This Fully Restored Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible Might Be One of the Best-Preserved in the Netherlands

A Saab That Needs No Excuses: Meet the Ultimate 9-3 Aero Convertible

If you’re looking for a Saab 9-3 Convertible that has truly been spared no expense, this might be one of the cleanest privately-owned examples currently offered in Europe. What we’re looking at is a 2006 Saab 9-3 2.0T Aero Convertible finished in the unmistakable Nocturne Blue Metallic, paired with light beige leather interior and a custom dark blue convertible top. But this isn’t just about paint and color coordination — this is about maintenance discipline, restoration excellence, and true enthusiast ownership.

Dutch Saab owner Peter Overgaag bought this vehicle in 2020 with around 176,000 km on the odometer. Since then, it’s undergone extensive cosmetic and mechanical restoration. Today, the car sits at 208,000 km and is offered for €12,993, despite an official appraisal from late 2023 putting its market value at €17,500.

A Restoration Story That Covers It All — Literally

Unlike many listings that throw around the word “restored,” this one comes with a detailed timeline and receipts to back it up. From timing chain kits and gearbox oil changes to reupholstered OEM leather seat components, new suspension arms, and fresh bodywork paint, every known Saab 9-3 weak point has been addressed.

• 2020: New blue convertible top installed, major service with gearbox oil change, timing chain and tensioners replaced.
• 2021: Replaced brake discs and pads, antenna motor, Xenon lights, door lock actuator, stabilizer links, and a new set of Michelin tires.
• 2022–2023: Radiator and control arms replaced; driver’s seat restored with new OEM leather.
• Late 2023: Full exterior detail and respray, including trunk tonneau cover, rear arches, front and rear bumpers, bonnet, and headlight covers. New windshield installed.
• 2024: New water pump, AC compressor, multi-belt.
• 2025: Thermostat and temperature sensor replaced; car freshly inspected and road-legal through June 2026.

No surface was left untouched, and crucially — the job wasn’t done piecemeal. All these restorations were tackled systematically, ensuring the car’s mechanical integrity and visual condition stayed in sync.

Factory Aero Performance Meets Daily-Driver Comfort

Powering this convertible is the beloved 2.0T engine in Aero spec, producing 210 hp, mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode (Sentronic). Saab’s chassis tuning shines here — stiff enough for spirited driving, compliant enough for daily use.

The original Saab head unit remains intact, complete with navigation, CD, phone, and radio functions, as well as the dual-zone climate control and heated seats, all of which are fully operational. A Parrot 3200 LS Bluetooth unit was added discreetly for hands-free connectivity.

The interior still retains that unmistakable Saab ergonomic layout: driver-focused dashboard, Night Panel functionality, and clear instrument readouts.

What Sets This One Apart from Other Used Convertibles?

Unlike many Saab Convertibles that look great in photos but fall short in person, this one has undergone a €1,000s-worth restoration plan, and it shows. There are no faded headlamps, no split seams on the leather, no creaking suspension or aging bushings. This Saab isn’t being sold because of neglect — it’s offered because of changing family needs, as Peter’s children are beginning to drive.

Even rust, the nemesis of many 9-3 convertibles, has been professionally addressed. Problematic spots like wheel arches, under-rubber corrosion, and the tonneau cover edges have been fully treated and repainted.

A Transparent and Private Sale from a Known Saab Enthusiast

This isn’t a dealer listing; this is a car still enjoyed by its current owner — a passionate Saab fan who simply wants it to go to someone who will value the effort and care that went into maintaining it.

The car was originally delivered by Saab Haeghstad in the Netherlands, and all original booklets and documentation are present. The car also benefits from NAP certification (Nationale Auto Pas), verifying mileage accuracy.

What’s more, because this is a 2006 model, it qualifies as a Dutch youngtimer, meaning it’s tax-advantaged for business users, with bijtelling calculated on current market value instead of new price.

Why It Matters to the Saab Community

The 9-3 Convertible is one of the last models Saab built in significant volumes that still holds up as a stylish daily or weekend cruiser. With many of these cars now slipping into poor maintenance territory or being modified beyond recognition, a properly restored, factory-spec Aero like this one is increasingly hard to find.

It’s also an example of how these cars can live on when they fall into the hands of someone who appreciates them — someone who understands that a Saab isn’t just a car with a quirky ignition switch location. It’s a philosophy of design, usability, and engineering that still turns heads 20 years later.

A Collectible or Just a Great Saab to Drive?

You don’t have to park this 9-3 in a museum. You just have to not ruin it. Everything you’d worry about on a high-mileage convertible has been done. It’s ready to drive, ready to enjoy — and priced below appraisal.

If you’re in the Netherlands or Europe and want a Saab convertible that checks all the right boxes, this isn’t a “maybe.” This is the one to call about before someone else does.

Serious buyers can contact Peter directly via +31 6 51232617.

Until then — he’s still enjoying every kilometer.