Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2005 10:45:41 -0500 From: "The Malt Hound" <lgerstelnospams.com> wrote in message news:160120050007182593%lgerstelnospams.com... >I am looking to pick up a used 2001 9-3SE convertible with automatic. I > know that to truly expieriencethis car I should get a stick, but I live > in the Washington DC area and Traffic here is always rated as one of > the three worst in the country and I do not want to be rowing in > traffic. In that case, I would suggest that you seriously consider forgoing the ragtop for a hatchback for several reasons. 1) Extremely poor visability with the top up. Increases the likelyhood of an accident. 9-3 hardtops are bad enough rear visability, but the convertibles with the top up is like driving with a rearward facing porthole. Your main rear view is via the side mirrors. This may not be good enough in congested traffic situations. 2) Easily broken into. Slit top $$. Lost property $$. Insurance cost in anticipation of these $$. 3) Cowl shake, chassis flex. Due to the reduced rigidity of having no roof, the convertibles tend to have some nasty cowl shake especially when driven on rough roadways such as those found in any metro area. While they are fun second cars to drive around in the country on Sundays, I would not advise buying a SAAB convertible to be used as a daily urban commuter vehicle. The 5 door hatchback is a far better car for that use. You will also save a bundle for a comparably equiped hardtop. YMMV, -Fred W