COMPLETE REPORT

Welcome to our Decision Guide Complete Report. It puts all the information you need on this vehicle at your fingertips. We give you objective test figures, and more. Our collective expertise, combined with the most comprehensive testing program around, lets us truly put vehicles in the proper context for you. The in-depth reviews, road tests, and comparison tests included here don't just tell you what a vehicle can do. Our real-world observations and judgments, based on our many years of experience with all types of vehicles, help you to understand the qualitative nature of performance.
Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible
Base price: $43,320 Vehicle type: front-engine, front-drive; 2-door 4-passenger convertible

COMPLETE REPORT CONTENTS

Content Detailed vehicle specifications Capsule Review Road tests, reviews & related feature articles J.D. Power and Associates Power Circle Quality Ratings NHTSA crash-test ratings Kelley Blue Book detailed vehicle pricing & standard equipment

Section 5 6

COMPLETE REPORT SECTION 1: Specifications
Base price: Vehicle type: Interior volume, F/R/cargo (cu ft) Cargo volume, seats up/maximum (cu ft) Wheelbase Length/width/height Turning circle Curb weight EPA city/hwy mpg Fuel-tank capacity/range Passive restraints Bed capacity (cu ft)
$43,320 front-engine, front-drive; 2-door 4-passenger convertible 51/31/8 28/62 105.3 in 182.4/69.3/56.4 in 35.4 ft 3480-3550 lb 19-21/27-28 16.4 gal/312-344 mi driver and passenger front and side airbags 45.1-

POWERTRAIN

turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve inline-4, 210 hp, 221 lb-ft; 5-sp man, 5-sp auto
SUSPENSION F R ind, struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar ind, multilink, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES F/R ABS vented disc/disc standard
Future Product Intelligence
2005 Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible Station wagon appears.
COMPLETE REPORT SECTION 2: Capsule Review
Based on GM's Epsilon architecture, which is shared with Opel and Saturn, this ragtop is built by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria. Consistent with Saab's recent image-building efforts, this convertible is loaded with standard safety features, including adaptive front airbags, two-stage side airbags, seat-mounted belts with pretensioning, and active head restraints to combat whiplash. Beyond that, the A-pillars have extra reinforcement, and a pair of steel hoops pop up behind the rear seats for rollover protection. Among the car's clever features is a key-fob remote that operates the nicely padded top and lowers the windows while you stroll across the parking lot. Top operation is a one-touch, no-latches affairjust push the button and wait 20 seconds. For 2005, Saab adds a lower-priced, 175-hp Linear model; an optional nav system; and several new colors.
COMPLETE REPORT SECTION 3: Reviews, Road Tests and Features
2006 Charting the Changes Saab

Saab October 2005

There's some confusion about the vintage of Saab's first SUV, the 9-7X. Although production began in 2005 and some were sold as '05s, Saab is considering '06 as the rollout year. No matter, the 9-7X is a five-passenger variant of GM's mid-sizeSUV platform with distinct Saab touches such as the center-console-mounted ignition switch. Also new is the 9-3 SportCombi five-door wagon. The top-of-the-line Aero "form," as Saab calls its trim levels, gets a new 250-hp, 2.8-liter turbocharged V-6 with a standard six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic with steering-wheel controls. The 9-3 Linear and Arc merge into a single base model using Saab's 210-hp four-cylinder turbo engine. Unchanged: 9-2X, 9-5.
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2005 Saab 9-3 Aero

Eighth Place: $35,000 Sports Sedans October 2005
Unlike the Subaru-built 9-2X and GM-built 9-7X SUV, the 9-3 Aero is built in Trollhttan, Sweden, by real trolls. But GM gene splicing means the 9-3 shares mud blood with the Chevy Malibu and Opel Vectra. Such corner cutting doesn't win points in this group. We would be disappointed not to find some oddness in a Saab. The 9-3 serves it with silver bat-wing trim pressed into the steering wheel that knifes through your peripheral vision as you turn. Black leather inserts in the parchment leather and the requisite ignition key between the seats keep it Saab-sacred inside, and the back seat is comfy and accessed through big doors. Giant waffle-pattern vents quickly cool the lightly hued cabin to a sweat-free temp. The tilt adjust resides down around your shins, and the view over the high dash is of a rolling black dune that stretches a long way to the windshield base. We counted 45 little buttons, and only fools dare probe the fussy navigation system while in motion.

