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Date: Fri, 16 Jun 00 15:05:55 GMT
From: amesnopsamrak.demon.co.uk (Andrew Stephenson)
Subject: Re: UK new SAAB prices prospects?


In article <3949D582.A5D337A4nopsamac.uk> pt229nopsamac.uk "Peter Thompson" writes: > [...] Are there any price comparisons available between UK and > European Saab prices? It is only the price difference that is > the issue, and it is difficult to see how the government could > legislate to force price reductions. [...] This is where it becomes complicated. Back in March I priced a 9-3 with 'my' UK dealer and a Euroimport firm. The dealer price was GBP 20,557.50, whilst the import cost GBP 4,681.30 less (UK-specification via Holland). IOW, 22% less. (The spec was more lavish than I'd go for now, so just take those figures as comparative.) US-ans can convert at 1.5-1.6 USD/GBP. On the face of it, no contest. When I mentioned the disparity at the dealer's in a non-provocative fashion (I thought), the sales droid showed stress, as if this was one of the current burdens of life he easily could do without. "Ah, but," he said, "importing would only get you 1 year's warranty (vs 3), no membership of the AA (major deal, evidently) and no free loaner car from us while your car is being serviced." One rather gathered I would be off their Christmas card list, too, _and_ blackballed for membership of the golf club, etc. IOW, the minions of SAAB-GB were braced to go down fighting. (BTW, they really _love_ the argument that, "They have higher taxes on the Continent." Logic not welcome.) Reading this NG, I get the impression one's saving can easily be gobbled up by a run of bad luck during Year 2 and 3 of ownership. Also, the Volvo branch of the same firm, who maintain my present car, have been accomodating at times (free checks/fixes of small problems, eg), even if only to keep me coming back to them. How valuable _is_ dealer/garage goodwill for a car like a SAAB? > Of course dealerships are not going to say that prices will > drop further because then everyone will hang on. I suspect > that they are going at least to try and get the August rush out > of the way at least before they drop prices further. I suspect you are correct. I just wish they'd recognise that the writing is on the wall for their current way of life, and that an early change of habits could help. Oh well, the 2001 models will be out soon. Maybe those'll fix whatever bugs are in the 2000s. -- Andrew Stephenson

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