What color is your Saab?

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DuPont have just published their vehicle color survey results for 2008. I didn’t realise that silver had been overtaken in 2007 and the news for 2008 is that it still hasn’t regained a its place at the head of the pack.

The most popular color over all in 2008 is the combination of white and white effects (e.g. pearlescents).

White certainly looks good on this particular car:

Saab Convertible 2008

Saab Convertible 2008

DuPont have produced a number of color charts showing the results of the color surveys in different regions of the world. I’ve reproduced a few of them below.

It’s interesting that white was a winner in the US, whilst across the pond in Euope, blacks were the most popular in 2008.

America/Europe? Chalk/Cheese?

Click to enlarge.

——

I was going to prepare a poll to accompany this post, but I don’t think it’d retain it’s relevance without tying it to a particular generation of cars, or perhaps the region.

So, what color is your Saab?

What model, what year? And what region are you in.

If we get enough responses I might try and collate them into some meaningful information.

——

1994 Saab 9000 – green
1985 Saab 900 – silver

Australia. Bewdy mate!

–

161 thoughts on “What color is your Saab?”

  2. 2004 Saab 9-5 – Grey (Steel Grey)
    1995 Saab 9000 – Blue (LeMans Blue)

    Norway on snowy roads (well not so much really, unfortunately they use so much salt on the roads..)

  4. 2008 9-5 Aero – Fusion Blue metallic
    2003 9-5 Aero – Merlot red

    Got sick of grey cars….
    Past cars:

    2002 9-5 linear-Steel Grey
    2002 9-5 Aero- Cosmic Blue ( my favorite color of all)
    2006 9-5 aero- Steel Grey

  6. 1998 Saab 9000 – Green (Scarabe)
    2008 Saab 9-3SC – Grey (Titan)

    Australia. Bloody ripper!

    BTW: This’s good survey of TS readership model mix as well.

  8. 2006 9-3 SportCombi 2.0T (delivery in Trollhattan, but home in Minneapolis) Smoke Beige Metallic. I love the way it changes color in different light and settings …

  11. 2004 9-3 Arc – Glacier Blue

    “The Great White North”. Take off, eh! ;)

    PS Id have an Arctic White 9-3, firstly if they were available on the sedan and secondly, if I were going to buy a new 9-3. That pure white is stunning!!!!

  19. 2002 9-3 SE
    Polar White
    USA

    I often get comments to the effect that it is the best looking white car that people have ever seen. The color changes depending on the level of outdoor light.

  20. 1990 900 turboS convertible: Cirrus White
    1995 9000 CSE: Citrin Beige
    1996 900 SE: Citrin Beige
    1997 900 SE convertible: Monte Carlo Yellow

  21. OK, so what do I classify Rose Quartz as? Red or silver?

    And Citrin Beige? Brown or Silver?

    I think we can safely say smoke beige metallic is a brown, right?

    Generalised color is probably more important than the actual Saab color name or this exercise.

  22. 2008 Turbo X – lime yellow. Only kidding – it’s black. Jet black metallic. Awesome paint job!
    2003 9-3 Arc – steel grey (previous Saab).

    O Canada.

  24. 1999 9-3 Cosmic Blue ( my favorite color too, ELBOBO)

    previous:
    1987 900: Dark Navy Blue in part to get the gray interior (I became allergic to all beiges and oranges in 1985 otherwise I would have gone for forest green car)

    1976 99GL: an orangy-yellow only because there was no other choice at the time.

    I would not have a white car where it snows just like I would not paint my house white. 6 months of snow cover makes one want a little color.

  25. There are only three colors for a car: red, black, and white.

    1990 900s: black
    1993 900s: arctic white
    2001 9-5: laser red
    2004 9-5: black
    2006 9-5: polar white (and so drop dead gorgeous that at the last moment I decided against a 2008 black Audi A6 this summer, despite a good deal, and kept the 9-5 since the present SAAB is way better looking and nicer to drive; not into that “quattro” thing yet, I guess). Of course, if there is no more SAAB tomorrow, probably made the wrong decision. But what’s up with that amber display in the Audi? I kept thinking it was warning me of something all the time. I test drove the new A4 and in my opinion the 9-3 is clearly better. Listening, Mr. Waggoner? I doubt it.

