Saab 9-2X

saaby92x

Heck I would'nt be suprised if there are dozens of them sitting at ports
in the northeast. The dealer has little incentive to paint an image of plentiful
availability :-)
On a less cynical note, I did observe that dealers around here did not
have very many stripped down Aeros on their lots, much less one with a
5 speed.
Out of curiosity what numbers did dealers in TX and NM throw out? Might offer
some insight iinto whether the discounting will continue past May 31.

rsholland

On that link it only lists one model, and there was no mention of either Aero or Linear models, just the non-turbo 2.5 with 10 more HP.

BTW, that link came from a 130 page PDF that lists all the new '06 GM cars and trucks, which included the 9-2x. The other brands listed all the various models and trim levels, so you would think if the turbo 9-2x were to be offered, it would have been listed, as per the other brands.

The entire "2006 Car & Truck Guide" PDF can be found here:

http://www.gmfleet.com/index.html

Bob

bigdaddycoats

I am thinking that the Aero version will not be offered for 2006.

For two reasons -

1- Sales for the 9-2x have been way lower than projections and incentives are outrageously high.
2- The most relevant reason is that the 9-3 will now have the wagon/Sportcombi version. This model is slated to start below $30k, infringing on 9-2x pricing. Not much need to have two wagons in the same price bracket.

wolftim

In my opinion, the key word in you message is new. The Aero isn't new nor do I think it will change next year. The Linear isn't new but it will have slight differences. Again, you could be right, but when I bought my new Aero, I also talked about building a new 2006. The conversation was brief as I soon found what I was looking for on the lot.

wolftim

I don't know what sales have been so I can't disagree with you. Is the 9-3 wagon/sportcombi going to come with AWD? Right now AWD is a very big option, that is why most manufacturers are trying to have at least one car with it. Also, starting below 30K is not infringing on 9-2X pricing, especially when people are talking about getting them for 17K. We'll just have to wait and see.

fzanetti

I am not sure if AERO will or won't be offered for 2006...

The only thing we can see is that the 92X will have 2 engines for 2006 according to the pdf:
SAAB
Saab 9-2X
2.5L/4 5-spd Man 22 29
2.5L/4 4-spd Auto 23 29
2.0L/4T 5-spd Man 20 26
2.0L/4T 4-spd Auto 19 25

Which are the 2 WRX ngines we we talking about..

I am really excited to buy this baby, but being able to buy a Legacy 2.5GT Limited at invoice plus incentives, it will only 3K difference from a 02x Aero fully loaded (both manual trans).

Cheers,

Flavio Zanetti

saaby92x

car's here and i'm picking up tomorrow .....!

bigdaddycoats

There are $8000 in incentives for GM employees right now - $7000 for everyone.

I would guess you could get a base Aero for under $20k.

mapleleaf1

fzanetti misread the PDF.
The data he extracted is the fuel economy data for the 2005 GM models.
The 2006 9-2X page in the PDF shows only the 2.5L H4 with 175HP under the mechanical heading. Vehicles with multiple engines available have them all listed under the mechanical heading of the respective 2006 vehicle PDF.

fzanetti

Hmmm you are right man...My mistake...Thanks for correcting me though...

So really looks like there won't be an AERO for next year...

Dealerships close to my house are offering 8K discunts on this... Even if you are not a GM employeer/supplier.

I got a price (discounted from my company -invoice minus incentives) of 22K3 for a fully loaded Aero all options but automatic.

And I am also considering a Legacy 2.5GT Limited edition Wagon for 26k5. So 4K difference will probably make it worthy for resale down the road, if they stop the AERO on these small babies....

Hope it helps,

ingenue007

I am interested in this car and was offered 21k + TTL for an Aero with sport and premium package. Car is a demo with 5k miles on it.

What do you guys think? Is this car worth 22.5 out the door?

bigdaddycoats

Is it auto or manual?

I would say NOT worth it. Currently there is $7,000 cash rebates for everyone on new models. So, I figure you could get a brand new one for about the same price.

ingenue007

manual.

I thought it would be a good price. Cost of sport + performance brings it to 30,343. At 21k, it is 9343 off.

