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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  2001 9-3 2.0 turbo 4 dr base model - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By JT - August 12 - 3:16 pm

  Mine has 72500 km/45000 miles. Recently needed almost CDN$900 in front suspension work. Recent problems led to software upgrade for throttle body, dealer warns if problem recurs, vehicle will need new throttle body (cost over CDN$1000 at dealer pricing). Ignition Discharge Module replaced on recall. Various valves and hoses replaced. An oxygen sensor failed around 40000 km. Drivers door handle mechanism failed twice. Interior squeaks. Some pixels no longer light on information display. One headlight wiper motor failed. Blower motor for heater replaced. Received letter from Saab advising 8 year warranty coverage for engine failure due to oil sludge provided certain conditions are met.

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  all around awesome - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By lerxst - August 12 - 10:00 am

  Bought w/200 miles on it. Fun to drive, amazing acceleration, 30 mpg on highway, to me it looks sharp and has very nice classy lines, one of the most unique cars, costs less than cars that people think are better/faster. The only sub-par facet of this car was the suspension. i paid 300$ or so for braces etc. and installed myself, so now the suspension is great, and for cheap money!!! oh yeah, it carries a lot of stuff and people, and i have only seen 5-6 other viggens and i am on the road a lot. it has been problem -free and i am always excited to driver her.

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  Dont Do it - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By Dont do it - August 11 - 7:23 am

  Dont Do it! Fun to drive when not driving to the shop. Water pump (twice) alternator, ignition, alarm, struts and Ive lost count of what else in two years. This is my wifes 5th and last SAAB. I was sold on asian vehicles a number of years ago, even my Hyundai was more reliable. Im glad we have AAA towing with SAABs. Since I met my wife, I am familar to the SAAB Store due to our what seems like quarterly visits. Its not a matter of if something breaks, but when. Whats that SAAB stands for Something Always Again Broken? With a new baby we had better things to do, so I bought a Toyota, and am forcing a SAAB sale. Any buyers? Please take this clunker off our backs!

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  More Bang for Your Buck - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By JD - August 10 - 1:40 am

  My wife and I drive a BMW 325Ci an Audi A4 Quattro and recently leased a 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero (manual). This car is awesome, easily the best of the bunch and the others are pretty good. The Saab offers better performance, more interior comfort and space and respectable gas mileage (28.5 mpg on a recent highway trip). The best features of the car are the V-6 engine and the upgraded seats that the Aero model offers. The engineers who put the engine together have created one of the most useable and powerful engines I have ever driven. In particular on two lane highways you can pass quickly and in confidence.

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  Jury is still out - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By prnitz - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I have had his Saab about a month. My last car was a 1999 Toyota Solara coupe. Believe it or not, the Saab after a few years of depreciation was much more affordable than the Solara convertible. Compared to my Solara SE V6 the Saab is smaller, handles bumpy roads worse, has a funky interior lay out, and will not hold its value as well as a Toyota, BMW or Mercedes. On the plus side, it gets great gas mileage (35 on the highway, 30 around town), has great acceleration from the 4 cyl turbo, and has distinctive looks. I am going to like this car if it does not break. If it does, and I find it hard and expensive to fix, I am back to a Toyota.

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  2007 to the old Saab of yester year.. - 2007 Saab 9-3
  By justin - August 7 - 5:40 pm

  Solid car owned a fair share of Saabs, better build then my 2000 Saab 93 SE. However lacks the road feel and fun of an old pre GM models from the 80s and early 90s.

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  Fantastic Drive!!! - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By ? - August 5 - 7:00 am

  After attending the Aero Academy, I realized this car has excellent handling and is built for fun driving AND safety. Its got a sporty ride & a nice interior. It was obviously built with comfort in mind & attention to detail. Its my first Saab, & I will never buy another type of car if I can help it. Go to the Aero Academy if you can! Its the most fun Ive had in I dont know how long! I love my Saab!!!

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  highlands - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By JAIMEB - August 3 - 8:06 pm

  I bought this car in central Mexico in the city of San Luis we are 6000ft or more over sea level like all the region, in these highlands the turbo shines, my first option was a BMW325 but for ten grand less and a better financial offer I get this one. The testdrive - _ cant believe the huge diference in response between both cars the turbo is fast and has a killer gas milleage. The BMW is more refined but not for the $10k gap in a similarly equipped car. The Saab for me has a very unique personality and performs like an a wolf in a sheep clothes. The quality - I only have a minor problem with a coolant drop that was corrected under warranty, good buy.

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  2000 9.3 SE Convertible - 2000 Saab 9-3
  By jsfdds - August 3 - 2:00 am

  Great car and fun to drive. Window controls in bad spot. Driver seat is wearing at lumbar area rather quickly. 5 speed is awesome. Drives well in NYC snow. No problems with rims.

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  A real fun car to drive - 2006 Saab 9-2X
  By fred walters - August 1 - 11:03 pm

  This car is so much fun to drive. you must get the 5 speed standard shift to really appreciate the handling and the pickup. The fuel economy is very good. The quality is also very good and it looks great.