Here's Why I Cannot Hate This 2004 Saab 9-3 1.8t Convertible, Even When I Should

[@stuco81]

Is it just me or has that design aged incredibly well? Still looks nice, especially in that colour or the bright blue they were available in.

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

Agree, it looks better now than it did at the time

[@simonparker2084]

I agree, the earlier models still look fresh

[@mrpcb2566]

Absolutely. Still turns heads and always draws comments from passers by.

[@Doiknowyou566]

I think this quote from the time sums it's looks up perfectly: “..it’s not a beautiful car, but it is a handsome car..”

[@guitarlover302]

Very proud to have a lime green Saab 9.3 convertible 2.0 Aero Petrol 2005 - had it for 6 years and love it ! Had my roof replaced in green -looks great Also had black diamond drilled and grooved discs , Bilstein shocks , Maptune exhaust - remapped to 285 BHP Very safe car and not part of crowd was my reason for buying it ! Love it ❤️

[@kevinsugrue]

I enjoyed owning a new 9-3. The safety equipment was fully tested when a lorry ploughed into 6 stationary cars, including mine, on the M4. My car was written off instantly, as were the other 5. But I got out in one piece, phoned the emergency services and wasn't the unfortunate driver who needed an Air Ambulance that day. I miss my Saab. But I miss it while being unscathed.

[@ChrisFEJackson]

Doesn't matter what the car is or make, I have car types I loathe, but if there is a story behind it, it goes out of the window. People and their lives attached to them can make for great stories and I respect and really like the way you presented this. I hope Valerie gets to see your review. Why can't all car reviews reflect the human dynamic that gets attached? New car reviews are obvious to slate or promote but add a human ingredient and it becomes poignant. I will never look at a Saab again without think of the elderly couple driving to France, thanks Jay a great video.

[@martimartimart3817]

I’ve got one. 2.0T Aero and I absolutely love it. I bought at a time in my life when I was really struggling mentally and without meaning to sound dramatic that car helped me launch into my recovery. There are better cars, there are better convertibles but there’s something about a Saab that is just a bit different.

[@TheRobDavies]

Hi got an Aero,stunning car when remapped.

[@pavlospanteliadis6868]

Same thing here..had a few Saabs before (93 convertibles and the new 95). After we lost one of our dogs last May my mental health plummeted to the ground. In July I bought a 55 plate 93 Aero convertible with 156k miles and funnily enough it has helped me massively. Don’t know why because they are not the most luxurious cars obviously (they were and still are amongst the safest) but Saabs are different than anything else. They just are. Love them to bits! Once you are inside the car nothing else matters, it fully relaxes you 😊

[@HerrIMorke]

Saab is about defiance and staying true to one's self. If you want to see what I mean, check out the RCR video on the history of Saab. It's so... Saab.

[@laurat1129]

Just watching Saab vids and came upon your comment. Years ago when I first got my og 9-3cv in SoCal, top-down driving made LA traffic tolerable, even enjoyable. No matter how stressful my day or life, such that I called it my "instant prozac" (back when that was a thing). 11:00 Fabulous and Sensational indeed.🙂

[@DingDong-tj9ce]

I own the exact model in metallic black. Owned it for 14 years now. It's never missed a beat. My weekend car and I love it. Why? At first I considered the Merc CLK and Porsche Convertible but in the end it could only be Saab. Saab are unconventional, different, uncompromising and understated. They didn't obsess to compete with the Germans. Saab just did their own thing without compromise and they were great at it. You've got to love that. Those two back seats prove useful too! I look forward to my next 14 years with Saab. I'll never sell it. The car world is a lesser place without Saab...at the risk of sounding like Frank Sinatra... Saab 'did it their way'...and I love them for it....brilliant!

[@ThePunter29]

Back seats are often treated with contempt by convertible snobs but they're actually very useful!

[@catsaretasty]

How did it not rust in half?

[@DingDong-tj9ce]

@@catsaretasty garage parked...weekend car, driven in the sunshine only, and being in the UK, that's not often!

[@simonparker2084]

Rust? Mine is 16 years old and looks like new. Not even the slightest sign of rust

[@DingDong-tj9ce]

True only driven a few hundred miles a year!

[@iSchmidty13]

There’s no possible way to hate a SAAB :) They’re some of the most beautiful cars on the road, invented a bunch of safety features, fast as all hell, and ultra reliable! I always feel like I’m in a jet when I’m driving my ‘08 9-3 2.0T SS with my sexy Aero steering wheel and loud wooshy turbo It’s so refined, yet it can crush a 3 series easily! It can cruise comfortably and quietly for hundreds of miles in one go, it can carve canyon roads like a dream thanks to that rear steering, and it makes every commute an absolute joy no matter how much traffic there is :) My last car was a ‘99 9-3 2.0T 5-door I tuned and restored, and I intended to keep it forever but I lost it in a big crash. I didn’t shop for anything else other than SAABs. It’s the perfect car for me, and I couldn’t manage ever not having at least one SAAB in my garage!

[@renegerritsen6178]

Whoever designed the 9-3, is a genius. The sedan has aged so well, it looks much more modern than most cars from that era. The cabrio is one of the most beautiful 4-seater cabrios ever made and the estate looks great and distinguishes itself clearly from all other estates: nothing looks like it. You immediately know it's a Saab.

[@Auto.Anorak]

My parents used to own a gorgeous manual 9-3 convertible in dark blue with a cream interior. It was a fabulous car and we actually took it to France. One of my best childhood memories was my dad putting the car through its paces around the roads of the Le Mans race circuit. I’ll always love Saabs!

