2002 Saab 9-3 Viggen Convertible

"I have owned three convertibles but this one is the best by far. I was not in the market for a Saab, I was looking at BMW and MB and Chrysler. The BMWs styling was old and the tops come with plastic windows. The MB CLK was nice but too pricey. I test drove the Saab and loved it. It is the quickest off the line and the top is great. The car has no rattles and wind noise is nonexistent. I drove the Volvo C70 to compare and it was slower, handled less well, rattled and was noisy with the top up. The back seats are useful, unlike any other car I considered. It is a great luxury sports car and the price is reasonable. Favorite Features: Great power, top works great and is quiet when up. Suggested Improvements: Make the optional console cupholder standard same with a lighter." — By JGC, Thursday, May 09, 2002

"My new 9-3 Convertible is a blast to drive! I would have never guessed that a car could be so fun to drive until I test drove this car! The acceleration is "Jet smooth"! The quality leather coachworks are top-notch. I settled on the automatic and love the "S" mode button on the shifter. You can certainly sense the "aircraft" heritage of these fine automobiles. More people need to discover the quality and value of these cars. Favorite Features: Convertible top & auto mechanism, acceleration, quality of components, Euro-styled dash console design, & safety features. Lots of compliments... Suggested Improvements: Cup holders for rear. Center armrest. (Not included, but available), Stereo bass distorts at moderate volumes, needs improved amp or sound damping. Front suspension a unique mix; on smooth highways, one of the smoothest ride experiences, however on bumpy roads a little too stiff. — By EFenderman, Wednesday, April 24, 2002

"Once you get used to it you realize it is not pleasant driving as there is no ergonomic considerations for the driver. The seat is hard and one must contort to press the gas pedal, with the drivers seat aimed at the left front wheel and the gas pedal crammed against the transmission tunnel. oh yes, the seat is hard and doesn't soften any with use. In acceleration the tires break loose from the pavement due to undersized rims. In cornering... you think of a ride at Six Flags. The stock sound system is just adequate. First gear is too short and over rev's, once the turbo lag kicks in. Favorite Features: It is pretty quiet, until you pass 50 miles per hour. Suggested Improvements: bigger rims, better suspension, better stereo, which are in an upgraded model, plus a longer first gear. — By Calhoun, Thursday, April 25, 2002

2002 Ford Thunderbird

"My husband bought this car for me, and I was shocked to learn it's a $50,000 car. For the engine I got and the styling of the ride, it's worth probably half that amount. The Ford hype-machine lives on, and definitely reeled my husband in, hook-line-and-sinker. Favorite Features: High re-sale value. Suggested Improvements: Lower the cost to what it's actually worth. Unfortunately as long as people are dumb enough to spend the cash, this won't happen." — By Marge Walker, Wednesday, May 22, 2002

"A great riding car with excellent standard features. Fun to drive and love the nostalgia, like driving the little T-Bird of yore. I own several vintage Fords and people ask us as many questions about the new bird as our older cars (Model A's & an Early V-8). Quite, smooth & powerful. Favorite Features: A comfortable car for two people. I like all the automatic features that are transparent to the user (wiper speed, radio volume, power steering—speed dependent). Low production numbers will make it collectible. Suggested Improvements: Re-design the boot so it will stow in the cloth top well when the cloth top is up. It takes too much room in the trunk. — By FordA, Monday, May 20, 2002

"A blast to drive, but it lacks the attention to detail and convenient group items of other two seaters that are in the same price range such as the SLK/Z3/S2000/MR2. Favorite Features: The interior brushed metal accents. Suggested Improvements: Heated seats make night cruising great Navigation system (i got lost in Santa Barbara last weekend). Auto volume control linked to RPM recognition would be nice. A better cover for the rag top when down. A pop up Roll bar would make it a bit safer" — By topher, Monday, April 29, 2002

"The car is a disappointment in some ways. For instance, It does not have eithor memory seats or built in garage door opener. Which I think is shortsighted for this class of car. I do feel the car is drop dead georgious. It draws a croud every time I park it. The hard top is too heavy It is difficult for two older guys to handle. The proformance is great, although not as refined as I had hoped. On the whole I would give the effort a "B" Favorite Features: The looks Suggested Improvements: Garage door opener. Memory seats. Lighter hard top" — By flyingbrad, Monday, March 04, 2002

