Summer is coming to an end for a lot of the U.S. and along with it, convertible season, at least for those who don’t mind driving with the top down when it’s cold. Still, fall and winter are when people living in some climates can finally enjoy a car like this 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible without frying under the summer sun.
Coming after the 900, Saab is said to have made around 1,100 changes when they brought out the 9-3 series in 1998 for the 1999 model year. It was a much more modern car in every way but there’s still something about an analog 900-series car that appeals to a lot of owners. Or most vehicles in the pre-Bluetooth/GPS/backup camera era. You know, back when people weren’t dependant on their phones and had them in their hands 18 hours a day, including while driving.
The seller says they had this great-looking Saab in Colorado where it was their pampered summer car before bringing it east to the beautiful Osage Beach, Missouri area where it now resides but doesn’t get much use any more due to having too many other toys. They comment on how dusty and dirty it is so I won’t mention that for a rare change (I know), and they provided quite a few good photos inside and out and even an engine photo, so all is forgiven!
Sport and luxury weren’t exclusive to Saab but they knew how to do it right. A five-speed manual and leather seats greet the next owner and everything is said to work as it should, there are no issues, there is no rust, and it really looks like a cheap way to get yourself an interesting and fun convertible. The seats look good both front and back, but you’ll need to be under six feet tall to sit in the back unless the front seats are pulled up quite a bit.
Here’s another case when a good detail job would have made a big difference in the presentation, but that’s usually the case. The engine is Saab’s 2.0-liter DOHC inline-four turbo with 148 205 horsepower and 177 209 lb-ft of torque when new. Sending power through that five-speed manual to the front wheels, this Saab would be fun to drive and fun to own. They have it posted here on craigslist in Osage Beach, Missouri, they’re asking $4,750 or offer, and here is the original listing. Any thoughts on this Saab?
This is a great car. It has all the advantages for a great driving experience: Manual Transmission, No distracting Infotainment junk, no monitor glued to the dashboard, not a boring clunky SUV, CUV. This is an entertaining, fun, safe car that handles well and is meant to be driven. Wife drives a newer Laser Red 9-3 convertible with a manual 6 speed and loves it.
I agree, sir, this sure seems like a steal to me at this price.
Can you still get parts for them? That’s what would stop me from getting it.
I sold my 98 900 convertible 3 years ago because it was hard to get parts and if I didn’t do the work it was hard to find someone to work on it
That said I absolutely loved that car it had plenty of zip handled great and got great gas mileage it had the same drivetrain as this one and did not look much different
One weird thing mine had and maybe all Saabs have was REAR fog lights mine went for $5k so this one looks like a steal
Wow! Nice car. Great price
The Saab 9-3 SE convertible has always been an attractive car to me. The only problem l have with it is it’s width the car just seemed too narrow. That’s why I like the Saab 900 convertible better. Very nice car though at a reasonable price. Just my opinion.
Odd that they claim they have too many cars and that’s why the Saab needs to go. Yet in their Craigslist Ad they inquire about “Trade?”…
Which is it?
Note the leaves in the cowl area and for heavens sake, give the poor car a bath instead of stating how dusty and dirty it is.
Me thinks this car was not loved.
Back when i wanted a 4 seater topless, the 3 choices were mercedes, bmw &saab .
Ditched the mercedes idea
Found out the saab was front wheel drive
So went with bmw
After 5 bmw’s and their gremlins , i may buy a skate board for reliable transportation …
YOLO
Great write up as usual, Scotty, but this Saab has a 205 horsepower engine. They are great cars…..I have three of them…..a 2000, a 2001 and a 2002. The 2000 and 2002 are sedans and the 2001 is a Viggen coupe. The ’02 is a slushbox and the other two are five spees. They’re quick, comfortable and fun to drive.
As for parts, most are still available for the NewGen 900, the real 9.3 and the GM stuff that came later. Most parts for the Classic 900 are also still available. Once you get into the two digit Saabs, it starts to get hard.
If I had room in the barn, I’d be on my way south to scoop this one up!
You’re right, SaabGirl900! My mistake, I was looking at the non-turbo, sorry about that.
No worries, Scotty! I’m a dyed in the wool Saabista, and have been for almost 30 years. There’s not much that I don’t know about the C900, NewGen 900 and the real 9.3 (those 9.3s built between 1999 and 2002). Always happy to chime in and lend a hand!
Howard, yes, Seinfeld had several Saab convertibles. He had a later Classic 900, the Saab that was “stolen” by Brad Garrett was a ’96 900 SE V6. That was the car that got destroyed during the Puerto Rican Day fracas and was replaced with a ’97 900 SE Turbo ‘vert.
And, let’s not forget Kramer running the fuel tank of a ’98 900 Turbo down almost to empty……..
Didn’t Jerry Seinfeld have a Saab convertible, that his mechanic( Brad Garrett) stole? That was a very funny episode.