[@Umbertomanens]

I own a Black 9-3 Convertible of 2003. i’m an italian Saab lover and when i saw her used ,parked at the shop in 2017 i ran to the dealer shouting “ i’ ll buy it NOW!!!”. This little jewel is not a car, it’s just a toy sprang up from our lost youth, it’s a an open vessel for sailing through your soul wrapped in blue skies and green trees with wind cleaning away your troubles all around ❤…everyone should have a Convertible in his family…if you can find a Saab one…then she ‘ll lead you to heaven ❤❤

[@davidjb3671]

My dad had an old 99 2.0L and it was built like a tank. Two other cars crashed into it and were written off (separate events, both whilst the 99 was stationary), but the 99 just needed its bumpers replaced. While Volvo were making a big deal about their crumple zones, Saab put the crumple zone in the other vehicle 😏 Postscript: He did 150,000 miles in it with zero mechanical issues, and then Saab bought it back for their collection. I wish we'd kept it though.

[@pavelpolonskij6931]

My first car was a 1987 SAAB 9000 (this was back in 2002). Built like a tank, 100k on the clock, ran like new. Miss the car...

[@nickrichardson1317]

My daily Driver is a 1982 Saab 99GL 2-door, 4-speed & has no ECU to go wrong. It’s 1995cc engine keeps on going! It’s a nice drive, I also have two Saab 900’s and a 1972 Fiat 500, a Fiat Barchetta & A Ferrari!

[@pavelpolonskij6931]

@@nickrichardson1317 What Ferrari do you own?

[@bunsenn5064]

@@oscarwilde5473 No no, I assume he’s of some integrity and would thus order a painted gunmetal replica of the Ferrari, something which Dinky does not manufacture.

[@vibingwithvinyl]

Saab is a weird thing. If you don't "get it" then a quick test drive won't change your mind. But live with one for a little longer and you start to understand why they did things in a certain way. They are quite well engineered and you can tell someone has actually put their mind into designing them. GM cheapened them out quite a bit though.

[@AnarchistMetalhead]

GM really doesn"t understand how to manage a desirable premium brand, even their flagship Caddilac has been quite inconsistent in positioning, and they don"t allow anything else to get to that level even if the brands don"t share any markets. At one point Opel was desirable, many decades ago, then got turned mass market. But Saab could have been a serious competitor to Volvo, Mercedes and Jaguar if GM had just given them the resources

[@vibingwithvinyl]

@@AnarchistMetalhead Agreed. GM badly mismanaged Saab, while Ford did a much better job with Volvo.

[@williamegler8771]

​@@vibingwithvinyl My father was a engineer at Opel when SAAB was owned by GM. He would relate how the engineers from SAAB were very arrogant and condescending. They thought the SAAB way of doing things was the ONLY way of doing things. SAAB needed a partner who would help them design engineer and manufacture complex comfort and safety systems that they needed for legislative reasons or customer demands and they could not afford to develop them their own. All of the major luxury brands in the world are owned by mass market makers that help spread the cost of expensive components over hundreds of thousands or millions of vehicles. They share components that the luxury maker could not afford to develop. GM offered Saab several up-to-date chassis that met crash and emission standards. It could have done with those what the VW group has done with the same basic design through all its divisions and tweak it to meet it's own design goals. Saab was never a first-tier luxury car. It could never compete against Mercedes BMW Audi or Lexus. It's main competitors would have been Acura Infiniti and probably Jaguar. You are also incorrect about Opel itself. Opel was kinda like the GM hierarchy of Chevrolet to Cadillac in one division. They sold everything from inexpensive Kadett models to V8 powered luxury cars that competed directly with Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

[@NewScottishGentry]

even with GM ownership, my ‘01 9-5 Aero is my favorite of the cars that i’ve owned. just before this one, I owned an ‘05 Volvo S40 T5, which was also a marvelous car that sounded great with it’s turbo 5 pot - but no other car feels as special. I’ve lived in the Seattle metro for more than ten years, and every time I see the mountains I still get the same feeling as I did when I first moved here. And it’s the same with the SAAB, every time I go for a drive it feels like an occasion - when I park I still gaze around the interior and look at the details, and when I get out, I still can’t help but turn around and look at it for a moment or two and think of how lucky I am to be it’s caretaker. any time I think about selling it to finance my next automotive pursuit I just can’t - I really do think I could hold on to it for the rest of my life! 🇸🇪

[@tugboattedd]

Agree. Takes about two weeks to fall in love with everything they did right.

[@shand1967]

It is such a shame that Saab is no longer with us. I loved the fact they were so left field. Cars today are quite homogeneous and I mourn the fact that Saab, TVR and indeed Rover have gone and removed consumer choice. Although admittedly it was consumer choice that not enough people bought these cars.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

The fact that SAAB is nn more but Dacia is is a tragedy.

[@yogiguitar1]

when rover made the 800 series it was only a matter of time. they lost their identity. before that was the sd1 and the p6 . my dad had an sd1 v8 auto. that car was cool.

[@karlbristow1223]

We've really lost a lot over the last 10-15 years in the car industry. Coupes are dying, saloons are dying, hot hatches are no longer affordable for the youth, most cars now look the same, 4x4s and crossovers everywhere. Worst of all is the artificial feel of most cars to drive now. There's no feel left in modern cars. It's almost as if they're preparing us for automation. Make us so bored of cars we don't care anymore.

[@KarlHamilton]

@@yogiguitar1 bollocks. The 800 was nice.

[@2steaksandwiches665]

I owned many and still own one but I switched to Alfa For the same amount of weirdness just in a different way.

[@martinmentor]

Being happy for £1100. Great plan!

