Recently, my 2006 9-3 5 speed convertible (133K miles) was smacked at a 4-way stop by some ridiculous Denali. While their behemoth was fine, my poor baby got its passenger side front bumper, headlight, and whatever else crushed. According to the insurer, the actual cash value of the 9-3 was way less than the cost to repair - plus the difficulty of sourcing parts - so they totaled it. Sob.

Purchased in April 2021 for $5,500, our 9-3 was a stellar daily.driver. The only downside was the CHECK ENGINE light/EVAP issue, which we never got a handle on, but since it didn’t affect performance, who cares! 

Along with standard maintenance, we replaced some engine coils, one pneumatic tube that controlled the top, new tires, and new brakes. All told, maybe $5,000. So from April 2021 to December 2025, the SAAB cost about $10,500 + gas, or roughly $2,333/year or $194/mo. About the same as our internet and mobile bills.

Finding a reasonably priced replacement for our fun, stylish, manual rag top proved both frustrating and humbling.

Prices for used cars have skyrocketed in recent years due initially to COVID, and now exacerbated by the absolute, overpriced shitshow that new cars have become. Electronic gizmos and gadgets control every aspect of performance, both under the hood and in the cabin. But when all that electronic shit goes wrong, you become the proud owner of a $50K+brick, leading more and more buyers to look at older cars.

The insurance paid out $4,700, so I initially set my budget at $10K, which I had to quickly revise if I wanted anything closely approximating what I came to love about my SAAB.

Naturally, I considered another 9-3, and almost pulled the trigger on a champagne colored 2005 9-3, but the idea of another premature total made me  reconsider. 

BMW, Porsche, and Audi were options as well, though it seemed any of those under $20K might require an additional $3-4K in head gaskets or some shit once I drove away, along with higher average maintenance costs. Plus most BMW, Porsche, and Audi owners are douches anyway.

I looked at a couple of Nissan 350Zs, and while they drove like bats out of hell, they had even less storage than my 9-3, and after 20 years, the Zs build quality was starting to show.

Ditto MGs, Spitfires, TR6s, and Miatas. Fun but impractical for life in Connecticut.

Finally, I found a car that ticked most all the boxes and then some. It was stylish, fast, fun, with a 6-speed manual, turbo charged 4-liter, and a top that doesn’t mind going up AND down. 

It was a 2016 Mustang Ecoboost with 44K, 2 previous owners, an impeccable service record, clean CarMax, leather seats, and built in Apple CarPlay! In addition, parts were widely available, and not just on eBay!

However, it was not $10K, it was $20K. But I rationalized that with the insurance settlement, the car would only cost me $15K, which is really $10K in 2021 dollars. Plus it was fun as shit to drive.

So for any of you looking at the last days of your 9-3 with trepidation, fear not. There is a (relatively) affordable option that provides the same thrill.

9-3 Convertible Alternative