    Good ol’ midwest USA.

  27. 2006 9-5 Aero SC – Smoke Beige / Parchment

    Smoke Beige is almost black when it’s dark, greyish in bright sunlight and a brown tint anywhere in between. It’s a very unique color and I am not tired of it yet. It’s similar to Espresso Black on the earlier 9-5 and 9-3.

    I particularly like the Sun Green on my earlier 9-5. To bad Saab doesn’t offer a nice green color on their current models.

    Other Saabs I owned:
    2006 9-3 SS – Blue
    2006 9-3 SC – Grey
    2001 9-5 SC – Green
    2005 9-5 SC – Silver

    These comments are useless without pictures… :)

  28. had 2002 9-3SE Hazelnut Metallic (police called it tan my wife called it beige)
    have 2007 9-5 Aero Smokebeige Metallic (police call it dark blur my wife calls it poo brown)
    have 2006 9-3 2T Combi Smokebeige Metallic (police call it slower moving dark blur my wife still calls it poo brown)

  32. 1999 9-5 Estate (Wagon) – Cosmic Blue

    Nottinghamshire, UK

    Previously…

    900 Talladega x2 one Silver, one Cayenne Red
    9-5 Saloon (Sedan) Cayenne Red

  33. 2008 Turbo X – Black (‘You can have any colour you want…so long as it’s Black ‘[Henry Ford on the Model T] :) )

    Otherwise, I would echo Mr. Thomas above:

    I think the previous gen 9-3 is a showstopper in Laser Red. There was a nearly new ’07 [parchment interior] at a West End Toronto dealer that had tempted me.

    And had I not been seduced by the Turbo X I think the latest 9-3 is smashing in Polar White — Combi especially !

  39. 2007 9-3 Anniv. – Titan Gray

    I would have bought a polar white, but it was not available in that color for the 60th edition. I never understood why Saab wouldn’t offer this color on the 60th or Aero.

    I’ve always loved white the best, but I don;t see enough white cars in the US to make me even remotely believe it’s the most “popular” color.

    Part of the reason white is so appealing to me is just that, no one has it.

  42. USA

    Present:
    1996 9000 Aero Scarabe Green
    1986 900 SPG Edwardian Grey
    1986 900s Silver

    Future:
    04-05 9-5 Aero Sedan White
    or
    04-05 9-5 Aero Wagon Silver

  44. US

    current

    2000 9-5 Aero sedan, black
    1990 900 Turbo SPG, red
    1989 900 Turbo convertible, red
    1978 99 Turbo, red

    past

    1973 99 LE, 2-door, green
    1989 900 Turbo convertible, white
    1989 900 Turbo SPG, black
    1988 9000 Turbo, black
    1985 900 base, hatch, blue
    1975 99LE hatch, green

  46. I do not currently own my own Saab, but I drive one of my roommates two Saabs every day…
    2003 9-3 Arc SportSedan – Flat Black
    1999 9-5 – Scarab Green

    I used to own a 1996 900 SE Turbo Convertible – Black

    And at the same time I owned a 1986 900 2-door hatch – Beige…I used this mainly when my convertible was getting fixed

    I live in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts USA

  48. Wow; it seems that in Europe the Metallic/effect blacks are much more popular than in the US. I first really started taking a liking to it on the e36 M3, and am happy that Saab now offers it!!(not counting 9-7X) I think only the Turbo-X can have it.. for now at least. Maybe not the following years’ models though?

  49. Currently my world is black’n'white.

    Whenever I’ll purchase a new Saab, I’ll usually let my wife to choose the color she wants. Almost anything goes but not silver-grey. I hate it. In my opinion it’s too neutral, it doesn’t have any “personality”. The fact is that in Finland where I live you could fit 13 silver-grey Toyota Corollas within a dozen ;-) I guess Finnish people like neutral colors and what would be then a better color than silver-grey…

    So currently I have two Saabs.

    1997 NG900 Turbo – Cirrus White 153B
    2009 9-3SC 1.8t – Black (don’t know the color code. Should find it out someday…)

    My wife likes black cars to she picked the color. Earlier I had dark red 1991 OG900i16V and laser red 2005 9-3SS. Laser red was picked by my ex-common-law wife. It was OK but had some disadvantages. Well, the black has also some disadvantages but the white is great for repair painting etc.

