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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  A fun grocery-getter - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By MC - September 14 - 6:26 pm

  I bought this car because I wanted somthing to replace my old Volvo wagon, but I wanted somthing that could pass a cadillac in the mountains. This car fit the bill. 32 MPG at 80 MPH, hauling tons of camping gear for two people. A reliable car. Only left me stranded once when the serpentine belt came off at mile 102000. Too bad Saab did away with the hatchback design - this style of car is the most utilitarian (huge storage, great handling, fast, nice looking, and good fwy gas mileage). Because of the turbo and vehicle weight, the city mileage is poor, though.

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  ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM - Im in love - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By alessandro - September 13 - 10:00 am

  After comparing g35, a4 3.0 and the saab aero i was in love. more fun to drive and edgier than the others but quiet and smooth on the highway. the low torque everybody complains about is their but w/ tiptronic not so bad. the only car comparable to that is a bmw330 but w/ same packages and extras 10k more than the saab. the car provides the most fun on winding mountain roads.

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  LOTS OF FUN - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By DAVIDR - September 10 - 2:00 am

  THIS CAR IS JUST PLAIN FUN TO DRIVE. LOTS OF POWER FROM THE 230 HP TURBO. IF YOURE LIKE ME, THEN YOU LOOK FOR UNUSUAL STYLING IN AN AUTO. NOT TOO MANY ON THESE ARE AROUND. I JUST LIKE TO BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHER GUY ON THE ROAD. TOP NOTCH SPORT LEATHER SEATS AND INTERIOR. TORQUE STEER TAKES SOME GETTING USED TO. THIS CAR CAN GET OUT FROM UNDER YOU, ESPECIALLY IN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR

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  Saaberration - 2006 Saab 9-2X
  By Pete - September 6 - 2:50 am

  This is definitely an aberration from the typical Saab lineup. Albeit a quick way for Saab to get an AWD to market, it still leans heavily towards Fuji Heavy Industries. Ironic that both companies originally made aircraft. Saabs adjustment to the exterior, gearing, steering, and suspension definitely paid off. Its handling was excellent. It loved to be pushed and responded well to pinning it centripetally into corners with acceleration. On the other hand, it was loud and the interior was most definitely Subaru. After professionally soundproofing all 4 doors, it was still noisy.

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  155,000 miles - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By Great Car - September 3 - 11:30 pm

  Ive owned BMWs, Fords, Mitsubishis, an Audi and an Acura, but Im most impressed with the SAAB. These are truly under rated cars. Mine has 155K miles. Its quick (in sport mode) great ride/handling combination. Paint and interior look nearly new. Reliability has been much better than expected. 25K MPG average is icing on the cake. Even with my miles the car feels solid and has no rattles. I change oil every 3-5K miles and change transmission oil every 30K. Ive had the head bolts tightened (apparently important with 4 cylinder). Only unscheduled fix was a turbo at 140K. If SAAB would change the body style, I would buy another.

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  Swedish Sleeper...a future classic - 2000 Saab 9-3
  By m11171 - September 3 - 3:10 pm

  They dont build cars like the Viggen anymore. This car is an animal, pure and simple. But, with 5-door configuration, I can take my family and plenty of belongings (in the huge hatch) anywhere in comfort and safety. This is a very limited production car. With the right modifications, they can be made into not just fast - but also excellent handling vehicles. As long as you stay on top of maintenance these cars are fun and reliable transportation. The acceleration on this car will shock those who dont know what this car is. This is the fastest car SAAB ever produced, and remains so to this day (Oct 2011). Still, I get 31 mpg on the highway and about 20 in the city. Love it!

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  A Very Good Premium Compact - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By Love2Drive - September 2 - 7:13 pm

  This is a quality entry in the premium compact class. First, identify what you want. If you love driving, have a preference for European cars or European styling, and dont want to spend a fortune, you have come to the right place. This car has been tastefully upgraded by SAAB, and is not really a competitor to the Subaru WRX, but a new entry in what is expected to be a rapidly growing category...the premium compact class. Think a fast Audi, with comparable handling, but at a base level Audi price. You will likely not find even the upcoming Audi A3 at this price, with this performance. This car offers very good performance and handling, huge utility, good looks, at a reasonable price.

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  Great Used Car with Over 100K miles - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Chuck - September 2 - 7:13 pm

  I bought this car on a whim and it already had over 100,000 miles on it. Yes, 100,000. The car ran like new. Handles extremely well and to date (almost 12 months later) Ive had no problems. There were some minor issues and with routine maintenance the total cost for the year is under $250!!! Ive had no electrical, mechanical or other issues at all. This is one fun car to drive and has held up well. Ive got over 125,000 miles on the car now.

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  Best of all worlds - 1996 Saab 900
  By vince - September 1 - 6:50 am

  If you are looking for a show off car, wrong address, this car has all the best features one can desire: performance, reliability, great design. It is the best car with an understated look, not for everybody ,only for saab lovers

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  Falling apart - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By Irfan - August 30 - 10:00 am

  When i got the car, it was wonderful. VERY comfortable seats, easy to drive. drove it 16 hours straight from florida to ohio once. seats are great, power is good, sport mode is fun. handling is too soft. all of that still makes for a decent car... except the reliability.. in the 10months ive owned the car since mile 46000, ive had: sunroof rails problems, speakers, oil leak, fog light, electical system and starting troubles. this is in LESS than a year.. the first guy had shocks/info display covered under warranty. smooth ride, jsut not too fun, and its falling apart on me.