2010 Saab 9 3 Sportcombi
It is a very sad state of affairs but if you want to buy the very last “wacky” Saab you had better race down to your local dealer and see if they have any 9-3 SportCombi wagons leftover. As it is starting to look like Saab will be closing its doors forever soon you can probably get one heck of a deal on what is one highly functional yet oh-so Swedish SUV alternative.
If you are wondering why Saab decided to name what is essentially just the wagon version of the 9-3 a “SportCombi” you wouldn’t be alone. To me it makes the vehicle sound like a piece of farming equipment but in reality it looks more like a 9-3 wearing a sporty backpack from REI. This really is a great car for small families what with its expansive cargo area and sturdy looking interior fittings.
The 2010 9-3 SportCombi is such a utilitarian wagon that it could no doubt carry an entire cargo area full of Lady Gaga’s world famous “disco sticks.” To my imagining this sort of “uniquely minded” individual is just the type who would enjoy the many positive attributes of the SportCombi. You have to possess a kind of kooky, off center sensibility to pull off driving a Saab and it is a shame that future generations of Lady Gaga fans will be denied that chance.
Powered by a 210 horsepower turbocharged 4 cylinder saddled with the traditional virtues of bad fuel economy and turbo lag, this engine really could use some direct injection. The 2.8T V6 thankfully ups the power to a point where lag become much less of an issue. As always, Saab manual transmissions shift with a rubbery action but are still fun to manipulate. An automatic is also available with either engine.
Interior and exterior styling is really the strong points of these small wagons. With simple buttons and controls, the dashboard at first appears busy but once you get used to it everything is easy to reach and manipulate. The exterior really looks like nothing on the market today so if the thought of trying something new for lunch throws you into a panic might I recommend a nice Lexus RX?
If you are lucky and your local dealer has some examples leftover, the SportCombi also is available with AWD making it the perfect ski-wagon alternative to all of those hordes of Audis and Subarus. Not to mention those soul-less SUVs. RIP Saab. You will be missed.
(Starting at $31,790)
(2.0 T: 210 horsepower/ 2.8 T V6: @280 horsepower)
