SAAB 9-3 Convertible - SAAB 9-3 Convertible Offer - Advice Please

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Thu 25 Mar 2010 10:18
SAAB 9-3 Convertible - SAAB 9-3 Convertible Offer - Advice Please - Trollhattan

I am a happy SAAB Sportwagon owner, petrol not diesel and so have no diesel reliability issues but I have a car buying problem.

SAAB have an offer (which expires at the end of the month) and will get me a factory order 9-3 1.8t Linear SE in a colour of my choice with a hood colour of my choice, heated seats, half leather (black or cream), carbon interior trim, upgraded alloys and Aero bodykit for a little over £20,000.

It will have to be built to my spec and delivery is about 10 weeks, I shall keep the Sportwagon, I do not want a used 3yr old BMW or an Audi.

I will keep it for at least five years, it will be a private purchase partly funded by a personal loan and will be maintained by a local independant SAAB specialist who charges less than 1/2 the main dealer prices and is warranty compliant.

I have never spent more than £10,000 on any car before but I'm 40 very soon and thought 'you only live once', I am somewhat nervous about what to me is a serious amount of money.

What should I do ? The car seems to a great price with the offer but is it ? It looks great in white but is white a fashion flash in the pan ? The SAAB website is like a paint chart, dark metallic blue with a blue roof and cream interior should be classy....

Any and all ideas welcome, I have until March 31st to decide.

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Thu 25 Mar 2010 12:14
SAAB 9-3 Convertible - SAAB 9-3 Convertible Offer - Advice Please - tintin2

I love Saabs, but the depreciation on new ones is brutal. It seems a good price compared to nearly new ones on the Saab UK website. You need to look at what it will be worth in 5 years and decide if you are prepared to take the hit on depreciation.

If you are keeping the Sportwagon, had you thought of getting a cheap but reliable fun car like an MX5? Presumably you would not be putting many miles on the Saab, so it could end up having been a very expensive, say, 25k miles in five years time.

On the other hand, if it's your dream car, you only live once and if you have no other responsibilities and can afford it, treat yourself. Don't get white though, looks horrible.

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Thu 25 Mar 2010 14:05
SAAB 9-3 Convertible - SAAB 9-3 Convertible Offer - Advice Please - Avant

This looks like a personal choice that only you can make.

You want a convertible - fine. The sensible money would go on an MX-5, or VW Eos or Audi A3 if you need occasional four seats. But if you love Saabs, only a Saab convertible will do.

I tried one (admittedly secindhand) when looking for a fun car (eventually going for a BMW Z3) - I found that hood-up it was just like any other Saab to drive. To me a fun car needs to be a bit different.

Financially, I 'd be a bit worried about the already hefty depreciation, which would be even worse if the new owners don't make a go of Saab.

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Thu 25 Mar 2010 14:24
SAAB 9-3 Convertible - SAAB 9-3 Convertible Offer - Advice Please - Trollhattan

I should have said, four seats is a must as there are children to go in the back, the A3 and Eos are out purely on looks they seem to have no character and blend into the background. 1 series are nice but they are very cramped in the back, 3 series and A4 are out as they are way too drug dealer. There only seems to be SAAB, used Volvo or a used Merc on the shortlist.

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Thu 25 Mar 2010 17:49
SAAB 9-3 Convertible - SAAB 9-3 Convertible Offer - Advice Please - bathtub tom

I think you've convinced yourself. :>)

If you want it, do it. Life's too short.

I broke an ankle participating in my self-bought fortieth pressie. I wouldn't have missed it for anything.

Edited by bathtub tom {p} on 25/03/2010 at 17:50

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