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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  Reliable Vehicle - 1996 Saab 900
  By TheRickster - September 22 - 4:26 am

  Bought my 1996 900S unbelievably cheap from original owner with 242,000 miles on the clock. Best investment I ever made! I have seen other reviews here, but believe me this car is made to last as long as you maintain it religiously! It is possible to install aftermarket audio in this car, but the install kit and wiring harness will set you back about $40.00. Total install and prep time is about 45 minutes, however, the factory audio system has features you wont find anywhere else. I like the weatherband tuning which will instantly pull in weather reports for your area. Plus, most people will assume that your car is expensive, especially if well cared for, no need to tell the truth!

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  As good as it gets for the bucks. - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Michael Menard - September 17 - 10:00 am

  We wanted entry level luxury and we found it. The 9-3 has it all. The handling was most impressive and the list of safety features and standard equipment is very competitive. Take a long look, you wont be sorry.

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  Hot Car - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Teaching English - September 17 - 10:00 am

  This car is comfortable and fun to drive. As a high school English teacher, I was the talk of the school when I got it. We recently took it on a trip to North Carolina. The back seat passenger wasnt very comfortable, but it was great in the front seats. It got excellent gas mileage on the trip. I highly recommend this car.

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  9 7x - 5.3 - 2009 Saab 9-7X
  By Thomas Coffeepa - September 16 - 9:43 pm

  Great SUV. Performance and handling are like no other SUV I have driven. We test drove both the 6 and 8 cylinder, and opted for the 8. Fuel economy was not much different between 6 or 8 so we went for the power. Wise choice. The V-8 power together with all wheel drive is fantastic.

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  My 5th Saab Wagon - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By Ged Hennessey - September 12 - 5:13 pm

  Great vehicle: impressive appearance, very comfortable, safe, solid, responsive. Good mileage for such a powerful car.

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  Great Car - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By nmsaabowner - September 12 - 2:56 am

  Bought my car with 57,000 miles on it in 2004. I love this car--Its comfortable, has classy good looks, and gets great gas mileage (32 mpg consistently). Since purchased, Ive had to replace the DI cassette and throttle body ($900). Repairs can be costly, but the tradeoffs are worth it.

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  at last - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By jack fletcher - September 11 - 10:00 am

  cant find fault with anything about the car. after driving and owning a freelander, this is the one car that has not let me down. wonderful gas mileage and so comfortable. if you know how to drive a turbo, you got it madeeve

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  Saabaru Wagon - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By Jim - September 11 - 6:13 am

  Got this car for company trips. So far it has been good. Decent cargo room, nice leather interior, xenon headlights are great. Not a performance car by any means but will get you from point A to B while letting you have a good amount of fun with the 5sp.

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  Stay away! - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By Saad - September 9 - 5:16 am

  I loved this car when I first bought it. Thought I got a good deal and luckily got the extended warranty. It was fine for the the first few months but since then it has been in the shop every 2-3 months. Turbo went, alternator went, multiple sensors, etc. Driving on the highway last week, the passenger turning signal assembly flew off the car! Worst car I ever bought. Will never buy another Saab.

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  188000 - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By dbrooks22 - September 8 - 2:46 pm

  Electrical quirks aside, this car is pretty amazing. I dont think there is a better value for the money. The WORST mpg i have gotten over the past 6 months is 32.5. Best was 36.7. Great handling, leather looks new. Engine is a peach. In 5yrs when im done with this one, I fully intend to get the 2008 9-3.