Saab 9-3 1998–2002 car dimensions: 4629 mm long, 1711 mm wide and 1423 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,400 kg. Braked towing is 1,600 kg.
Leather upholstery is standard on convertibles along with air conditioning. Manual climate control is fitted on base models while SE grades get automatic climate control. Cruise control is standard. Power windows, heated power mirrors and a telescoping steering wheel are included. Higher trims add power seats with lumbar support and memory. The Night Panel dims non-essential instruments at night. No parking sensors, cameras or electronic stability aids beyond ABS and traction control on later cars appear in the equipment lists.
Boot volume is 295 litres with the rear seats up. Folding the split rear seat and using the pass-through raises capacity to 378 litres for longer loads.
Braked towing capacity is listed at 1600 kg with unbraked at 750 kg. Payload sits at 345 kg. Sport suspension is standard on SE and Viggen grades for firmer control.
The cabin has an aviation-style center stack and Night Panel that blacks out instruments except the speedometer. Convertibles get leather seats as standard with supportive front buckets and driver lumbar adjustment. Power multi-way seats with memory come on SE grades. The power soft top folds easily with one latch and a large heated glass rear window. Top up, the space feels bright and quiet for a convertible with decent front room though rear legroom stays tight.
Petrol engines only across the range.
Service every 20,000 km or 1 year.
Euro NCAP adult occupant 4 stars.
Standard ABS, dual front airbags, front side airbags and SAHR active head restraints.
Power soft top with one-touch window drop.
All versions run petrol four-cylinder engines in 2.0-litre or 2.3-litre form, naturally aspirated or turbocharged. Fuel tank holds 68 litres. Combined economy figures appear in the mid-20s mpg range depending on engine and gearbox.
Routine service falls due every 20,000 km or once a year. Oil and filter changes form the core of each visit, with spark plugs, air filter and brake fluid on longer cycles.
The structure includes a safety cage, crumple zones and reinforced A-pillars that act as rollover protection. Front and side airbags plus SAHR head restraints are standard. Convertibles earned solid real-world injury claim results.
Keep the power top mechanism clean and lubricated. Check for body flex and rattle over bumps. Regular oil changes protect the turbo units if fitted.
Length 4629 mm, Width 1711 mm, Height 1423 mm, Wheelbase 2605 mm (9-3 1998–2002)
Sources: manufacturer data, auto-data.net, saabnet.com 2000 specs.