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Comments
1) Paint Protection 10 yr warranty - adds an extra layer of sealant to keep the paint finish looking good. (the dealer says that a black car is prone to losing the 'new' look sooner than lighter colours)
2) Leather Protector 5 yr warranty - protects against heavy wear.
3) Rust Proofing 10 yr warranty - protects and warranties against surface rust )The manufacturer's warranty only covers perforation due to rust).
4) Sound Deadner - insulates against noise. Sounds bogus to me, but it is included with the rustproofing.
TOTAL COST: $500 canadian, taxes included.
Anyone have an opinion on this package. This car is by no means cheap, and $500 does not seem to be a lot to protect the finish of the car.
Should I do it?
My advice would be to put a good wax on the car twice a year, scotchguard the carpet and floor mats, and use LEXOL leather conditioner a few times a year on the seats.
any concrete details that gave a noticeable difference in the way the car handles. The last turbo I had was an 85, and boy did I miss that extra power. Found the 900s to be cute but sluggish. Also a comment about reliability: 1st month of lease, the battery blew up,next month sun visor fell off, six months passed then a recall, and something to do with the front end suspension, then a few little things.
Around 38,000 miles, the entire fuel pump assembly. The only reason why I'm still smiling is that It was all covered under the warranty, free rentals of the 93, and I get to give the car back, and walk away. I must say that my 1985 turbo was more reliable.
Does anyone have any ideas about extended warranties?
"4) Sound Deadner - insulates against noise. Sounds bogus to me, but it is included with the rustproofing."
It sounds bogus to me also. Have your previous cars rusted? Do you have reason to expect heavy wear on your leather seats? Under normal conditions, if you take reasonable care of your car as 4loans suggests, I don't think the protection package will be needed.
Please, let us know what you decide.
carlady/host
Where in Canada are you? What dealer? I have had my black 9-3 with tan leather for 6 mos., and I can't imagine why you'd spend a penny on any of the stuff you mentioned.
You leased, so I'm assuming you're not looking to keep the car 10 years or more. Even if you were, washing and waxing the car is a better way to keep the paint looking good and avoid rust.
If you wash and protect the leather, it will last plenty long enough.
Sound deadening? Huh?
Only thing I would suggest regarding sound is that you replace the dash speakers when you get the car. The factory ones are really bad and you'll notice a big improvement by spending less than $100 Cdn. on a pair of 3 1/2-inch speakers.
Vyl:
I had a '95 900 prior to my 9-3, so I strongly suggest you choose a 9-3 rather than a '98 900. There really is a difference between the two models. I had a series of problems with my 900, and 16,000 km into the 9-3, it has performed flawlessly. The turbo is fantastic, especially when you move from a 900 without it, as I did.
The car does handle better, and there are numerous small upgrades that you will appreciate as you own and drive the car.
On the extended warranty, my dealer allows me to buy it at any time during the initial warranty period, so you should be able to assess the quality of the car before deciding if you want to fork over $1,000 or so for some added protection.
Good luck.
carlady/host
we leased a 99 Saab 9-3 for seven months. I crashed that Saab out in the California desert
late one night when I fell asleep at the wheel.
The car was totaled and I basically walked away
from the accident with a few abrasions to my right
arm and some stitches above my right eye.
I have both a lot of good and bad feelings about
that 9-3. I loved the hauling capacity of its
hatchback formation and its fun to drive turbo
engine. I hated the build quality of the car with
its unacceptable fit and finish and a totally
floaty suspension. When it came time to replace
that car we went out and bought the Volvo wagon
because I felt more confident in it than I ever
felt about the Saab.
The Volvo has a much stiffer suspension than our
Saab 9-3. I like this feed back after driving the
Saab. The Volvo feels like a brick and makes me
more confident in its handeling characteristics.
Believe me, I know what float is like in a car
because I daily drive a Lincoln but I'd never push
it to where I confidently know the Volvo could go.
