- convertible 102,373
- 4,900 high price
- Charlotte, NC
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- autoshopper.com
- convertible 102,373 black automatic
2004 saab 9-3 review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Convertible blows lid off great sports sedan. introductionsaab completely redesigned and re-engineered its 9-3 sedan in 2003, transforming the once quirky-looking hatchback into an honest contender in the sports sedan sweepstakes. For 2004, the 9-3 convertible gets the complete makeover. The 2004 saab 9-3 convertible features all of the parts and looks that make the 9-3 such a hot sports sedan, plus a folding soft top that's a model of efficiency. saab has always dared to be different. Influenced by its aeronautical background, saab cars have traditionally featured wraparound, near-vertical windshields and aircraft-style dashboards with instrument lighting that could be switched off at night. Small map lights looked like they came from a cockpit. Outside mirrors were bent at the edges to reduce blind spots. Granted, the idiosyncratic styling cues have been softened somewhat, edging the car closer to the automotive mainstream. In exchange, gm funded a long-overdue development of newer and better-engineered cars. model year 2003 yielded a vastly improved 9-3 sedan that's unmistakably a saab. The arc 30,090) and aero 32,590) sedans are powered by a 210-hp 2. 0-liter engine that uses a high-output turbocharger. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the linear and arc sedans; saab's sentronic five-speed automatic 1,250) is optional and features semi-manual gear selection. The standard transmission on the arc is a five-speed manual; the five-speed automatic 1,250) is optional. The option list for the aero adds to the arc's crowded list a five-speed automatic 1,350) with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles. walkaroundfrom the front three-quarter view, there is no mistaking the new 9-3 for anything but a saab. Unlike saabs of old, the windshield is steeply raked. But the sloping, wedge-like profile, the shape of the windows, the sleek, integrated headlights, and the distinctive grille are all unmistakably saab. the rear fascia no longer presents the edgy, saab-signature look. Instead, a smoother, more rounded, monochromatic body panel integrating the bumper houses taillights somewhat reminiscent of earlier saabs, only now wrapping around to the trailing edge of the rear quarter panel. It's a perfectly pleasing look. the side profile shows a clearly defined wedge shape with the lower edge of the side windows picking up the slope of the hood and following it through to the high trunk line at the rear. the convertible's top merges cleanly with the car's lines, retaining all the proper proportions and relationships with windshield, wheel openings and wedge profile. With the top down and tucked away beneath the solid tonneau cover, the rake of the windshield draws the eye naturally over the passenger area to the tonneau behind the rear seat head restraints that tapers into the trunk lid. The soft top features a glass rear window with a defogger. big, oval-shaped, open-grip door handles are finger friendly and integrate well into the design. Conspicuously absent from those door handles are key holes. Yes that's right, saab has done away with a key for normal entry of the car. Instead one has to rely on the remote key fob. But don't worry, if it ceases to function there is a back up key buried in the key fob and a hidden keyhole in the driver's door only. interiorokay, the most important thing about a saab is the location of the ignition key. Saab fans need not worry, as it's still located down on the center console behind the gearshift between the front seats. Those who have not experienced this unique placement of the ignition key don't know what they are missing. It's also safer as it prevents the possibility of getting keys jammed in ones knees in a severe accident. Thankfully, saab no longer requires the manual transmission be in reverse before the key can be removed. saab has taken a refreshing approach to the headliner in its new convertible, replacing the traditional black fabric with a light tan. The intent is to boost the perceived interior space, especially the front seat headroom, which in fact gives up almost a full inch to the top's mechanicals. The deception succeeds, as there's not the claustrophobic feel so common in convertibles when their tops are raised. beyond that, the saab 9-3 interior is pretty much what one would expect in a near-luxury convertible, although certain saab styling cues remain. It's still a relatively high dashboard compared to that in most other cars, but it's long been a signature styling cue of saab cars so it's nice to see it retained. The buttons and switches are smaller than in many cars. Nonetheless they are all well placed for the driver to reach while driving. an extra set of warning gauges is mounted on top of the dashboard in the center in a small pod, locating them more directly in the driver's line of sight. Radio settings are also displayed here. the glovebox is one of the largest we have seen in a long time. at first blush it's easy to miss the parking brake. It's located on the center console, but it has a unique arced shape that mirrors the grab handle on the passenger side of the console so that it looks as though it is a sculptured design feature. The matching grip on the passenger side contains a slot useful for temporarily storing a cd or parking lot ticket, which is a clever piece of design. the front seats are firm but comfortable, with side bolsters that restrain during spirited motoring without restricting while climbing in and out. The optional, more aggressive sport seats are better suited to bodies tending toward the slim end of the scale, however. overall quality of the interior appears to be very good. The convertible leaves most of the wood trim to the sedan (it appears only on the arc convertible's steering wheel, accenting the leather wrap), going with a matte-black finish throughout. Door handles and the center console gearshift surround are trimmed in brushed chrome. The aero steering wheel is fully wrapped in leather with brushed chrome trim on the spokes. rear-seat passengers in the convertible do not fare as well as those in the sedan. The convertible gives up nearly 10 inches of hip room and nearly 3 inches of legroom. The sedan uses goose-neck hinges for the trunk, but they are hidden in a cover so they do not crush luggage when the trunk lid is closed. A small pass-through opening is provided for carrying skis and other long items. The 60/40/ split rear seats can be folded for versatility when carrying one rear-seat passenger and cargo. Trunk space drop. driving impressionthe saab 9-3 handles surprisingly well, with a nicely balanced neutral feel. The convertible exhibits virtually zero cowl shake, thanks to the extensive bracing designed into the platform, which the convertible shares with the 9-3 sedan. the steering is a little light, but not enough to detract from the fun-to-drive factor. The passive rear-wheel steering architecture in the rear suspension design keeps the rear tires dutifully following the front. Power Windows✔ Climate Control✔ Cruise Control✔ CD Player
4,900 Charlotte, NCCharlotte, NC at autoshopper.com