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Latest in my rear-ended 9-3 saga...the other driver's insurance company adjuster did decide today to total my 2000 9-3 hatch. I think the initial offer is a little low and plan to try and negotiate them up to the retail rate as listed at http://www.nada.com, but regardless I still now have to figure out how to go about getting a new car.
As I only have the one car, I have grown to really appreciate the "stealth hauler" feature of the 9-3 hatch and would find it very inconvenient to go back to a 4-door sedan with trunk. About the only other thing I might consider for similar versatility would be a Subaru Forester, but from what I have seen, a 2002 Forester costs about the same as a 2002 9-3 hatch.
Can I afford the difference between the insurance money and price of a 2002 9-3 hatch? Sure, but the other wrinkle is that I am in the process of buying a house that is currently being built and I had not planned on spending any money on a car for at least 5 more years. But now that I have to, I am debating the best approach to take.
1) Buy a CPO 2002 9-3 hatch and take advantage of the low rates Saab is offering this month (as posted by Mike Lynch a few days ago). If I take this option, would it be better to put down all the insurance money I get and finance the rest, or put the insurance money in savings, put down $1000 on the 9-3, finance the rest, and make payments on that from the insurance money that would be gaining at least some interest?
2) Try and find a one-owner, well maintained 2002 9-3 hatch, that I could buy from an individual. This would probably end up being about $2500-$3000 less expensive, but I would be mostly on my own for repairs (can you say DI cassette?) and I would be limited to probably buying something in state or a neighboring state. (I'm a little nervous about buying sight unseen from an individual half way across the country and don't have time right now with work for more than a day trip.)
3) Look for a good, used 9-3 hatch from a local (non-Saab) dealer. I see several 9-3's like this listed locally, although this option seems the most risky.
I know many of you have owned (or own) multiple Saabs so you have been through this shopping scenario. What would you suggest?
Mark
posted by 207.69.2...
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