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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  cant do better for the money - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By DonCNY - July 6 - 5:40 pm

  Bought used for $20k with 50k miles on it - it still feels as solid as a new car. Even the weatherstripping is still in great shape. Being a chop-top convertible, it was a bit shaky on bumpy roads and you could feel some body flex when cornering. Ive added a subframe brace and swapped in a bigger rear anti-roll bar, and it now feels very solid. I cant believe how well this thing handles now as a FWD car, especially with the OE Goodyear all-seasons on it. Whenever I think I might be pushing it a little too hard it just hangs right on without so much as a howl. Why spend $5-6k more on the equivalent BMW when you can do just as well with under $400 worth of easy-to-install modifications?

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  Excellent Value and Performance - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By ChrisG - July 6 - 3:10 am

  I have owned my 9-5 for 6 months now and still love it as much as the day I drove it home. For me, theres no other car out right now that provides the same balance of value, performance, COMFORT, fuel economy and style. The 9-5 in Sport Mode makes any trip fun, as when you stomp on the gas the car just squats down and launches. A warning, though, 75 mph feels like about 50 so make sure to set the cruise. I also love the fact that I can haul 3 other adults on long road trips and get nothing but compliments on the interior comfort. Passengers especially love the heated rear seats in the winter.

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  Great Car that will last - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By john - July 5 - 10:06 am

  I have owned a Saab for 10 years. My wife always used to tease me about driving a suped-up Chevette. Since the car had a manual transmission, she never drove it. I always told her my engineering friends loved Saabs, but she did not think much of it. When we decided to shop for a new car (I still have the old Saab), we considered the Acura TL, BMW 330, Volvo S60, and SAAB 9-3 or 9-5. She loved the SAAB and we bought a 9-3 Aero with the larger Turbo engine with automatic transmission. She loves driving it and she calls it her car. It drives best at around 95mph. The comfort is great and the trunk space is best in the class. We are also very pleased with the cars safety record.

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  Never Again! - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Mel Jonas - July 3 - 10:53 pm

  My wife and I purchased the car in April of 07 with 46,000 miles on it. She loved it until the repairs started. In one year and three months we have spent over $3000.00 in repairs. First thing that went was an input sensor on the auto tranny with 49,000 (covered under warranty). Next time the output sensor went out at 54,000 miles not covered. I went ahead and had the tranny flushed at the dealership at this time also. At 64,000 miles, total transmission failure to the tune of $2540.00. I talked to Saab myself took it as high as I could and they wouldnt help me at all. Saab file# 71- 649725108

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  SAAB 9-3 - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Major SM - July 3 - 10:00 am

  Good car. Much better value than a Mercedes or BMW. Could use more power.

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  Unique & Fun to Drive - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By UKRich - July 3 - 10:00 am

  A distinctive car on the streets of Boston: uncommon, elegant & sporty. Fast but not that fast: Good acceleration, but sometimes slow to take off. Very effective overtaking at 80mph. Handling is precise and very enjoyable to drive. 6M gear box is OK but often grates when changing, even with clutch fully down. No fix from Saab. Mileage is great. And youre talking to the guy who got 17mpg out of a PRIUS. Mental driving = 25mpg/35mpg when cruise set to 65mph coming back from VT. Outstanding. Good in snow with new Continental tires. Clean looking interior design but front door panel inserts rattle. Would I buy again? Yes absolutely. No regrets just fun

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  love my 9-3 - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By saab fan - June 27 - 10:00 am

  Love this car. My wife & I have been looking @ this car since its debut in 2003 and have not been disappointed. Have red linear with manual trans, sunroof, 17" sport wheels, and premium package. Ride & handling is excellent. Interior very appealing. Like having a car not alot of people have. We love driving this car.

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  Love my Saab - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By terryswims - June 24 - 2:00 am

  Absolutely the best machine Ive ever owned and everyone who borrows it to drive agrees.

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  WONDERFUL CAR - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By Tim G. - June 24 - 2:00 am

  Id buy another...its so classy.

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  Electronic bugs - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By shudoh - June 24 - 2:00 am

  overall its a great car