I called a couple places and one dealer would offer Aero with Sport for 22k+TTL. Another offered an Aero w/o any package for 20500+TTL.

kyfdx

Most reported sale prices are for $8K off MSRP... Is it worth $1300 to take one with 5K miles?

That is a tough choice... For that amount, I'd rather have a brand-new one for more money... Or a new one with $1300 less options for the same money..

Some people feel differently about that, though....

regards,
kyfdx

fzanetti

Was reading an article on nasioc and looks like people are worried about the resale value on those cars after a while.. Even worse if the 2006 Aero is not going to be around...

Has anyone got any comment or insight on that?

Cheers,

Flavio Zanetti

ateixeira

If you can get one that cheap, I would not worry. There will always be demand for a well priced performance vehicle. 227hp for under $20 grand, hard to believe.

Used it will only seem like an even bigger bargain.

The folks that paid $25-27k at the launch will have poor resale, sure. But not if you're buying now.

-juice

bigdaddycoats

"The folks that paid $25-27k at the launch will have poor resale, sure. But not if you're buying now. "

Don't worry, there haven't been that many:)

kyfdx

Actually.. if you have the turbo model... and that isn't offered any more.. that may actually help your resale..

"Early adopters" always get pounded on re-sale.. Just ask the guys that paid MSRP for '04 GTOs....

ateixeira

Both those folks will be miffed.

-juice

saaby92x

Took delivery of my 9-2X Aero (manual , no options) today.The 16" rims did degrade handling somewhat ( my test car had17 inchers) but the cushier ride makes it an acceptable trade-off in my book. The turbo really is a joy, specially with the stick. The shifter did feel a tad notchier than I remebered from the test drive.
I have no doubt these cars will depreciate way faster than Acuras and Lexuses.I like to drive my cars into the ground so I'm not too concered about resale value. And owning just one of the few thousand turbo models ever made wouldnt be too bad either ....

tonedebone

Found this link on a Subaru site ...

http://www.fleetnewsnet.co.uk/news/view_article.asp?art_ID=37552&s=view_article

kinda implies the current 92X might be around for a couple more years.

kyfdx

Refresh our memory... How much did this cost?

BTW, congratulations on the new car..

saaby92x

Thanks. I paid GM employee price - rebates = 17,425$ + tax/tags.

purduealum91

Im so jealous Saaby92X. Thats a great price. I cant believe juice hasnt jumped on this deal.

crikey

OK, keyword here is Fleet. It is possible that only the Saab 9-2X Linear is the only one available for fleet sales, not the Saab 9-2X Aero. This does not necessarily mean that the Aero is no longer going to be sold for 2006.

bigdaddycoats

My guess is this is for all sales not just fleet.

For the CTS, the CTS-V is listed in the fleet guide.

Like I stated before, I believe the Aero is going away because the 9-3 is getting the Sportcombi wagon version. Saab (pretty sure) has stated that it will start under $30k.

ateixeira

saaby92x: well, you would have paid a bunch more for a TSX or V50 AWD any how. So even with a lower resale value you will come out ahead. If you paid the GM employee price you most certainly will.

A friend of mine sold a 2 year old used WRX for $18k, that's more than the cost of a new 9-2x Aero! You might even profit!

Well, used values might further erode given new prices have dropped, but you get the point.

Say you pay $25k for a TSX, and it holds 50% of its value after 4 years. It cost you $12.5k in depreciation.

Say the 9-2x only holds 35% of its value, but that's 35% of more than you paid since you got special pricing. Even if it's only worth $7 grand, very pessimistic, you would have had about $10k in depreciation, a few grand ahead of the TSX buyer.

Plus interest, it's even a bigger difference. Plus opportunity cost of that extra $8 grand.

You'll do fine. Congrats.

-juice

gordog

I am considering purchasing the Saab 9-2X and wanted to get the pros and cons on buying a Linear vs. Aero. I can purchase at the GM employee price and it is almost too good to pass up. I am a little concerned about the lack of power on the Linear, but it seems to get considerably better gas mileage. (27mpg? vs. about 21mpg?). But I think the 227 hp is probably worth it. Any comments would be appreciated. I need to purchase by 5-31-05 to get the reduced price, I think about $17.5k +T&L for Aero.

