Saab 9-3 Convertible
I WAS up in the Lake District recently and during a wander around Windermere on a particularly bright spring day, came across a boat yard selling a variety of beautifully built speed boats, yachts and motor cruisers.
A peek through the tinted glass windows of the sleek and curvy hulls, revealed delicious interiors wrapped in leather and wood. The yard was selling a dream that every middle-aged chap was buying into quicker than they devoured their impeccably fried eggs and bacon that morning in the four-star B&B with crisp white net curtains.
It's a sales pitch that Saab is probably quite accustomed too as well. It's 9-3 Convertible might not be the new kid on the block any more - but the car's streamlined shape and optional leather interior ooze the same class and sophistication that will have pension lump sums spent quicker than an MP claiming back some rather dubious expenses.
However, at over £28,000 the 148bhp 1.8T convertible is more motor cruiser than speed boat. The 62mph benchmark comes up in a leisurely 10 seconds and the softly sprung set-up and Vauxhall Vectra-based chassis means the 9-3 is happier ambling along A roads than being hustled with vigour through country lanes.
But with a convertible is that really an issue? Certainly not if you're one of the two rear seat passengers deeply ensconced in some of the most comfortable seats of any production car. Deep and supportive, it would almost be rude not to spend another £1,125 on the soft and pliable optional leather trim - which not only feels good on the bottom but looks equally impressive parked up at your favourite countryside local.
And you have to admire Saab for its interior efforts. Much like the boat builders of old, traditions seem to have been passed down through the generations at the Saab factory and the dash can trace its heritage to Saabs of old. There are no swoops and curves with this dashboard - just the firm's traditional slab-sided effort which puts simplicity first and foremost.
The electric roof is something far more modern however. There are no clips to release and, at the press of a button, motors whirs, levers lift and pull until the canvas top is stowed away in under 30 seconds. When it's up - because it's not one of the latest metal folding jobbies - there is more road and wind noise than in the equivalent BMW3-Series. But down, with the sun shining, the 9-3 can still do the business. Forget those Vectra bits underneath because this still feels like one classy motor car.
At motorway speeds there is a fair amount of buffeting - not many open-top cars can keep the hair in place at 70mph - but along those aforementioned A roads, the Saab simply makes you feel good. It's one of those rare cars that's worth more than the sum of its parts. It's not the latest drop-top, it's not particularly fast (economy is good though at over 36mpg combined) and it's not the best convertible to drive. But it's also not brash like a BMW and not as expensive as a Mercedes. Instead the 9-3 Convertible is elegant and classy. Visit one in a showroom if you care - just be prepared to fend off the hordes of middle-aged dreamers.
- NEIL GREENFIELD
Saab 9-3 Convertible 1.8T Vector Sport
|
|
|