I wish I could say that I trust Saab after my
experience but in my heart I didn't at the time we
leased our car and I still don't. I like Saab but
I love Volvo, electrical problems and all. I
believe in the Volvo and know that its depriciation
won't kill me. Hell I've even shopped numerous
old Volvo's but I've always been leary of an old
Saab.
The new Viggen really is the kind of 9-3 I should
have had but it wasn't yet available and it doesn't
come in an auto. The Lincoln is mine the
Volvo/old Saab 9-3 is my wife's. I love the old
Saab Aero, but I'd probably choose a T-5 Wagon over
it ina heartbeat.
carlady/host
carlady/host
ziggy
Anybody know the magic word?
Gracias....
I've had this done twice because when I had my broken key fob replaced, the chirps went back to default -- scare the crap out of innocent bystander -- mode.
If you are interested in a Viggen, I highly recommend putting in an order now. There is a very limited availability (only 1000 cars total per year), and thus 5 doors will be very scarce. I'll keep you posted.
Yeah, the Shift Up thing is annoying. Not the presence of it per se, but the fact that I can be going up a hill in third, giving it just barely enough gas to maintain speed, and it wants me to shift up.
first month, security deposit, tax (1,200 aprox.)
and a 500.00 bank fee. Is this a good deal?
As for color, midnight blue is the way to go...
:-)
On the pushing buttons issue, could you be thinking of the panic alarm? If you push and hold either the lock button on the fob or between the seats for 2 seconds, the car alarm goes off. I haven't tried it so I'm taking my saleman's word for it.
$2,000 down, no security deposit, first month included.
Sticker - $30,805.
Negogiated price: $28,000
$500 Bank fee.
$325 per month ($350 w/ local tax) for 42 months.
Residual of $14,500.
All said and done, I am leasing this car for 42 months at an effective interest rate of 1%. If I choose to purchase the car at the end of the lease, the cost of my lease payments, down payment and residual is still less than the sticker price
by $650, tax not included. I don't know where you live, but here in the desert, Saabs are not popular, so this deal was not that hard to negogiate. One other good thing about the desert is cars last much longer here, so buying a used or leased car is not so bad. I would have bought my 1997 Maxima, but it had been hit three times, so I figured I would let it go.
Anyway, good luck in negogiating your deal. Try to get them to throw in the free maintenance and the 15,000 mile allowance if you don't have it already. Your negogiated price is comparable to what I got. But the oil changes are worth $10/month, and the 3,000 additional miles are worth $20/month, and make the residual lower, so if you get them for free and choose to purchase the car, you get a better deal.
I usually don't lease for longer than 36 months, but the 4/50,000 warranty means I will only have to maybe replace tires and brakes if I turn the car in, which is about $500 in maintenance. You may want to consider this option as well.
Good luck.
Check out www.saabusa.com for the latest lease deal. I am picking up my new 9-3 tomorrow morning from Tisher Saab in Maryland. It is the exact same car as yours, except I'm having the dealer install the wood dash. Here's the deal I got:
$431.48 down ($331.48 1st mo. + $100 title)
$331.48 monthly payment (local 5% tax included)
36 mo. lease
12k miles/yr
$15613 residual
The security deposit was waived, and the acq. fee was rolled into the monthly payment. Without the wood dash, it's $325/mo., and residual is the same (dealer installed options cannot be residualized).
As to whether or not you could do a little better, it depends on what part of the country you are.
When I shift from 1st to 2nd, or 2nd to 3rd, I get a "jolt" from the car as I let my foot off the clutch. The problem does not seem to happen as often when shifting in the upper gears. I am pretty sure that it is not a problem with the car but rather with the way I am driving. Any ideas on what I am doing wrong??
Also, has anyone heard of the lease deals for september from SAAB?
By the way, this will be SAAB # 4, and I must say from my experience and the type of driving I do on a daily basis, SAAB is the best road car I have driven. It;s durable, quick, and nimble