[@danmarshall3236]

I paid £300 for a clapped out old Saab 93 to keep miles off my S2000 when I started a business, kept it for 2 years and it’s hands down one of my favourite cars I’ve owned. Didn’t clean it once in that time and found it fun to see how many dings and scrapes I could accumulate. It never had a single failure, and flew though MOTs, still regret selling it on for £300

[@smilepermile8165]

Great video James. When I was in school in Tokyo, my half Swedish and japanese friend's father worked for Saab' Aircraft division, so my friend's mother had an identical car to this. When most people in Japan bought silver, white or black cars, this car really stood out with its colour so that we can see from a mile away of who was driving in the neighbourhood - reminded me of the Phoenix Yellow that BMW used for the E46 M3. His dad (called Morgan) is a Porsche and Morgan collector though, having two red speedsters (356 and 930) and a Morgan Plus Six.

[@mathijsdevries728]

I’m one of those people owning a Saab. A ‘98 9-3 convertible it is and I’ve had it for nine years now, mostly as a second car. It’s a 2.3l naturally aspirated engine with about 145HP and it never skipped a beat. I would take it on a road-trip any day without any special preparation! In fact, I am doing so in three weeks time… 😁 The manner in which this car seems to do so many things so satisfyingly makes it one of my favourite cars of all time (having owned about 30 different cars…) and makes me not wanting to part with it. Never giving me headaches or trouble and I’m enjoying myself so very much driving it top down that it really is just the way Jay describes. Hurray for the 9-3 convertible! 🥳

[@johnmoncrieff3034]

I totally get where you are with this car, SAAB did do things differently to other manufacturers as a matter of principle! Driver comfort and safety were top of their priorities, not the cost of production (which ultimately lead to their downfall)! I was once given the keys of a Saab 900 turbo and told to enjoy my self, on the twisty "B" roads of the Scottish highlands! That car instantly gave out confidence in its ability to go exactly where it was pointed at ridiculous speeds. Its rallying pedigree shone brightly-- If it had been for sale I would have bitten the owners hand off it was that good!

[@notroll1279]

In the spare parts scare in the months after Saab's demise, I bought a very well looked after 9-5 SE for about half the price a comparable used Merc or BMW would have cost. While it never won any comparison tests against the German rivals when new, it drives well, is a nice place to be and has held up nicely over time: no rust yet (knock on wood...) and no major repairs yet. The Bosch ABS control unit failed but could be reconditioned at a reasonable cost and smaller stuff like faulty computer display could be fixed with kits. I shrug off the criticism about GM ownership - it does help a lot getting spares for mechanical stuff... I could probably resell it now for at least the price I paid 10 years ago but hope to keep driving it for many years to come because I enjoy it... isn't that a very good thing to say about a car?

[@blueboy77]

Great video James. I recently bought a Vector (one off the top of range) 09 plate 93 convertible. I had always admired them for the timeless classic appearance. Back in early 2000s I bought a brand new MX5 and had so much fun with it. Now I’m older I don’t want to go round corners with foot on floor I want a different experience. The Saab delivered! Your description in the video is spot on! In today’s crazy world of rushing around this car just relaxes you and is so good for the soul. It has Zen like qualities. You cannot compare it it’s rivals because it so different and you forgive the few shortcomings. Like you say, if you want to just ‘drive’ and see where the road takes you on a summer day like people did years ago this car is up there with the best. The seats beat anything I’ve ever sat in and mine are heated 😊 Where else can you get this amount of value from a car at the moment.

[@ryanfrank7613]

My mom owned a 2004 93 convertible 2.0T from new for about a decade and I can attest to its crash worthiness. She was rear-ended by an inattentive driver in a Toyota Tacoma one morning while traffic was stopped on an entrance ramp to the interstate. The pickup was totaled. My mom drove the Saab to the body shop with no issue. Saab has been alright in my book ever since. Not the most brilliant chassis in the world but the 2.0T was a heck of an engine. It had a bunch turbo lag but once it was on it, hold on! It was easy to go stupid fast on some back roads with it and made some of the best turbo noises. She replaced it with a Volvo V70 convertible and it's just not a good to drive. I miss Saab. Truly a unique car brand. PS- My family and I have always referred to that shade of green as 'WaSaabi'. Very cool color.

[@AutoShenanigans]

Finally... a proper car ;-) Great video mate. Saab trim levels...It was Linear, Linear sport, Vector, Vector Sport and Aero. With the exception of the Aero spec, you could choose which engine you had as well. 1.8i (Non turbo rubbish) 1.8t (150bhp) 2.0t (175bhp) and with the Aero you could have the 2.0T (210bhp) then after the 93 facelift, they offered the rather peachy 2.8 V6 turbo, even if it is a GM lump. The "Arc" specification came around after my time with Saab but I believe it's a linear with a better interior.. leather door cards. As to each difference on trim levels...there's many but a few examples - linear had cloth seats, 16'' wheels and non body coloured skirts. Vector got half leather seats, 17'' wheels. Vector sport got slightly stiffer suspension, different 17'' wheels and an "upgraded audio interface." Nearly everything was available as an optional extra so if you wanted to spec your base car to have the sporty wheels and what not, you could.

[@eze8970]

Thanks for info. Wasn't there a Griffin/spec model at some time to?

[@AutoShenanigans]

​@@eze8970 I don't think we got the Griffin editions in the UK but I must confess I'd not heard of them! I think we might have got some of the earlier 9000 Griffins... V6 diesel.

[@MclarenXS]

The Aeros also came with xenon lights, sport suspension and a body kit as standard. You could spec these onto a lower level car

[@geoffreywilton8610]

I have 2006 1.8t saloon which, for some strange reason is 2 litres. Did Saab have boot badge numbers that needed to be used up before using the correct 2.0 badge? The 1.8i was actually only 1.8 litres.

