LOOK OUT Holden, Peugeot and Renault. Luxury convertible specialist Saab is aiming to lure buyers of up-spec Astra drop-top and folding tin-top versions of the 307 and Megane with its 2005 9-3 Linear ragtop, now that it's priced $6000 less than last year (but still around $15,000 more than the most expensive 307 CC). A less powerful (though sweeter) 2.0-litre turbo engine and no climate-control or fog lights are the main omissions compared to the outgoing Linear (now replaced by a new Vector model), but the Swedes hope that the 9-3 Convertible's luxury kudos will more than offset that.

Saab 9-3 Linear Convertible
Released: October 03
Ended: February 05
Family Tree: 9-3SAAB'S last entry-level 9-3 sun-seeker cost around $6000 more, but also offered 129kW from its 2.0-litre turbo engine instead of today's 110kW, as well as more features (like climate-control and fog lights) and a correct badge: 2.0t (inexplicably today's 2.0 Linear carries a 1.8t moniker). It continued to dominate the luxury convertible segment, despite an all-new Audi rival (A4 Cabriolet) and surging sales from Mercedes' CLK. Today's 9-3 Vector takes over where the old Linear 2.0t left off.
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