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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  Try sob not Saab - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By still saaabing - June 26 - 1:46 pm

  Bought our Saab used with about 40K on it. Had electrical issues, wiring actually melting, and multiple speed sensor problems. The car has 2 speed sensors and within a year we had to have one replaced 3 times. This car was fun to drive, but other than that it was awful. I will never buy a Saab made during the GM time again. Youd be better off buying a pre-GM one with 200K miles than a newer one. Seriously dont buy one!

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  Saab 9-3 subpar on reliability - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Lauri Welch - May 28 - 12:20 pm

  Since owning my Saab 9-3 it has been to the shop at least 15 time for maintenance. From 2 front end tire rod issues, struts, motors for power window failing, radio issues, stability control failures, immobilizer failures to broken flimsy cupholders.

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  Falling apart after the warranty - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By jjsaab - April 28 - 3:46 am

  This car is fun to drive and has reasonable fuel economy when it is not in being repaired. I am on my 3rd water pump, have replaced several computer modules, gaskets failing in very expensive areas, have electrical problems, etc. etc. I have been told by the Saab dealer that these things happen even if you keep up with the Saab maintenance schedule. I am not sure if my problems are the result of poor build quality, poor Saab mechanics at the dealership, or both. Beware of the reliablity of 2002 Saabs 9-3.

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  wow, a piece of dirt - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By Stephanie - April 16 - 7:30 am

  Ive had my Saab for one year, and I am already replacing the transmission. This is not the first thing that has gone wrong. I have also experienced the headlights going out multiple times, hub bearing replacement, among other things. DO NOT buy this Saab. It is a piece of dirt.

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  Run, dont walk away from this car - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By Pamela - January 27 - 3:40 am

  We bought our 1999 9-3 Saab with delight after a lot of research. It had 29,000 miles on it and we got a good deal. We have spent thousands in repairs on this car. The quality is terrible, with major parts wearing out and NO warranty to cover the expenses. We thought Saabs are good quality cars, and that is simply not the case here. Run, dont walk away from the 1999 Saab 9-3!

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  poor build quality - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By Jason82 - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive, but a horrible car. Mine has 22,000 miles on it...been towed 3 times, AC broke, ignition problems, creaks and rattles constantly, rotors needed to be replaced twice. Fortunately its leased and I am getting rid of it in a year. Thank god! Stay away from SAAB. Over priced and sub standard.

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  These cars are LEMONS!! - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Funstuff - January 11 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my 2003 Arc 24 hours and hate it.So far the Air Bag malfunction light has come on,the parking assist system has failed, the back up lights dont work, the hi beams dont work and the 6 disc cd unit failed. They have reprogrammed the computer, replaced the entire front headlamp unit, replaced the CD player and claimed they corrected the air bag situation. (Remember, all this in the past 24 hrs). On my way home after 2 1/2 hrs at the dealer, the air bag malfunctioned again!! Never Again!!

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  9-2X is not for everyone - 2006 Saab 9-2X
  By Kenpost - December 28 - 3:06 am

  All that says Saab is not Saab. I may have had an exception but even my friends who drive Subarus discribe their experience differently. My 9-2X had a very annoying gear hum that over shadowed any other good qualites. The auto transmission was 20 years behind the times in techno. At low speeds it seemed to always be looking for the right gear. GM has has acted wisely in dropping this model from the future Saab line up. I have followed their lead and traded it after only 1 month.

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  DONT BUY a 2003 9-3! - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Saab Owner - December 7 - 10:00 am

  In 14 months, I brought my car in for major repairs 18 times! Ended up having to sue Saab before they honored the lemon law levels. I love Saab, but I will never own one again after this experience!

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  Beautiful Car - Poor Quality - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Donervogel - November 29 - 3:13 am

  Me and my partner purchased an 04 Linear back at the end of April. We thought we were buying a very reliable car. NOT. It has been to the dealership service about once or twice a month. 1) Bad transmission programing (happened on an 800 mile trip). 2) Trunk wouldnt close 3)Bad rattles/vibration in the doors 4)Skid control failed (another 500 mile trip) 5) DTE Failed 6) Key would not unlock computer. Could not start after transmission programming fixed ( 800 miles away from home) 7) Service engine soon came on and was a false read. If you dont mind going to the dealership every month, then this car is for you! Wont buy another one. Will buy German from now on.