[@MclarenXS]

@@geoffreywilton8610 all the turbos (except the 2.8 and diesels) were 2.0 litre. The only difference was the power output 150, 175, and 210 bhp. You can remap a 150 to 220bhp with no hardware changes.

[@Vidsinmotion2]

I remember when these were new, they were primarily bought by Estate Agents and I.T. consultants who wanted to look good without the stigma of a BMW. Also limes and pastels were trendy back in the late 90’s early 2000’s so the colour is bang on trend for when it was built.

[@kristian9341]

I used to own a 2009 9-3 Aero Biopower Sportcombi. I had it for 5 years and drove about 230000km with it and in all it was a very bullet proof car that only failed on me once due to a blown fuse. The 5 speed automatic gearbox was pretty uninspiring and fuel milage also suffered compared to the manual version. But in all it was a very comfortable and reliable car to drive. The new owner has done well over 300000km with it by now and it's still going strong. I've had Mercedeses since then and they're great cars but I do miss the SAAB brand and it's a shame they're not around anymore. To really appriciate and understand the brand you have to drive an old 900 or 9000 Turbo from the era before they were aquired by GM.

[@vrsmartin2981]

James, you bugger! that story just choked me up! thats such a great thing to do. love the fact you are still doing normal cars. dont EVER change.

[@thatsentertainment5602]

I recently test drove one of these and was very impressed with its cornering, acceleration, safety, very comfortable seats and interior luxury! A great sports car!

[@6770connor]

Had some very fond memories of the 9-3 convertible, my father owned a 2006 Aero 2.8T V6 and I’d always go with him whenever he took it out. It was our family car that would take all our camping equipment when we camped or holiday luggage when we went abroad. We both miss it and after trading it in for a 2011 Mercedes E Class E350 CDI we missed the comfort and performance that the Saab had. A very special car for me.

[@darrylwebb3625]

Lovely story. These are the sort of lesser-seen cars that bring a smile to my face when I see people out in them. There's much to be said for enjoying on your own terms the simple pleasures of driving.

[@MrRicardo11]

Hi James. The entry level car was the linear followed by the following. Linear Sport, Vector, Vector Sport, and then the Aero being the flagship model. There were also a couple of special editions that were introduced which were the Griffin and the Cerulean which mainly came in Cerulean Blue. Correction on the safety aspect they were right up until the end of production officially the safest car on the road with a significantly higher amount of customers surviving relatively unscathed from serious car accidents. Any customer who had ever been involved in a serious accident became a Saab customer pretty much for life. You commented on the styling but I think you have to take into account that twenty years ago the Convertible won many awards for its futuristic styling although by today's standards obviously not. The worst thing that happened to the company was General Motors who at the time bought it as a platform to create a premium brand for Europe which they didn't have. Then they proceed to spend literally nothing on the brand for whatever reason. They did asset strip the brand for the small Cadillac which effectively was a 93 with cheaper plastics and a dreadful grille. They never updated the 9.5 until they introduced the Dame Edna version which was far too late and by the time they did the final face-lift of the brand it was too little too late and done on the cheap. I had several Aero versions in both the 9.3 and the 9.5 and I always upgrade the performance to the Hirsch conversion. In fact the last 9.5 Aero I had was 330 bhp. You will never find a more comfortable car for the money or at all and I liked the fact that in Aero versions you really had a wolf in sheeps clothing . I think that it's very sad what happened to the brand because they were very individual and that's what customers loved about them.

[@grkfrk04]

I picked one up in November. Stick shift gives a bit of fun, as does the bigger turbo. Honestly, a country drive in the evening with nice weather is lovely, especially with night panel engaged. It really removes all distractions and is very relaxing

[@adriankirk4644]

SAAB is a very important part of motoring history. I hope someone loves this car enough to ensure it lasts for another 50 years or more. Class is class. Thank you for a lovely look at this, piece of less than perfect, piece of history.

[@RichieRouge206]

This was such a great video. That story behind that Saab is so touching. Simple things, simple pleasures. Memories are often worth far more than any material worth and this Saab is proof. It is highly flawed but as you say, who cares. It makes you want to look after it. SUPERB review of not only car ownership but driving as a whole. You hit the nail on the head

[@antonywatkins6322]

i bought a 2003 2litre turbo vector convertible same colour a couple of months ago for the 21 year old son of a friend to use to take his nan out on her 85th birthday. He had promised her 15 years ago that he would pick her up in a yellow convertible, and she had reminded him most years ever since of his promise. Having never had a convertible and never wanting one i fully intended to move it on immediately after he had used it. What a fabulous car, for exactly the reasons you stated. Mine is the manual gearbox, 180 bhp or so. Its got serious go when you want acceleration from 40 to 70 in 3rd and 4th, overtaking a doddle, but its the general driving experience thats wonderful, comfy leather seats, great steering, just a nice place to be, cruising with the roof down. Best £1700 i've ever spent. Driven with consideration its returning 39 to the gallon of petrol and that is with town driving. on a good run it will do well over 40 mpg. I am not selling it, just got to find somewhere to store it inside for the winter, then have it out every summer.

[@petercartwright5387]

I have had my 2003 Saab 9-3 convertible since 2016, in the same colour (limey) and I exported it to Bulgaria where I live. Like you say, it is so enjoyable to drive on a cool summer evening, taking one's time and just enjoying the moment. I love mine!

