SAAB 9-3 convertible now offers Sand top

[Flybrian]

Saab 9-3 Convertible, Now Available with Sand

DETROIT – The sand often times conjures memories of walks on the beach with the fresh sea air swirling in and out with the tide. With the availability of optional tan colored top, in place of the standard black or optional blue colors, Saab 9-3 customers are now able to reminisce year-round in this robust four-season convertible.

A Sand convertible top was only offered in 1993 and 1994 on the first generation convertible. After a 13-year hiatus, and many customer and dealer inquiries, the Swedish-born brand conceived by aircraft engineers, the option returns.

“Saab is a customer-focused brand,” said Yanlin Sun, Saab 9-3 Convertible marketing manager. “Our customers and dealers alike asked us to bring back the sand ... so we did.”

Since launching its first convertible, Saab has played a major role in advancing the popularity of open-top cars as a practical, all-year-round means of transport. The 9-3 Convertible's premium quality, sprightly performance, sporty styling and generous equipment levels attract those who long for cruising around in the open air.

The Saab 9-3 Convertible is offered in the 2.0T and Aero trim levels priced at $38,240 and $43,845 respectively. As with all Saab models, the 9-3 Convertible comes standard with no-charge scheduled maintenance, the GM 5-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty as well as a 4-year/50,000 mile Limited New-Car Warranty.

[Drew Dowdell]

smart move

choice is good

[pow]

I guess that's SAAB's answer to...

or...

Some different colored canvas. I'm sure the 9-3 Cabrio is a fine car, but there isn't much going for it.

Edited April 23, 2007 by empowah

[Drew Dowdell]

some of us prefer a ragtop

[Flybrian]

Do you really look at that many mechanical parts moving in concert on something wearing a Volkswagen badge and have confidence in it?

[ocnblu]

I prefer canvas, and wish the Pontiac G6 wore a ragtop. Notice Benz' new Ocean Drive concept has a canvas top.

[pow]

Do you really look at that many mechanical parts moving in concert on something wearing a Volkswagen badge and have confidence in it?

The top is made by Karmann... the same people who do all the other hardtops and some softtops.

[thegriffon]

Karmann do not "do all the other hardtops". They don't even do the Eos. Pininfarina does the Colt, C70 and Focus; Karmann the Micra, G6 and Megane; Heuliez the Tigra and 206; Magna CTS the XLR, SL, SLK and Astra and 307; Webasto the Eos. The 207 CC is done in-house by Peugeot. If anyone is the "leader in retractable hardtop technology" it's Magna CTS (the former Porsche-Mercedes JV).

[Intrepidation]

One could argue that even the Chrysler Sebring offers a hardtop..and 2 soft tops. Choice is indeed good. Then again, the 9-3 is more attractive...so yeah

Still, they seem to make a big deal over a color option. So what? The Sky has something like that for a color...I'd rather have it...and not just because Z0/\/\G!1! T3H T0P 1S 1/\/ @ (0L0R 0TH3R TH4/\/ BL4(|<!!1! HURJ4Y!!1!1!

[Drew Dowdell]

With a soft top you actually get a usable trunk.... and modern soft tops are so good <but slow to operate> they can easily be an all year car.

[bostonspider]

Well C&D had a comparison test of $40K convertibles, pitting the new retractable hardtops 328i, C70, and Eos, against the old school A4 and 9-3. There was no real surprise about the winner, the 328i, but I was interested to see that No.2 and No.3 went to the Audi and Saab respectively, each with their smaller standard engine as well. Next was the Eos with the option 6 cylinder, and then bringing up the rear was the Volvo. So the Saab is holding its own against the upstarts... And the Saab softop was the fastest of all the tops to rise and lower, so I don't understand the previous posters comment about it being slow to operate.

Edited April 26, 2007 by bostonspider

[the_yellow_dart]

I personally never liked this colour, but again, choice is good.

You want a hard top? Buy a G6.

[HarleyEarl]

Can Saab get any lamer than this?! Wow, sand colored top. Saab deathwatch.