Reply to 68.166.5...
The wear and tear item was a 2-3" square dent/scrape that seemed a fair item for repair. There were a few other similar, non-major body dents/scratches that may have been obscured by dirt from recent city snow conditions. I was told by the dealer that SFSC normally assesses parts and labor in amounts less than what you would spend to make the repair.

We decided to return the 2001 9-5 SE wagon -- paying the $183, the dispostion fee + tax (approx. $400), and the overmileage fee -- and bought a grey 2004 Arc wagon (paint, automatic trans + premium packge were only options). We got the benefit of a $4500 manuf. incentive and a $500 customer loyalty discount, bringing the price of the car to $32,150 ($35,100 after taxes and fees).

We decided to do the deal in a hurry because by returning the 2001 and taking delivery of the 2004 by the day before our last lease payment was due, we will save that $443 as well.

So far we're satisfied. The 2004 Arc with the 4 cylinder handles pretty much the same as the 2001 SE V6, and even seems a bit lighter and peppier. The interior is lighter, the leather is less luxurious, the steering wheel wrap is thinner, and there are no rear heated seats. And there's no OnStar, which at $700 is now an option in the Linear and Arc trims. (We probably won't miss OnStar much; because OnStar could not diagnose problems or open a locked door remotely due to Saab proprietary issues, it wasn't of much use. The built-in hands free cell phone was nice, but we never got the voice recognition to cooperate.)

As of 5 weeks before the 2001 came off lease, SFSC was not budging from its earlier position that they would not come down from the purchase price (residual value) in the lease contract, and my mentioning the possibility of their giving me some kind of extended warranty on the 2001 appeared to be a non-starter. I've read and heard from the dealer that they would eventually have come down around $1200, but the combination of incentives on a new Saab seemed too good to pass up.

posted by 65.121.2...

• Coming off lease-buyout or new car?, mushkin, Sun, 8 Feb 2004 09:16:12
  • Re: Coming off lease-buyout or new car?, Marc, Wed, 11 Feb 2004 11:18:19
  • Saab's offer, Patrick, Tue, 10 Feb 2004 20:48:47
  • Re: Coming off lease-buyout or new car?, jj, Mon, 9 Feb 2004 06:59:44
  • Financial impact..., PLC, Sun, 8 Feb 2004 20:04:28
  • my 2 cents (long), Bret, Sun, 8 Feb 2004 14:07:56
  • Re: Coming off lease-buyout or new car?, keeton, Sun, 8 Feb 2004 09:46:06
    • Re: Coming off lease-buyout or new car?, Steve, Mon, 23 Feb 2004 14:17:28 <-- Viewing This Message

No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.

• Prev by Date: (none)
• Next by Date: Re: Rear light failure message, nine to five, Mon, 23 Feb 2004 14:22:14
• Main 9⁵ Bulletin Board

StateOfNine.com

SaabClub.com

Jak Stoll Performance

M Car Covers

Ad Available

The content on this site may not be republished without permission. Copyright © 1988-2024 - The Saab Network - saabnet.com.
For usage guidelines, see the Mission & Privacy Notice.
[Contact | Site Map | Saabnet.com on Facebook | Saabnet.com on Twitter | Shop Amazon via TSN | Site Donations]

Random Saabnet.com Member Gallery Photos (Click Image)