Hardtop to Ragtop?
Discussion
Owning a saab 9-3 2.0T as i do, i occaisionally have a hankering for a bit more excitement in my daily drive.
Unfortunately, a sportscar is out of the question for insurance reasons (yay for insurers that require 2 years no claims before insuring you on anything fun!)
this leaves me with the option of visiting nice Mr.Maptun, for a healthy boost in torque and some handling upgrades, or doing something a bit different and losing the roof.
no, im not going to take an angle grinder to my Saab, but trading it in for an identical, but convertible, model.
Having looked at (but not driven) one, i know i lose out on a lot of boot space, and (imho) the looks with the top up arent as good.
but i have heard the handling really suffers due to chassis flex -is this something that is likely to irritate me coming from a hardtop 9-3? Can it be fixed with a steering rack brace or subframe connectors?
basically im tempted by the idea of exactly my car, but with the roof down in spring / summer - am i likely to get more than i bargain for in terms of problems?
Unfortunately, a sportscar is out of the question for insurance reasons (yay for insurers that require 2 years no claims before insuring you on anything fun!)
this leaves me with the option of visiting nice Mr.Maptun, for a healthy boost in torque and some handling upgrades, or doing something a bit different and losing the roof.
no, im not going to take an angle grinder to my Saab, but trading it in for an identical, but convertible, model.
Having looked at (but not driven) one, i know i lose out on a lot of boot space, and (imho) the looks with the top up arent as good.
but i have heard the handling really suffers due to chassis flex -is this something that is likely to irritate me coming from a hardtop 9-3? Can it be fixed with a steering rack brace or subframe connectors?
basically im tempted by the idea of exactly my car, but with the roof down in spring / summer - am i likely to get more than i bargain for in terms of problems?
wadeski said:
Owning a saab 9-3 2.0T as i do, i occaisionally have a hankering for a bit more excitement in my daily drive.
Unfortunately, a sportscar is out of the question for insurance reasons (yay for insurers that require 2 years no claims before insuring you on anything fun!)
this leaves me with the option of visiting nice Mr.Maptun, for a healthy boost in torque and some handling upgrades, or doing something a bit different and losing the roof.
no, im not going to take an angle grinder to my Saab, but trading it in for an identical, but convertible, model.
Having looked at (but not driven) one, i know i lose out on a lot of boot space, and (imho) the looks with the top up arent as good.
but i have heard the handling really suffers due to chassis flex -is this something that is likely to irritate me coming from a hardtop 9-3? Can it be fixed with a steering rack brace or subframe connectors?
basically im tempted by the idea of exactly my car, but with the roof down in spring / summer - am i likely to get more than i bargain for in terms of problems?
Unfortunately, a sportscar is out of the question for insurance reasons (yay for insurers that require 2 years no claims before insuring you on anything fun!)
this leaves me with the option of visiting nice Mr.Maptun, for a healthy boost in torque and some handling upgrades, or doing something a bit different and losing the roof.
no, im not going to take an angle grinder to my Saab, but trading it in for an identical, but convertible, model.
Having looked at (but not driven) one, i know i lose out on a lot of boot space, and (imho) the looks with the top up arent as good.
but i have heard the handling really suffers due to chassis flex -is this something that is likely to irritate me coming from a hardtop 9-3? Can it be fixed with a steering rack brace or subframe connectors?
basically im tempted by the idea of exactly my car, but with the roof down in spring / summer - am i likely to get more than i bargain for in terms of problems?
Hi
I have had a 9-5 3.0Tid for the last 2 1/2 years, drives great.
I thought the same as you, I wanted more fun, top down when weather allows, so in addittion to the 9-5 (had to keep it as I have 2 young kids so need a bigger car on occasions, so the 9-5 is now the wife's) I now have a 9-3 Aero convertible, re-maped to 240bhp with lowered susspension.
I have only had it for 2 months, reports I read before purchase mention twisting of the chasis etc, none noticed on test drive or since. A lot of my regular driving is on twisty roads. I feel that the steering is a lot more responsive than the 9-5, a lot more feel through the wheel, but no twisting that I can report.
I think the previous model was guilty of this, but the latest model has less room in the back due to extra steel work to increase stiffness. Not a bad sacrifice to make!
Go for it. You are only on this planet once, so enjoy yourself!
I have had a 9-5 3.0Tid for the last 2 1/2 years, drives great.
I thought the same as you, I wanted more fun, top down when weather allows, so in addittion to the 9-5 (had to keep it as I have 2 young kids so need a bigger car on occasions, so the 9-5 is now the wife's) I now have a 9-3 Aero convertible, re-maped to 240bhp with lowered susspension.
