Overview & Reviews

Originally known as Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (Svenska Aircraft Company), Saab is a Swedish company that began manufacturing automobiles in 1949. The company's early designs placed an emphasis on aerodynamics that is reflective of its history as an aircraft manufacturer.

The first production Saab, the 92, boasted a lower coefficient of drag than many modern cars. The 93, unveiled in 1955, was powered by a three-cylinder, 33-horsepower engine, and featured the distinctive fastback profile that made early Saabs among the most recognizable cars on the road. By the time the '50s drew to a close, Saab's lineup had grown to include the 95 wagon (capable of seating up to seven) and the 93 750 Gran Turismo, the automaker's first series-built sports car.

The marque started the '60s with the introduction of its successful Saab 96. With a production run of 20 years, this was the car that made Saab a recognized presence in the international market. The decade also saw the launch of the Saab Sport coupe. Scoring numerous wins on the rally circuit, the coupe marked Saab as a force to be reckoned with. The Sport's success on the track inspired a name change; it later came to be known as the Saab Monte Carlo 850. The Saab Sonett II sports car, with its body of fiberglass-reinforced plastic, also made its debut during the '60s, as did the Saab 99, which was the first Saab to feature the manufacturer's trademark wraparound windshield.

In 1973, Saab gave birth to the 99 Combi Coupe. The car came to define the Saab brand; with its hatchback and fold-down rear seat it offered remarkable utility. By the end of the decade, Saab had rolled out the 99 Turbo, which was a forerunner in harnessing turbo technology for use in production cars. The company also introduced the Saab 900, which held the distinction of being the first car to offer a cabin air filter.

During the 1980s, Saab cars (especially the Turbo models) gained American popularity as young urban professionals (yuppies) sought them out. The decade saw the launch of the 900 Turbo, the 900 Turbo Aero (the world's first car to offer a 16-valve turbo engine), the 900 convertible and the Saab 9000, a larger four-door car available in hatchback, and later on, sedan body styles.

In 1990, General Motors bought half of Saab's automotive division. The decade saw the launch of a revamped 900; the car offered a bevy of cutting-edge safety features, including three rear three-point seatbelts and rear side-impact protection. By the time the '90s drew to a close, Saab had also unveiled the 9-5, a larger, premium four-door sedan that essentially replaced the 9000. The 9-5 offered a host of new technologies such as ventilated seats. It was also the first to offer Saab's active head restraints, a system designed to prevent whiplash injuries.

By the 2000s, General Motors had bought the other half of Saab Automobile. Despite the brand's position on the leading edge of safety technology, Saab's popularity in the U.S. and around the world waned as its product portfolio grew increasingly stale and reliant on GM for parts, platforms and design. New models like the 9-2X and the 9-7X were based on platforms borrowed from other brands -- Subaru and Chevrolet, respectively. Meanwhile, the 9-5 soldiered on and the second-generation 9-3 ditched its quirky hatchback body style in favor of a mainstream sedan design. The hope was to make the 9-3 more appealing to American car buyers, but ultimately it only served to remove the car's unique personality.

In the midst of General Motors' financial difficulties and eventual bankruptcy, Saab was viewed as a disposable, troubled asset and essentially cast away. With the financial assistance of a European bank and the Swedish government, Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg intended to purchase Saab with the promise of restructuring the brand and keeping production within Sweden. That deal fell through when Koenigsegg changed its mind about becoming involved with such a troubled company. Another niche-market supercar company, Spyker Cars, pursued the purchase of Saab. But that venture eventually failed as well and ultimately, at the end of 2011, Saab went into "wind-down" mode, filing for bankruptcy. In other words, Saab's future is still very much in limbo.

User Reviews:

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  they dont make them like they used to! - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By kris - November 29 - 12:23 am

  This vehicle has been a nightmare! I have been the only owner, never in an accident and there have been issues from the time it was under warranty. 2 auto windows that broke, 2 ball joints (the same one each at 50K miles), 3 electrical relay switches, head gasket that leaks, radio control display that is not readable and many other problems, on top of routine maintenance! Lemon is what I got, and Saab has lost a customer of 25 years!

