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From Edmunds.com Focus on Safety section: Saab's Real-Life Crash Testing Pays Off by Scott Memmer. What do you think?
Pocahontas
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Hatchbacks Message Board
Pocahontas
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Hatchbacks Message Board
Just curious, do did you actually go into the dealership... with a serious offer to buy? Please keep us posted if/when you do make a saab 9-3 purchase. Thanks. ;-)
Pocahontas
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Hatchbacks Message Board
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The TMV clued me into the discount, but it didn't factor in all the options properly (I forget how I deduced this.)
This was a NO HAGGLE price that the salesman offered after a test drive and serious interest and intelligent questions were asked.
That meant that the out-the-door price with tax and tags a tad under $30K, which was my wife's target price-point for a new vehicle.
From what we pieced together, the midrange SEs (between base and the Viggen) are only coveted by Saab loyalists if they come with 5-sp, which is evidently rare. That leaves Saab and GM hoping that Mr. and Mrs. Slightly Upscale Middle America stumble into the showroom. GM doesn't want to take any chances and doesn't believe in "protecting the brand," hence the steep discounts.
The addition of traction control for '01 really addressed a competitive fault for the 9-3s and the deals make the car well worth a look for anyone in the market for a euro sports sedan. Plus a full year of premium OnStar service is a nice bonus, especially if phone service is offered in your area.
Have already had the following exchange with a recent Volvo buyer: "Twenty eight thousand? Are you sure it's not a 2000? 205 horses? Mine only has 185."
Like the car better everytime I get in it.
May be I got confused or I used the MSRP - $4700. Anyway, the best offer I got is at invoice cost - incentive, which is $25100 for a fully-loaded auto base 9-3. I am not sure whether the TMV for the options are accurate.
If the salesman tells me the truth, then $29800 is his invoice price ($25100 + $4700), which is already $184 higher than Edmunds' invoice price (other dealers told me they had higher invoice prices too). That guy may gain profit by the 2-3% dealer holdback (~ $800 ??)
I just wonder if anyone can get closed to the TMV for a similiar equipped base 9-3 (TMV +/- $300).
As far as the $184 invoice price difference, I know that some car makes have regional advertising, administration or port fees that are added onto the invoice price that Edmunds (or other organizations) report. These are legitimately part of the invoice price the dealer pays. $184 actually is low compared to fees I've seen at other makes.
Sorry I can't help with your question about getting closer to TMV, I'm just at the thinking stage myself. (Although $25100 sounds like a good price.)
Saab has 2.2% Dealer holdback on the BASE MSRP (I assume it is 2.2% on a no-option base 9-3).
Base MSRP x 2.2% = $26,995 x 2.2% = $593.89.
Edmunds' invoice cost is $29,616. After the $4,700 incentive = $24,916.
After I substract the Dealer Holdback amount ($593.89) from the final invoice cost ($24,916), I got $24,322.11, which is still $55.11 higher than Edmunds' $24,267 TMV.
It seems likes if the dealer sells me the car at TMV, the dealer will suffer a loss. If TMV is what most/average people paid for this car, that means many dealers didn't make profit on this car.
I was told some dealers may have high-volume sales incentive from Saab/GM but I still doubt a dealer will sell the car at TMV.
To Everyone- To respond Post 10# "I didn't realize that Edmunds had a TMV price for each option as well as for the base car itself."
For those that are not aware, Edmunds has a TMV New Vehicle appraiser which add up your vehicle costs including all your options. For future reference, you'll find links to this tool in Edmunds' Advise section, or on the indivual vehicle pages in Edmund's new/used vehicle guides.
Also, here's more about Edmunds' True Market Value. A couple notes about TMV from this page: "When buying a new car from a dealer, a price close to TMV is a fair price." and "actual transaction prices may vary from individual dealer to dealer."
Hope this is helpful. Happy Shopping!
