Saab 9-3 Sedan

simonsez

Blitzen1, where did you buy from and was your car a Linear or Arc? I think that you got a pretty good deal at invoice less 3K and I wouldn't mind calling your dealership to see what they can offer me.
Thanks.

trencher7

So is it true that the dealers only get $1,000 or zero back for Vectors and more for the Arc's and Linears? Bummer if true. I was hoping to get the price down more for the Vector.

ncjudge

Below is a link to an answer I got from car_man on the "Lease Questions--Ask Here" message board. This addresses the April 9-3 lease program.

Car_man "Lease Questions - Ask Here" Apr 4, 2003 3:01pm

blitzin1

The Vector in Europe has the 175 horsepower engine. You can get full details at the Saab world site, www.saab.com, by going to the Great Britan website, among others.

blitzin1

I bought my Arc off the supplier discount program, so invoice pricing (minus advertising) was a no haggle deal. Will post full details once I actually see a window sticker (I just have the invoice at this point- car by Saturday).

tgp1810

Alright, I just got off the phone with Saab. Currently they are offering the 0% financing for 60 months through Saab Finical Services to go with the current GM Zero-Sixty. However, Saab is not participating in the $2000-3000 cash back from GM. They are however offering $1000 towards any 2003 9-3 model. The guy whom I spoke to (Jim) said he is unable to give any information about the $2500 factory-to-dealer because Saab keeps that between themselves and the dealers. Saab also always offering an owner loyalty rebate; last month it was $1000 and this month it is $500. This is only for current Saab owners/lease. You will not receive the owner loyalty for owning or leasing another GM brand vehicle. However, what new owners/leasers have posted here about the $3000 cash back contradict what I was told over the phone. (They only way I can think of that some people are getting $2500 while others are getting $3000 would be the $2500 factory-to-dealer incentive and for the $3000 they are adding the $500 for current owners/leasers.) I think I will place a call to GM to confirm this. Just letting you know what I got.

-Travis

castaan5

The numbers (confirmed by multiple dealers in my area (New England) are:
Linear-$2500
Arc-$3000
Vector-$3500

The loyalty incentive is $500 for April (saab loyalty). This seems to be a standard program that is in place every month. In March Saab was honoring a GM incentive for $1000. This incentive is now over.

I just put a deposit down on an Arc. I have GM supplier so I will get the car at invoice less $3000 (factory to dealer) less $500 (owner loyalty).

castaan5

Like I said I was lucky to find the car, it still hasn't been shipped and I won't see it for a month. The dealer is in New England so I don't think that will help you. If you have other dealers in the area try calling them. I had one dealer search other dealers for me and found nothing. I called a few other dealers and found that one near me had one already on order. I don't think one dealer can see all inventory/orders for other dealers. Some have just ordered a car and those won't show up.

As for pricing I did get $3000 off plus an additional $500 for loyalty. I'm GM supplier so I get the car at invoice. I did try to see how low they would go (didn't tell them about GM supplier right away) and they quoted me about $700 over invoice before incentives. I suppose I could have moved him a little further down but just ended it there and mentioned the supplier discount. So I think if you find the car you want you might be able to get it for around invoice (just a guess).

As far a timing, dealer price protected the deal so that the April incentives will be honored in May when the car arrives. Even agreed that if the incentive increases in May I would get that instead.

trencher7

What does the $3500 for the Vector represent? Is that the $3K cash back (instead of taking 0% financing) and the $500 loyalty discount combined? Or is it above and beyond the financing/$3k off deal? I was going to make an offer on a loaded Vector which is around $37K MSRP. I was thinking of asking for the 0% financing and about $2K off this msrp. I wonder if I am not going far enough. Thanks.

oldsman01

What is this $3000(on Arcs) discount referred to as and is it available in all regions? I am eligible for GMS pricing and if I can get an Arc at invoice(GMS price) minus $3000, I'll sign the papers as soon as I can locate one in the color and equipment I like. This board seems to be awash in all sorts of different information about discounts. BTW, looking for a black, cosmic blue, laser red, or possible silver Arc with no options or heated seats as the only option. Would prefer a 6 speed, but will settle for the automatic if a 6 speed cannot be found.

tgp1810

Thanks for clearing that up castaan5. Like I said, I was just posting what the guy at Saab told me. Now I have question:

I want to get an Arc in Dolphin Gray with Light interior. If the local dealers don't have one with the options I want in stock (I have yet to look) would it be possible to order one and sign papers for a lease as to lock in current deals, even though the car probably wont get here before the end of the month? I get GM employee pricing and with the $3000 on the Arc I would hate to loose out. This would be my first car so any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Travis

bobbyknight

I believe that there is some sort of incentive given to the dealers beyond the 0% or 3000 rebate deal. Looking on carsdirect.com, it lists a linear for a few hundred under invoice in the Chicago area. To go that far under invoice must mean there is some kind of dealer cash available.

