Saab Market Check - Prices Saab 9-3 Cabriolet from 2004
It was 5 years ago during the IntSaab in Spa. I sat with friends in one of these typical street cafes. We enjoyed the scenery and the many Saabs driving through the city. The conversation turned to a Saab 9-3 Cabriolet. A fully loaded blue V6 that has been for sale on a platform for some time.
Just over € 20.000 expensive - and the question was whether we should buy. If only we had done it! Today, after a few years of driving pleasure, you could resell it at an additional cost. A Saab can be an investment, or at least a stable asset. Which is especially true for the convertibles.
Not only at Saab, they have always had a different position than vehicles with fixed sheet metal on the roof. Convertibles are bought for the pleasure. For the days with sunshine and free time. They are cared for and cared for, they are allowed to spend the winter in garages and carports.
Saab 9-3 Cabriolet prices are stable
The prices for the Saab 9-3 Cabriolet are stable and at a high level. If you drive a facelift model from model year 2008, or one of the intermediate models. Less if you own a pre-facelift convertible. There the prices start below € 5.000 and with high mileage. Well-maintained, well-equipped vehicles are around € 10.000. The pre-facelift models are not always convincing. The processing of the vehicles built by Magna is often listless and apparently depends on the daily shape of the employees.
With the facelift, the prices are increasing; beautiful and well-maintained cabriolets start from 15.000 €. At the top, everything is open, and the younger, the more expensive the Saabs. This is primarily due to the tight market, because fewer and fewer new cars were launched after 2008. The prices for harmonious cabriolets are then between 20.000 and 25.000 €.
The trend is clear, as prices are increasing year after year. Not strong, but steady. The refill is here. And while it is really difficult to find an attractive vehicle with all other 9-3 II models, well-maintained convertibles keep coming onto the market. Provided you have a well-stocked account, it's almost like in a fairy tale and you can find your dream convertible.
Saab 9-3 Griffin Cabriolet 2.0t, 2012, 65.000 kilometers
Saab Griffins are rare, and like all convertibles, they were built in Sweden after GM split. Rarities have their price, because they are desirable, but very rarely cheap. This very harmonious convertible is for sale in the Saab Zentrum Rostock. Our brand is also lived there, without any restrictions.
Saab 9 3 Vector 2.0t, 2008, 86.500 kilometers
You can get this 2008 convertible for half the price of the Griffin. According to the advert, it is very neat and well equipped. Fairly priced and from an equally good Saab address. A guarantee is included, and Hirsch Tuning is available on request. It is for sale in the Saab center Gießen.
Saab 9-3 Aero 2.0T, 2005, Automat, 101.500 kilometers
Exciting is the Pre-facelift Cabriolet, which is offered by Saab Zentrum Kiel. With carbon dashboard, deer feathers and deer performance boost hard to find. The new engine has 0 kilometers, and at the latest it could be worth considering.
You buy a Saab from a Saab dealer. That seems to be a still valid piece of wisdom. The few Saab partners who actively buy and sell have their customer base and do profitable business. That could also be true of the 9-3 Cabriolet. How else can it be explained that beautiful convertibles, not too expensive, have been standing motionless at Ford dealers and Citroën dealers for months?
As with all 9-3 models, the supply of spare parts is good, but with small restrictions in the case of the Cabriolet. Because in Sweden, those responsible for Orio are already making some serious long-term blunders. The eternal problem with the belts, which are always not available, is incomprehensible. There are safety and TÜV relevant parts that are apparently only reproduced in small numbers. As soon as they are in stock, they are already sold out. And the waiting starts all over again.
Finally, a word about the diesel models. I never understood the motivation to buy an open vehicle with a commercial vehicle engine. Regardless, open diesel vehicles are indeed much cheaper than the turbo petrol engine. But they are not sold out like limousines or station wagon. The further market development remains to be seen.
A Saab Cabriolet is an investment. The market observation of the last 5 years speaks for it. This applies to well-equipped, well-maintained vehicles. Driving pleasure and value retention are not mutually exclusive. In the next market check we look at the predecessor with the 9-3 I Cabriolet.
Quote: "The processing of the vehicles built at Magna is often listless and apparently depends on the daily shape of the employees."