Pocahontas
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Hatchbacks Message Board
A week ago, I tried a different broker (a MAJOR site) that requires a Dealer to respond to me personally-- and I got no response from ANY dealer through that site. This was before anyone knew what price I might think reasonable, or that I am willing to pay cash if I have to, to get the car I want. When I sent email to them noting my experience, my email was ignored.
I believe that Edmund's has calculated a fair TMV price for a Saab 9-3-- but it is 25% below the price I get elsewhere-- which is itself way out of line. And through it all, I can't get anyone from a Saab dealership to send email, phone me, or otherwise acknowledge my existence.
This is nuts.
Somebody tell me where to go and what to say, in order to wheedle Saab into taking my money and giving me a new Saab 9-3. Thanks.
So Saab wants to sell cars without discounting its marquee/ name recognition/ brand placement. So it has kept the prices at 27+, but is offering 4700 in dealer incentives - technically if the dealer sells the car at "invoive" they are making the $4700 + the what is left of the holdback.
Automated internet quote systems are not flexible enough to handle this situation so they won't be of much help. I tried several.
What worked very well was searching for Saab dealers, based on reports in edmunds Town hall and Saabnet.com and emailing them. I also emailed some in a few places I though it would be fun to take a road trip to or where I had family/ friends.
Some didn't reply, but a lot did. When dealing with salespeople from different states, be sure to get quotes with ALL dealer fees but NO Tax/title/ registration costs as these will vary.
The edmunds TMV is pretty accurate, but it takes some work to get it. Edmunds invoice prices are also a little old and I think they are a few hundred dollars too low. Try the TMV program on edmunds and build the car with the exact options you want and include delivery charges. That is about what I paid.
CK
How about consolidating the 9-3 hatchbacks (or specifying one for the 900, one for the 9-3). And put a note in the sedans to "goto the hatchback discussion" with a link, like you already have.
Pocahontas
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Hatchbacks Message Board
The $4700 is pretty sweet however. Most of the dealers can offer alternative financing around 7.5% and you should check your credit union.
Chris K
We look forward to hearing more about your Saab 9-3 ownership experience. Happy Motoring. ;-)
Pocahontas
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Hatchbacks Message Board
Your deal seems great. Goodman will add a $40 documentation fee. A lot of the Michigan dealers seem to do it. I didn't fight it as they are not exactly making a killing on the Saab. Is yours a manual or automatic?
It looks like the manufacturer is giving the dealers a huge incentive to move 2000 and 2001 models off the lot for the upcoming 2002 models.
Looks like a good deal. I will most likely buy the Saab this week.
The TMV clued me into the discount, but it didn't factor in all the options properly (I forget how I deduced this.)
This was a NO HAGGLE price that the salesman offered after a test drive and serious interest and intelligent questions were asked.
That meant that the out-the-door price with tax and tags a tad under $30K, which was my wife's target price-point for a new vehicle.
From what we pieced together, the midrange SEs (between base and the Viggen) are only coveted by Saab loyalists if they come with 5-sp, which is evidently rare. That leaves Saab and GM hoping that Mr. and Mrs. Slightly Upscale Middle America stumble into the showroom. GM doesn't want to take any chances and doesn't believe in "protecting the brand," hence the steep discounts.
The addition of traction control for '01 really addressed a competitive fault for the 9-3s and the deals make the car well worth a look for anyone in the market for a euro sports sedan. Plus a full year of premium OnStar service is a nice bonus, especially if phone service is offered in your area.
Have already had the following exchange with a recent Volvo buyer: "Twenty eight thousand? Are you sure it's not a 2000? 205 horses? Mine only has 185."
Like the car better everytime I get in it.
Hi everyone- If anyone owns, or has insights about the Saab 900, we look forward to seeing you in our Saab 900 discussion . Perhaps someone has a moment to answer Benjiman's question over there about Saab maintenance costs? Thanks.
And now back the discussion of the Saab 9-3. Happy Motoring!
