When foursomes want to go topless

When your family or circle is too big for roadsters, Audi, Saab and Volvo have answers

Sep 29, 2007

special to the star

Statistics Canada says slightly less than 500,000 Canadian marriages ended in separation or divorce between 2001 and 2006.

Experts in marital matters cite poor communication, problems in the sack, a change in priorities or an act of infidelity as the most common reasons for splitting up.

Funnily enough, those same experts failed to mention two-seat roadsters as a cause of marital discord.

Said roadsters, when brought into a relationship unexpectedly, can cause just as much harm as a fling with the new intern.

If you're looking for an open-air convertible driving experience, and want to avoid the potentially relationship-ending utterance, "Where are the back seats?" try one of the following convertibles with room for four:

2007 Volvo C70

The C70 is arguably the most striking looking Volvo ever. It's also the most comfortable cabriolet here and the quietest at highway speeds.

The C70's only engine choice, a 218 hp, 236 lb.-ft. of torque turbocharged 2.5 L inline-five, is shared with the S40 sedan.

There's an optional five-speed manumatic, but the C70 test car had the base six-speed manual.

Its fuel consumption splits the Audi and Saab at 11.5 L/100 km city, 7.5 highway and 9.8 as-tested.

Audio and sport packages bump the C70's $56,495 base price to $63,745, almost as dear as the A4.

As attractive visually as the C70 is, its supermodel looks don't accurately tell the Volvo's driving story.

Despite employing the most power in the trio – plus the perceived advantage of the stick – the Volvo is slightly slower than the less powerful Saab in the 0-to-100 km/h run at just under 7.5 seconds.

Grip from the optional Pirelli P Zero Rosso rubber may be tenacious.

But the Volvo's lack of suspension travel and soft suspension only amplifies the limp chassis on less-than-perfect roads.

Shaking and quaking from the front suspension further impinges on the driving experience and the C70's steering is as wooden as a Swedish teak table.

WHY BUY? First-class accommodations for four, quiet at speed.

WHY NOT? Brittle ride, loosey-goosey chassis, anesthetized steering.

PLEBEIAN ALTERNATIVE: 2007 Ford Mustang GT convertible $37,899

2007 Audi A4 Cabriolet

2.0 T quattro

The A4 delivers on most of what one comes to expect from any Audi from the past decade:

It's pricey: A front-drive A4 cabrio starts at $55,200, but with all-wheel-drive, a six-speed manumatic transmission and a sundry of luxury, convenience and trim options, the Audi ends up being the most expensive cab here at $65,070;

It has a standout interior: The A4's cockpit uses the highest quality materials and is screwed together to the tightest tolerances;

It's confident in the corners: Agile and secure at high speeds, the A4 is way more composed than the C70, with steering that was accurate and well weighted.

So why second place?

Unless the manumatic function of the Audi's slushbox is employed, its comparatively weak 2.0 L turbo four, with 200 hp and 207 lb.-ft. of torque, always seems complacent in its duties.

Though one does get the meanest fuel consumption ratings at 10.8 L/100 km city, 7.2 highway and 7.8 as tested.

Maybe the A4's biggest surprise is its less-than-absorbent suspension.

Potholes and dips unruffle the A4 at every opportunity.

Where the Saab absorbs the hits and continues along its merry way, the Audi's suspension clomps and makes a bunch of un-premium noises in the process.

WHY BUY? High-quality cabin, agile handling.

WHY NOT? Leaden performance, rough ride, high price.

PLEBEIAN ALTERNATIVE: 2007 Volkswagen Eos $36,900

2007 Saab 9-3 Convertible

With a revised model for '08 waiting in the wings, the '07 9-3 seems like yesterday's news.

However, after spending some quality time flogging the Saab on everything from crammed city streets to bumpy back-roads, you get the distinct impression that the engineers from Saab still have a trick or two up their sleeves.

One ploy is a low price.

Even with the optional five-speed manumatic, plus audio, premium and appearance packages, the 9-3's $52,135 base price climbs to only $58,170.

The front-drive 9-3 can be had with a 250 hp 2.8 L V6.

Yet, with the base 2.0 L turbo four, with 210 hp and 221 lb.-ft., it's still the quickest cabrio here at only 7.3 seconds from 0-to-100 km/h.

Although not in the Audi's rarefied league in build quality, the 9-3 interior's controls are well defined and simple to use.

The thin chrome line surrounding the car's instrument panel, body-colour trim panel encircling the cockpit and the truly comfortable, yet supportive, seats are all highlights.

With the nosiest cabin top-up, and the worst fuel consumption at 11.6 L/100km city, 7.3 highway and 10.6 as-tested (hey, turbos like the juice), like most relationships, the Saab's not perfect.

But where the Saab separates itself from this trio is in its predictable road manners.

The Saab rolls more in the corners than the Volvo or Audi, while dealing with midcorner bumps with aplomb.

The elasticity of the suspension means that where the C70 and Audi skitter over rougher roads, the 9-3 delivers a composed ride.

WHY BUY? Real-world handling prowess, real-world pricing, supportive seats.

WHY NOT? Updated 9-3 less than a year away, wind noise, sucks gas.

PLEBEIAN ALTERNATIVE: 2007 Pontiac G6 GT convertible $35,960

Toronto Star