Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2002 09:45:05 GMT From: Marc Escuro <mgescuronopsami.com> Subject: Re: Test Drove a 9-5 Aero
I think the only real reason people would choose an Audi or a BMW over a Saab (or another car of equal price/performance/option value) would be because they really REALLY want the car. My 2000 9-5 Aero will match a BMW 530i and A6 corner for corner, acceleration, etc. To get an equivalent BMW, I would have to pay $10K more. To et an equivalent Audi, I'd have to pay $7-8K more. To get an equivalent jaguar, I'd have to pay $15K. I love all those cars, but I don't love them THAT much. I tried convincing my friend to get the 9-3. He was hesitant, but he drove it and was surprised by it. And he could have gotten so much more car for his money. BUT.... He had his heart set on an Audi A4, so he got a used one instead....3 years old and a LOT of miles on it. He could have gotten a decent 9-3 for a little more money. But he's extremely happy with the car. One has to wonder where the true value of an automobile lies. Will I buy a BMW?? Only a 7 series because in my eyes, that's the only BMW that actually has a "realistic" price/performance/option value when compared to its closest competitors. Get an X5?? For $60K?? Never. Get an Escalade. On 2/11/02 5:05 AM, in article uk7f6u8bk95kv6o3s3cjqpqqi47acrph2pnopsamcom, "H." <musicboxnopsamrider.co.uk> wrote: > Quite agree Marc, and I think that you have touched on one of the most > crucial points - > > The simple fact of the matter is many of us, deep down, would have to > admit to having considered Audi's or BMW's or Merc's as alternatives > to our beloved Saabs - they do have good sides, they are on the whole > very capable cars, yet the issue is one of overinflated price - and > options. > > I recently specced up an Audi A4 and BMW 330 as possible replacements > for me 9-3, comparing to the 9-3 Aero. > > With the Saab, I'd have the thing fresh off the shelf, unmodified - no > options, no nothing. After all it has climate/cd/heated electric > leather sports seats/sports suspension/ large rims etc. All I needed > was there, for a paltry £22,995. > > The A4 was a similar price, but by the time I had added the above > options (and I didn't even bother with electric seats!) The price was > well up over £29,000 - and that was with only the 1.8T engine - God > alone knows what would have happened if I had tried that with the > 3.0V6..... I was appalled to find that on a £20k+ car, I was being > forced to add such basic items as electric heated mirrors, and > electric rear windows - all at extortionate cost. > > With the BMW the story was much the same, though the car started > around £25,500, and again virtually everything had to be added to it > as an option..... and oh look..... I seem to be way over £30,000.... > > It was purely an intelligence gathering exercise, as I knew I wanted > the Saab, but looking at it this way it was blatantly clear that the > Saab was not only the best specced, and fastest car out of the group, > but also the cheapest by a huge margin - okay so Saab's depreciate > more than their prestige competitors, but when you start low, you > haven't got so far to fall! > > So this way I get as you also quite rightly pointed out, a somewhat > more unique car, which is not only better equipped, but more practical > (LOVE that huuuge boot) and a damn sight faster than even the BMW 330. > And I'm saving the pennies, so the wench is happy...... what more can > I ask! -- Marc Escuro mgescuronopsami.com mgescuronopsamnet
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