2007 Saab 9-3

That's not to say that Saab hasn't become much more of a mainstream car than it was years ago. The front-wheel-drive 9-3 is Saab's top-selling auto, but would probably lose some of its appeal if turned into a thoroughly conventional auto.

Saab is an innovative automaker that has long has been an upscale car in Europe, which is one reason why GM bought half of it in 1990 and the rest in 2000.

Sales Veteran Here
Some Saabs—most especially the early ones—have been more unique than others. This Swedish automaker actually began selling cars here in the 1950s after it started producing them in the late 1940s following years of being a respected aircraft manufacturer.

The 900 hatchback was the first Saab to begin to approach mainstream status in America when introduced in 1979. And the later 9-3 has been accepted as a near-mainstream model here.

GM has tried to expand Saab volume and make it profitable by introducing models that share Saab components with those from Subaru and midsize GM SUVs such as the Chevrolet TrailBlazer. But, for the most part, GM has left Saab alone.

Changes
For 2006, the front-wheel-drive 9-3 line adds a station wagon variant called the SportCombi, and higher-performance 9-3 Aero versions have a new turbocharged 2.8-liter 250-horsepower V6, jointly developed by GM and Saab.

The 9-3 sedan is quite roomy, and the SportCombi wagon is even roomier. Even the 9-3 convertible has a decent-size back seat. So the big news for the latest Saab is the turbo V6.

The non-Aero sedan, wagon and convertible have a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 210 horsepower and less torque than the V6.

The turbo 4-cylinder is the type of engine most associated with Saab, which is an expert at producing small, high-powered engines with no more than four cylinders.

More Americanized Engine
However, the V6 is a more "Americanized" engine, if only because people in this country new to the Saab brand expect any car costing more than $25,000 to have at least six cylinders. List prices for the 9-3 go from $25,900 for the base sedan to $41,900 for the Aero convertible.

I tested the 9-3 Aero convertible because Saab soft-tops have been popular since their introduction in January, 1986, and the 9-3 is one of the most highly regarded convertibles on the market. However, it doesn't come close to being one of the best sellers, and its resale value doesn't match those of rival European soft-tops.

The 9-3 Aero convertible doesn't have an extravagant price for a stylish, fast European soft-top with room for four tall adults. In contrast, the lowest-priced BMW convertible is its 3-Series model. It starts at $39,600, has a tight rear seat and, as of mid-2006, is based on a 1999 design.

Singular Charm
Saab convertibles long have been trendy and always have had a singular charm. No other convertibles from any country are like them, and they've continued their winning ways year after year. Saab had built nearly 250,000 convertibles since 1986.

The 9-3 Aero convertible has lots of standard comfort and convenience equipment that ranges from leather upholstery to all the power accessories you would expect.

Putting the top down involves just working a switch. It lowers and disappears from view under a hard cover in 18 seconds and goes up in 22 seconds. The side windows lower or raise in an extra four seconds.

Wind buffeting is average in the front seats for a top-down convertible at normal highway speeds.

This convertible's 12.4 cubic feet of trunk space is among the largest of any soft-top model, although it shrinks to 8.3 cubic feet when the top is lowered.

While rather high, the trunk opening has a plastic lip to prevent scratching luggage, and the trunk lid moves up well out of the way on hydraulic struts to prevent head-banging. The lid's interior is lined, and there is a large inside pull-down handle so hands aren't dirtied on outside sheet metal.

Safety Features
The Saab isn't as well-known as fellow Swedish automaker, Volvo, for safety equipment. But the 9-3 convertible's safety features include front-seat side airbags for torso and head protection, and a rollover bar is designed to pop up in an impending tip.

Also standard are anti-lock brakes and an electronic stability control system. Saab's active front head restraints protect against whiplash in rear-end collisions.

The turbocharged dual overhead camshaft V6 propels the 9-3 Aero convertible from 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds. Power delivery is smooth—it almost feels as if the car has a larger non-turbocharged V6.

The engine shoots power through a standard short-throw 6-speed manual transmission that works with a light, long-throw clutch or a $1,350 6-speed automatic with a manual-shift feature.

Decent Fuel Economy
Estimated fuel economy is 18 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. Figures with the automatic are nearly identical, at 17 and 28. Premium fuel is recommended.

The rigidly built 3,480-pound 9-3 Aero convertible is handsome and entertaining. It provides responsive steering, excellent handling with the standard sport suspension and a smooth ride. Stopping distances are short, and the brake pedal is easily modulated.

The ignition switch between the front seats takes getting used to for those who don't drive a Saab on a regular basis, but it's less likely to cause injury during a collision than if it were on the dashboard.

No-Nonsense Interior
The upscale interior has an aircraft-style instrument panel that contains easily read gauges. Climate and sound system controls are OK, except for one quirk: Their readouts are in a dashboard screen separate from those controls and call for a driver to look in two places to do one task.

Visibility to the rear isn't very good through the convertible's heated glass rear window, but large outside mirrors help here.

Awkward Moves
Power front seats provide good support in curves, but reaching front seatbelts to fasten them requires awkward moves. The glovebox is large, and doors have useful storage compartments.

However, long, heavy doors are inconvenient in tight parking situations, and extra effort is needed to get in or out of the rear seat if occupants aren't slim.

The hood opens smoothly on a hydraulic strut to reveal easily reached fluid filler areas.

Low Front Bodywork
Drivers of this car should be careful when pulling up to low concrete barriers in front of, for instance, 7-Eleven parking spaces because plastic bodywork below the front bumpers is low and looks as if it can be easily damaged.

The 9-3 Aero convertible is a good choice for those who don't want just another mainstream soft-top car. And even the lower-horsepower trim levels are very competent and fun to drive.