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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  Amazing car for the price. - 2007 Saab 9-3
  By realhwaker - October 11 - 9:26 pm

  It is just an amazing car for the dollar value. You can really get some good deals on this car. I bought a 2.0t with the 60th anniversary package. They have great lease rates and you will be hard pressed to find this kind of car in this price range. You also wont see tons of these on the road.

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  Affordable luxury - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By JRJ - October 7 - 10:00 am

  Ive been very impressed with my 9-5 Linear with automatic transmission. There is plenty of power and luxury with great gas mileage to boot. Ive always owned larger luxury; i.e. Mercedes 300SE, Cadillac Sedan DeVille, Lincoln Town Car, but I am forever out of that class of vehicle since buying by 9-5. THe interior is very roomy and wonderfully engineered. The quiet ride rivals the large luxury sedans Ive mentioned.

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  Junk - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By Swen - October 6 - 10:36 am

  Beware of the lousy GM powertrain - it will suck your bank account dry! One thing after another and always very pricey. Timing belt replaced at 58K but the timing belt tensioner went out at 64K causing valve damage and a $4000 repair bill, both ignition cassettes went out, headlights burn out every 2-3 months, too many minor repairs to fit here, transmission now shot and its a $5000 repair - enough!!! Will never buy a Saab or GM product again!

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  Purchasing Overseas & Shipping Delivery - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By Dennis S. Williams - October 5 - 3:53 pm

  Having purchased this car in Germany just before returning to the US for a new job, I was worried about having it delivered to an unfamiliar dealership. My worries were unfounded as I have continued to have the car (as well as my older 98) serviced and maintained at the dealership and have been very satisfied.

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  Wasaab - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By luthermarcus - October 4 - 2:02 am

  Great over all car! Picked one up for 2,100$ best buy for a car I ever had at this price and even if i bought a more expensive car. Car handles well in the snow has that ump -pick-up-and-go- feel and drive. I got this gem cheap. In 2015 to get 2003 with this reliable didnt think it was possible at the price i bought it. One thing is the radio not married to the car which is a pain i have to go to place with tech equipment to get it working but for 2,100 i can not complain about the radio. Love saab getting a new version in the future.

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  1999 9-3 WOW - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By rsbrissett - October 2 - 7:10 am

  I bought off the original owner who was 65 and kept every document. This car is nothing short of incredible! Acceleration is muscle car and fuel economy is frugal. Tensioner pulley seized (which caused serpentine belt to break) and caused the car to overheat for over 20 miles. After replacing the belt and the pulley the car is 100%! I cannot Kill my Saab! It has not let me down and neither will I!

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  Three Time Saab Owner - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By Three Timer - September 30 - 4:46 pm

  The combination of fuel economy and performance is unequalled in its competitors. Saabs turbocharged engine deliver smooth performance through the fulll power band. With rising fuel costs, Im gonna be thankful I have a four-banger!

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  I wish Id chosen something different. - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By pythonfan6 - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I have had one problem after another. All build quality issues. Unlubricated steering column, rattles, a door hinge came loose causing a mean whistle in the door, panel lights flickering, other electrical issues. Aside from those, the cupholders are ridiculous. The one in the front armrest is unusable, and the one on the dash is to flimsy to put anything in but a can of coke. Acceleration is fine, but the car has no grip on any surface. The tires squeal at anything more than a soft touch to the peddle. All in all, I feel like I paid 40,000 dollars for a Hyundai.

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  Take it or leave it - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By Bob908 - September 28 - 11:56 pm

  We all know this car is a rebadged WRX. That said Saab has made this car more of a "luxury" car then a "race" car with sound dampening, slightly less stiff suspension, and i believe they took the steering components from the STI. The automatic turbo version of this car does not feel as spirited as its manual counterpart. The thing I am most impressed with is the AWD and the lack of body roll when turning partially due to the Horizontally opposed motor (IMO, 2/3s of a porsches motor). I love my car and think it is an excellent option to consider besides an SUV.

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  So far so good! - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By AlamoSpear - September 28 - 10:00 am

  Purchased my 9-3 used with 4,800 miles on it (9,000 now). I assume that it was traded in because of the rather harsh ride (my previous car was a MBZ 300E), especially given the poor condition of the roads around here. But it is a blast to drive - quick handling and acceptable acceleration with only 170HP. Love the exterior design. The enterior is minimalistic - very European. Trunk is quite large given the overall size of the car.