[@split_pin]

Lovely perspective on it, Saabs do get under your skin! I like that colour too, very of its time. I bought mine in December for £350, same engine and transmission as the one you tested. 6 months MOT, it just needed the seat rewiring to extinguish the airbag light, a thermostat and a service. I then sent the ECU off to Noobtune and for £100 I got a hike from 150bhp to 220 bhp and 360nm of torque. I'm convinced you cannot go faster for cheaper, or just waft along as you are. I also bought a manual version for my wife, same engine and Noobtune map. Insanely comfy seats, big enough in the back for our 9 year old son and the boot takes all our luggage no problem. I didn't like mine at first but as I said, it got under my skin!

[@garrylawless3550]

I've always liked Saabs ever since the 900 Turbo was launched, and yes those adverts with the fighter jets were one of my favourites. I loved the story of the original owners of the Saab, and I love the colour. I always thought Saab had the knack of designing stylish convertibles, plus I think they were one of the first 'regular' cars to have motorised roofs, if I'm wrong I'm sorry. Another great video.👍🏻

[@mrpcb2566]

Love my SAAB 9-3 convertible. You can never get mad or angry in this car. It's so likable, relaxing and charming.

[@ciaoricardo]

I drive an 09 9-3 convertible. With the top down, it gathers quite the stares and frequent thumbs up. I just replaced the leather seats so the interior looks brand new. What a great car. Thanks for your review. From Florida

[@apurugganan]

You have captured how exactly I feel with the sun out and the top rolled down in my 9-3. A most excellent review

[@mr.y.mysterious.video1]

any car that is a convertible is automatically at least twice as much fun as the non convertible version.

[@smitias_8474]

I got myself SAAB 9-5 Aero as my first personal car recently. I was amazed that despite how quick it is, it really puts you in a mood for a calm drive. It influences you into being a safer driver and feeling nice about that.

[@Make_Saabs_Great_Again]

I've had a aero for about 8 months now and I absolutely love it. Car is fully loaded with heated seats the lot. Upgraded the icem3 system to incorporate a smart system so I can the ascetics of the icem3 but a more up to date system. After fitting new suspension and a strut brace it drives like a dream. Most people I've come across either have had one and love them or they have multiple saabs. The idea with the convertible and the automatic transmission is to enjoy the drive. I will be map tuning mine next, looking at least another 100bhp. Wanted one for years and very glad I bought it, awesome car.

[@S-Ltd1000]

I had a 1.9tid vector with that 6 speed auto. The box developed a fault meaning on a cold morning it would take about 10 minutes to engage drive and viciously crunch through the gears on downshifts. Oil changes did nothing to help so it had to go. It was actually okay to drive and very comfortable. The dash illumination looked great at night as I believe it was all done with fibre optics. Night panel was genuinely useful to tone it down on dark nights.

[@markgw7961]

Sounds like the solenoid pack - same happed to my 2005 1.9tid - replaced for about £500.

[@eze8970]

Very good comfy cruisers to watch the world go by. Perhaps J you need a cheap car to make your others feel as special as they should? Thanks for review, & lovely story about the elderly couple. 🙏

[@TheBTG88]

I've driven Saabs for 4 decades. Currently daily drive a 2001 9-3 Viggen convertible and have a 1991 900 SPG (Aero 16) that is my fair weather friend. I'll never be without one. Simply nothing like them on the road.

[@ck85x65]

This vid illustrates your creativity and perceptive capabilities. I’ve owned several over the decades, and truly miss them. In Toronto Canada, their ability to navigate snow conditions was well known. I “get it”, in spades. My garage mechanic loved working on it, because of its over-engineering and build quality. GM was/is run by cost accountants, to the detriment of car owners. I am sad the company no longer exits, I believed their products to be noteworthy and remarkable. You adding the story about the couple driving to the south of France was poignant and perceptive. My Saabs put a smile on my face every time I get behind the wheel. Thank you for an excellent video. You revealed a part of yourself that I understand well, as it mirrors my thoughts and emotions exactly.

[@unknownvinnumber]

Amazing car, cannot believe these are 20 years old now! I mean, these are great cruisers like you touched on in the video!

[@steverogers7473]

I also have a warm feeling having watched this. Thank you. 👍

[@JayEmmOnCars]

My pleasure

[@sellsidedream8766]

Love the story of the old couple. Great memories made in any car are a good thing

[@johnbennett1464]

Grew up loving world rally and fell in love with SAAB. Always wanted one and finally bought one in showroom condition 2 years ago. 93 convertible. This is Gods earth to drive one. Pick only Facebook pages. Nice video

[@sinam4802]

I don't know why but when the video finished...i found out i was smiling the whole video

[@fionnofearghail4967]

A wonderful video James, it's always good to remind ourselves of what it is about cars that makes us love them. Experiences and memories. Doesn't matter if the car costs £1100 or £110,000. Enjoying yourself and the journey you are on is priceless.

[@simonparker2084]

I’ve owned my Saab 9-3 Convertible Aero for 16 years and for the very reasons you mentioned. It’s fast and comfortable but a sports car, it is not. It’s a great car but In many ways flawed and I love it all the better for that, as driving it just relaxes me and puts me in a good, tolerant mood. Your humanised review sums up the car perfectly. Excellent stuff.

[@Sixtoemo]

Still a great looking car. I remember when my Dad, who was upwardly mobile at the time, came home with a cherry coloured 900i and I thought “we’ve made it”. It was a car that oozed quality over the many Citroens we’d had previously.

[@apurugganan]

Same feeling here..."those days are in my rearview now"

[@adomccracken5108]

SAABs are just cool cars. My family had 900 coupe with red velour seats and later an early 9-3 convertible which was pre GM. We still have it and will keep it forever. A future classic

[@MrRoyck10]

Saab is now a collectors item especially the turbo versions.

