Road Test — July 2008

Road Test — July 2008

Written by Tonya Kerr Friday, 18 July 2008

Kerr is a former TV news anchor and congressional press secretary. Contact her at roadtest@impactnews.com.

It takes a certain car enthusiast to appreciate the subtleties of the 2008 Saab 9-3 convertible, and many critics have called this year’s redesign the best Saab convertible ever made. Test-driving this distinguished looking ragtop around Central Texas roadways opened my eyes to a whole new experience.

To understand the turbo-charged feeling of driving this type of car, you have to remember that the Swedish manufacturer has been emphasizing aerodynamic design since the 1940s when 16 of its aircraft engineers (only one of whom had a driver’s license) designed and hand built the first Saab automobile. Saab is a Swedish acronym that stands for “Swedish Aircraft Company.”

For more than 60 years, Saab designers have taken credit for industry innovations such as turbo engines, heated seats, side-impact protection systems and even disappearing cup holders. The cockpit-inspired interiors coupled with the aerodynamic look of a Saab keep customers coming back.

In fact, during my test drive, I met more Saab enthusiasts than I knew existed. These people would stop me in parking lots or walk into my driveway and proceed not to ask about, but to tell me about the car I was driving. For one week, I drove a white 2008 Saab 9-3 convertible with a beautiful bone-colored leather interior (loved those light colors when the top was down in the Texas sun). Available in both the base 2.OT and Aero versions, the price starts at $38,965. A fully loaded Aero model can climb up to nearly $50,000. The sticker on my 2.OT convertible was $41,610, with add-ons like heated seats, high-pressure headlamp washers and an automatic transmission.

The 2-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine boasted 210 horsepower and accelerated to 60 mph in about 10 seconds (although brochures claim eight seconds tops). While the acceleration never felt extremely powerful, it did feel solid, and the five-speed automatic was smooth as it shifted gears.

I took this car 232 miles on a full tank of gas, an average of about 20 miles per gallon. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the 9-3 convertible gets 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. Another estimate caught my eye on the sticker, which I’m sure is similar industry-wide: The “Estimated Annual Fuel Cost” has failed to keep up with our tough economic times and still lists a gallon of gasoline for 2008 at $3 per gallon.

As much fun as my family had driving around town with the top down, the four-seater car was only big enough for my three kids and me. I had to leave my husband at home.

As for safety, the Saab 9-3 comes with standard four-wheel antilock disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution, which varies the amount of force applied to each brake. The car also comes with traction control, active head restraints and front-side airbags. Pop-up roll bars are ready, just in case, behind the rear seat headrests and are guaranteed to deploy automatically if the car flips.

Our favorite time for this car in Central Texas was early morning and early evening. My kids took turns holding the simple, one-touch button to open and close the convertible top. It was effortless. I secretly kept my fingers crossed for rain, so that I could test the rain-sensing wipers.

In the end, climbing into the back seat of Saab’s 9-3 convertible was a bit of a squeeze for kids and adults alike when the top was up. Funny though, I never heard anyone complain as we put the top down and hit the open road.

Roger Beasley Saab is located in the heart of the North Austin stretch of US 183 where car dealerships line the north and southbound frontage roads; however, you won’t spot it from the freeway. That’s because Austin’s only Saab dealership is tucked away on Pond Springs Road, which runs parallel to US 183 and where only the true Saab enthusiast knows to go looking.

“Our customers are highly educated, and they know what they want to buy before they start driving to our dealership,” said Alexander D. Nieto, general manager of Roger Beasley Saab. “Once they step inside the showroom, we want their entire experience to be tranquil and comfortable.”

Nieto says the showroom’s open-concept design and Scandinavian architecture help achieve that peaceful feeling. Even the furniture, including the employees’ chairs, is Swedish designed.

“There’s a lot of effort put into our professional and low-key sales approach,” Nieto said. “Saab customers in Austin are some of the highest percentage of internet shoppers in the nation. Once they walk into our showroom, they expect calm and straight talk.”

Nieto says the “proof is in the pudding” when you see the solid glass wall separating the showroom and the service center. He points out that the unusually clean and organized garage is just one example of the integrity behind Saab’s service and products.

“The Saab customer demographic is Austin,” Nieto said. “About 80 percent of our principal drivers are women. They want a lot of car for their money, safety is a top concern and they want their driving experience to be fun.”

Nieto said he’s constantly taken back, but not surprised, by the tenacity of the typical Saab customer.

“Yes, they’re enthusiasts,” he said. “We give them every reason to be.”

Roger Beasley Saab, 12925 Pond Springs Road, 219-3100

Dealer facts:

• Showroom with Wi-Fi and a glass wall overlooking the service center
• Awards for customer service and outstanding dealership achievements
• 125 new-car inventory
• Community involvement: Dell Children’s Hospital, Concordia University and youth-oriented programs
• $38,965-$50,000 price range