SPY SHOT: 2008 Saab 9-3 Convertible Prototype

I don't understand why the Saab will return with a cloth roof. The Volvo c70 has a hard-top, the new BMW 328/335 has a hard-top as do offerings from VW and Pontiac. This Saab is not sufficiently overhauled and the engineering / redesign is a waste of effort

Hmmm...maybe because they don't want to follow after every other manufacturer and keep with the tradition of a 'drop top'.

Because if you don't have a removable hard top in your cars you are way behind and just flat out crap.....am I right???

And lets look at the hard top from VW, that piece of crap actually was designed back-assward since the truck has to open outward for the top to close. Your *&#^ out of luck if your parked close to a pole or wall of any sory (because I'm sure the nay-sayers will always be in the middle of a parking lot with nothing around).

And the C70, really? Is it so damn great because it has a hard top? Maybe it's the oddly placed NAV system that isn't touch screen (but does have a remote! Yay!) or the horrible center stack with almost no tech to offer other than SAT and a CD changer?

And I won't touch on the BMW because I really don't have anything wrong with them but the added weight the hard top offers....and yes I know that it's some percent lighter overall and stiffer and blah blah.

Come back with some better excuses for why you hate a company because they still like soft tops.

Audi uses a cloth top - 'nuff said!

Audi and Volvo choose not to sacrifice weight and trunk space, and would rather have their cars be less ungainly to look at with the tops up. You must admit, the only convertible that truly pulls the hardtop off well (with it up) is the Mercedes SL. The others are frumpy-looking. And there's reasons to buy both- the cloth top offers its own practical advantage, trunk space, and the hardtop has the ability to look like a coupe. Other than that, I don't see any reason to buy one. Saying the hardtop can go through cold weather isn't an argument- the cloth top is so well-insulated these days that it can do it just as well. And who would want to drive their convertible in the winter? I don't!

I live in South Florida, and we don't really have a winter. Convertibles are suitable year round. Cloth tops have a serious flaw, they attract vandals and I like to feel a little more secure when I park a vehicle at the movies, a mall, the beach, or a restaurant.

Merc.....just leave your Doberman in the back seat. Works every time.

Excuse me. Volvo DOES have a hardtop, and it looks quite nice. It's Audi and SAAB I was referring to.

They need to fix their cheap interior materials and shoddy construction. Has anyone ever sat in one of these? You can definitely see the General's (bad) influence.

Yes, I sit in one most every other day. My wife's 9-3 is a good car and the only GM that it has in it are the very small pieces and parts that 'you' can't see.

By the way it's an 06 which was just before the General's influence took over.

You want to talk cheap materials lets talk about most other car makers...Ford, Chrysler, and some would even say Toyota...

Well I'm glad you like your car, but at the Auto show I practically cut my hand on the plastic trim's hard exposed edges. If you say that that is not GM's fault, I believe you, but someone needs to take the responsibility for it.

GM has owned Saab much longer than a year, and the 9-7X and 9-2X both came out before 2006. Those are both GM cars. So is the 9-3; it's on the Epsilon platform.

I like the 9-3, and the 9-3 Convertible is quite stylish, but I've moved on from my great 900 Turbo and wouldn't consider owning one again.

I'm disappointed in the new 07 Saab. It has too much GM in it and I just will have to pass it up.

But the 06 is still a blast...except for that cupholder.

The rear kinda looks like a weird Jag XK

It looks dated already. IMO

I'll bet you a dollar to a doughnut this Saab's headlights will have chrome surrounds.

I don't understand why Saab are considered cars.

Have you driven one? My 9000 Aero was the fastest front wheel drive car of its time faster, 50 to 70 mph time than a 911. Gets great gas milage, good for the enviroment, reliable, comfortable, and roomy. My turbo 2.3L 4cyl engine, designed in 1993 has more power than many v6's today. Do some research, i did, was surprised and bought one.
That said GM Saab's need a little work. I would love to see Saab whiped into a Subaru fighter.

I owned a 900 Turbo in the late '80s and loved it. Saab has reached cult status. You'd have to own one to know how good they are- preferrably the most powerful iteration of the 9-3.

It looks just like the old 9-5

This is just a refresh and not a brand new convertible, thus it is still a cloth top.

I'd rather they put SAAB design cues on the Pontiac G6 hard-top convertible and add a turbo-charger for extra performance . . . they'd sell a lot more.

Yeah it's not a new generation. I don't like the refresh headlights. The current one IMO looks good as it is. As for a redesign they need to do something drastic and something really impressive.

Oh, now that I see it, I'm disappointed. I really like the current 9-3's front end, but the 9-5 has such a dated front design that it will be a shame that they're using it for the smaller car.

ggggggg