2002 Volvo C70 Convertible

"Very reliable, as Volvos are known for, but exceedingly pleasurable to drive when compared to other sport cars. My C70 is also very roomy, especially compared to the Jag I was thinking of buying. Lots of shoulder room and very comfortable. For the same price, one must squeeze themselves into a BMW or Benz of lesser beauty, performance, and comfort. Favorite Features: The elegance of the design is my most favorite feature. It is refined, muscular, but intelligent in appearance. The 17" tires and rims contribute to the muscular appearance and hold her tightly to the road. Suggested Improvements: Add an even more powerful version of the 240 hp engine. Upgrades are easily obtainable (IPD is the main supplier) giving her 300hp with just two or three external accessories. There is also a slight turbo lag that I believe is factored in to the 0-60 time." — By Jasta Thursday, March 28, 2002

"I was in the fortunate situation that the dealer had a 2000 C70 still on the lot, and price wise both cars came out dollars apart, the dealer also threw in a new set of Gislaved snow tires and rims with the C70. It looks great, the interior finish is top class and the sound system awesome, and the drive superb. Also in the equation was the car having 3 production years under its belt, and that most of the bugs are out. The car is Venetian red with a beige leather interior. It also came with the 17 inch wheels and rims. The more I write about it, the more anxious I am to get delivery. — By bruneje, Mar 10, 2001

I took possession of a silver exterior and interior C70 HPT automatic coupe Nov. 28, '00. I am very pleased with the handling and the ride. Acceleration from standing is adequate but really takes off when over 30-40mph. So far no problems if that means anything at 1700 miles. I also like the ergonomics of the interior and the seats almost feel as if they were custom contoured. I did not get the upgraded dolby surround sound system. I have seen a nautic blue with beige interior convertible but not a coupe. That is a great color combination and I would have ordered it but in Florida I try to stay away from dark colored cars which is why I opted for silver/silver. — By volvowatcher, Mar 18, 2001

2002 BMW 330Ci Convertible

"I currently own a 2002 325ci I purchased in late October 2001. I loved my 1998 323is and I couldn't wait to get my hands on a new 2002. I must say that I think the 325ci is the best valued car out there today. I test drove Benz, Lexus, and even a Boxster and I must say that the new 325ci won hands down in the all around value end. I felt like it handled better and more realistic than many of its competitors, plus the available options made it able to compete with cars twice its price! I must say that the guys at Wagner BMW were great and they gave me the best deal out of the three I went to. Anyway, I recommend the 325ci its a great buy. Favorite Features: I love the Xenon lights and the steptronic transmission (I wish the M3 had a steptronic). The heated seats are great for those cool nights when you still want to drive with the sunroof open. Oh, and the white out markers (new for 2002) available with the sports package are a must, people. Suggested Improvements: I can't really think of too many improvements to the 325ci. Although I would like to see an in-dash six disc cd changer instead of the single cd in dash. Better looking rims for the sports package would have been nice. Two thumbs up to the guys (and gals) at BMW." — By BMW Guy Sunday, April 07, 2002

"We had eight years of SUV's and wanted back into an auto. We drove every style of the Big Three; Honda; VW and Toyota. Only when we drove BMW 325 Ci were we able to smile. It was our first time behind the wheel of a BMW. Its practically culture shock after driving our Blazer and Saturn. The road feel, security, and braking power is beyond description. It goes without saying this car begs to be driven. If you have a heavy foot, better go bare footed. After a Blazer—yeah, its borders on being awesome. Favorite Features: The automatic adjustment of the drivers seat and mirrors is a stand out. I'm 10 inches taller than my wife. Sounds trite, but after 30 years of getting squeezed at the wheel and always adjusting mirrors, its a real pleasure. Suggested Improvements: I have no suggestions for improvements, but would welcome anyone who could assist in grasping the seat belt. I think they should stay under the seat release lever, but they are never there." — By auto61726, Thursday, March 21, 2002

"This is my 5th 3 series BMW (2nd e46). The e46 has the best over fit, finish, quality, etc. Overall it has everything. Its a tight ride, styling is excellent. I could go on and on. I tried a couple Fords, GM's in between all the purchases of BMW, the BMW is just a well engineered car, no squeaks, etc. Favorite Features: Styling Suggested Improvements: Auto lights (lights turn off/on based on light outside) Needs a much better radio upgrade, the harmon kardon is not an audofiles dream. Lexus has taken car audio much more serious, so should BMW. — By damills, Sunday, March 10, 2002