2003 Saab 9-3 Linear - A New Lease on Life
When I drove the previous 9-3 I loved it. It was quick, agile, well appointed and most importantly replete with something I can only describe as 'Saabness'. There's really no other car on the planet like a Saab, and despite its GM of Europe platform sharing the previous version kept its quirkiness intact. It had its problems, of course, most noticeably lower perceived quality standards than competitive German brands, but its performance overshadowed its faults.
Saab fans can now hold their heads high as the new 2003 9-3 leaves little to be desired when it comes to interior quality while upping driving dynamics. Sure it's lost a few of its odd character traits including its hatchback functionality, but the now electronic ignition switch still slots between the fronts seats and it continues to sports zippy turbocharged 4-cylinder power in base trim.
That's more or less the way Saab furnished my test car, but to be reasonable the Linear, as it is called, is anything but base. Standard features include electrostatic filtered air-conditioning, 7-speaker AM/FM/CD audio, cruise control, power windows, power locks with remote keyless entry, body-color power heated mirrors, high pressure headlamp washers, fog lights, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, variable intermittent wipers, and heated front seats that just happen to be covered with leather to match those in the back. Leather accents the door trim too, while wrapping the steering wheel, shift knob and hand brake handle. The rear seatbacks are split 60/40 and fold flat to allow increased storage accessible through the already sizable 425 L (15 cu ft) trunk, with an additional rear seat pass-through for long, narrow items like skis.