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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  Do research before you buy one! - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Taylor Gray - May 30 - 8:53 am

  Loved the car. Had every option that cars do now except nav system. Even had 6-speed manual! Had MANY problems. It was always driven on the highway and taken care of so it was about the quality of the materials. I had to replace lower left ball joint, both struts (and mounts), springs, the entire car computer, rain sensor, radio, seatbelt, & ignition. Dont get me wrong the car was a great car but I am a college student and it was difficult to pay for repairs. I suggest not buying one unless you plan to have repair bills & you KNOW you CAN pay them. Saabs going out of business & the company is only required to make parts 10 years after the car was made. Plan on not finding any parts by 13.

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  Brakes!!!!!!!! - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Jurynotout - May 24 - 10:00 am

  I definitely enjoy driving this car, until I have to slow down or stop it. The brakes have been horrible from day one. They have "roared" and/or "squeaked" since I purchased the car. It is has been in the shop three times already. Also, the radio sometimes just goes out after starting my car. Only a high pitch sound remains. Overall: If they get the brakes working properly then I will like it. Currently, not so impressed with this car! Thinking I should have went with the BMW or Lexus.

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  Great car - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By NThomson - May 19 - 11:06 am

  Bought second hand from a relative who bought it new. - Great acceleration and handling - moderate torque steer. - Parts are not cheap - Good fuel economy if you keep it out of turbo range. - High depreciation which makes it economical to buy second hand. - Ergonomics: (wife) not enough cup holders and hard to reach the ones that are there. - No armrests

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  Wanted some fun - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By cubanindesmoines - May 12 - 11:50 am

  Traded an 05 Subaru Legacy-i for the 9- 3. The Saabs seats are very comfortable and there are a lot more features in the Saab. Acceleration is great and overall very fun to drive. The vehicle does have unique look to it without being quirky or gimmicky. Hwy mileage has been excellent at 29- 31. City is good at 24 mpg. Mileage can be worse if you really step into it. I was concerned about overall reliability so I did purchase the service contract with it. Huge amount of features and adjustments for the sound system, climate control, and information systems. Keep the rpms over 2000 and it runs well. Keep them over 3000 and there is no turbo lag.

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  I love this Sport Sedan - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By carz240 - May 12 - 6:09 am

  After I sold my old car I wanted an improvement. Something with xenon lights, leather, automatic windows and sun roof, and it had to be relatively fast. After looking for 3 or 4 months I found a 2003 Saab 93 2.0t automatic. I went over to test drive it that night at the owners house and I instantly wanted it. I ended up buying it that night, I didnt know much about Saab and if I did I would have bough the Vector/Aero or the Arc. I wish Saab wasnt in this problem right now, after owning this car for the past 6 months I want to be a Saab guy forever. Im 20 and I am in love with my Saab, I have never had any major issues. Just little things here and there. I highly reccomend the 93

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  fun to drive, but needs some improvement - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By skyking444 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  This is a fun car to drive. It is my first convertible and my wife and I are having a lot of fun driving up the coast or even to the grocery store!

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  Holding On to Rattlebox Junk - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By KnottingMooF - April 25 - 6:20 pm

  I only wish I had the foresight to read review sites such as this before making the worst car purchase in my auto-owning history. I wont reiterate what everyone else has said about electrical, rattle, peeling dash and overall gremlin nightmare about this car. GM has replaced the engine three times under extended warranty. Because of the new engine and all the time and money Ive put into this car, Im holding on until my warranty runs out and the car dies on the side of the road. Its very interesting to see all the high reliability marks if you scroll back to 2003 when the car first hit the road. Except for one person who had high mileage early on. Everyone else scores it a 1!

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  State of Independence - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Finkle - April 23 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this car for two months now. I love it. It has plenty of power in any gear. The exterior styling is gorgeous. The leather seats feel like butter. The car handles great at any speed. SAAB has done a excellent job designing and building this car.

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  Fun to drive, at a price.... - 1996 Saab 900
  By Moe5555 - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with 92,000 miles on it. I dont drive much (7k/yr), but the car finds a way to malfunction every 1.5-2 months. Dont get me wrong: the car is beautiful, comfortable, and performs well...but is expensive to keep up with all the problems the car has. My engine seized up just 1 month ago and I had to either ditch the car or buy a new engine. Saab need to work on reliability issues!

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  Another Saab Story - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By MissMyAcura - March 31 - 1:10 pm

  I have had my Vector for 3 weeks and the dealer has had it for almost 2 of the 3 weeks. It leaks oil and radiator fluid. The power locks broke, sunroof wouldnt close. It has been back to the dealer 3 times to fix the leak and still they cant fix it. Also the loaner 2005 9-5 with 5k miles, leaked oil also all over my driveway! Now my wife is upset and the stains all over our driveway. I tell neighbors its my Saab story! They way I see it, if you want problems buy a Saab, if you want a car that will not give you any problems, this is the wrong car for you. It is just that simple!