Cruze or Saab?

[regfootball]

new 010 9-3

two caveats, this might be a demo. 50/50 on that......part of the low price might also be saab loyalty.

this one is a stick though.....sure would love to jump on this.....

anyone saab shopping right now?

Edited December 9, 2010 by regfootball

[Justin Bimmer]

such a sharp looking car. . . and then you see the radio.

[regfootball]

well, I think I could live with the bowtie radio in Saab.

I always thought the 9-3 should have been marketed more as an option to say, a Passat, rather than trying to portray it as a 3 series alternative.

Saab could do major business selling the current gen 9-3 in more of a downmarket slot.

At least for purposes of comparison in this scenario, I guess a lot of people would say the only disadvantage the Cruze has is engine output.

Any new car at 20 grand and change these days is a bit of a bargain actually.

[vonVeezelsnider]

...There's probably something to that, reg. Volvo already has said they're moving downmarket.

[frogger]

The too small for class 16" rims let down the rest of the car.

[Z-06]

Those manual 2.0Ts are blast to drive.

I have however never driven the 6-speed transmission. The 5-speeds of the older 9-3s found in the Cobalt SS were rock solid.

[regfootball]

I have driven several of the basic 9-3's with the 2.0 and either the 6 manual or 5 manual. Most recently an 09 9-3 6 speed and its a very nice drive. Better than a Passat. Very good for a front drive car. Better than things like the run of the mill midsizers.

Rear leg room is the major flaw with this car, and a very uncomfortable rear seatback and headrest. Ruins the car.

The outdated dash may not be for some, but I like it.

One thing is clear, at 21 grand (assuming you already own a Saab) that is a lot of car. I can live with 16" wheels for that price on a Saab.

I've driven the v6 9-3 and its nose heavy. The 9-3 is light on its feet.

Maybe Chevy should have put a bowtie on the front and just sold the 9-3 as the new Cruze. No money needed to design and certify.....lol

[daves87rs]

Nice!

[caddycruiser]

They have HUGE rebate/dealer cash on Saabs right now, so more likely than not, it's no demo just a great discount. I was just looking at new 9-5's that were nearly $10k off.

Saab. Home of the econocar sized discount.

[Drew Dowdell]

New, Previous gen 9-5s, right?

[regfootball]

i suppose its hard to sell saabs when the hyundai sonata turbo is lurking somewhere in the background.

[pow]

i suppose its hard to sell saabs when the hyundai sonata turbo is lurking somewhere in the background.

Or Kia Optima, which is like a 9-5 priced for normal people.

[regfootball]

right.

[caddycruiser]

New, Previous gen 9-5s, right?

Nada. The 2010 9-5's have some stacked cash on them. Actually, even the just rolling in 2011 2.0T, etc. models also do.

Fitzgerald's in MD has a good example of such pricing:

http://www.fitzmall.com

1) 2010 9-5 Aero

MSRP: $51780.00

Sale Price with Rebates/Cash: $40759.00

2) 2010 9-5 Aero

MSRP: $53740.00

Sale Price with Rebates/Cash: $42523.00

3) 2011 9-5 Turbo4 Premium

MSRP: $50140.00

Sale Price with Rebates/Cash: $43877.00

It's blowout pricing under cost, as they always do, but the rebates/cash are there too. Dealer cash, loyalty, rebates, etc.

The 9-5's are super attractive, for a higher end larger midsize sedan that stands out...and the same for the old, but still graceful 9-3.

[Intrepidation]

I always liked the 9-3. Interior still looks handsome even if it lacks some of the luxury touches even new Dodge interiors have, like stitching on the dash. Replace the Cobalt stereo with the option Nav unit though and it still looks good.

[balthazar]

I didn't realize there were consumers already nostalgic for 1995.

[Northstar]

Can GM card credits still be used on Saabs?

[pow]

Nada. The 2010 9-5's have some stacked cash on them. Actually, even the just rolling in 2011 2.0T, etc. models also do.

Fitzgerald's in MD has a good example of such pricing:

http://www.fitzmall.com

1) 2010 9-5 Aero

MSRP: $51780.00

Sale Price with Rebates/Cash: $40759.00

2) 2010 9-5 Aero

MSRP: $53740.00

Sale Price with Rebates/Cash: $42523.00

3) 2011 9-5 Turbo4 Premium

MSRP: $50140.00

Sale Price with Rebates/Cash: $43877.00

It's blowout pricing under cost, as they always do, but the rebates/cash are there too. Dealer cash, loyalty, rebates, etc.

The 9-5's are super attractive, for a higher end larger midsize sedan that stands out...and the same for the old, but still graceful 9-3.

Nice. That's how it should have been priced to begin with. They'll get lots more interest at $40K than $50K. $40K is still kinda pushing it, though.