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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  SAVE YOUR MONEY, DONT BUY A SAAB - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By bwmusicboy - January 29 - 11:40 pm

  I have many cars within the 11 years of driving. I had heard for a long time that Saabs were fairly good cars. I waited on my Saab to be shipped from Sweden for 60 days, it was a special order. I have had that car in the shop 32 times in less than a year. The brakes were horrible from the day I picked it up! Ive had consistant problems with the door lock system. Different random doors will just unlock at different occasions. I will lock it in the huge parking garage at night and come down some mornings and all 4 will be unlocked. It will die going down the hwy., the horn will go off while driving, the O2 sensor hesitates and hangs which has caused the car to not accelerate.

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  Worst Excuse for a car! - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By KateBrandon - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Where do I begin? My friend and I were both looking for cars back in 99. I wound up with this piece of crap and he bought Volvos S80 T6 (twin turbo). The Saab has been so upsetting! His car has been great! My Saab, or should I say slob has had so many repairs. Having just over 65k miles I can remember the following: Engine leaks,transmission, electrical (sensors,computers,power windows twice,display blanked out), worst a/c of any car Ive owned- list goes on. My friends Volvo S80 T6 has been virtually trouble free and hes got over 80,000 miles now! His car is so much nicer to drive too and leaves my Saab in the dust! Ill never buy a Saab again!

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  Sab Saab - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By scootsradley - August 18 - 4:32 am

  I bought this saab with 107k on it. This car is by far the worst car i have ever owned and ive owned a acura tsx, jeep, and chrysler crossfire. First week i bought the throttle body went bad and had to be replaced. A month later it was leaking oil, and i had to replace the crank seal. now 5 months later the car is leaking oil, the muffler is falling out from under the car, windsheild wiper motor went bad, car idles hard, and has no pick up what so ever. needs about 3k to fix. YEAH RIGHT! This car is an absolute piece of garbage never ever buy saab!

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  aircraft engineers rolling in graves - 2005 Saab 9-7X
  By JES - August 11 - 4:10 pm

  My father is one of the designers of the F-14 and is astounded when I tell him how badly this car performs.The jerk-feel when shifting gears.The ridiculous interior design with no space to put anything, the rear cargo space that does not lie flat with rear seats down. The terrible suspension, the inability to seal sound of air from inside car,the front bumper which popped off due to cheap plastic pins (bumpers cost min $1,250). The pulling out of alingment and told its normal. Blindspots, backing up you cant see a thing! Needs sensors. My Saab had water leak inside of it from rain. The dealer found out why in a release from one of many Saab does not give to owners. I waited for this car. What a waste!

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  Never Again Will I Buy a Saab! - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By vonkruize - June 6 - 2:56 am

  My car has only 54,000 miles and the engine is shot. It fell victim to the "Saab oil sludge problem" that so many other 9-3s and 9-5s from this era have succumbed to (Google "Saab oil sludge" and read all about it). Long story short, Saab admitted the oil sludge accumulation is due to an engine defect, NOT consumer negligence, and they "extended coverage" on 99-03 9-3s and 9-5s. What they dont tell you is that youre not eligible for coverage unless you can produce oil change receipts for the entire life of the car. So for those, like myself, who bought their car used, youre essentially fresh out of luck. Its either pony up $6000 for a new engine or scrap it for parts.

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  Bad experience - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By automobile - March 12 - 10:00 am

  This car is fallaing apart.Since I had it,I started to have all kind of problems. Ready to sell it!!!!!

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  Huge disappointment - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By Andrea29 - March 4 - 1:26 am

  Bought the car with 44,000 miles on it, thinking SAAB was a quality brand and would last for years. Unfortunately, I had not heard that repairs on a SAAB are extremely expensive. The car was initially fun, lots of bells and whistles. After 2 months, things started going wrong. The computer that controlled the temperature panel went out. The module controlling the high beams failed. The plastic panel under the drivers seat broke. Power locks did not work correctly. Other small items broke or stopped working. The final straw was at 96,000 miles when the throttle assembly went out. After a repair cost of over $1000, I traded in the car. I will not buy another SAAB.

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  truly a saab story - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By SaabStory - July 7 - 12:40 pm

  I purchased the Saab 93 used and let me tell you. When I first got the car, the first thing that happened, was the Engine light coming on. This car only had 21k miles by the way. Took it to a dealership. Had it looked at 6 times in 4 weeks. The interior plastics were fading and had to be replaced 3 times. The door handle faded. Transmission slipped shortly after 35k miles. Finally the transmission died at 60k miles. I maintained the car well. even though saab has the "lowest maintenance in its class". Which I feel personally was misleading. I had to pay for a oil change and other maintenance that was covered under Saabs "free scheduled maintenance plan". I wouldnt buy another Saab.

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  beware - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By meleele - February 11 - 10:00 am

  Saab has become very hostile to its customers on warranty issues. The rudeness extends to corporate level. My longtime Saab loyalty is OVER!

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  Dont buy one - 2005 Saab 9-7X
  By globaby - January 30 - 7:40 am

  Had numerous problems. New heater core, rattling in dash and severe wind noise they cant/wont fix. People keep telling me it looks like a trailblazer. I wont be buying another GM product.