Saab 9-3 Aero

Highs: Mod cockpit details, generous back seat, lusty thrust once the turbo is spinning.
Lows: Clomps over bumps, a sloppy shifter, turbo lag, a sea of tiny buttons The steam built slowly at first in our relatively green V-6 turbo, rolling up like on the dash. Ravel's Bolero in a rousing, whooshing, thrusting crescendo. Somewhere around the 6400-rpm redline, the motor would quit abruptly, and you didn't know The Verdict: Somebody tell GM that whether to shift or reach for a Chesterfield. This humpy-lumpy power delivery hustled the front-drive Saab to 60 mph in a midpack 6.4 seconds but didn't leave mediocrity is not a Saab heritage trait. much satisfaction in its wake. Nor did the brakes, which only engaged at the bottom of the pedal stroke and produced a 198-foot stopping distance, good only compared with a garbage truck's. We concluded that there must have been a malfunction. A shifter with tighter spacing and firmer detents would help the 9-3. A steering rack with less friction and more feedback would heighten our enjoyment. Body roll and structure flex distracted us with vibrations through the seats and floorboards. Over bumps the 9-3 stepped heavily with hard impacts that sent quivers through the body. We thought the cruising distance pitifully small until we realized the low-fuel light came on with 3.6 gallons still in the tank. Where's the real Saab? Surely not here in last place.

Saab 9-3 Sportcombi

At last, the hatch is back. Well, sort of. BY RON KIINO September 2005
What's that? You miss the Saab hatchback? It's understandableafter all, it's Saab's signature style, one that describes everything from old 99s and 90s to more recent 900s and first-generation 9-3s. So when Saab introduced the second-gen 9-3 in 2002 without a hatch, it was puzzling, to say the least. Saab pointed to the stigma associated with the body style in America, as well as strong sales of the 9-5, its flagship sedan that replaced the 9000 hatchback. Now, with the 9-3 entering its fourth year of duty, and with its sales stagnant, it's time for some old-school flair.
Saab 9-3 Sportcombi Vehicle type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door wagon Estimated base price: $27,000-$33,000 Engines: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 210 hp, 221 lb-ft; twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 2.8-liter V-6, 250 hp, 258 lb-ft Transmissions: 5-speed automatic with manumatic shifting, 6-speed automatic with manumatic shifting, 6-speed manual Wheelbase: 105.3 in Length/width/height: 183.2/69.4/59.3 in Curb weight: 3300-3600 lb Performance ratings (mfr's est): Zero to 62 mph: 6.9-9.0 sec Top speed (governor limited): 140-152 mph Projected fuel economy (mfr's est): European combined cycle: 22-28 mpg

Saab Gets a Turbo V-6

BY STEVE SPENCE July 2005
It's not often we run a lead photo of the hind end of a sporty new car, but these dual exhaust pipes are about the only way enthusiasts will be able to tell that this Saab 9-3 Aero is packing the most powerful engine ever stuffed into one of the snappy sedans from Trollhttan, Sweden. The power source is a turbocharged version of the all-new GM "global" V-6, a most modern all-aluminum, 24-valve engine with dual overhead cams that makes 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque37 more than Saab's current topperforming turbo-four sedan. The 2.8-liter engine uses a twin-scroll, water-cooled Mitsubishi turbocharger that smoothes out the boost delivery. Some drivers like the traditional Saab shove in the back when sudden acceleration is needed, while others aren't fans of the on-and-off turbo dance, but this new model (the body remains unchanged) has a more gradual power flow. Saab says the V-6 hooked up to a standard six-speed manual will go from 0 to 62 mph in 6.9 seconds, which isn't a huge improvement over the 7.2-second time we clocked (to 60 mph) in a 2005 9-3 turbo four in a 2004 comparison test. Top speed is 155 mph. In a first drive over the Swedish countryside, we were generally impressed with its performance and what felt like a reduction in Saab's well-known torque steer on this front-drive car, despite the increased horsepower. And for the first time, there is a fairly thrilling exhaust note. The V-6, with an anticipated opening price of $35,000, will be joined in the sedan lineup by the 210-hp turbo four. The larger-engined car is due in the U.S. by mid-September. Saab 9-3 Turbo V-6 Vehicle type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan Estimated base price: $35,000 Engine type: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection Displacement: 170 cu in, 2792cc Power (SAE net): 247 bhp @ 5500 rpm Torque (SAE net): 258 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm Transmissions: 6-speed automatic with manumatic shifting, 6-speed manual Wheelbase: 105.3 in
Length/width/height: 182.5/69.0/56.8 in Curb weight: 3400 lb Performance ratings (mfr's est): Zero to 62 mph: 6.9-7.9 sec Top speed (governor limited): 152-155 mph Projected fuel economy (C/D est): EPA city driving: 19-20 mpg EPA highway driving: 27-29 mpg
COMPLETE REPORT SECTION 4: Vehicle Quality Ratings
Power Circles were designed as an easy-to-use system for rating products and services.Please note: Power Circle ratings are based on surveys sent to more than 50,000 new-vehicle owners nationwide. These ratings do not include all information used to determine J.D. Power and Associates awards.
No data available for this vehicle.