[@kevinrazlog5789]

I’ve got 3 Saabs at the moment. We bought our first one as it was a relatively cheap daily for my wife. After that it was pure obsession. They really are great, cheap cars. I got my 06 Aero and 09 Aero XWD for sub $600 a piece. Put some time and love into them and got them back on the road. Truly under appreciated vehicles.

[@themancuniancandidate2744]

I'm currently on my 14th Saab. Aside from the odd excursion into Alfa Romeo or Boxster ownership, I can't stay away from them. Saabs do that to you; you either get it, or you don't

[@bunnybrain]

Hi there, as a Saab owner, living in Sweden and seeing loads of them on the road all the time: i think the colour has another reason. Saab used to do this thing that each year, they would give one of the premium metallic colours for free. It changed every year. for the 06/07 model year, which is what my car is, it was a certain shade of blue metallic and there is THOUSANDS here from that year, all in that colour. Now i don't know all colours by year in my head, but i would bet that the lime green-yellow metallic was the free premium colour for that model year. Incidentally the order of trim levels is Linear, Vector then Aero (and usually for the last year of production for each model they would also do a all bells-and-whistles "griffin". Linear usually came with 15" wheels as standard, cloth seats and the basic stereo. Vector came with 17" wheels, some fake brush aluminium interior design bits and half-leather or leather as standard. and the aero would only be available with the biggest "sporty" engine. The auto gearbox wasn't the base trim, but if memory serves right, it was a free optional extra. might be the convertible came with the auto as standard. the sedan/estate didn't :)

[@bunnybrain]

oh yea, the key position has a second reason, although the knee-injury was the main reason. but then not having a steering-lock, due to the key position, on manual cars they had a gearbox/gearshifter lock instead. which turns out to be much harder to break than a steering lock, so it was acutally preventing the car from being stolen, because it would be stuck in reverse. that changed though on the new generation 9-3 from 2003, because they had an electronic key and instead got an electronic steering lock.... which is famous for failing a lot as the cars get older. lovely while driving along and the message on the dashboard pops up "steering lock faulty, pull over and bring car to safe stop immediately"

[@jamieflanagan7946]

I just sold my black Vector a few weeks ago, was Hirsh tuned. Had it for over 4 years. Loved it but gave it up for an Alfa Romeo GT. No regrets!

[@HerrIMorke]

I just bought one, identical colour 2.0t convertible. I love it. I have always been a Saab fan. Got it from a daughter of her Dad who passed away. Has a few issues but I bought it in the rain and it was awesome. This is my personal car. I am a Disability Support Worker and have a 2003 Nissan Cube for that. The Saab 9-3 is for me. To enjoy and explore. I got it for $5k aud, Had it for 3 weeks and done 1200ks, mostly for fun. The one thing that I LOVE is the enthusiast scene. Google and KZbin have solved all my issues so far.

[@xeboi11]

Really miss Saab, am a long time lover of the 9-5 aero.

[@robtt997]

Superb video . Five stars ! Friend was an inspector in North Yorkshire Police traffic division. Talking one day he said, in 25 years ,he had never attended an accident involving a Saab occupant fatality . That tells you how safe they are.

[@thackerybrown2860]

Very enjoyable video. It's worth noting the hardtops are of course more rigid, you can get substantially more powerful models (the "big T" you mentioned is 210 - a big boost in the same body from that 150...), and the newer ones have less goofy radios/nav. But at the end of the day like you said - they aren't high end BMWs, they aren't trying to be, and for many who own them they "just make us happy". Which is worth a lot

[@davejohnston5158]

Very fair review. I have liked rag top 4 seaters for years - Herald, Vitesse, and a Stag followed by an early 9-3, a later 9-3 tdi saloon and now a 1.8T convertible. Scuttle shake on the later cars is much reduced and the car is well designed has a chain driven cam - no belt replacements needed. Lives outside without a problem and has refinements I appreciate but no pointless gadgets. It's a solid competent car with nice touches like a hydraulic strut to hold the bonnet up and very useful warning system when bulbs are out. Mine has heated seats and a Satnav. I would say that you need to be mechanically savvy to have a car this old - 14 years, or you will find it's cost a lot to run to fix relatively minor issues. Still no rust on the external paintwork! I have had Audis and BMW's over the years. Saabs have more character.

[@Digitalpiracy]

My daily is a 1998 Saab 9-3 2.3i convertible. Previous daily was a 1996 Saab 900i convertible. Love these cars (- both of which had the earlier bodyshell than the version you drive here) - because the compromises made in their design seems to give them character rather than detract from them. I'm a 44 year old accountant. My wife and I glide around in it. Its reasonably pokey and has the handling characteristics of a bag of lettuce, but on a hot day, everyone in the fast, sealed, air-conditioned hardtops overtaking us looks jealous

[@benfearnhead9851]

I love the styling. Always slightly envious when I see somebody drive by in a Saab with the roof down. As for the performance, I see them as wafty cruising cars rather than sporty cars. Post 2004 Saabs in general have also aged really well and don’t look that dated even almost 20 years on. Cheap too even with solid service history and decent mileage. What’s not to love?

[@raulpolicarpio887]

Used to have that exact model and color but a 2.0t. I sincerely enjoyed it and loved the comfy seats. And you're right, it calms me whenever I ride it.

[@MyerShift7]

I wanted one in high school when these were new, and I still want one today. Truly the peak era of automotive styling and engineering.

[@rjhandley556]

Another great video. The connection between stories and car ownership are what makes being a ‘petrol head’ - forget coil overs or slamming it. It’s about where you went init, who you went with and how it made you feel. My old VW CC was distinctly average if you really wanted to go hoon it, but it took me everywhere. Met my now wife in it, took us down to Portugal, helped me build a business. I love that car, I don’t care if it was rotting from the chassis outwards, I’d pay whatever to keep it on the road.

