Saab 9-3 2006 Review

This does not mean that Saab is not trying and that there is no hope for the future.

But it seems to be getting harder and harder for the little Swede standing at the base of the GM totem pole. I might as well write it down here and say that I'm a big fan of Saab interior styling - in general.

I hate the goofy handbrake device that's purely designed to look good and pinch your fingers, but other than that, Saab's airplane-style dashboards and ergonomic seats are definitely on the list of favorites.

The 9-5 station wagon, no matter how old it may be, remains an incredibly practical, stylish and safe family vehicle. This only makes the 9-3, and the 9-3 convertible in particular, even more of a mystery. The latest offer for Australia is something of a 'coal to Newcastle' philosophy with Holden's 2.8-litre V6 in the 9-3 Aero.

Based on the same Alloytec underpinnings as the Commodore's 3.6-litre powerplant, albeit with an attached twin-scroll turbo, the V6 gives the 9-3 some serious power, 184kW and 350Nm from 2000-4500rpm. Considering that 90 percent of this significant acceleration is achieved already at 1500 rpm, it is not surprising that Saab claims that this is the fastest accelerating model in the history of the company.

He says it's even faster than the rough and almost unmanageable Viggen of the late 1990s.

The 9-3 V6, with a slight lag on the bottom end, lags from 0-100 km/h in a respectable 6.7 seconds.

And, more importantly, he has a good willingness to find some momentum when overtaking requires it.

The transmission in the tried-and-tested six-speed automatic was well suited to the engine, with minimal hesitation and, once started, exhibited effortless ability to work through the power and torque bands.

Don't worry about awkwardly placed steering wheel gear buttons.

Instead, use the switch for manual mode, even if the forward-up-down pattern is illogical.

Ride comfort is quite acceptable on smooth or undulating surfaces, but quickly shows up on sharper surfaces such as lane dividers and crumbling asphalt.

The steering is light and direct through corners, but feels uncomfortably aggressive and harsh as the steering wheel struggles to come back to center.

The car's aging design still shows up in the shaking that's evident with the roof down, especially when cornering over broken surfaces.

Salon, like the Saab as a whole, is comfortable and roomy. The seats aren't overly supportive, but they provide plenty of support and adjustment when looking for the perfect driving position.

There is no cramped feeling in the front of the cabin, and there is more space for passengers in the back seat than in most convertibles.

The one-touch roof deployment is good, and the ability to raise the roof at speeds up to 20 km/h is a boon when it comes to showers. There's also reasonable trunk space, and the folded roof doesn't encroach on that space.

Surprisingly, given the quality of the interior finishes and the double roof lining, the soundproofing in the cabin with the roof up is particularly poor. Even worse rear view with the roof in place.

Rear parking becomes an act of faith, with huge vision areas blocked by the B-pillar/roof supports, and only a stingy rear window and small rear-view mirrors to help.

Priced at $92,400, including a $2500 premium for the six-speed automatic, the Aero Convertible is no minor purchase.

With a premium price tag, the 9-3 Aero faces some serious competition, but Saab is getting used to overcoming the odds.