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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  GMs New Vega - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By Charlie - April 4 - 1:43 am

  Towed countless times to shop or home (cant remove rust on wheels, dead direct inginition bank, failure to start, etc.). Interior falls apart around you (carpet disintegrating, rear brake light housing fell off). Blew shocks at 45K. Leaks antifreeze from unknown location at 17K. Trunk release, data display and seat heaters, inoperative since 50K

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  Saab repair - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Mark - March 17 - 7:03 pm

  10K miles summary: - coolant reservoir broken - ABS pump replaced - air bypass valve replaced - software that control windows updated - HID leveling system replaced The car cannot survive a week without having to spend another week at the dealership. we made more miles on the courtesy cars than on our 9-3.

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  Stay away!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By psaul - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Purchase 99 conv w/50K miles. spent $4500 replacing coil pack, conv top pistons, water pump and trip computer. Requested "good will" assistance from Saab and denied because 12 months our of warrentee. Internet forums indicate quality problems with Top and Trip computer and coil pack. Please stay away.

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  Disappointment - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Philadelphia girl - November 16 - 12:03 am

  I have been very disappointed with my SAAB. It has had one serious problem after another - malfunctioning electrical systems, computerized keys wouldnt start the car and had to be replaced two separate times etc. The CD player comes on when I enter the car, trunk pops open for no good reason, and the brake lights stay on. The engine light is frequently illuminated on the dash - apparently for no good reason. The electric seat lever allowing access to the backseat broke off and had to be replaced. The car handles well (except in snow), accelerates quickly it is great fun to have a convertible. However, for the price of this car I would have expected greater reliability after one year

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  What a Lemon - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Ali - November 14 - 1:06 pm

  I could not be more unhappy with a car. I had a 2003 which was fine. I traded it for a new 2004. You name it, and it has gone wrong. I spend more time at the dealership than at work. The dealership has been awful, Saab corporate has been awful, and the car itself - even worse. I cannot believe companies can get away with selling such a piece of trash. The transmission does not perform properly, parts keeping breaking inside the car, the windshield wiper motor has blown, the oil pressure sensor has been replaced (and other major mechanical issues). I will never, ever buy another Saab, and probably will never by another GM vehicle because of my experience with this car.

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  Terribly disappointed - 2006 Saab 9-7X
  By Terribly disappointe - November 7 - 11:30 pm

  I have been a Saab fan for years and have really never heard anything bad said about them. I bought mine used in June, 2009. It only had 38,000 miles on it. I had it in the service repair shop 4 times in the first month of ownership. Twice for suspension problems and twice for door seals. The suspension seems to be ok now but the seals obviously are not. It still sounds like the windows are down when riding above 45mph. The MPG is HORRIBLE! It gets 12, sometimes 13 MPG around town (not heavy traffic either). It has only gotten 16 on the highway. I will not fault Saab. I fault GM for trying to tweak a normal American SUV into a Saab. Maybe I just got a bad one.

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  Stay Away Unless You Won the Lottery! - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By danducati - November 2 - 6:16 pm

  OMG, what a piece of junk. Bought with 40K miles on it and had the check engine light go on after about 3 months. Cost $2,100 to fix it. Nice. Then the grill flew off as I was driving down the highway. Then it began leaking antifreeze like a sieve. Another $400 fix. I have had enough and will never ever buy a Saab again! Traded that sucka in today for a Lexus and am now super happy.

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  Thank goodness for my S60 - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By luvmys60 - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I bought a brand-new 04 Saab 9-3 Arc in May and I was happy with my decision. Sadly, too many problems arose including a bad fuel pump - which had to be replaced. Because of the lemon law, Saab bought it back and I switched to a new S60 2.5T which feels better inside, drives the same, and has slightly more comfortable seats.

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  Its great to drive but sucks to own - 1996 Saab 900
  By brbarbe2 - August 8 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car to drive but be ready for repairs...especially on the electical systems. Ive had the power seats go out 4 times, SRS light on twice, check engine countless times, two motors for the top go out, motor for the wipper blades go out, CD changer connection go bad, communication cable to SID go bad and had the wires behind the dashboard short out and start a fire. Most of the problems occured between 30k and 80k miles...its actually been pretty good since then, but I think thats because I stopped taking it to International Motors in Northern Virginia.

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  Difficult & Costly to Own - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Jarrod - July 31 - 5:06 pm

  I had this vehicle in the shop 15 times in 3 years. Poor interior choices; the rubber coating peels off all the control panels and door handles, I only get 20 mpg because the turbo kicks in at every stop light etc. Brakes had to be replaced at 21k. Both headlight assemblies had to be replaced at 20K miles because they malfunctioned. The gas gauge is inaccurate. GM used too many inexpensive parts to improve margins on the Saabs and the negative effects of this poor decision making trickled down to the consumer and dealer network - who in turn just services the car and bills the expenses for labor and warranty repair back to GM - does this make any sense? Use quality parts and make a good car.