[@rasferrastfarian739]

I own a 2012 VW CC , Wolfgang - and I'm loving every second of ownership, got him new. I get ya!

[@global_nomad.]

always good to remind us that cars can have many different ways of making you feel good and for a lot of the time, speed, power and sharp handling aren't the focus....Saab's not only make you feel good using it, but also its very hard to be angry at someone driving a saab....

[@birthdaygrave_]

I've got a 2001 9-3 convertible that I brought back to life, and it's been a total joy to own (post resurrection). I completely agree with you, it's a very therapeutic drive, and people really need to drive one to understand the appeal of the car.

[@BWTECH0521]

Assuming you're in GB, did you guys ever get a petrol 2.9 liter V6 model? Those are a completely different beast!

[@Rouxenator]

This is an excellent video. Last weekend we had a superb weekend in my wife's old 1.8 automatic (4sp) Astra H. Even with a bike on the back we managed 7.2l/100km. So relaxing, a car we have had for 8 years now and took the mileage from 60.000km to 160,000km. It only did the daily school run in that time but since getting it she "forgot" to drive manual so the auto it was. Really a car memories were made in since she used it to support me on a 222km bike ride.

[@tim1polman]

The paddles on the steering wheel do work, but you have to put the gearbox in (M) for that, not in (D). As far as I know, its to drive in mountenous areas, so you can downshift, and it'll stay in that gear rather than upshifting all the time. I use it in my 9-5 when driving with a trailer, so I dont have to brake that much. I do like Saabs. got a 9-5 estate, 9000 2.3 turbo, 900ng Convertoble, 900 Classic and since yesterday a 96 project. :D The engine in the 9000 was awesome aswell. The 170hp low pressure turbo and the 230hp Aero were the same motor aswell. Just a different turbo and map. Funny too, is that the engine will hold up to around 400hp, by just increasing the boost pressure, and not doing anything else really. (well,.. bigger injectors.) Wich in itself is quite cool.

[@carlwilliams3488]

Nice video and story. I tihnk these have aged very, very well, they still look pretty today. I've owned 2 9-3's both Aero's (one 2.0T and one 2.8T V6 an early car and a 2nd facelift) both were fun and reliable. I think the small engine and auto is perfect for the convertible for the reasons noted. The 2.0T with a map is a great engine and the 2.8 as good with the added great exhaust note of a V6. The main problem with a pre-facelift 9-3 is the stereo, this one had a mid spec unit which my first one had and they are OK but you cannot upgrade them with standard kit, the amplifiers frequently blow and are expensive to replace. You cannot even replace the headunit, they are hopelessly outdated and unreliable, all beacause of the stupid optical fibre interconnection system, where removal of the standard unit actually stops the entire car working, it's partly for this reason they are so cheap. The facelifted interior cars (there were 2 facelifts, first and interior facelift in 2006 and an exterior one around 2008) gets rid of all this junk and makes for something you can easily modernise with MP3 and Nav. Also Vector trim is 2nd top behind Aero, linear was base, Arc mid level. Vector was a lux spec rather than sporting like Aero. There was also a rather wild Turbo-X model with 280bhp V6 and 4wd, well worth trying to drive if you can find one.

[@andyhunt457]

I still want to own a saab 40 yrs later 99 turbo 900 turbo so uber cool at the time

[@TheSaabClinicUK]

One day you need to drive my 1997 SAAB 9000 Aero 2.3T manual. From the outside it looks near factory fresh and original. On the underside the suspension has been re-worked and professionally setup and its pushing out a mild 324BHP. It gets a move on with a brutal 70 to 100 in 3.5 seconds. Currently having body restoration and a full respray so will be available early August if your interested. Paul @ The SAAB Clinic.

[@FriePresse]

its a subaru with a saab badge on but it is a cool car for sure

[@TheSaabClinicUK]

@@FriePresse Eh ? No thats the 9-2x Which was a US only model. Was not even made by Saab but had a saab badge.

[@FriePresse]

@@TheSaabClinicUK i live in Denmark near sweden and here that model was a 93 type sry i did not see u wrote u car was a 9000 model so ofc this makes 0 sense for u

[@bingoberra18]

Wow £1100 that is great value for money. And I completely agree with the selection for the trip.

[@hymek7017]

James, you make a good point in that a car doesn't have to be the best at anything at all and yet can still make you happy to spend all day punting down the road on a road trip to somewhere sunny. In a similar way to Jag XJs, they were designed for the enjoyment of their owners rather than to satisfy the whims of critics and journalists.

[@boxing1940]

I can afford any car under $100k and have several vehicles, I got a 2006 93 and that’s a keeper, I got it for nothing and been restoring it for a year and I know that car will stay with me forever. There’s just so much nostalgia around that car…

[@MrDallman]

I’ve never seen a car I’ve least wanted so much but now , having watched your excellent video, why am I finding that I now actually want one ? 🤪 Thanks James …another masterclass in automotive journalism 🥴

[@Z-u-m-a]

Great sentiments - thoroughly agree. Best car I've owned in terms of cool and feel-good-factor was an old Saab 900 EMS 16v. Hard top. Pewter grey with maroon velour interior. Had it whilst living in Australia. Do wish I'd have looked in to shipping back to the UK.

[@kempfzknifelife9772]

Great video James! I appreciate this type of perspective and actually grow weary of the typical car reviews (and cars) that so many other channels offer. One reason your channel is my favorite. Keep it up! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@quokkapirquish6825]

Great review, I had a 900 convertible in black and it has to be said, it was bland in many ways but with the roof down, it was cool! Really should’ve kept it, ended up selling it to a friend for £800

[@ashliehiggins]

I've always loved 93's but being orphaned has put me off owning one. that gen 93 still looks relatively modern which is just awesome.

