Which to buyAt $2,500–4,000, in Victoria, for one summer.
The one to find
9-3, 2004–11: Linear or Vector 2.0t, manual
The newest, stiffest and most common Saab convertible at this money. 129 kW from a mid-pressure 2.0t, a 6-speed manual on many later cars, and a roof that's easier to live with than the old ones.
An Aero 2.0T (154 kW) is the upgrade if one turns up near budget. Avoid the TiD diesels and the early 1.8 non-turbo.
Cheaper, older, more character
9-3, 1998–2003: S, SE or Aero, manual
The last of the old-shape cars: hatchback nose, 5-speed manual, still a proper Saab. The S is the soft low-pressure 2.0t (110 kW); an SE (136 kW) or Aero (151 kW) is noticeably quicker.
A Viggen (169 kW, 2.3) is the collector car of the range: a find, not a plan.
Only if it's cheap and sorted
NG900, 1995–98 (inc. Talladega)
Same shape as the early 9-3, older underneath. Only the Turbo (2.0 turbo, 136 kW) ticks the box; the S and SE came with non-turbo 2.0, 2.3 or 2.5 V6 engines. The Talladega is a 1997 special edition with nicer trim, not a separate model.
BadgesWhat the numbers on the boot tell you.
Lower-case t: low- or mid-pressure turbo. Gentle, smooth, easy on the engine. 110–129 kW.
Capital T: full-pressure turbo, the fast one. 136–169 kW depending on year and trim.
Aero only, 2006–11: 184–188 kW V6 turbo. Quick, thirsty, and dear to fix. Rarely near $4k.
Diesel (Fiat 1.9 or older 2.2). Doesn't count as the turbo we want.
Non-turbo 1.8, 90 kW, early 2004–09 Linear. Skip it.
2.0t that also runs on E85. Same engine as a Linear or Vector 2.0t; ignore the badge.
Generations & trimsBest trim first. Power is the petrol engine each trim usually came with.
9-3, second generation
Convertible 2004–2011 · facelift MY08New car underneath: much stiffer, quieter, better roof. MY08 facelift brought LED headlights, a clamshell bonnet and the "ice block" tail lights.
Swipe →
| Trim | Engine | Power | What it adds | On the board |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aero | 2.0T full-pressure; 2.8T V6 from 2006 | 154 kW · V6 184–188 kW | Sport suspension, bigger wheels, sports seats, the fast engine | +1 |
| Vector | 2.0t mid-pressure (2.0T in some years) | 129 kW | Leather, climate control, bigger alloys, body-colour trim, better stereo | +0.5 |
| Linear | 1.8t or 2.0t low/mid-pressure; early 1.8i non-turbo | 110–129 kW (1.8i 90 kW) | Base car: cloth or part-leather, smaller wheels. Still the same roof and body. | 0 |
| Linear TiD | 1.9 diesel | 88–110 kW | Economy. Not what this car is for. | diesel −1 |
9-3, first generation
Convertible 1998–2003A heavily reworked NG900: same shape and dashboard, better chassis and engines. Built by Valmet in Finland.
Swipe →
| Trim | Engine | Power | What it adds | On the board |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viggen | 2.3T high-output (B235R), 5-speed manual only | 169 kW | Wide bumpers, big rear wing, 17s, bigger brakes, Viggen seats. 4,600 built, all body styles. Heavy torque steer. | +1 |
| Aero | 2.0T high-pressure (B205R) | 151 kW | Sport body kit, sports seats, firmer suspension | +1 |
| SE | 2.0T mid-pressure (B205L); some sold simply as "Turbo" | 136 kW | Leather, climate control, better wheels | +0.5 |
| S | 2.0t low-pressure (B205E) | 110 kW | Base car. Still turbo, still a Saab. | 0 |
900, "NG900"
Convertible 1995–1998GM-era 900. The shape carried on into the first 9-3.
Swipe →
| Trim | Engine | Power | What it adds | On the board |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turbo / SE Turbo | 2.0 turbo (B204L) | 136 kW | The only NG900 that ticks the turbo box | +0.5 |
| Talladega | Special edition, spring 1997 — engine varies by market | — | Marks 10 years since Saab's 1986 endurance run at Talladega Speedway. Extra trim and badging; check which engine it has. | — |
| SE | 2.3 non-turbo or 2.5 V6 (non-turbo) | 110–125 kW | Leather, more equipment. The V6 counts as a V6 on the board. | +0.5 |
| S | 2.0 or 2.3 non-turbo | 96–110 kW | Base car, no turbo | 0 |
Classic 900
Convertible 1986–1994The original: 16-valve 2.0 turbo, 118–129 kW, or non-turbo 2.0/2.1. Collectable now, and priced like it; rarely under $4,000 in usable condition.
What breaksOwner-reported common faults. Check these before handing over cash.
Every Saab convertible
- Run the roof up and down three times. Slow, jerky or stalling means pump, hydraulic rams or position sensors.
- Wet carpets, mould smell, or water in the boot well: drain tubes and seals.
- Rear window glass (9-3 gen 2) or plastic window (older) cracked or clouded.
- Service history: oil changes on time matter more than kilometres on these engines.
9-3 1998–2003 · NG900
- Engine sludge from a blocked crankcase breather (PCV): ask if the updated kit has been fitted.
- DI ignition cassette: misfire or no-start when it fails.
- Missing pixels on the dash display (SID).
- Gearbox whine or crunchy 2nd, especially on Aero and Viggen.
9-3 2004–2011
- Roof: the microswitches and sensors cause most "roof won't finish" faults; cheaper than the pump.
- Automatic: shudder or harsh shifts point to a tired gearbox. Manuals are the safer buy.
- 2.8 V6: timing chains and oil cooler lines. Budget for them or walk.
- TiD diesels: swirl flaps, EGR and DPF. Another reason to skip them.
On the boardEvery Saab the searches have found, best score first.
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