Is that so? I mean, they almost told me the opposite. Anyway, I'm very satisfied with my stunted 9-3 Aero-Automat from the year 2009. I hope he will last a long time and that I will not do a grosser trick.
That's so. The statement referred, as can be seen in the text, on the pre-facelift models. 2009 is after the facelift.
CV 2009 with “commercial vehicle engine” - 1,9 TTiD - yes - and also with heating and AHK for the caravan at that time - no matter what influenced the purchase decision at the time - today we have even more fun cruising through and over the Alps - staggering noise development from diesel, is not noticeable when driving (inside), neither open nor closed ...
Beautiful article Tom.
I can call two cabriolets my own, an 93 I in yellow and a 93 II in lime metallic. Both are absolute eye-catcher, especially the lei * is well received everywhere. Both cabis are now in hibernation.
* Leimi, deliberately written that way. In East Africa, for example, the English were dubbed by the locals because the English always took limes for tea!
I can only recommend watching, testing, buying and keeping convertible. And of course have fun.
Hello Bukki!
I can fully confirm your statement. I also bought a facelift convertible with TTID engine and 179 PS series. One of the best engines I drove as diesel at Saab. I still use a Combi 1,9 TID with 150 PS, and can only say: The noise in the TTID is worlds better. The convertible I got because of the hysterical discussion about the diesel for a ridiculous price (even as Aero with full equipment and check book maintained). I am very satisfied with the car and would buy it again at any time.
So dear Saabfahrer: No fear of the diesel and always good ride.
Saab had good diesel on offer. No question. My dislike of commercial vehicle engines in convertibles should play no role here and hopefully nobody will take the fun
Cough, cough ... So Saab and good Diesel are now very rose-colored glasses 😉 I have just bought a Saab Diesel, but if you are honest you already know that they don't go together. I don't know the 179PS diesel, but all other diesels are either faulty designs (3.0 TiD), tractor engines (2.2TID) or simply limp (1,9TiD, 120 / 150PS). A 5-cyl. from Volvo, however, is a real cream diesel. For me, switching from my 9-3III to my wife's V70 is always an experience.
Gasoline, that could at Saab, especially earlier.
Is that so? The tractor engines were almost indestructible, the 179 HP diesel a piece of cake (for a diesel) in its day. Hirsch had the “limp” little machines as Viagra. That leaves the legendary 3 liter. Not a bad engine that Saab didn't understand. The Isuzu engine was rock solid before Sweden wanted to turn it into a motorway diesel. And then, for cost reasons, bought the engines in Japan without warranty ...
Sorry but just what the 3.0TiD concerns so I have to object vehemently. That was everything, just not rock solid, but already a faulty construction in itself. The engine damage is not only in Saab but also in Opel and Renault, if not to this extent. Saab had made the mistake to transplant an engine that had a massive problem with the heat budget (transition cylinder liner block) into a too small engine compartment where it was impossible to get out the hot air. If you do not drive faster than 120-130km / h, the aggregate for 200tkm + can be good. Otherwise, unfortunately, and no one buys a diesel with decent performance to then drive with 90km / h far right behind the trucks.
Maybe we have different ideas about what a “good diesel” is, but for me it is not enough if, as in the case of the 2.2TiD, the engine is a long-term runner (which is absolutely true) but it is about as cultivated as a drunk football fan. Although the 120PS is at the same level as the 150PS TID with Hirsch, it is still very sluggish and the engine characteristics do not particularly suit the gearbox setting. The 179 + Hirsch, I could imagine that it would be fun. It's a shame that Saab couldn't / wasn't allowed to develop its own diesel, maybe something great would have come out of it. You could build engines in Sweden.
The 2.0 TiD in the new 95er is not a bad guy, especially with the deer upgrade. After the usual warm-up phase, he runs nice and is not too thirsty. You can have an 6 before the comma and that's not bad for an almost 2 to auto with automatic transmission.
We deliberately opted for an 9-3 I 2,2 TID with which our subsidiary has been commuting between Kiel and Berlin for over two years. Of course, coming from a 9000 2,0t is a culture shock. You have to get used to the present diesel sound. If the huge turbocharger starts running, he has something of a marine diesel or diesel locomotive, but then he pulls too
When I asked 300 Tkm times at the master of our confidence, if not even timing chain, balance shafts or so must be made, I got the answer: "Is not intended that there is something breaks."
