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Future Classic: 1999-2002 Saab 9-3 Viggen

Given the company’s now-defunct status, you could argue that all Saabs are future classics. Even the final round of cars from the era of General Motors ownership deserve their place in history. Seriously, how hot was the last 9-5? Handsome design and quirky features were hallmarks of the Saab brand, and its cars felt every bit as premium as its primary European competitors. But while other luxury carmakers put great effort into full lineups of performance cars, Sweden only produced the odd sporty Saab every once in a while. One of our favorites was the 9-3 Viggen from the turn of the century, and itÂ’s a car that still makes us swoon today. Why is the Saab 9-3 Viggen a future classic? Saab's whole "born from jets" tagline never really made much sense, but at least the 9-3 Viggen's name was a nod to the company's aerospace roots. The Swedish word "Viggen" translates to "thunderbolt" in English, and this name was used on the Saab 37 Viggen aircraft that entered service in the early 1970s. MotorWeek | Retro Review: '99 Saab Viggen The 9-3 Viggen used a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four engine, most notably remembered for its eyebrow-raising 20 psi of boost pressure. Rated at 225 horsepower – which was later bumped up to 230 hp – and 252 pound-feet of torque, this engine was paired exclusively with a five-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. Stiffer suspension components, firmer dampers, stronger driveshafts, a heavy-duty clutch and a revised exhaust were also part of the package. The Viggen was relatively quick, with Saab quoting a 0-to-60-mph time of around 6.5 seconds. However, the 9-3 Viggen is largely remembered for things like its ridiculous turbo lag and torque steer – characteristics that kind of made this car hilarious to drive, even if they took away from overall sharpness and composure. What is the ideal example of the Saab 9-3 Viggen? Saab offered the 9-3 Viggen as a three-door hatchback, five-door hatchback and two-door convertible. And while this car is most commonly remembered in its launch shade, Lightning Blue, Saab offered the Viggen in black, gray, red, silver and yellow. You could even spec the interior with blue, orange or tan leather accents. Arguably the most iconic 9-3 Viggen spec is a Lightning Blue three-door hatch, but the other colors are far more rare. WeÂ’ve got a major soft spot for a Monte Carlo Yellow five-door, but really, you canÂ’t go wrong.

Son surprises mom with her dream car, a 1973 Saab 99

Often, it feels like the news is just a never-ending stream of one depressing headline after another. It can be so liberating to see something positive and uplifting every once in a while. Just look at the ecstatic expression on this mother's face after receiving her dream car from her son. Mom has some seriously quirky taste too: she isn't after a muscle car or a two-seat droptop; instead, it's a 1973 Saab 99 EMS in a very '70s shade of copper at the top of her wish list. According to the video, it took her son about a year to track down this hunk of Swedish steel and save up the money to purchase it. Though, judging from his mom's reaction, it was worth every penny. She puts together what's going on with the Saab pretty quickly and immediately starts swearing at her son – out of love, of course. If you're feeling a little blue, consider this a much-needed pick-me-up. Watching the unbridled joy of someone getting something that they always wanted just feels wonderful.

Saab's latest Chinese owners facing their own credit woes

Poor Saab, it can't seem to get a break. General Motors couldn't seem to make a go of it, neither could Spyker, and now it seems that its latest owner is encountering some problems of its own.
That owner, of course, is National Electric Vehicle Sweden, a Swedish holding company owned by Chinese investors. NEVS recently restarted production at the Saab plant in Trollhättan, Sweden, and had some ambitious plans for the brand's revival, but it appears to have run out of cash.
This according to a report in The Wall Street Journal, which discovered that NEVS is having trouble paying its suppliers. One such supplier, called Labo Test, has reportedly been owed some $22,000 by NEVS since February, and without payment, petitioned the Swedish government to place NEVS into bankruptcy proceedings. If that seems a little extreme to you over twenty-two grand, it would seem the parties agree, as the petition has reportedly since been withdrawn.