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  Stay away from this Saab - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By abarcius - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car for my wife last month, I had so many problems that I am seriously considering selling the car at a huge loss. The ride is harsh and uncomfortable, the quality of the parts on the dashboard are noisy since are shared with other less expensive GMs. The driving position is odd and unsual.

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  100% Mistake - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Displeased - September 21 - 2:00 am

  This car seems to have spent as much time being fixed as being driven. It is now in the shop for oil leaking from a vacuum pump and a broken bolt that was supposed to hold the sway bar in place. Just replaced the blower motor for the heater two days earlier. In the time weve owned it, we must have gone to the dealership at least 20 times. All I can say is if you ever buy a Saab voluntarily, you have just made the worst mistake in your car buying life.

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  Disappointing - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By psbob - August 17 - 2:26 am

  I have had three SAABs and am currently still driving my 89 900S. What an utter disappointment. I know on paper this car is much better than previous models. Sitting down in the car, my first impression was that I had lost my best friend. The car has none of the charm that my other SAABs have had. It felt like a gussied up cavalier. None of the materials in the car seemed first rate. With the current financial problems (and I see why, it doesnt feel like a SAAB SAAB) coupled with the not so nice feel of the car, guess I wont be bringing home the next one. I drove the new S60 and it felt more like a SAAB than this car.

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  GM has ruined this car - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By ExSaabLover - June 15 - 9:10 pm

  I have had 2 Saabs in the past and I LOVED the cars. I think my current one is a lemon. Its been at the dealer for repair 4 times already, and I just owned it for 6 months. Very poor build quality.

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  The Last Saab - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Pat - April 8 - 3:26 am

  WE have had nothing but trouble with this car from day one. The biggest complaint is the hesitation which the dealer has not repaired, we are in arbitration. All the problems with this car have not been repaired. My wife has to constantly take it back for repair

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  Give me back my 9-3 - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By Jim - April 4 - 8:23 am

  In the last 18 months this car has been in the shop 45 days. Transmission hesitates and dogs out, sunroof fixed four times, engine light continues to come on, climate control blows cold air in the front seat and hot air in the back seat, drivers door handle fell off, two climate vents fell apart, air conditioning cant stand up to a California summer. Saab wont stand behind their product and were stuck with an unreliable car. In six months have gone from BEING Saabs #1 fan to vowing to never buy another. Just crossed the 9-7x off my list.

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  **CAR IS A SOUR LEMON** - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By shay127 - February 23 - 1:34 pm

  I purchased my 02 Saab 9-3 used and right out the car lot, it was problem after problem. It started with having to get the front right wheel bearing fixed, then the right headlight went out twice, shortly after I had to get the heating coil fixed (cold air blowing), then the air stopped working. Car stopped 3 months later on the expressway (found out I needed another fuel pump) got it fixed, 3 months later, I had to replace the Starter, left wheel bearing, control arm & ball joints on drivers side, CV Shaft, Spring Coil Sensor for Check Engine light, Brake Pads & Rotors, but the biggest problem is a Starting Issue. The car will randomly NOT start for about 15 minutes. No one knows why:(

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  GM cant build Saab - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By Glickchick - December 9 - 2:00 am

  This is the second Saab I have leased. The difference between the last car and this one appears to be that GM has taken over production. It is appointed only slightly better than a Chevy and is considerably less reliable and performance-oriented than my last Saab. Of specific concern is the suspension; it is too low and the car is prone to flat tires and suspension problems.

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  The biggest [non-permissible content removed] I have had the misfortune to own - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By paulw09 - July 2 - 11:57 am

  By far and away the most useless piece of junk I have ever owned. Bought it used with 140,000. Since then (within two years) I have replaced: The radiator, water pump (twice) fuel pump, transmission, countless dash bulbs, brake and headlight bulbs, sub woofer, drivers mirror, drivers sun visor, seat fans, two window motors, hatch struts to hold the hatch open- I use that so often that it is no wonder they broke!.As i write this the oil is leaking, the brake light failure keeps coming on, the hot box no longer works, the sun roof leaks. If anyone should think that this is a good car be forewarned. They are junk. Buy Japanese, buy German even by a Yugo you will appreciate the reliability