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Some thoughts...... Posted by Herb Hirsch [Email]  (#114)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Herb Hirsch) on Tue, 8 Jan 2008 08:07:56
In Reply to: Relocating from UK to USA, Advice seeked on buying Saab, Katsura, Tue, 8 Jan 2008 06:46:52 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
I can't answer all of your questions; but I think that I can help you with a few.
1. Do not automatically assume that because your credit history was established in the UK that it doesn't exist. Whether you buy or lease fill out the credit application and answer all of the questions. If your credit history is good you should be OK. You might further consult your company's Human Resource representative for guidance in this area; you may not be the first UK citizen that has come to the US for work with your company.
2. Plan on obtaining a California driver's license. This is probably a must-do given the anticipated duration of your stay. You'll probably have to get one in order to get insurance which you must have in order to buy or lease a car.
3. REGARDING YOUR ACQUISITION OF A CAR.....
- LEASE: This has the advantage of clearly establishing what it will cost you to have a car (a Saab of course) while you are in the US. Leases are available for varying periods of time...12, 24, 30, 36 months and so forth, so this can be tailored to your plans. To save money, look for a 2007 model, there are still some around. Your interest in a manual shift car may work in your favor price-wise; they do exist, in fewer numbers. Now Saab automatics outsell manuals 80% to 20%.
- PURCHASE: This could cost you a little less, but shifts resale value risk and the work involved in disposing of the car to you. Personally, I would opt for lease in your circumstance; at the lease end you can always buy the car, release the same car for an additional period as needed, or just drop off the car and keys. Again, shopping for a new 2007 manual would be a way to save money. A used Saab would be another way to save money, but I would shy away from this in your circumstance....unless it was a Saab dealer and came with a strong warranty.
- THE BUYING/LEASING PROCESS: Get someone with experience to help; and definitely find out who to do business with and who to pass by. Here's a link that may help....California Saab Dealers. Be careful though, California is very big....hundreds of miles from one end to the other, so the cities listed are not minutes apart. http://www.automotive.com/saab/19/california/index.html
4. SAAB DEPRECIATION: Check Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book for some idea as to how depreciation effects Saab's. Generally, they do depreciate a little more than a few other cars. Looking for a new 2007 (manual) will help to mitigate that. Again, if you decide to lease, the depreciation/resale issue goes away. The current devaluation of the dollar versus stronger European currencies could work in your favor over the next couple of years.
5. SAAB 9-3 and 9-5 RELIABILITY: Consumer Reports recently reported the 9-3 as rising to average in this regards. The 9-3's did have some issues but this is history regarding model years 2006-2008. CAUTION: The posts you read on this BB are mostly from people who are having a problem, not those who have well-performing cars that are trouble-free. I have a 2007 9-5 Aero....I have NOTHING TO REPORT problem-wise...zip, zero, nada. If you acquire a 2007 or 2008 9-3 you should enjoy a good reliable car.
6. SAAB CONVERTIBLES: San Diego is made for convertibles
THE CLIMATE: San Diego is warm all year long, so the need for front wheel drive is not as critical as northern areas such as Minnesota, Montana etc. The average temperature in January, the coldest month, is 58 F degrees. Issues like snow or all season tires need not be on your radar screen. San Diego is made for convertibles...the average temperature ranges from a low of 57F in January to a balmy high of 73F in August.
, Wed, 9 Jan 2008 02:35:47, Tue, 8 Jan 2008 11:37:37, Tue, 8 Jan 2008 08:07:56 <-- Viewing This Message
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