Anyways, it would be very sweet to get a linear for GM employee pricing with 5500 in discounts. Please tell me its true!!!!

james968

I called the number on the GM Power web site (they list saab, but it isn't in any of the pop ups) and I asked them if the $3000 was available for the Saab's and they said it was. (I'm not sure how you could go about getting it if the dealer doesn't offer it. Maybe call them again :-)

castaan5

I confirmed with my dealer that the April incentives will apply to my car even if it arrives in May. The term they used is "program protect". I had the sales manager sign a copy of the purchase order attesting to this before I gave them my deposit. I'm sure like most things this is at the discretion of the dealer, but if you push them they should allow it.

They also agreed to allow me to change to May program if its better than april.

Good luck finding that car, Dolphin gray is not a popular color you may have better luck with silver or steel gray. If you have to order it, dealers told me to expect a 2 to 3 month lead time.

guust

Guys if you do not believe me here is the proof "again" about the incentives:
  "Look at postings 1232 and 1235 from kyh2 look how much money he got out of his car. If you discount out of his "MRSP" which is about $33,100 with the shipping fee you will see that his final price of $26,673 is discounted about $6500. He got the $3000 plus the $2500 plus the $1000 because he has the launch package. Just keep in mind that these discounts have to be taken out of the "MRSP" and not out of the invoice price (unless you are a supplier)to get them in full."

Just check it out yourselves.

Also check posting 1094 from f650racer, he got a stripped car with base MRSP of $26525 for $21786. That is $4739 in discounts and this is just a base car. This was before the GM $3000 consumer cashback so you see that dealers have a great spread where they can discount from the MSRP.

Good Luck

rokum17

I don't think you can get $3000 off if you lease the car, max off you can get is $2000 (I think)

rokum17

Guust: I wanna see someone pull that off ($6500 off MSRP) with Acr/Vector. Also according to this I can get 9-3 at ~$8,500 off MSRP with GM employee discount (GM discount is about $3,000 off MSRP + 3,000 GM + $2,500 Saab)? That sounds WAY too good to be true...

guust

For the Arc and Vector you should get only $4000. $1000 for dealer cash ans and $3000 for GM consumer cashback.
The discounts layed out are for the Linear. I would agree that getting $8000 of is a bit too much but it is not because the incentives are not there but it is just because of supply and demand. Still look at postings 1232 and 1235 from kyh2 he got $6500 discounted from his "MRSP" why can't others get it.

bobbyknight

it all seems to make sense. It's not really a rebate, but a way for dealers to increase their profit margins. Since most if not all dealerships will deny this exists (because your playing with their secret profit)it will be difficult to use it to your advantage. There can be no other way for dealers to be selling the car for hundreds BELOW invoice otherwise.

freemahc

I posted the same question earlier but it seem to hae been lost in the incentive debate....
anyhoo, can anyone offer opininions on how the 300 Watt Arc/Vector stereo sounds compared to the 150 Watt 7 speaker stereo in the Linear?

castaan5

Test drove the linear and arc. The stereo in the linear is a joke, no bass and very poor overall sound quality. The Arc is a big improvement, good bass, volume with no distortion etc. It's not the best system I've heard but still a major step up from the Linear.

Too bad there isn't an equalizer (have one in my current Saab).

Overall a big improvement.

needashave

I purchased my ARC under the GM Supplier Discount program. I received $5,000 discount from MSRP. Under this program, dealers are OBLIGATED to pass ALL incentives (including any factory to dealer incentives) to the buyer.

My advice to folks on this board is go to the dealer and state your case. Let us know what you come up with. The ramblings on this board are speculation. Prices are driven by market conditions. Dealers have to make money to stay in business.

I know I am enjoying my new ARC. I personally am done talking about pricing and am now focusing on the sheer pleasure of ownership.

Happy motoring.

blitzin1

See post 1267 for my take on your questions.

