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:
Showing 571 through 580 of 2,450.00-
Good First Car - 2005 Saab 9-2X
By mrdragon016 - September 29 - 5:55 amI bought My Saabaru a couple weeks back and everytime i drive it, it brings a huge smile on my face. Its got plenty of kick and can turn on a dime. with a 4 banger as well as AWD its a amazing little car
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The Best Kept European Secret - 2004 Saab 9-3
By William Moore - September 27 - 2:00 amThe 9-3 is fun to drive,safe, envirometally resopsible.The 9-3 is tastefull in design, subtle without being over-the-top.The interior is clean and functional.A great value...just a great car!
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Reliable for the first 50,000... - 2000 Saab 9-3
By Peterz - September 26 - 10:26 pmThe car was fine for the first 50K, after that everything that could go wrong did. I maintain the car religiously, keep it in a garage and still it is a headache. For the past 12 mos my repair bill average $550 a month (three towings so far), including turbo for $1900, fuel pump assembly $550 and (yes!) a driver seatbelt for $470 (and I use a solid local repair shop not the dealer that charges a first born).
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Saab never again! Maybe a BMW - 2001 Saab 9-3
By SergioC - September 24 - 7:56 amFirst the positive on this car. This is a fun car to drive except to the shop or dealing with GM. The turbo charged went bad at 65,000 miles. GM customer service is the worse I ever dealt with it. Now it will cost me over 1,700 dollars on repairs since GM do not want to knowledge of the problem with the turbo charger that it should not gone bad. I am finally give up on this piece of junk and never will buy another GM or SAAB. If you think to buy a SAAB, please reconsider that its a GM product now not a SAAB.
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FUN TO DRIVE - 2005 Saab 9-7X
By Trish - September 22 - 12:30 amI love my Saab SUV Arc . Its safe, fun to drive and FAST! The V8 engine and horsepower are faster then most sport sedans which leaves the other drivers on the road with a surprised look on their faces. The only improvement I can see is the cup holders need to be improved. They are weak and they wobble. Also a navigation system would be nice! I plan on purchasing another in 2008.
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new owner - 2006 Saab 9-7X
By nj driver - September 21 - 9:00 pmI was not happy with the whistle coming from my tires but came to find out it is a defect which will be fixed this week. A left axle problem I miss space for items around the front seat but love the easy access to everything. Back seat passengers complain about stiff back seat backs. Drove my daughter out to college with 4 x 8 uhaul trailer and it averaged 16 miles per gallon and handled well. I enjoy my suv but would like better mpg. Enjoy yours!
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Extremely reliable even after 160,000 miles! - 2010 Saab 9-3
By Mills - September 19 - 12:22 pmI purchased this car new in 2010 for $32,000. I currently have 162,000 miles on it and it has been extremely reliable. The engine runs great and so far the transmission has worked fine as well. I had to replace a drive shaft at 100K miles and a wheel bearing at 140K miles. As of today with 160K miles, I do need rear CV boots, a front vacuum pump and a transfer case seal. It would cost me approximately $1,850 to repair all of those items. I dont know if I will bother spending the money to fix these issues since I have so many miles on the car. I have to say though, it has been a fun car to drive and it has never failed me. I have always serviced it as per the manufacturers specs and Im sure thats partly why it has run so well. .... A little about me, I am 5-6" tall and the seats and cabin room are perfect for me!
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Love the ride - expensive to repair - 1999 Saab 9-5
By bc - September 17 - 9:03 pmI drove this car from NY to Ohio the month it came off the showroom floor and loved the car. 8 yrs later, I bought it from my friend at 96000 mi. still rode great and I was on top of the world. Then the warning lights came. I spent $2000 in repairs with a Saab dealer and it looks like it might come to that in repairs again this year. Love the looks and the ride, but...
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WOW, this is great - 2005 Saab 9-7X
By Mike - September 17 - 2:23 pmThis is the best car I have ever had. I have had BMWs, Range Rovers, Mercedes,and an Acura MDX. Nothing is as impressive as the Saab 9-7x. It handles like its on rails and the 5.3 liter V-8 unleashes amazing amounts of thrust to my rear wheels. I pretty much live in my car because I have to drive all over New England for bussiness. Trust me you will love it!
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Great Car! - 2009 Saab 9-3
By willg - September 17 - 5:03 amJust like the other guy said, once you buy a Saab, you will buy one every time you buy a car. Very great car and you can pick them up cheap right now!!
