Saab is a bit different. Saab cars are a little different from the norm.
The first Saab automobile was introduced at Linkoping, in June 1947. Saab became a worldwide brand known for design, reliability and security by the time they reached their full production run in 1950.
However, in order to compete on the market, they were forced to introduce new technologies. First, the ignition system was placed near the gearstick rather than the steering wheel as most cars do. The fact that this feature was standard across all Saab vehicles reduced the risk of serious knee injuries in collisions.
Another of their world-firsts was the headlamp wipers and washers that were incorporated as standard on every vehicle. They were followed up by heated front seat, another world-first. Also, the impact-absorbing self-repairing rear bumpers were a new innovation.
Saab's cars have been a pioneer in many other areas. The passenger compartment air filters (pollen filters) were a world first. In 1971 the car was the very first with heated steering wheels. In 1979 the car was the very first turbocharged.
They were the first to develop a turbocharged engine with a wastedgate, which was a significant step in terms performance.
Saab 9-3 is still a popular model today. In the first quarter 2014, sales increased 19 percent. Its engines included 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinders producing 185 horsepower and a 2.5-litre three-cylinder engine producing 155 hp.
General Motors acquired Saab in the early 2000s and began modernising the car. The resulting modern 9-3 was a reworked and much more luxurious version of the original.
The car was a success because it was appealing to a range of drivers: from sportsmen through to families. The car was very comfortable, and it could fit adults of decent size in the back seat.
It's hard to fault the build quality and the ride, even for a car costing around PS15,000. The interior is comfortable and well finished, with a surprisingly good amount of space inside for such a large car.
One of the things I liked about the 9-3 was how quiet and refined it was, with a very quiet and smooth gearbox. It also had a decent boot, with plenty of room to spare.
It would be great to drive a classic Saab at a fraction the cost of a brand new car. It would be an amazing treat for any Saab fans.