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 71 through 80 of 2,450.00-
Disappointment - 2003 Saab 9-3
By DiAnn - July 28 - 10:00 amIm a VW convertible owner,until purchasing the 9-3.What a disappointment.I have definitely discovered that the Germans are better engineers than the Swedes.The ride is rough; the air-conditioning is poor and the interior convenience is non- existent.The interior is cramped; options are inconvenient. The cup holder is horrible unless you like hot coffee spilled on your radio controls.The window controls located in the console are right where they can be bumped several times during any ride, a window suddenly going down as you drive.The pick-up of the turbo 4 cyl. is very good and the braking is superior.Other than that,my purchase has been an expensive mi
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Saab Fun to look at but... - 2004 Saab 9-3
By pup1966 - July 22 - 10:00 amI really like the styling of the 9-3 but unfortunately I dont get much of a chance to drive it. My 9-3 is equipped with the tire pressure monitoring system. It has been in the shop 3 times in 2 months for a recurring problem with this system. Ive tried to work with Saab regarding the problem but they are very uncooperative. Either deactivate the system or get me a new vehicle. They are unwilling to do either. So, everytime I drive it I dont know if I will make it to my destination or if I will end up back at the Saab dealership. Very frustrating for owning a new vehicle.
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New Saab SUV - 2005 Saab 9-7X
By JC - July 3 - 4:36 amI need a 4 wheel drive vehicle and wanted something towards the top of the line within my price range. With the employee discount deal, the Saab met those requirements. Also liked the all- inclusive deal...You only can choose between a sunroof or a DVD player. I took the sunroof. The ride is OK, but a bit you do feel the road quite a bit. Bottom Line: good deal for the price.
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Wish wed bought Japanese! - 2006 Saab 9-3
By UVAGirl - June 24 - 7:26 amWe choose the Saab 9-3 Aero over the Audi(we previously had a new A4 with reliability issues), Mercedes, Volvo, and Acura (big mistake). In the past year, weve had to trek to the dealership monthly, weekly, even daily with issues like: radio, emblem falling off, multiple fog light replacements, tires, brake pads, repeated coolant issues, and today the engine started smoking (while driving home from the Saab service dept. after they fixed the engine yet again!) We didnt pay this much for a car to be driving a cheap Ford Focus loaner all the time. To those lucky souls who havent had reliability issues yet, I say wait until your mileage gets a little higher and check back, were at 50k mi
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Saab Story - 2001 Saab 9-3
By RIX - May 20 - 10:00 amIn 2 years, the car had to be towed twice. First time was because of a corroded cable and the second time because the ignition cassette kept shorting out the fuses.
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nice options but not dependable - 2000 Saab 9-5
By gloria - April 13 - 10:46 pmIts time to trade this car. This car has had four major repairs since we owned it. When the car is not having a problem it is enjoyable to drive.
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Rattle trap - 2001 Saab 9-3
By snaab93se1 - March 31 - 10:00 amThis car rattled more and more as time went on and the dealer could care less about fixing them. Also had front supension problems, the information display LED got moisture behind it and had to be replaced and the check engine light came on during a u-turn. Stay away from this one..its a headache waiting to happen
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Almost A Great Car - 1999 Saab 9-3
By srotzin - March 9 - 8:46 amI bought this car in Nov of 2002. Off lease, it was in perfect condition. However, for the past two years the car has been slowly drifting into maintenance hell. Airbag sensor going out, electrical discharge for distributor going out, little plastic stuff breaking and for the finale... at 60,000 mi a head gasket and turbo. Yep, a $3,800 repair at 60,000 mi. While out of warranty, I thought a call to SAAB USA was needed. No cars head gasket and turbo should go out at 60,000 mi... they have been dragging their feet and wanting every detail as to oil changes and the like. There is no doubt, they are balking. As the transmission begins to slip, I am going to sell it for scrap and buy a real car
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Saab 9-3 - 2003 Saab 9-3
By Saab 9-3 - February 28 - 10:10 amDont buy a Saab-- It is a GM Car, remember that! I have had nothing but problems. Car drives great but more electrical nuisance problems than any other car I have ever owned. No one at Saab stands behind their cars. That includes the dealership and the 1800 Customer service number. Saab is very tempting to buy but dont do it!!! Consider the BMW 3 series or Acura TL instead.
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Disappointed with vehicle - 2006 Saab 9-3
By 2006 Saab 9-3 - February 16 - 4:33 amFrom our purchase date we have been very disappointed with this car. You would think for the price of the vehicle it would hold up better. The car constantly has problems. Problems with the windshield wipers, windshield sprayers, headlights, gas tank cap, doors locking, ingition switch, sunroof, and it rattles. And the problems re-occur. We take it to the Saab dealership service department and two weeks later it is back in the shop for the exact same problem. The front leather seats are very uncomfortable. There is no support in the seat. When you are riding in the front you have a tendency to slip forward almost coming off of the seat. Cheap leather also. Very disappointed w/car.