I have only had it for 2 months, reports I read before purchase mention twisting of the chasis etc, none noticed on test drive or since. A lot of my regular driving is on twisty roads. I feel that the steering is a lot more responsive than the 9-5, a lot more feel through the wheel, but no twisting that I can report.
I think the previous model was guilty of this, but the latest model has less room in the back due to extra steel work to increase stiffness. Not a bad sacrifice to make!
Go for it. You are only on this planet once, so enjoy yourself!
Hi
Top picture, mine is an 05 in the Saab lime green colour.
Not sure about the height compared to previous model. Mine is the Aero which I think is 10mm lower than standard, also have the Hirch springs (not sure on spelling) that lower it a further 10mm at rear, 15mm at front.
Was a bit concerned before test drive that it might be a little hard, certainly firmer that the 95, but still very comfortable on a motorway, yet firm on the twisting lanes.
Hope this helps
Top picture, mine is an 05 in the Saab lime green colour.
Not sure about the height compared to previous model. Mine is the Aero which I think is 10mm lower than standard, also have the Hirch springs (not sure on spelling) that lower it a further 10mm at rear, 15mm at front.
Was a bit concerned before test drive that it might be a little hard, certainly firmer that the 95, but still very comfortable on a motorway, yet firm on the twisting lanes.
Hope this helps
I have a 9-3 Aero Conv of the 2002 variety (ie "old type"
I'd say there is a bit of "flex", but nothing like as bad as many people had said in reviews etc before I bought it. I'm told by people whose view I respect that a steering rack clamp, poly bushes, stiffer anti-roll bars etc would improve it, and I might well do that. Having said that I really enjoy it as it is. Mid-range acceleration is awesome and, as ever with Saabs, the car is very comfortable even with the much stiffer Aero suspension.
Car looks like this:
I'd say there is a bit of "flex", but nothing like as bad as many people had said in reviews etc before I bought it. I'm told by people whose view I respect that a steering rack clamp, poly bushes, stiffer anti-roll bars etc would improve it, and I might well do that. Having said that I really enjoy it as it is. Mid-range acceleration is awesome and, as ever with Saabs, the car is very comfortable even with the much stiffer Aero suspension.
Car looks like this:
Edited by Prof Beard on Saturday 13th January 22:41
wadeski said:
now that is lovely!
the convertibles dont half keep their value though, it looks like nine grand for a good one, versus five for a similar hardtop!
the convertibles dont half keep their value though, it looks like nine grand for a good one, versus five for a similar hardtop!
Convertibles do have funny depreciation patterns. Mine a "fully loaded" auto, cost the first owner over £34,000 in 2002, I bought in at just under three years old (as second owner, not including dealer) for £17,000.
Similar cars in terms of age, history and mileage seem now (after another 2 years) seem to average around £12,000 (just did a quick scan on autotrader).
this is my saab.
I dont notice too much flex..but then again I have this sports strut brace..that apparently every Saab cabriolet should be fitted with. Its easy to fix and is a must. ALso my car has been lowered a lot..about 60mmm i think, and fitted with wide tyres, 225. they really help and i think the car grips suprisingly well. Though its got to be said..there is scuttle shake over big bumps and a bit of understeer.
You should check the roof ..as i have had a few problems and have noticed others have too and it costs a bomb to fix them. You can get a 6 footer in the surprisingly roomy back seat too but yes the boot is much smaller than in the hatch. The cabs are better specced than the hardtops too and keep their value and i think this shape looks better than the new saab cab which imo looks a bit dumpy
I dont notice too much flex..but then again I have this sports strut brace..that apparently every Saab cabriolet should be fitted with. Its easy to fix and is a must. ALso my car has been lowered a lot..about 60mmm i think, and fitted with wide tyres, 225. they really help and i think the car grips suprisingly well. Though its got to be said..there is scuttle shake over big bumps and a bit of understeer.
You should check the roof ..as i have had a few problems and have noticed others have too and it costs a bomb to fix them. You can get a 6 footer in the surprisingly roomy back seat too but yes the boot is much smaller than in the hatch. The cabs are better specced than the hardtops too and keep their value and i think this shape looks better than the new saab cab which imo looks a bit dumpy
Edited by k321 on Sunday 28th January 16:19
I have an MY02 2.0FPT SE 'vert (185BHP), and went the whole hog with the Abbot route, Viggen Rescue Kit (steering rack clamp, poly TCA bushes and front strut brace), Abbot springs and adjsutable Koni's, and a fatter rear ARB.
The car was transformed and handles like a dream. No more crashing, no more torque steer, no more wheelspin, like its on rails on the corners with the steering very precise, and looks a lot more aggressive being dropped 25mm. Around the £1700 mark for the lot if you were wondering.
