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1) SE vs. Aero - The Aero is a great deal over the SE if you want a significantly faster car that handles a little better. The SE is good if you're more oriented towards comfort.
2) Options: Ventilated seats are great as are heated seats. Onstar (in 2000 cars, haven't used 2001) - not important to me, I find the interface (voice) cumbersome in actual use. I like the stock wheels so didn't do the BBS package. Metallic paint and transmission are purely a personal decision. There really aren't many options on Saabs! (Look at a BMW option list - ugh) Oh, and about the phone install, some people here have figured out how to do it. If I didn't want to do the work myself, I'd have my dealer do it rather than an independant audio place just because the dealer knows how to do it right while it'll probably be a first (on a 9-5, using the OEM kit) for your independant place.
3) Snow tires - compared to stock, they are a necessity here in Minnesota but then again, the snow keeps piling up this year and I can't remember the last time we hit 32F. Honestly, I doubt you REALLY need them but I'm a big believer in snow tires as cheap insurance so would recomment them anyway.
4) Buying process - You can usually get a good deal by talking to the fleet sales guy. Your best bet, as always, is to shop around. Play hardball and tell them that you're cross shopping. It's an annoying game but it works.
5) Edmunds and pricing - I just compared their TMV + invoice options on my 9-5 Aero to my actual purchase price and found it to be about $1000 high. That said, ~$39400 (I think, from memory) for a 00 Aero with everything but the automatic transmission and BBS package seemed a very good deal, as good as 3 dealers were willing to go, and I got financing on my lease at an interest rate of ~2.3% for 36 months and 36,000 miles. With such a low interest rate on the lease, I couldn't resist it. I'll probably buy the car at the end of the lease.
Good luck!
Bryce
00 9-5 Aero
85 900S
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