Briefly, my info came from www.gmsupplierdiscount.com and a phone call to SaabUSA. Plenty of GMS buyers are getting Invoice minus $3,000 on Arcs, myself included, so I believe that is the deal, and although others here do have different info, I have yet to hear of a dealer giving more.

As per post 1267, I think non-loaded Arcs are very scarce right now, and the only one I have heard of sold on this board will not be in country for another month.

camacle

The garage door opener on the rear-view mirror is not programming for me. I have followed all the steps outlined in the manual several times. I have cleared the factory installed programs (although the LED light does not "blink rapidly" as described in the manual), I have put my previous garage door opener underneathe the mirror and pressed all the appropriate buttons. The LED indicator blinks for a while, then stops blinking. But the mirror controls do not take the programming.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Other than this, I have been enjoying my new Arc in every way.

parker19

got a quote to lease 2003 convertible auto, non sport 12k/36 month .... 443 a month, 5100 which includes tax and everything ..... does this sound like a bad deal ... what's a fair deal ... thanks

simonsez

Are all Saab Dealers eligible for the GM Supplier Discount program cash to dealer incentive? I believe it is $2,500 for the 9-3.

I would like to know before I start playing hardball with my dealer on price.

I finally found a 6 speed ARC to buy out there.

Thanks.

trencher7

What exactly is a GMS buyer? Those that have the hook up or perk with their company to buy GM cars at special discount?

simonsez

I think it's GM Dealers and also Employees.
Check out post # 1207 from tgp1810.

blitzin1

GMS is discretionary on the part of the dealer- they don't have to participate if they don't want to. As GM pays them a fee to the dealer a profit, I can't imagine a dealer won't want to participate, though. Again (differing info here, but according to SaabUSA on the phone) discounts are $2500 for Linear and $3000 for Arc. ALL Saab dealers get the rebate.

In case you don't know, GMS pricing is printed right on the invoice (before the $3000 in incentives), so you can confirm you are getting the right deal.

needashave

I had the same problem as you. Here is the solution. You have a rolling code garage door opener as I do. The programming instructions for a rolling code opener are different than a standard opener. Its in the owners manual just passed the instruction you already have been looking at.

The secret is that there is a button on the side of motorized unit. Push the button. You now have thirty seconds to get into the car and push the button you want programmed. That's it.

Good luck.

hungshy

place the Garage Opener face to rear mirror not under it. you will see the light blinking after 2-3 seconds.
after your homelink get the signal then you can follow the instruction as needashave said to make your Garage learn the new Garage Opener from saab homelink.

renee_etoile

haven't been here in weeks.
just wanted to say congratulations to needsashave,
did you go with the dolphin grey exterior?

tgp1810

GMS is GM supplier program. GM offers discounts to certain suppliers. In the case of the Saab, suppliers get the car at invoice.

GM also offers their employees a discount. However, it is not as great on Saab's (and Saturns) as the other cars. In the case of the Saab, GM employee discount is the dealer net.

tgp1810

From Saab:

"Dear Mr. Porter,

Thank you for contacting the Saab Cars USA Customer Interaction Center.

Saab is participating in the 0% financing for up to 60 months. In lieu of taking advantage of the promotional financing, you may opt to take advantage of the Factory to Dealer incentives which range from $2500.00 to $6000.00 depending on which model you are interested in purchasing.

Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance.

Sincerely,
Greg
Saab Customer Interaction Center

For Further Assistance call
1-800-955-9007"

needashave - the dealers are in fact obligated to pass ALL incentives to the buyer using supplier or employee discount? I was not aware of this. So that would be discount + 2500 (f-t-d) + 3000 for the arc?

trencher7

So this may have been said before, but I called that last number and asked about the Vector. They said I can either get $3500 off or 0$ financing for the Vector model. That was it. Now it's true they may have other secret deals they won't publicize, but that's what we are all digging for right? I would love to know if they are getting anything else behind the scenes.

tparki

Anyone get the upgrade for the stero in the Linear? How much did it cost and how much of an imporvement did it make?

