Advice appreciated - deal on '04 9-3

[baboon]

okay, i'm looking for a little advice here. i've got a line on a 2004 9-3 Aero, black on parchment, sitting on a dealer lot. After the incentives, GM supplier discount, loyalty discount, etc, I'm seriously considering it.

Now, here's the decision part. This would be used as a second car only...more for fun and enjoyment than regular commuting (which is what I got the Vibe for). I don't really need a second car (it would be for the girlfriend anyway), but the payments would be easily offset by a raise I just got. The sensible side of me is saying that I should put the cash aside for investments and all that responsible stuff, but I'm already on track for that, and the budget that I made for myself previously was aggressive in this regard anyway. My thought is that with the new position, completing my grad degree this month, and youth, I'd like to enjoy a little bit of it. Basically, I don't want to be one of those old guys, sitting in a rocking chair, thinking "man, I really shouldn't have been such a financial tight *** when I was younger".

Pics for your enjoyment:
http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/i18/1859_6mg.jpg
http://www.saabklubben.com/arkiv/9-3/93_sportsedan17.jpg
http://www.libero.co.kr/newcar/upload/carnews/saab_9-3.jpg

I drove the thing today, and it was absolutely awesome. Not as powerful as the older one I used to have, but all of the problems (torque steer, dated feel, etc) have been worked out.

Thoughts?

[SuperGLS]

I like them. If you want it, then go for it.

Are you going to be able to not mod it though...?

[2GTS]

I'd say spend the money on something that won't depreciate as fast as a car if you realy don't need another.

[SWortham]

Hmm... I'd have to say... don't make a decision until you visit your Subaru dealer...
http://www.subaru.com/servlet/showroom?model=LEGACY&trim=25_GT_SEDAN&command=overview

The Legacy GT is pretty much in the same class and in my opinion Subaru is going to clean up with this car. It's cheaper than the Saab, more powerful, and it offers the beauty of AWD, top notch build quality, and the reliability of a Subaru. :)

[baboon]

I'd say spend the money on something that won't depreciate as fast as a car if you realy don't need another.

the more i think about it, the more this makes sense. i think i'm just having issues of "damn, that's really nice and i could justify it if i had to". i swear...cars are like prostitutes sometimes.

anyway, the advice is good...the subaru looks great, but i don't have the same discounts that i would in this case. that puts a damper on the cost vs. need equation considerably.

edit: I think this may be more of a question of "when is it okay to treat yourself, even if it's not the most logical choice" vs. "if i don't do this now, i can potentially get something better in 5 years" type of circular argument. my biggest fear (well, aside from earwigs) is that i'll go through life making financially wise decisions, only to end up a withered old man and not being able to enjoy what i have worked so hard to do. perhaps this is worthy of an off-topic thread.

[canadianshark74]

go for it, that car rocks!

[XTRAWLD]

Ok, I've know you for a while. Do you know what I would say?

If you are going to kick yourself down the road saying, why didn't I get that - there's your answer.

You had one before, you know we both loved it!!!!! I was sad you ever got rid of it. And here is your chance to get your hands on a newer one that has all the "glitches" worked out. You know what? You've worked very hard for yourself for as long as I've known you and I think you deserve a reward. Especially now cause the light at the end of the tunnel of working your *** off has finally been reached. You know what that light is from? It's the glint off the paintjob of a newly polished Saab.

Investments...yes those are always good, but why can't you do both? You don't have to compile a **** load of money into investments and be stuck with the Vibe that doesn't put a smile on your face when you hit the pedal. You know that saving little by little is easier on your pocket and your investment will still grow.

Do the right thing! :)

[03SilverBullet]

It's OK..Not my taste.

[AUTOBOT]

I don't want to be one of those old guys, sitting in a rocking chair, thinking "man, I really shouldn't have been such a financial tight *** when I was younger".


Well, it's better then being one of those old men sitting in a rocking chair saying "I wish i would have planned better for the future when i had a chance".

I suppose there is a fine line between planning for the future and and enjoying your youth and that line is drawn differently for each individual. Only you can realy determine if this purchase is right for you and if it will bring you the happiness you think it will.

My only question is why would you buy a car for your girl friend? I mean no offense by that, but she is just a girl friend. I am sure you love her very much and may even plan on getting married to her. But, you should never buy anything that expensive for a girl friend especially when the car is nicer then yours (LOL).

I say don't buy it for her. If you love the car that much, then trade yours in and buy it. If she needs a car that bad and can't afford one, then buy her something more affordable.

[BlackElantraGT]

I love the Saab, especially the new ones that have been redesigned.

In my opinion, after reading your reasons for getting, I would probably tell you to wait on getting the 2nd car. Yes you've worked hard for it, but this is only going to be your 2nd car and it's going to be more for your girlfriend's enjoyment. Why do you get to make the payment and she have all the fun? It's not like she's your wife. I am not familiar with your situation with your gf, but I just think it's a bad idea to ever cosign or let someone who's JUST a gf drive your car indefinitely.

The problem that most people have, including myself, is after getting a raise, they always start to spend more. I'm 24 right now and too be honest with you, I was financially more secure when I was 18 and making $6.25/hour than I am now. That doesn't seem very logical considering I make way more than what I used to make, but with more money came more bills and more responsibilities.

