fredonline]

Did you see the High Peak Autos video a day ago on the Saab 9.3? Only 16000 miles! I might have been tempted, but unfortunately it's a diesel.

[@JJonCars]

I've seen it pop up, and have seen that car for sale on AutoTrader, so will definitely be watching it soon 👍 16k is ridiculous, I wouldn't want to drive it. But as you say it's a diesel, which is a shame.

[@SurgeX798]

Ah my neighbour has this, seems nice

[@JJonCars]

Your neighbour has good taste 😄

[@glennrainey1227]

Sadly, and important to know, subframes are practically impossible to source now for the convertible. Caveat emptor.

[@theyorkmethod]

Yep, drive an 03-05 Aero 9-5 and you'll really understand the sweet spot. Even the cup holder is sooooo much better. Lol.

[@JJonCars]

Better in the 9-5? I definitely want to drive one

[@Sid3300]

9-5 next? The 2.3t is meant to be a laugh in terms of its speed.

[@JJonCars]

Yes, would love to!

[@josefeibl8230]

Had one 20 years ago. Very disappointing. Wouldn't go near one again. Have a CLK 550 convertible to drive around the lakes in our neighborhood. Comfortable, very quick (low 13's 1/4 mile) inexpensive. 2 summers, reliable. Lost $3k on Saab. Will get all$$ back on MB.

[@JJonCars]

That's a shame. Perhaps you had a bad one, or one that hadn't been looked after. CLK550 is a lovely car anyway so good to hear you're happy now 👍

[@carterseeley1738]

17" wheels

[@redmackinnon7079]

I hope you haven't sold your CLK as that is a nicer car, even thought the SAAB is good?

[@JJonCars]

Don't worry Red - CLK is not going anywhere :)

[@redmackinnon7079]

@@JJonCars Great 👍

[@volt8684]

I am sorry have to disagree with this review. I had a 2009 1.8t. The handling on this car was awful. It was marketed as quality but to,e was GM rubbish. Had a TT after night and day better as a drivers car. Also started rusting in places

[@JJonCars]

That's ok, you're allowed to disagree :) the MK1 TT is certainly a better drivers car than the Saab, but then it's supposed to be!

[@mauriciocalderon2423]

Saab

[@Bangerboy985]

they are pretty unreliable i would never own one of these 2.0t engines... oil pan gaskets timing chain cover leaks all timely jobs...

[@ianainscough9975]

Unfortunately vauxhall got their hand on the that car unfortunately it looks and drives like a cavalier I had a 93 rubbish car you're better with a ford