Thanks,
Gordon

ateixeira

Manual or automatic?

The Aero is a whole bunch of fun with the manual, the auto has more lag.

The 2.5l in the Linear is torquey and IMO actually makes a better match with the auto tranny. Higher compression off boost, plus the extra displacement, help it get going.

-juice

kyfdx

Really... the whole thing comes down to 165hp vs. 227hp..

Also, the Aero has bigger incentives than the Linear, so the spread is not as great as it might seem... Since you can get the 227hp for under $20K OTD, I woudn't even consider the Linear..

But, that might just be me...

nippononly

in incentives is only $1500, so you should still be able to get the Linear a couple thousand $$ cheaper than the Aero.

The Linear with the 2.5 is quick enough at all speeds short of 90 mph. You never feel short of power. If you do a ton of interstate driving or you are going to autocross it or something, then of course the Aero is the better choice.

Stick shift all the way! (there, got that out of my system for today!) :-P

harbachj

There are also some other differences other than the engine. The Aero has such things as a 6-disc CD changer, auto climate control, better seat material, etc. vs. the Linear. All the WRX reviews say the auto transmission is not a good match with the turbo engine, so a manual is must in the Aero in my book. If you must go auto trans, the Linear is a better choice. Gas mileage will be better with the Linear, but the EPA numbers are not all that different. It all depends on how you drive the car. Regularly tapping into the rush of that turbo above 3000 RPM is definitely going to drop the MPGs (but boy is it fun!).

Jim

gordog

This is all great information! It sounds like the 227hp with the stick shift wins, I don't want to cheap out over $2k on a car I will have for 5-10 years. As for the gas mileage, I have a friend at work with a WRX who said he gets about 12 mpg due to having his foot in it all the time. With today's gas prices, I really need to get close to 20 around town and mid-20's on the freeway.

Sounds like I need to get to the Saab dealer and check it out. I am going from a Tahoe to the 9-2X and need to haul some household stuff (ladders, drywall, my wife would like some crown moulding) on the weekends. I hope it has what it takes. I did drive the linear last year and it was pretty impresive, but I didn't drive the Aero.

Since I am a GM employee, the price is fixed, so I don't have to worry about haggling. Does anyone have experience with Saab of Santa Ana, CA?

Again, thanks for all the comments, please keep them coming. I am still on the fence, but recognize a great deal when I see one. You guys (and gals) are pretty savvy and I appreciate the info that would take me months to research.

Gordon

jasmith52

Does anyone have experience with Saab of Santa Ana, CA?

Well I was out there a couple of weeks ago when I found out about the big rebates/discounts. At that time they only had one loaded Aero on their lot and 3 or so Linears (at least out front - maybe they had some more in back). For me to be interested I would want the base Aero with a manual. They could probably get any car that you want but you may be running out of time as some of the discounts expire on the 31st.

I wasn't really serious and so when a salesman came up to me I told him I was just kicking tires. They let me walk all over the lot without hassling me which is a big plus in my opinion. It's a pretty big dealership for a SAAB dealership.

wolftim

If you want to haul stuff then you will probably have to lower the back seats, but you should still have enough room. Maybe not for a couple sheets of drywall but ample room for stuff that is skinnier, like ladders and molding. In regards to gas mileage, keep your foot out of it. I put my foot into it sometimes but not always and I hover around 23-24, and I do city and highway. It is not as good as my 1999 Ford Escort ZX2 which got 30-33, but it works none the less. Even if I get into it a lot I still get 19-20, or right around there. Good luck.

purduealum91

$17,500 for a base Aero. Run to your dealership! So far, Im looking at $18,745 for an Aero stick with cold.