Thanks

kretch41

Hi folks. I located a Vector 6spd last week and bought it right away. The dealer was cool and sent me the Saab invoice. The bottom line was $35240 MSRP, $33193 invoice. I took the $3000 cash back and got the car at $29500. I was happy because the other local (Chicago) dealers wanted above invoice.

trencher7

Can you tell me the specifics on what you got?? Was it loaded? I am about to buy a Vector and it would help a great deal. You just asked for invoice and got it before the $3K off ?? Thanks.

kretch41

I have been waiting anxiously for the Arc/Vectors since the new 9-3 came out last month...so I was kind of ready to pay whatever the dealer wanted.
All I did was email the dealer (thru cars.com?). They called and told me they had a Vector. She gave me the prices and that was it. (final price was 32,500 and I used the 3000 cash back to get to the 29500 price). I'm not sure how she came up with that figure. Again, I was about to order a car above invoice with another dealer so this was better than I had expected.
I got a Vector, 6spd, metallic paint, sunroof, heated seats. The only package missing was the touring package.
The car is great...the only real complaint is the terrible ground effects. There are lots of curbs in Chicago so the front end will be beat up rather quickly (I have to go in at a big angle into my garage just to avoid hitting the pavement).

I'll try to scan in the invoice tomorrow at work and will post it after that.

trencher7

Can you tell me the specifics on what you got?? Was it loaded? I am about to buy a Vector and it would help a great deal. You just asked for invoice and got it before the $3K off ?? Thanks.

trencher7

I don't know why that posted twice. Thanks so much for the info. The scan will help me a great deal!!

simonsez

I just checked out the GM Website and found the rebate/incentive details tgp1810 was told about when he called Saab. See link
http://www.gmsupplier.net/specials.html
Hit whatever region in the US you want to see and then scroll down to Saab listings.

The two 9-3 rebates listed are $2.5K for the new Linear and $6K for old 9-3 SE Convertible. That is the rebate spread that the Saab person told tgp was available. It makes sense except for the fact that the Arc and Vector rebates are missing from the list. Curious.

I still think that it's likely there are some hidden Factory to Dealer rebates out there though.

Do you peeps think that an Arc at $500 over invoice minus the standard $3K rebate is a good deal? That looks like the best deal I'm going to cut for my car.

Also, does anyone think the extra approx $1K each for the Arc Touring Pkg or Arc Sport Pkg are worth it?

Thanks.

simonsez

I just checked out the GM Website and found the rebate/incentive details tgp1810 was told about when he called Saab. See link
http://www.gmsupplier.net/specials.html
Hit whatever region in the US you want to see and then scroll down to Saab listings.

The two 9-3 rebates listed are $2.5K for the new Linear and $6K for old 9-3 SE Convertible. That is the rebate spread that the Saab person told tgp was available. It makes sense except for the fact that the Arc and Vector rebates are missing from the list. Curious.

I still think that it's likely there are some hidden Factory to Dealer rebates out there though.

Do you peeps think that an Arc at $500 over invoice minus the standard $3K rebate is a good deal? That looks like the best deal I'm going to cut for my car.

Also, does anyone think the extra approx $1K each for the Arc Touring Pkg or Arc Sport Pkg are worth it?

Thanks.

simonsez

Whoops, posted twice on me too.

I wasn't trying to make a point or anything, really.....

seattle31

I have read some poor reviews about the "selectively slow-to-respond automatic transmission" found in the Linear. I am interested in an Arc and debating between amanual and an automatic. I was wondering if any current drivers of an Arc or Vector had found the same issues with the automatic transmission in their cars?
Thanks

stubie

Thanks for some good insight into the 9-3. I had a chance to test drive the Linear and loved it except the power was on the anemic side. This car is the best looking compared to the S60,A4. But I am moving to purchase the Vector with the six speed.

Anyone have any comments on the quality of this 6-speed? Is the clutch light? Uptake smooth?

Anyway, I want to take advantage of the 0% 60 month program (nothing like free money) but now with so many varying selling prices posted this the board, I am wondering if I can get this car significantly under invoice with the 0%.

Also, does anyone know what sort of inventory is out there for the Vector with the 6-speed

alonsda

You can upgrade the linear 150 watt stereo to an upgrade package available from www.saabcatalog.com which enhances it to the 300 watt found in the arc and vector. Cost is $550 but does not include dealer install. Frankly, I have the '03 Linear which I really like and the 150 watt stereo is fine for me, especially with the in-dash CD player. I've read the 300 watt is one of the best out there according to one reviewer and I'm no audiophile but as stated the base stereo has been fine for me.

valuepac

I was wondering of anyone from chicagoland area could tell me where the got the best price for their new 9-3, what features, model and how much did you pay!

thanks!

32caddy

Which dealer did you use???

valuepac

I was wondering of anyone from chicagoland area could tell me where the got the best price for their new 9-3, what features, model and how much did you pay!

thanks!