    In my opinion Saab should broaden their color palette and introduce some brighter colors. Ice blue was great, as well the lime & the yellow which were only available for cabriolets. I would’ve liked to order a lime /yellow 9-3SC but unfortunately they’re only available with those darker colors. What a pity…

  51. 1985 C900T 3-door – Rose Quartz Metallic (silver/gray)
    2005 9-5 Arc SportWagon – Steel Gray
    U.S. of A.

  52. 2007 9-5 2.3T sedan in Chili Red (a bit of burgundy in it)
    parchment standard seats
    located in Montreal, Canada

    My wife got the last call on color and seats but I agreed fully (of course . . . heck, I got the SAAB!). Our dealer had to have the vehicle specially shipped several thousand km from a dealer’s stock in Alberta–it was the only one Canada two years ago in that color (no longer offered). Silvers and grays are indeed very nice on 9-5s but we have had several silver cars and it was time for some visible pigment.

    We had our first moderate snow today (a few inches, about 10 cm): The car looks awesome against the white landscape we’ll likely enjoy now for 4 months.

  54. Current:

    1994 9000 Green
    2004 9-5 sedan Black
    2008 9-3 convertible Black

    Past:

    1987 9000 Rose Quartz
    1991 9000 Dark Grey

    Luxembourg, Europe

  56. Current
    2008 9-3 Sport Combi 1.9 TiD Jet Black

    Past
    2000 9-5 Sport combi Black
    900 Sedan light-blue metallic
    900 Sedan Silver metallic

  58. 1988 900 Aero Silver 200H is the colour code… she aint called the Silver Sled for nothing!
    2002 9-3 Aero in Steel Grey

    Melbs, Oz

    sab

  64. By the way, you only get to choose your colour when you buy a brand new car.

    08 93 Linear Sport Bio-Power Snow Silver
    and a
    01 93 S 4 door hatch, white in colour

  74. Switzerland (Europe ;-) )
    my 2003 9-5 Aero is in jet black,
    and the 2008 9-3 Convertible in a beautiful arctic white!
    Believe me, both colors are beautiful :-)

  77. Current in Australia: 1993 900i Citrin Silver

    Past in Canada: 1987 9000 Edwardian Grey
    1988 900 White
    1988 900 SPG Silver

  79. 2007 9-5 2,3t Vector Sedan BioPower – Nocturne blue
    Previous: 2002 9-3 2,0T Sport Edition – Laser Red

    The Laser red had incredible durability, looked new (ok, a lot of wax used each year but still) after 7 years

  82. 2007 60th Anniversary 9-3 convertible
    Ice Blue
    Dallas Texas USA

    Past SAABs:

    2003 9-3 2.0t Silver
    1993 9000 CDE turbo Ruby Red

  88. ’99 9-3, 3-door, base – Frost Grey Metallic (greyish blue)

    Previous:
    ’86 900 base – Red
    ’88 900s 4-door – Black
    ’89 900spg – Black
    ’88 900s 3-door – Silver
    ’89 900s 3-door – Malachite Green (my favorite next to Frost Grey)
    ’99 9-3, 4-door, base – Black (now my brother’s)

  89. 1999 9-5 – Black

    Previous:
    1988 900s 4-Door – Rose Quartz Metallic (silver with burgundy mix)
    1984 900s 4-Door – Gun Metal Blue
    Chicago IL USA

  93. 2004 9-3 Arc Convertible: Nocturn Blue: Croton-On Hudson, New York USA
    Even standing still, the car moves you…

  96. Current Family Fleet:

    1973 96 — Yellow
    1990 900 SPG — Talladega Red
    1991 900 SE Convertible — Monte Carlo Yellow
    1995 900 SE Convertible — Scarab Green (with Beige Top)
    1999 9-5 Sedan — Cirrus White
    2001 9-5 Sport Wagon — Imola Red

    Texas, USA

  101. 1987- 900 Turbo – Black
    1999- 9-5 SE – Red
    2006- 9-5 – Fusion Blue (My favorite)

    Massachusetts, USA

  110. 2007 Saab 9-5 Tid Sport Combi Parchment Silver
    2006 Saab 9-3 Aero Jetblack
    1961 Saab 96 Two stroke Black

  116. 2008 9-3 SS, Titan Gray

    I did not choose this color because it is interesting, it’s NOT, but it is a brilliant color for hiding dirt…
    It’s been more than one year now and I still enjoy the color – and the car!