Repeat after me, "I drive only 5!"

slipperyfish

In answer to your Saab of Santa Ana question, I found them relatively pleasant to deal with, but they couldn't match Mike Lynch of Oceanside - Mike's a small Saab dealership and a really switched on, straight-up guy. Santa Ana does NOT like him at all. I priced a 5sp Aero with premium package from Santa Ana at 23.9K OTD and they would not budge, even after showing them the deals on Fatwallet.com. Mike Lynch sold me a 5sp Aero with cold weather package ($600 value) for $100 less than Santa Ana's deal without. Deal with Mike - it's less hassle allround.

gordog

Thanks for the tip on Mike Lynch, I went to Saab of Santa Ana to drive an Aero on Thursday at lunch and the Saab salesman that I called an hour before was gone on a test drive with another customer. He did e-mail me back to apologize, but I didn't get to drive one.

I have until the 5-31-05 but the selection may be getting thin.

Thanks!

purduealum91

for $18,745. Was able to use my $500 Saab/Salomon ski certificate at Napelton Saab in Mishawaka, IN.

fzanetti

Hello guys,

Look at this:

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=580&e=1&u=/nm/20050601/bs_nm/autos_gm_incentives- _dc

DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Corp., suffering from a protracted slump in its U.S. sales, will announce on Wednesday that the same discounts on GM vehicles available to its employees will now be offered to the general public, dealer sources said.

The new consumer incentives program is aimed at trimming bloated inventories of unsold cars and trucks, and reversing the decline in sales and market share that prompted GM to report a massive $1.1 billion loss in the first quarter.

GM, the world's largest automaker, has led Detroit's price war since it launched interest-free loans to draw customers into showrooms after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

So a base AERO now, for everyone would be 19453...

Good luck,

Flavio Zanetti

kyfdx

But... the $1000 hot-button cash... that is gone, isn't it?

So, since the employee price is about $1000 less than the supplier price that everyone could get last month, then I think the price is about the same this month..

IOW, I'm guessing only $6K in incentives on the Aero, vs. the $7000 from last month.

regards,
kyfdx

phoenixz

Purduealum91, can you post more details? What other discounts did you get? I'm at Purdue and I'm considering an Aero w/ cold, too. I asked for a quote from Napleton through cars.com last week and they called me yesterday, asked me what I wanted exactly, and said I would get a quote in email from Brad. I haven't received anything yet. Saab of Fishers quoted ~$21400 after tax under the new June pricing plan. Any suggestions?

ateixeira

This is going to back fire. They raise prices 6 times per year, only to keep increasing the rebates.

Just drop the freaking prices! :mad:

At least stop the price increases. Sheesh.

-juice

purduealum91

In May, I was able to negotiate to $19,245 for an Aero 9-2X with 5 speed and cold. Many dealers were willing to match this offer price which had originally started at the Saab Exchange in Lake Bluff, IL. At some point in time last month, someone had mentioned that their was a promotion being sponsored by Saab and Salomon skis. $500 off any new Saab. So, I searched the net and couldnt find a lead for this cert. I went to the Saabusa website and sent a general email to them asking them for more details on this cert. Someone got back to me and put one in the mail to me. I was able to use it at Napleton. I know this cert cant be used on GM employee pricing hence its no longer good for this months prices. If you buy from Napleton, let me know as maybe their is a referral fee we can both split.

purduealum91

with regard to last months pricing. Im also surprised you didnt cave and bought one of these babies.

ateixeira

Prices are now higher.

For a long time the 9-2x cost more, even up until a couple of months ago. Now you're right, they cannot match the incentives GM has piled on.

I think I've only ever seen a WRX under $20k one single time, and it was a leftover model that was probably a demo.

-juice

phoenixz

Purduealum91, thanks a lot for the info. If you don't mind, could you send me an email at and tell me your name and phone number?

jchan2

All I can say is...
$16,821 (saabusa.com posted price- base Linear) for a Saab!? Whatta Deal!

If I were in the market, I'd get 2!

ateixeira

What's the current price for an Aero?

Still, it would be hard given the WRX is getting a 2.5T with 230hp and 235 lb-ft of torque peaking at just 3600rpm next model year.

-juice

jchan2

Current Base Price, under the "GM Employee Discount for Everyone" program is currently $19,425, after all incentives, before options.

I still think its a screamin' deal.