difference in ride/power 9-3

I had a 2000 9-3SE 5-speed convertible for a short time. The SE was the loaded version with the HOT engine. I bought it used as a project car and fixed it up. I ended up hating it. The engine had tons of power, but the turbo lag was significant, the shifter was mushy, the chassis flexed like crazy (cowl shake) and the fly-by-wire engine control that year had the annoying habit of holding the rpms up when you released the accelerator to shift. I ended up selling it and buying a BMW Z3 for a toy car instead.

Fast forward to this year. Sold the toy car as it was not getting used enough. When the sun is shining I'd rather be on 2 wheels and when it's not that car (Z3) was useless. Started looking for another car to stick in the garage and test drove some 9-3 Sport Sedans. Wow. HUGE difference compared to the older style 9-3s.

I was looking at MY2003's mostly because these are what is coming off lease (and I never buy new cars). I would have settled for a Linear (185HP) with a 5 speed but ended up getting a Vector (name for an Aero that year) with the HOT 210HP 2 liter engine and a 6 speed manual. Once I drove the Vector I knew I had to have the full package. It does everything superbly, is a freeking blast to drive and gets > 30mpg in the process.

Do yourself a favor and drive a few of these (tyhe newer Sport Sedans) before you make up your mind. Also, the Cabrios in '03 - '05 were all the older body style still and did not update until MY '06, so if it were me I would either wait for the new style or forgo the ragtop.

YMMV

forgo the ragtop ? "he who drives a hardtop lives in a world with a fabric sky" (slight adaption from what Budda said about wearing shoes)