Pocahontas
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Hatchbacks Message Board
Is the 4700 incentive still going on? Just wondering if anyone knows when they will be ending.(or if they already have)
Thanks.:)
Also, it's not a bad idea to check back there periodically, for any updates on that information... Good luck and keep us posted.
Pocahontas
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Hatchbacks Message Board
Mary
9-3 5-Door(325)
> Manual Transmission
> Midnight Blue Metallic Paint
> Sand Beige Classic Leather
> 2-Way Power Glass Sunroof
> Plus, Front Heated Seats.
> Invoice price $29188.00
> Incentive - $4700.00
> =$24488.00
> Dealer profit + $609.00
> YOUR SELLING PRICE=$25097.00
> + 45.00 Doc. Fee.
> $2011.36 Tax
> $371.00 D.M.V.(Lic. and Reg. for one Year)
> =$27529.36 YOUR PRICE OUT THE DOOR.
I didn't buy the car, but I'm wondering about the listed invoice price. Is it accurate? This was on March 5th that the quote was made. The invoice listed is higher than what it listed at Edmunds and other places, but I had read another poster here who stated that invoice prices were raised in March. Raising invoice midyear seems really weird to me, especially since MSRP was unchanged.
Also, do I need to let the engine runs for a while before turning it off ?
thanks.
Oh. and, from what I understand about turbos, yes, you have to run it a while in the low rpm range before shutting down. Its to cool the turbo off. Same when starting, you want to warm it up before spooling the turbo up.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I think somewhere (Auto channel ??) say it is around 7.5s for a base 9-3 5-speed. An auto 900 (170hp ? 185 hp ?) is not much slower than that, I assume the new 9-3 base auto is around 8s.....
The Saab salesman told me they don't make any profit on accessories. He suggested me to order it from the Saab website. Is it true ? The website says those prices are MSRP and the dealers may charge differently...
The dealer also charge me $45 doc. fee (license ??) and $10 for out-of-towner fee because I lived in another state....
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You're in luck if you are in the Princeton area - I got my Saab this month from your friendly dealership on Route 206 via e-mail as earlier reported - dealer invoice, less $4700 - no haggle! Good luck!
I was then planning to buy a red/beige w/o roof, in Erie OH, but the dealer w/n come down on the accessories and I wanted to negotiate them into the price of the car. Several other dealers were willing to sell them at 50-60% as part of the deal.
The best deal I found was with a nice salesman named Ken in Southfield, MI - Glassman, Saab. But he only had a black or silver and I really wanted red or maybe blue. but he was offering 22,638 + tax, tile, doc fee ($40) for 9-3 5spd w hotseats and roof.
Mercedes however called back and said she had found a car that was exactly like what I wanted: red 9-3, grey interior, 5 speed, heated seats and roof for $22,8 +tax and including four accessories (retail value $325. Part of the deal was that I have to get it in NJ, but I'm thinking it will be a fun drive home.
As an FYI, I have called or emailed over 30 dealers from Maine to Florida to Iowa looking for a red manual base 9-3 at a good price. Many dealers w/n negotiate near the price I recieved. Although there are only a few red ones on the east coast or in the midwest.
So wish me luck as I go out to get it and good luck getting yours from Perillo.
Chris
The car is a base automatic. If I drive it in city with Normal mode, the car doesn't like to go before the turbo kicks in. Once it excesses 2000rpm or it is on highway, it is quick. The leather used in the car is the best, better than the one in Japanese cars, Passat, and A4. The center console, armrest storage area, and cup-holders are not very good. Some plastics used in the car are liked some GM cars (20% US/Canadian parts). I am still ok with that.
I have 2 problems:
1. Both key remotes are not good for teh alarm/lock. The owner's manual said the range is 5-7 yards but I have to get closed to the car for 1-2 feets to get it work.
2. Wind noise seems to be a common problems. Although I closed all windows, trunk, and sunroof, there is a cabin noise that sounds like air (whistling) through a slightly opened window while I was driving. It came from the driver side.