[@Digitalpiracy]

That gen has a LOT of shared Vauxhall parts FWIW. Even the previous gen model that I drive has had no real issues finding spares when needed

[@MclarenXS]

I love Saabs, I’ve had 6 over the years. The holy grail of these if you like is the 9-3 Viggen. An absolute beast fitted with the 2.3 9-5 aero engine. Developed by TWR (Tom Walkinshaw Racing), they competed with M3s of the day.

[@RobinAndrolake-pf3hs]

I definitely enjoy driving my 9-3 2006 black convertible Saab, with the top down on a cool spring day!!! Best Convertible Ever

[@elalixo7162]

As someone who owns a 2003 9-3 convertible, it does have heated seats, I happen to think that it does look quite good, even with the roof up and I don’t find that it feels “ soft” as you describe. It’s my pride and joy and I plan to take it till it can’t go no more. I also find that the 2003 model does not have the screen in the centre console and instead has a button layout which is much easier to use

[@Saboda53]

My first car was a second-hand 1969 Saab 96 ( a V4) complete with “four on the tree” transmission. Quirky car, no doubt, but thoughtfully engineered (the hood tilted forward to keep all that Swedish snow from sliding down onto your windshield), comfortable for four, built like a tank, and eminently lovable.

[@TheHungryLotad]

ive got an 05 9-3 ARC convertible. Love it to death, best car I've ever driven. Planning to keep it as a nice weekender for the rest of my life

[@timhulio1]

There's a great community for these cars, both on forums and Facebook. The one you're driving is known as a 'limey' for obvious reasons. I own the previous generation (OG 9-3) convertible and got it a couple of years ago as a lockdown project. These have less rigidity and even more torque steer, but aftermarket subframe brace and thicker ARB really sorted mine out.

[@reduitman]

I recently purchased a 9-3 2.T Aero convertible. 2005 with only 90k. Beautiful car to drive and easily cruises on the motorway in style and comfort. Handles much better than my 2001 Mercedes SLK and 2004 Porsche Boxster S. Just a great all around car and very undervalued with bargains to be picked up.

[@axing_]

i drive a 2.8 V6 turbo 20th anniversary aero version of this 9-3 convertible, yes it's very GM era and plasticky, but I just love it so much, still quirky and swedish, and the hilarious torque steer just makes it so much fun. You wouldn't believe how much attention a mid 2000s "worst era" saab gets - people looking, walking up to it when it's parked to check it out, asking questions... the downside is fueling it up 3 times a week...

[@neilblackett1577]

I had that exact same model and colour about 10 years ago and I loved it! The only issue I had was with replacing two front springs. I think they used that colour in the marketing ads for the 93.

[@elfkind5590]

I have a 2010.... seemed the right thing to do after my 1999 died. I drive it every day and it just turned 80k

[@skerny1132]

A candid and well-crafted video on this particalur SAAB model - and my first video courtesy of JayEmm. Enteraining and informative - I will be viewing more 🙂

[@god1971b]

I have the Saab 9-3 1.8t in Blue, with a cream/Grey interior. Love her, heated seats. She is awesome, smooth on the Motorway, excellent drive. She appears big, but is small compared to modern cars, she maneuvers on a dime. Really good turning circle and enough power to get past virtually anything on the road. My Wife and I love it so much its 'Sandra' lol.

[@zak2175]

Great video, from what I understand, Linear is the base model, Arc and Vector are mid level trims, with the Aero being the top level trim. linears where generally very basic, Arcs and vectors where slightly nicer (leather seats, more toys on the interior) and Aeros got nicer wheels, a bodykit, and all of the toys, such as power fold mirrors and heated seats. There where also some other special edition trims that got unique specs as well, such as the Vector anniversary.

[@adamhickford5502]

That's it. Arc was the luxury pensioner spec trim while Vector was sportier (usually larger wheels). Near the end Saab confused things further by introducing Linear Sport (base model but with cloth bucket seats and the big wheels) and Vector Sport (can't remember what was different there - maybe the Aero suspension?)

[@zak2175]

@@adamhickford5502 ah okay, I know the vector sport got some of the nicer interior features of the aero, like the bucket seats, although i think they where only half leather. It also got nicer alloys than the standard vector, and it did indeed get the upgraded suspension.

[@tonyfisk8081]

@@zak2175 My 9-3 'vert was a 2.0t Vector Sport (plus a Noobtune Stage1 map), and had the slightly lowered suspension, heated fully electric seats (both sides) , full leather, nav audio, reversing sensors and HID headlamps. Most Vectors & Aeros don't come with all those comfort/convenience add-ons, so I suspect the first owner of mine just went mad with the options list.

[@richardowen2159]

I have a 9.3,for about 5yrs now,a light blue convertible. As you say,not the prettiest with the roof up,but a beauty with it down..

[@jeadie2273]

Had this car in same color as an Aero version. Fully loaded with all options other than the navigation. Mine was on lowering springs which still had a nice ride but was too low. Traded it 4 years ago and regretted it. Now Have the option to purchase a low mileage, fully loaded, silver one in Aero trim….in showroom condition with. 6 speed manual. Here in the states, good ones are not cheap. Love these cars…weird and wonderful.

[@alanmoore8114]

On my 9-5 estate, the shift buttons work only when the gearbox is in M mode. I use M mode only occasionally - mainly to prevent it downshifting on the motorway. S on the gearbox makes a significant difference though!