Of the operating costs has been worthwhile in any case.
Hi all,
even before 2 years have aTTID convertible at a great price
imported from Spain.
So far I am very satisfied with the choice
only the diesel problem clouds the overall picture.
So I made a conscious decision in 2014 for a 9-3 facelift convertible with a “commercial vehicle engine” because I drive more than 25Tkm per year with this vehicle and the long-distance share is more than 80% (of which at least 50% are land and Federal road). 'Apart from a brief irritation due to of the diesel discussion, I have made the decision to move it further. In idle he nails happily to himself, that's right. But open from 80km / h and closed from 100km / h you hardly hear anything from the “tractor sound”. As a merciless “real consumption calculator” (always fill up the tank and then the rule of three) I can prove a real consumption of 6,3l per 100km. In return, I am happy to accept the acoustic disadvantage. Incidentally, it is one of the most problem-free vehicles that I have driven to date, even compared to several SAAB petrol engines. In the meantime I have completely separated myself from other brands in terms of ownership and thinking.
I also think that Saab diesel convertibles have their justification and as written, have a lot of sense for a long distance, with the diesel engines you have almost twice the range with a tank compared to gasoline. And we Saab drivers are already almost classics, there are operating noises, even if it is the diesel nailing, which I also clearly hear with open sunroof, and still are always better than the newfangled sound generators.
It's good that I bought a facelift aero convertible back in 2009. Everyone said I was crazy to buy a bankrupt car…. today many are jealous of it….
Everything done right! There's nothing to add here…
Now I'm getting cold feet ...
At some point I would like to have a SAAB convertible. Of course, the best time to buy would not have been tomorrow, but yesterday. CRAP! ! !
Anyway, it's nice that SAAB still lives or - better said - lives. Nice boxes.
Thank you! The heart moves ...
But I'm looking forward to the next post. I “think about it” to buy a SABB 9-3 (or 900 II) convertible and am currently exploring the market. I'm torn between the 900 II with the 2,3 l or the 9-3 with 2,0 t.
Hello Reinhard, Saab convertible yes, but not the 2.3i. That's just a limp engine! 2.0t or 2.0T, you're well motorized!
Greetings from the CH, Hans
Hello Reinhard,
depends on what you want. If it should be sporty, the 2.0T (185PS in 902 / 205PS in 9-3I) is recommended. If you want to cruising comfortably through the landscape in an open convertible, the 2,3i with 150 sucker PS and relatively simple indestructible technology will do the same. I have both in operation, in the convertible the 2,3i and in the coupe the 2.0T.
Personally, the 2,3i in the convertible is completely sufficient. If necessary, it also runs on 200Km / h, but it can be glided very well over beautiful country roads and almost reach diesel fuel consumption. Almost no 600ccm / cylinders are to be despised, which is no longer building in Europe today.
The convertible versions of the 900er as well as the 9-3I are still built by Valmet in Uusikaupunki. Today they are old cars, but the quality was really good back then. Now ugly SUVs with star come from there
@GP362, yes, I'll give you completely right. The 2.3i is always well motorized for a beautiful cruise. I often go with the Viggen and there is just the difference huge!
Good drive and greeting
Hans
Hi Hans,
Of the Viggen the difference is of course really blatant. But you also have a great 9-3er collection.
Keep having fun with it,
Greetings from the north
Gerd
Thanks for the emotional SAAB dose in the middle of the week, wonderful. Still a first class eye-catcher today! With the convertible, SAAB has shown what is the first division in terms of design ...! It is gratifying that the market is accompanying this with stable / rising prices.
Thanks also for the red SAAB convertible from the archive! Looks perfectly Nordic clear and great!
Hi Tom,
Thanks for the very well researched article! Since I'm the owner of a Pre-facelift Convertible (9-3 II, 1.8t Vector with Hirsch Fun Enhancement), the price history is a good argument to keep it!
Best regards from Vienna,
Christian
Definitely! I would do exactly that! Saab greetings to Vienna!