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Saab 9-5 Sedan
2237 messages, Last post on Jul 17, 2012 at 6:08 PM
You are in the Saab 9-5 Forum.What is this discussion about? Saab 9-5, Sedan
#1650 of 2237 Buying an '04 9-5 by 03oddity
Mar 05, 2004 (8:42 pm)
Brenda,I've had 2 Saabs and like them a lot. I prefer the auto to the stick for congested freeway driving. Consumer Reports recommends the 9-5 for reliability; some authorities point out that the current 9-5, as good as it is, is gradually becoming obsolete in comparison with new stars like the Acura TL or the excellent but overpriced BMWs.
I took my 2001 9-5 SE V6 (lease ends in 3 mo.) in for service today and had a chance to demo the 2004 9-5 Arc and Aero sedans. My local SoCal dealer is discounting them $7000 to $8000 right now with sale prices clearly posted. Prices exclude leases. Apparently there are some massive factory-to-dealer incentives. Saab is also well known for irresistible lease deals; just make sure you get the national program pricing or better. Leasing is a good option for someone who might be on the fence about keeping the car long term. Note that Saab includes the required services at 10K, 20K and 30K miles in the price of the car; I do recommend interval oil changes every 5K.
The Arc is a nice, well-appointed and competent sedan; the Aero really rocks. Either one would be a treat for someone who has driven an American-made car. I loved the ventilated seats! Pricey option at $1000. OnStar is now optional on the Arc, standard on the Aero. (I never used mine at all.)
Re: engines: I prefer the smooth authority of the V6 but it is now discontinued. The 4-cyl turbo engine is very reliable and economical. A bit of turbo lag and slightly jerky shifting on the Arc, less so on the Aero. Power to spare in either case (220 vs 250 HP).
I'm trying to decide whether to lease an '04 Saab or buy the TL. Saabs depreciate more but if you are starting out with a whopping discount and planning to keep the car a long time, or if you lease, depreciation is less of an issue. Best of luck!
P.S. Saab participates in the GM Supplier Discount program; find out from your company's HR department or www.gmsupplierdiscount.com if you qualify. It's free money that's good for an extra discount over and above what I mentioned above. (The amount of the extra discount is the difference between MSRP and invoice--usually $2500-3000.) Makes it very hard to shell out MSRP for an Acura when you could buy a Saab for thousands less than invoice!!
#1651 of 2237 2003 9-5 Linear by bhroberts
Mar 08, 2004 (7:07 pm)
A dealer near me has a 2003 9-5 Linear manual with 42k miles. Only asking $24K. It's loaded (leather, sunroof, etc.) and rides great. I figure the miles are all highway (how else do you put 42k miles on in one year?) Will get warranty for 4 yrs or up to 100k miles, too. I'm concerned that he may be be misrepresenting the engine. The Linear, I think, has only 185 hp? He says this one is over 200? Was there an engine option on the Linear in 2003?#1652 of 2237 Good Deals on Saabs by blockislandguy
Mar 08, 2004 (7:44 pm)
03oddity, thanks for the thoughtful post. I've always thought that at the actual transaction price, SAABs were a good deal. And an even better deal is a heavily depreciated, one year old SAAB. (Although that could be tricky to calculate because if the actual cost of the new Aero is say 8K less than an MSRP of 41K then a one year old Aero would have to be under 30K to be even an acceptable deal.)#1653 of 2237 are you serious? by oldman
Mar 08, 2004 (9:18 pm)
Did I misunderstand the pricing for a 2004 9-5? Can you really buy an AERO for 8 grand off the list price? Is that allowing for your trade-in? How about an ARC? The carbon fibre dash panel is gorgeous, but I don't like the 17 rims, makes the wheels look too much like a boy racer wannabe. Hence I've been looking at the ARC which is less racey. Anyone like the manual tranny?#1654 of 2237 oldman by 03oddity
Mar 08, 2004 (11:51 pm)
Serious as a heart attack! The dealer (Saab of Santa Ana) clearly posted the sale prices in the cars. Aero was indeed $8000 below sticker, Arc $7000 below. These are new 2004 models. Guess Saab feels the need to move some metal. I liked the features (esp. side bolstering on the seats) and driving characteristics better on the Aero but I agree about the 17" wheels and ultra-low profile tires; they look silly on a grownup car. Arc is a very reasonable compromise. Too bad they don't make the SE V6 any more. I loooove that engine! Can you say "torque"?#1655 of 2237 Lease on 04 Arc by eitan56
Mar 09, 2004 (2:06 pm)
I live in North NJ. I was looking at a 36 month lease-15K miles/yr on an Arc with auto trans & metallic paint. Offer from lone dealer was $999 out the door and $495/mo. According to dealer, the residual value of the car after 36 months is only 46%. Ouch! Money factor is .00033 from Saab. I guess everyone, including Saab, knows how badly these cars depreciate. I'll keep looking.If anyone out there can steer me to a better deal in NJ, I would appreciate it. Too bad I don't live near Santa Ana. I'd be driving a Saab right now.
#1656 of 2237 Depreciate From What? List or Cost? by blockislandguy
Mar 09, 2004 (8:29 pm)
Oldman, really the going rate on a SAAB is 8K off the Moroney before you step foot onto the lot. Its no special deal.Eitan56, sure a residual of 46% isn't great but SAAB's is nowhere near that low if figured from transaction price. No one pays anywhere near MSRP on a SAAB. To compare residuals between comparable European sedans lets compare depreciation after the usual and customary sale price. Folks claim that BMW has a high residual and a low depreication but thats because they pay darn near close to list. The only reason SAAB has a low residual and high depreciation is the fictitious list that they discount by 8K to 9K every day, all day. SAAB needs to add content (AWD, 5 speed auto--makes sense with the 4 banger to have more selection, xenons across the line,throw another turbo on the Aero engine, etc.) or lower the MSRP. The market just isn't buying at any higher than list less 8K.
03oddity, yeh, the 17" wheels don't cut it and bend easily in winter pot holes, and the tires can be hard to find (European Car tested an Aero and blew a tire. The had to FLY in a tire from Tire Rack because no one stocked the particular tire/size). But, they are a tentative step toward something good. I'd like to see more performance stuff in the Aero to really differentiate it from other models and to go after the Ultimate Driving Car crowd.
#1657 of 2237 Thanks to all for the info by oldman
Mar 09, 2004 (8:53 pm)
I'm impressed with that level of discount!! Unfortunately my dealer is an "Only Price" dealer, only discounting $1400 off sticker, take it or leave it. However, maybe he gives away the other $5600 by one heck of a trade in allowance??? I'd guess it is time to visit them boys. If I was in calif. I too would already be driving an '04 ARC!!#1658 of 2237 Oldman by rob999
Mar 10, 2004 (6:30 am)
I wouldn't deal with that idiot 'Only Price' dealer. The discounts are common knowledge. The Sunday auto section of the Chicago Tribune lists the discounts every week.Personally, I'd think it would be a hoot to get a good deal on a car in California, fly out to pick it up and 'road trip' home in a new 9-5!!! I've driven ours straight thru from Colorado to Illinois a couple times now and am amazed how comfortable the car is, even after 16 hours on the road.
#1659 of 2237 Lease on 04 ARC by eitan56
Mar 10, 2004 (7:42 am)
This particular dealer,or Saab for that matter can charge what they want & I can take it or leave it. The Arc is sweet, but I will not pay $999 down, $495/mo. for it. That doesn't make any sense. Heck,I pay less $$ on an Acura TL with more features. I'll try some other Saab dealers or wait it out a few months.If any of Saabers in north NJ can direct me to a good deal, you'll be my hero.
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