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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  What a disappointment - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By disappointed - January 16 - 4:43 am

  Have owned many makes and models of vehicles, this Saab is the most disappointing along with any service from dealership. I feel like Im driving on eggshells as this thing bounces all over the road when hitting normal highway bumps in the road. Dealership says shocks are fine. The placement of ignition has got to be the most unsafe place any designer could have chosen. Too many little and big things have gone wrong with this vehicle. I hate it - would never recommend and tell anyone who will listen not to purchase a Saab.

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  Rattle here, buzz there, but... - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By jgoebel - January 13 - 10:00 am

  This is an excellent car; bigger than the allroad and less expensive, and less better performing than the Volvo XC. My only problems have been rattles and buzzes from the stickshift and door. Both where taken car of by the dealer. On a whole, its great.

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  Give it its due - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By scalpel1000 - January 13 - 10:00 am

  The Saab 9-5 Linear wagon is the best car that I have owned. Its performance in and around the city along with its entrance ramp power make it fun to drive. The 185hp is not excessive and provides a good medium between ultimate performance and gas consumption. Buying this car has made me a Saab fan and I would purchase one again.

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  Saab 95 Aero Wagon - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By Ownerh - January 13 - 10:00 am

  We have been so impressed with our ownership of this first Saab that we bought a used Saab for our sons first car. The dealerships customer care and service has truely been outstanding. I have owned several vehicles through the years and the most I have ordered I can only state so far this has been the best.

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  Swedish surprise - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Fritz 2 - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Everything from purchasing to driving has been a unexpected surprise! The dealer, Just Saab, would be rated a 12 on a 10 scale, pleasant, knowlegeable, and the building is squeeky clean! And the car, what a thrill to own! Fit and finish is execellent, creature comforts are many, performance is great. The Saab 9-3 SE gives a lot of bang for the bucks! I would definately suggest this execellent auto to any one looking for a fun and beautifully built vehicle. Keep up the good work!

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  swedish built?? - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By chuckgolf - January 13 - 10:00 am

  did not meet my expectations... turbo has a lag, not as much power as i thought...built way too low to the ground... sporty look without the sporty performance... winter driving is fair...but look out for that snow.... cracked bumper a few times driving through it..

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  Saab the convertable - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By matt mitchell - January 13 - 10:00 am

  THIS CAR HAS ANYTHING THAT ONE WOULD EXPECT IN A FUN TO DRIVE CONVERTIBLE. THE SPORT FEATURE IS USED MOST OF THE TIME TO ALLOW FOR THE PERFORMANCE THAT THE CAR IS WORTHY OF. THE HORSE POWER COULD BE A LITTLE BETTER BUT ALL IN ALL WE WOULD BUY AGAIN.

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  The Real Deal - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By educated consumer - January 13 - 10:00 am

  After thorough research, I have concluded this car to be best in class based on price, safety, driveability and engineering. Compaired to Audi, Volvo, BMW, Infinity and Lexus, the 9-3 from the ground up is engineered as a serious drivers car. When you are able to walk out of the dealership paying only $30,000 for a loaded linear there is no comparison. Show me another car with 10 air bags, and this level of safety features on this price point. If you thrive on overpaying for a statis mobile, be my guest. If you are an educated consumer, go for the Saab.

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  9-3 Arc - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By fyc - January 13 - 10:00 am

  This car is so much fun to drive. I look forward to merging on to highways because the power band is exactly where it should be. That range between 20-80 is exhilirating. The steering on the car is impeccable. It cuts through turns at high speeds with ease. The interior appointments are rich and comfortable. The gadgets are cool. Bottom line is that youll have your friends drooling and asking you where you got it and how much you got it for. Its a really unique car in its class. Why be like everyone else?

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  What more could you want? - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By Johnny G. - January 13 - 5:30 am

  This car is tough to beat. It is so fun to drive, even with the automatic. The torque just keeps coming, even when doing 70mph or more! Add to this the fact that it has more room, is more practical, and safer than almost anything out there in the price range. I cant say enough great things about this car.