How are you going to be financing the car? How much will your down payment be? I would consider just saving your money for now for rainy days, especially in a slow market like today. Your job may not be as secure as you think it may be. If you already have enough money to back you up for 6 months of going without pay, and you can get an awesome deal on this car then go for it.

And not to put you down or anything Xtrawld, and I know you know him better than I do, but recently your situation got bad enough to the point where you had to vent online to a bunch of strangers about your financial situation. Recommending someone to buy a car when they don't really need one is the last thing I would suggest you doing.

[XTRAWLD]

BlackElantraGT - I'm not offended by your comment.....but I'm pretty sure that baboon is a little more stable and more confident in his position than I am right now.

Buying my car didn't put me in debt, I still make payments on it without a problem....it was modding the car that got me in trouble and if he's not modding it and using it as a weekend vehicle, I'd say chances are he'd be having a bit better of a time than myself.

[ilanpro]

I would get a Used M3 :cool: Saabs Just dont do it for me, I go to Junkyards a lot and see too many of them

[baboon]

there is some great advice in here. just to clarify a little bit:

i use the term "gf" loosely. we've been together for 6 years, have a house together, so this is essentially a non-issue. the reason that i'm saying that it's mainly for her is that i can't take it to work (being in a supervisory role of moderately paid workers, i have to be somewhat considerate of that).

i'm also not blowing all of the raise on this. i'm merely setting aside a larger-than-normal portion of it for self enjoyment (something which i haven't done in the last few years).

i think i'm going to hold off a little bit, just to see if the desire still holds after 1-2 months. i'm sure it will, but perhaps something else would strike me as well (and be a little cheaper too). in october there will surely be some good deals out there on remaining '04's, and i'm in no rush to get a second vehicle.

used m3...nice idea, but i'm a sucker for a full warranty. ever look at the price of m3 parts? holy...

[BlackElantraGT]

You seem pretty financially secure, especially if you will still have money left over for saving even after getting the car. I agree with holding off for a few months also, that way you'll have time to save up for a down payment and probably be able to get a better deal on the '04.

How great of a deal are you getting? Would you still be able to get this deal in 1-2 months? I know that Saab offers phenomenal deals at times (my friend was just promoted to General Manager of a Saab dealership in Nor Cal). Considering that the base price of the Aero is around $32K, have you considered any other car? I noticed that you're from Ontario, and if it's anything like the Northeast, you guys get a lot of snow if not more, right? For just a little more money, you could be in the STi or the Evo 8, both of which would have AWD and a lot more power. Then you would truly have a sports car.

[ilanpro]

You seem pretty financially secure, especially if you will still have money left over for saving even after getting the car. I agree with holding off for a few months also, that way you'll have time to save up for a down payment and probably be able to get a better deal on the '04.

How great of a deal are you getting? Would you still be able to get this deal in 1-2 months? I know that Saab offers phenomenal deals at times (my friend was just promoted to General Manager of a Saab dealership in Nor Cal). Considering that the base price of the Aero is around $32K, have you considered any other car? I noticed that you're from Ontario, and if it's anything like the Northeast, you guys get a lot of snow if not more, right? For just a little more money, you could be in the STi or the Evo 8, both of which would have AWD and a lot more power. Then you would truly have a sports car.
Plus they will last longer

[Steve]

For just a little more money, you could be in the STi or the Evo 8, both of which would have AWD and a lot more power. Then you would truly have a sports car.

Except Canada's tougher front bumper crash standards keep us from getting the Evo8 or the GTO for that matter.

[baboon]

Plus they will last longer

i'm not so sure...the Viggen had it's problems (even though they seemed to be one-off issues), but nowhere near the issues that my dad's Legacy had a few years back. Face it...reliability statistics are just that. Odds are better that you'll get a great one, but you still never know.

anyway, thanks for all the advice.

[dangahboi]

personally, I would get something more supported like a wrx, for 3 major reasons:
1. just in case you run into mechanical problems, more support is offered.
2. in case you want to do some upgrades in the future, you have readily available parts to choose from and documented modifications.
3. its awd.

not to take away from the 9-3. its a great car.
either way. good luck buddy.

[XTRAWLD]

The prob with getting a Subaru....if you are out driving up north for example and your car breaks down, how many Subaru dealerships are nearby? Yes, they are expanding, but they aren't as common to find around as lets say domestic dealerships like GM.

[BlackElantraGT]

Except Canada's tougher front bumper crash standards keep us from getting the Evo8 or the GTO for that matter.

I didn't realize that in Canada you guys can't get the Evo or STi. Are you guys able to buy a car in the U.S. and bring it back across the border?

[XTRAWLD]

Not quite sure if you can buy one in the states and bring it up here - permanently. Of course you can travel up here with your car, however, a friend of a friend of mine had a car from the states that was not sold up here and he ended up moving here. Turns out, when he went to get new plates, etc., the ministry told him to get rid of the car because the car was not approved under Canada's safety regulations. The seatbelts were an entirely different mechanism that what the Canadian government approved and he would have to change all the restraints in the car along with the rear bumper including the precious steel rod at the back in order to keep the car here. It was too much effort. But what really surprises me is, another friend of mine was able to ship his car over to Canada from Europe in pieces and re-assemble it here to turn it into a legal right side drive car. It's perfectly fine as long as he has a sticker on the window indicating it's a right hand drive in case there is an accident and emergency assistance needs to be administered. Figure that one out.