Although Saab makes several models, over the last couple of decades, it has
been the convertible that has been the image car for the slightly quirky
Swedish manufacturer. The Saab convertible has acquired a certain cache with an appeal to a large spectrum of buyers, but mostly those that like to see
themselves as leaders in automobile fashion rather than followers.

The Saab 9-3 series was completely revised in 2003 as a sedan model and the convertible is the second vehicle built on the new platform, just introduced
as a 2004 model. The 9-3 series so far has been doing very well for Saab,
giving the company a big sales boost and drawing good response from the
press.

The convertible will be available in a standard version, called the Arc, and
a pricier sport model, the Aero. Both have the same engine. The Aero model
has a six-speed manual transmission, 17-inch wheels and tires, a tuned
suspension and a few almost unnoticeable styling tweaks.

Our test model was the Arc, which should have plenty of pizzazz for most
buyers. In a nutshell, the car has plenty of power and handles twisty, bumpy
roads with aplomb. It has an easily raised and lowered top that fits in its
own compartment out of sight.

Considering that the test Arc model is the basic Saab convertible, at
$44,000 or so, it¹s hard to give it a value award. Of course, convertibles
come at a premium to the enclosed models and the Saab is no exception to
that rule. On the other hand, our test car seemed to have all of the
equipment that I could foresee anyone wanting in a convertible. Over and
above the $40,000 base price, our test car had a lot of options including
the automatic transmission, cold weather package (heated seats), OnStar
communication system, xenon headlights and the touring package, which
consisted of rain-sensing wipers, park-assist radar, and a six-disc CD
changer. 

I was particularly impressed with the operation of the top. This is one of a
new generation of hands-free operation. All you have to do is push the
button and electric sensors and motors do all the work. Gone are the locking
levers at the edge of the windshield, which were often a real pain to open
and close, particular in cold weather as the fabric top shrinks.

A turbocharged four-cylinder engine powers the 9-3. The engine provided
ample acceleration and had no problem cruising up relatively steep mountain
grades. It also proved relatively smooth and quiet, particularly for a
four-cylinder engine, which as a group are inherently susceptible to
vibration. 

The five-speed automatic transmission was a good match for the engine,
matching shift points to engine power to maximize performance. The brakes
also provided excellent stopping power, even when pushed hard on demanding roads. While it is easy to take good braking for granted, I have reviewed a couple of luxury cars in the last several weeks that were not quite
state-of-the-art when it came to stopping power.

Probably the most exhilarating aspect of the Saab is its handling.  The 9-3
convertible has a perky personality, combining good handling with excellent
agility. Many convertibles feel bulky and ponderous, which is not surprising
given the fact that the typical convertible body is bulked up to increase
the stiffness of the body. The Saab convertible, on the other hand, felt
light and agile, yet was stiff enough to avoid the body shakes and quakes
that are the dreaded bane of the breed.

Saab sets a high standard for safety. In addition to creating a crashworthy
body, safety advances include dual-stage side-impact air bags with integral
head protection. Saab hopes to virtually eliminate whiplash injuries with
the second generation of an ingenious seat that projects the head restraints
forward and upward for the driver and front passenger in the event of an
impact to the vehicle¹s rear end.

Vehicle rollover is a prime safety consideration for the convertible owner,
particularly for the type of driver who might choose a sporty Saab 9-3. Saab
has developed DynaCage, a built-in rollover protection system consisting of
the heavily reinforced windscreen structure and active pop-up bars hidden
immediately behind the rear head restraints. The bars are deployed when the
system¹s sensors detect an unusual vehicle dynamic that could cause the
vehicle to flip over.

 
Vehicle: Saab 9-3 Arc Convertible

Price as tested: $44,814

Engine:

         Type: Turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four

         Horsepower: 210 @ 5,500 rpm

         Torque: 221-ft. lbs. 2,500 rpm

Fuel economy, automatic transmission

         City - 19 mpg

         Highway - 28 mpg

Curb Weight: 3,480 lbs.