Who here drives a SAAB? What model and year do you have? What do you like about the car? What don’t you like about it? Have you had any issues with it? Do the other people in your life like it?
Here’s a question: how long did it take you to get used to the ignition being between the front seats? Because personally after one month I still sometimes find myself jabbing my key unconsciously towards the right side of the steering column like an idiot.
I have a 2004 Saab convertible and LOVE the car. If not for the likely fact that Saab will either dissolve or be sold to a Chinese company I could see myself being a Saab owner for life.
Admittedly it did not start that way, my first convertible had to be Lemon Lawed after failing to start on five different occasions and their legal team dragging their heels on replacing it. They were going to just refund my money, which would have been fine, but after a letter to corporate, they magically found an identical car for me and threw in xenon headlamps (which are expensive as hell to replace, so I guess the joke is on me).
This new one has been a dream, nice power, I love being able to switch between a stick and automatic on the fly, and hey, convertible in Atlanta rocks! My only negatives were that I bought it the year BEFORE they put in satellite radio and the interior plastics seem very easy to scuff, making it impossible to restore it seems. I love that it is a safe car, and that it is a 4-seater so that I can take my son along when we go out. During the lemon law fun, I test drove a 4-seater Audi, and while it cornered better, it just didn’t compare and I’m glad I stuck with Saab.
The key thing I got used to very quickly, but ironically, when I drive the wife’s truck, I find myself putting the key in between the seats to try and start it.
I’ve almost always driven Saabs. I love them.
I learned how to drive on one, so I expect the ignition to be there - it always takes me a while when using someone else’s car. And at least you only have the ignition issue. They used to have the weird quirks where no one could figure out the seatbelts or door handles either.
Good news: neither of those two is happening. Bad news (maybe): Saab is being sold to Koenigsegg, which currently rolls out about 18 cars a year at $1.5 million or so apiece. Time will tell if Koenigsegg can go from hand-crafted to assembly line.
I bought a 2002 9-3 within a few days of when you bought yours (64K on it, so 100K fewer miles than my previous car: feels like new!). I think it has been just this week that I have finally directed the key consistently in the correct direction.
Too new yet to comment on much, but driver’s comfort was a big reason for getting it. The power seat adjusted well to give me good thigh support, and the cockpit is of a size where I can top my 6’2" frame with a fedora and not have to bend my neck. What went a long way to selling me on the car was that when I took it for its test drive everything fell immediately to hand and all my sight lines were good. I needed no adjustment time as I pulled into traffic; the car was an instant good fit.
I’ve only ever rented a Saab (2007 93 2.0T), but man, I LOVED driving that car!! It’s the first car that ever turned my head away from my beloved Saturn SL. I know it’s an odd comparison, but my Saturn is the most comfortable car I’ve ever owned and it just fits me. I would have sworn I would never stray from Saturn, but Saab is now on my radar – just in time for both companies to be abandoned! (Grr.)
I have a 1999 9-3, which I really like. Very comfortable seats, I love the styling and color of the car (green silver).
Parts cost is a downside. I am also not too enamored of the entire HVAC system. The vent controls don’t work right and the AC seems underpowered yet robs the engine of power more than any car AC I’ve seen.
I like the key location. The window controls were more of an adjustment for me. I think ideally you would have window controls in the center AND on the door. It really bothers passengers.
I’ve only had good luck with my AC - even on the lowest setting I usually find myself turning it off after a while because it’s so cold.
I agree that the window controls are bizarre.
Oh, the center panel bottle/can holder always elicits a reaction too. I hear they can break very easily, but I’ve had good luck with it so far.
For those who haven’t seen it (I have no idea how far back they go, a long time?), here’s an image: http://www.trollhattansaab.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/2008-saab-9-3-sedan-27.jpg
I have a 2000 convertible, 9-3 SE. I have been an admirer of Saabs since the “bathtub” (that’s what I referred to it as) design days. I really like the roof, probably the best non-hard top roof offered in the market. I also get surprisingly good mpg. On long trips, I can average near 36 mpg. I haven’t been too much of a fan of the newer (post 2002?) bodies, but the convertibles, imo, still look the same, so it doesn’t bother me much. I did test drive a 2005, and I have to admit, I fell in love with the responsiveness. Though, I am a bit concerned about the having larger displacement causing a decrease in efficiency. If I was in the market for a new convertible, I would definitely look at Saab first (I like the one they use in Burn Notice).
I don’t own a SAAB, but my favorite personalized license plate I ever saw was on a SAAB. It said BAAB.
I have a 2002 Saab 9-5 turbo and the car is a joy to ride and be driven in. We got it used at the begining of the year and it has held up pretty nicely.
The minor negatives are the placement of the door controls and the ignition key. The major negative is the price of repair and parts. (I am looking at you, Security Alarm module).
Hot news! You guys will shortly no longer drive Saabs but Koenigseggs. BBC story here.
So what, are there still going to be SAAB dealerships in the US now? But just owned by a different company? Or are they going to be sold only in Swedeland from now on?
Of course. 
What do you think normally happens when an automaker is sold?
I must say it’s bizarre thinking of Koenigsegg buying Saab. That’s like Joe’s Home Theater Shack buying Best Buy.
My favorite vanity plate was also on a SAAB. It said SNAAB.
Well, to be fair, Joe’s Home Theater Shack would be producing $1M+ home theater sets.
A more apt comparrison would be Mark Levison (home audio specialist) buying Bang and Olafuson. Yes, I think Saabs are that luxurious. I drove my into work today.
Yeah, but I couldn’t think of any tiny high end audio companies off the top of my head.
Buddy, you need to drive some more cars. Nothing wrong with Saab (I quite like them as a matter of fact, though the ones I’ve driven/ridden in seemed a bit narrow - old 900 convertible and a newer 9-5), but they’re hardly the height of luxury.
Well, there’s luxury and then there’s LUXURY. I once considered buying a 5 year old Mercedes S600, then my friend picked me up in his father’s Bentley. The heights of luxury don’t end. As a lawyer, I can’t remind all the senior managers of how much of a cost center I am by driving around something too luxurious.