About J.D. Power and Associates Since 1968, J.D. Power and Associates has been conducting quality and customer satisfaction research based on survey responses from millions of consumers worldwide. We do not rely on "expert opinion." Our product and service rankings in no way reflect the opinions or preferences of the firm, and we do not review, judge or test products and services ourselves. We represent the voice of the customer by translating survey responses into information that companies worldwide use to improve quality and customer satisfaction, as well as to help consumers make better decisions. J.D. Power and Associates has developed and maintains one of the largest, most comprehensive historical customer satisfaction databases in existence, which includes feedback on virtually all aspects of the shopping, buying, and product and service ownership experience.
COMPLETE REPORT SECTION 5: Crash Test Ratings
Each year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)crash tests cars, light trucks, sport-utility vehicles, and vans that are new, popular, redesigned, or have improved safety equipment. These vehicles are then rated on how well they protect drivers and passengers during frontal and side collisions. NCAP uses a fivestar system for rating vehicles, with five stars indicating the highest safety rating and one star the lowest. Although it is impossible to assess how well a vehicle provides protection in all circumstances using a single test, NCAP ratings provide a useful basis for comparing vehicle safety. For more information, visit http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/
MAKE & MODEL 2005 SAAB 9-3 * 1
FRONTAL STAR RATING* Driver Not Tested Passenger Not Tested
SIDE STAR RATING** Front Seat Not Tested Rear Seat Not Tested
ROLLOVER RESISTANCE RATING Not Rated
Legend for NHTSA Frontal Star Rating stars - 10% or less chance of serious injury stars - 11% to 20% chance of serious injury stars - 21% to 35% chance of serious injury stars - 36% to 45% chance of serious injury star - 46% or greater chance of serious injury
** Legend for NHTSA Side Star Rating 5 stars - 5% or less chance of serious injury 4 stars - 6% to 10% chance of serious injury 3 stars - 11% to 20% chance of serious injury 2 stars - 21% to 25% chance of serious injury 1 star - 26% or greater chance of serious injury
Note: Frontal tests should be compared only within the same weight class or within a range of 250 pounds of the vehicle weight.

About the NHTSA: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is responsible for reducing deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes. This is accomplished by setting and enforcing safety performance standards for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment, and through grants to state and local governments to enable them to conduct effective local highway safety programs. NHTSA investigates safety defects in motor vehicles, sets and enforces fuel economy standards, helps states and local communities reduce the threat of drunk drivers, promotes the use of safety belts, child safety seats and air bags, investigates odometer fraud, establishes and enforces vehicle anti-theft regulations and provides consumer information on motor vehicle safety topics. NHTSA also conducts research on driver behavior and traffic safety, to develop the most efficient and effective means of bringing about safety improvements.
COMPLETE REPORT SECTION 6: Kelley Blue Book
Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible 352 Convertible 2D Price With Destination Charge and Required Equipment PRICING DETAILS AND REQUIRED MINIMUM EQUIPMENT

