SAAB announces pricing for '08 9-3

[Flybrian]

Saab releases pricing for '08 9-3

Link to Original Article @ LeftLaneNews

Saab has redesigned its popular 9-3 model for the 2008 model year and today the General Motors-owned Swedish carmaker released some pricing details for the upcoming model. The base 9-3 2.0T will start at $28,385 in the United States, an increase from the $26,995 MSRP of the '07 model. The Aero model, which includes a turbocharged V6 engine, starts at $35,365, about $1,800 more than the '07.

The new model does include some additional equipment to help make up for the increase, however, including OnStar, XM Satellite Radio, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a tire pressure monitor and significantly increased sound deadening. Those features weren't all available individually for '07, but we're guessing they come pretty close to making up the price increase.

The convertible model, which now includes a remote power convertible top as standard, starts at $39,710 for the 2.0T and $45,665 for the Aero. Station wagon models, called SportCombis in Saab-speak, run $29,630 and $36,265 for the 2.0T and Aero, respectively.

The only changes we've heard so far for Saab's larger, 260-horsepower, aging 9-5 model, are standard OnStar and a tire pressure monitor. We don't have specific changes yet. It'll be priced from $37,205 for the base model, and $38,300 for the performance-oriented Aero. Wagons add $1,250.

[pow]

Both are too expensive and both will end up with heavy incentives.

[sciguy_0504]

Just wait a few years and get a great used one.

[Oracle of Delphi]

I'm not liking that roof on that wagon, it looks to rounded for my taste.

[pow]

Saw an ad in the paper... a new 9-3 2.0T for $21-something-K, after $4500 rebates. Sad.

[regfootball]

Saw an ad in the paper... a new 9-3 2.0T for $21-something-K, after $4500 rebates. Sad.

IMO, the saab 9-3 price should be around where a vdub passat is. for an end of season deal, it is probably lower than what saab wants, but at the same time you can get a cool car for not a lot of money and it has leather and power seat. there is nothing wrong with that for the consumer.

Just looking at the 08 pricing on carsdirect this morning. the base 9-3 they list for around 25k. That is still a good deal when you consider that this would be where a higher end Malibu would be. And its about where the Passat starts out at.

We really need to cleanse our heads of some ridiculous notion that the 9-3 should be toe to toe with the c class and 3 series. 10 years ago, new saab 9-3 hatches never had that pretension and often you would see ads for them selling new around 16-18 grand.

In the US market, Saab would best exist somewhere equal to or slightly about VW with this model, and equal or around where some of the Acura models exist. With most of their volume. Some of the XWD product is pushing 40g and I think it might be worthy of close to that, but I would rather see those models around 36 or so.

I really think Saab and GM is missing the boat by not selling the lesser priced 9-3's against VW's lineup and Acura. The 9-3 alone could compete well against some of those near lux cars, but they do not position them or advertise them that way.

Edited December 8, 2007 by regfootball

[frogger]

Old cars with a facelift. About as relevant as Meg Ryan at this point.

[AxelTheRed]

Will someone please remind me why Saab's existance is justified?