When I had the work done I went faster and faster around a big roundabout at the end of the god-forsaken industrial park where I am currently working (much to the chagrin of the delivery drivers trying to devour a dogburger)and nothing happened apart from the TCS cutting in around 45mph, and I was getting dizzy. Turn the TCS off again and it went over 50 with some understeer creeping in, then some lift-off oversteer after I had really pushed it, and that is with stock 215/45/17 P7000's. 225 Eagle F1's for my birthday.
I reckon it is quicker point-to-point than a stock Aero due to the ability of the chassis now to properly cope with all those glorious buckets of torque in stead of vaguely attempting to scrabble around the bends. Wont stop me getting the Stage 1 ECU remap this summer though.
Now not only do I get the rays with the roof off but can take my favourite chicane flat out in third with no drama and a big fat smile as reward.
The car was transformed and handles like a dream. No more crashing, no more torque steer, no more wheelspin, like its on rails on the corners with the steering very precise, and looks a lot more aggressive being dropped 25mm. Around the £1700 mark for the lot if you were wondering.
When I had the work done I went faster and faster around a big roundabout at the end of the god-forsaken industrial park where I am currently working (much to the chagrin of the delivery drivers trying to devour a dogburger)and nothing happened apart from the TCS cutting in around 45mph, and I was getting dizzy. Turn the TCS off again and it went over 50 with some understeer creeping in, then some lift-off oversteer after I had really pushed it, and that is with stock 215/45/17 P7000's. 225 Eagle F1's for my birthday.
I reckon it is quicker point-to-point than a stock Aero due to the ability of the chassis now to properly cope with all those glorious buckets of torque in stead of vaguely attempting to scrabble around the bends. Wont stop me getting the Stage 1 ECU remap this summer though.
Now not only do I get the rays with the roof off but can take my favourite chicane flat out in third with no drama and a big fat smile as reward.
rcarr said:
Neither, they are glorified Vauxhalls/ GM derivatives anyway. But if you are so inclined, a hardtop because they will flex less, in terms of rigidity.
GM did not get their stake in Saab until 2000, after the 9-3 was introduced in 1998 with 1100 improvements on the old 900. The car has not undergone major changes apart from the adaption of some parts from the GM bin in terms of brakes and pumps, wiring looms etc. The current model 9-3 SS (Sports Saloon) introduced in 2003 shares more of the same floorplan with Vauxhall/GM cars.
All convertibles flex more than saloons by definition, but there is a lot you an do to get rid of it. I get no scuttle shake at all anymore. There is even a 6 point subframe brace you can get for some serious track action if you wish.
If you go for a previos model 9-3 it is all Saab, quirky, individual, sometimes tempramental, but you will find most owners really bond with their cars. I never understod the concept until I owned one.
In terms of a value for money 4 seater convertible with sub-8 sec 0-60 performance, 140mph top speed and not being a BMW, you cant do much better IMHO. Yes you get a bit more wind noise with the hood up on the motorway than with the saloon, but that is not why you would buy a convertible is it?
rcarr said:
Neither, they are glorified Vauxhalls/ GM derivatives anyway. But if you are so inclined, a hardtop because they will flex less, in terms of rigidity.
dont worry about the troll, he wouldnt know what a trollhattan turbo can offer if it bit him in the arse. Quick check of the old profile shows a mercedes rollover-class and daddies car...
i wonder if his hand has touched a spanner on the sunbeam or if thats another car he "drives from time to time" i.e. he's 17 and his dad lets him sit in it making "BRRRM BRRRM" noises
Hiya,
I'm on my second aero convertible. This one's a silver 05 version (I found silver goes a bit quicker than the previous blue one)- I had a Hirsch upgrade to the chip and it really does make a noticeable difference - esp in 3rd and 4th. True there's a bit more flex than a rigid body but I've found the aero pretty stable and can really throw it round corners before the back end slides. I love my Saab nearly as much as my 'weekend' car (a 4L Chimaera. I always feel confident hurling the Saab around on bendy roads - even with the standard underneath bits! Beware tho' they do eat front tyres if you drive 'enthusiastically'.
Go for it, you'll love it.
Neville
I'm on my second aero convertible. This one's a silver 05 version (I found silver goes a bit quicker than the previous blue one)- I had a Hirsch upgrade to the chip and it really does make a noticeable difference - esp in 3rd and 4th. True there's a bit more flex than a rigid body but I've found the aero pretty stable and can really throw it round corners before the back end slides. I love my Saab nearly as much as my 'weekend' car (a 4L Chimaera. I always feel confident hurling the Saab around on bendy roads - even with the standard underneath bits! Beware tho' they do eat front tyres if you drive 'enthusiastically'.
Go for it, you'll love it.
Neville
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