BASE INVOICE 40,892.00

BASE MSRP 43,320.00
INVOICE Base Pricing Destination Charge Required Minimum Equipment Price with Destination Charge and Required Minimum Equipment 40,172.00 720.00 0.00 40,892.00
MSRP 42,600.00 720.00 0.00 43,320.00
Note: Base price does not include optional equipment, advertising or other dealer costs. See links above to view and select optional equipment. For more detailed pricing please visit www.kbb.com. OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT Engines -- \Arc, Aero - (N/A Linear) -- \Arc, Aero - (N/A Linear) -- 4-Cyl, HO, Turbo, 2.0 Liter \Arc, Aero - (N/A Linear) No data for this vehicle. No data for this vehicle. No data for this vehicle. No data for this vehicle. No data for this vehicle. No data for this vehicle. Tires No data for this vehicle. No data for this vehicle. No data for this vehicle. STD STD STD STD STD STD
No data for this vehicle. No data for this vehicle. No data for this vehicle. No data for this vehicle. -- (4) P245/45VR17 \Aero - (N/A Linear or Arc) -- (4) P245/45VR17 \Aero - (N/A Linear or Arc) STANDARD EQUIPMENT Air Conditioning, Manual Alarm System Alternator, 140-Amp Antenna, Integrated Glass Axle Ratio, 3.82 Battery, 60-Amp Brakes, Power F&R Disc Braking System, Anti-Lock Clock, Digital (Stand Alone) Console w/Storage Cup Holders, F&R Defroster, Rear Window Drivetrain, Front Wheel Drive Drivetrain, FWD Engine Immobilizer Engine: 4-Cyl, 16V, MFI, Turbo, 2.0 Liter Engine: 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter Entry System, Illuminated Keyless Remote Control Floor Mats Floor Mats, F&R Floor Mats, HD Rubber F&R Fog Light, Rear Fog Lights, Rear Fuel Filler Door Release, Power Fuel Tank, 16.4 Gal Cap Gauge, Turbo Boost Headlamp Control, Automatic-Off Lights: Cargo Comp't, Daytime Running & Glove Box Locking System, Central Mirrors, Dual Heated Power w/Turn Signals & Dual Illuminated Visor Vanity Moldings, Body Side Power Outlets, (2) Radio, AM/FM Stereo w/CD Restraint System, Dual Front & F&R Side Impact Air Bag Restraint System, Head Air Bag Restraint System, Head Curtain Air Bag Seat, Split Folding Rear Seats, Leather Surfaced Bucket Speed Control Stability Control, Electronic Stability System, Electronic Stabilizer Bars, F&R Steering Wheel Touch Controls Steering Wheel, Leather-Wrapped Tilt & Telescoping Steering Wheel, Leather-Wrapped Tilt & Telescoping w/Touch Controls Steering, Power Tachometer Tire, Limited Use Spare Tires, (4) P215/55HR16 Towing Cap, 2000-lb Max (When Properly Equipped) Traction Control Trans, 5-Spd Manual w/Overdrive Trans: Manual, 5-Spd w/Overdrive Trip Computer Trip Computer, Mini STD STD STD STD

Trunk Entrapment Release W/S Wipers, Variable Intermittent Wheels, 5-Spoke Alloy Windows, Power Air Conditioning, Automatic Engine: 4-Cyl, 16V, MFI, HO, Turbo, 2.0 Liter Engine: 4-Cyl, HO, Turbo, 2.0 Liter Fog Lights, Front Fog Lights, Front Interior Trim, Wood Restraint System, Front Head Curtain Air Bag Seat Adjusters, Dual 8-Way Power Seat Adjusters, Dual Power Wheels, 10-Spoke Alloy Chassis, Sport Interior Trim, Metallic Moon Roof, Power Glass Seats, Leather Surfaced Sport Bucket Tires, (4) P245/45VR17 Wheels, Twin 5-Spoke Alloy Moon Roof Delete, Power Glass Restraint System Delete, Head Air Bag Restraint System Delete, Head Curtain Air Bag Roll Bars, Automatic Seat Delete, Split Folding Rear Seats, Two-Tone Leather Surfaced Sport Bucket Soft Top, Automatic Power Spoiler, Rear Special fees, credits and incentives No data for this vehicle. No data for this vehicle. No data for this vehicle. -- 4-Cyl, HO, Turbo, 2.0 Liter (Fleet Only) - (Incentive Combinations & Availability May Be Rest -- 4-Cyl, HO, Turbo, 2.0 Liter Cash (Expires 7-5-05) - (This Incentive is Called GM Employee Discount for -- (Fleet Only) - (Incentive Combinations & Availability May Be Rest -- Fleet Incentive (Fleet Only) - (Incentive Combinations & Availability May Be Restricted by Regional or Fleet Rules & Other Factors -- See Dealer for Details) No data for this vehicle. No data for this vehicle.