    Previous Saabs I’ve bought new:
    2001 9-3, Midnight Blue
    1996 900, Red (solid)

    — Norway —

  121. 2002 9-3 Midnight Blue

    Saab’s current palette in Canada consists almost entirely of shades of grey (from black to white) or blue. The only exception is laser red.
    I hope that Saab will be over their dour mood when I am ready to buy again. A saturated green or orange or yellow 9-1 would be great.

  123. My 9000 Aero (5spd) is Cirrus White. I think it looks the bees knees. I’m in California.

    Well-designed cars look good in white, and the paint ages well and doesn’t show damage like dark metallic colors.

    I think that white has such high numbers because of government vehicles, work vehicles, etc. How many white trucks drive past you every day? Then again, how many white cars that you see are personally owned and driven.

    I think the white with black trim on the 9000 and 9-5 Aeros look great. The lower body work/door sills just ad visual punch to the additional body work. (All bright colors do that.)

    Now, wouldn’t a 9-3 Viggen in White just look plain rad? Seriously, the white front bumper would look even more aggressive than yellow!

    ~Peter

  124. 2005 9-2x Aero – Arctic Silver
    2006 9-3 Aero – whatever the name of the light silver is… looks almost the same as the 9-2x, maybe slightly darker

  125. Just sorting out the new car now I’m back in the UK from India – current plan, 9-3 SS Aero TTiD, carbon grey.

    Previous Saab – 2005 9-3 TiD Vector Sport, Smoke Beige (which I always said was grey-brown, but it did tend to go just plain old brown-brown if it wasn’t washed regularly).

    My Mum and Dad’s current Saab – 2005 9-3 TiD Linear Sport, Parchment Silver.

    And their previous ones:

    1998 9-5 SE Sedan, silver
    1990 9000i, white
    1986 9000i, white
    1984 900GL, blue
    1983 900GLs, beige
    1979 900GL, brown
    1978 99GL, blue
    1974 99GL, brown

    Gareth, Berkshire, UK

  126. 9000 2.3 CSE 1991 – black (first car like first love – i will never forget this jet)
    now 9-5 2005 2.0 grey
    i’m in Latvia

  130. 1999 Viggen Lightening Blue
    2008 9-5 SC Ice Blue

    Previous Saabs:
    2007 9-3 Laser Red SC
    2004 9-3 SS Blue Green
    2001 9-5 SC Grey

  136. 2008 Turbo X in Black (my first Saab)
    Canada

    P.S.: Have you guys received a special Welcome kit for buying the Saab Turbo X? I read something to that fact on a blog but have not received anything from my dealer.

  139. Current:
    1986 900 8v Coupe — blue
    2008 9-3 TurboX SportCombi — black, of course :-)

    Past:
    1991 900 Aero — red

    Poland

  146. My present Saab
    2007 nocturne Blue 9-3 SS
    My former Saab
    2005 Steel Gray 9-3 SS

    My alternate color was Titan Gray

  149. 2007 9-5 Aero Fusion Blue

    Past :

    2005 9-5 : Grey
    1998 900SE Talledega – Silver
    1988 9000 – Silver

  155. Through the years …

    ’85 900 bone
    ’88 900T arrest me red
    ’93 9000 CSE arrest me red
    ’95 Aero silver (picked up after 9000 was totalled in ’98)
    ’01 9-5 Aero wagon black (vaderwagon)
    ’97 9000 CS scarabe green (9-5 totalled end of ’07)
    ’08 Turbo X nuf said :)

    I wish the turbo X came in red, but I do love black too

    barry

  156. Sky Blue Metallic
    1996 900SE, coupe
    Residing in sunny Southern California

    My first Saab was Eucalyptus Green, color code 235, MY1994, last year of that color.