Was this close to buying a new 9-5 when the news came down today that GM is looking to divest Saab and no buyers seem to be stepping forward. Some risk that all of this goes south, which would kill the warranties, no? Thoughts on the foolishness of going forward with buying this car? Appeciate your thoughts.
snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:
I'm not sure that the impending demise - or not - of GM and/or Saab makes a lot of difference if you're looking at getting a run-out old-shape 9-5.
It's going to be dirt-cheap to buy anyway, since they've almost certainly stopped building any more and may very well be tooling up for the replacement already - and the depreciation is going to be damn near vertical whatever.
If you want it, buy it. The 9-5's been around so long that support outside the dealer chain is well established.
:-( You have my sympathy.
Similar thoughts here but I bought before the crunch happened (and I am paying into a GM service agreement. I may lose some money because of that ... but small loss compared to loss of warranty).
Warranties could go south. If you are buying a standard model (I got the Aero :-S ) many parts are standard ... but the issue will come up with electronics and other similar small but expensive manufacturer only bits.
Having said all that, a while back I read that the Swedish government had already put some money in both SAAB and Volvo. They may well put more (there again ...). A lot of car-makers are blackmailing governments (it makes you think they never made any money at any point in their existence).
What is your alternative purchase?
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If I really wanted a SAAB (there again I wanted an Aero where the complexities with simple consumable parts may be a touch more) I would be tempted to wait and manage in any other way possible. (e.g. I would have fixed rather than scrap the 9000).
If I just wanted/needed another car now I would be tempted to go for my next alternative. So that is what I was asking above? What is the alternative?
Ta. Charles
PS.
We have a 1999 Volvo V70 XC now that we like but it needs a catalytic converter, which is said to be a $2,400 job. Oh, and the fuel system doesn't stay pressurized any more so you have to turn the key and wait for a minute before turning it on, otherwise it never catches, and that's said to be something like a $2,200 job (have to take out the drive shaft and drop the fuel tank ... brilliant engineering). And it is also consuming a lot of oil, how/where I don't know.
So one alternative is to put the new converter on and live with the fuel pressure thing and hope nothing comes of the oil. But I feel funny putting a couple of grand into a 10 yr. old car when it has these other lingering problems.
So that's option 1. Option 2 is to find another make, but my wife doesn't really like much else. Likes the VW Tiguan but that costs $35 by the time you put leather and a sunroof in it. Rediculous. Doesn't want another Volvo because of the problems with this one. Doesn't want a Toyota (not sexy enough), or a Beamer (too sexy), or a Hyundai (can't get beyond her legacy impression of the brand), etc. Kind of stuck with her being too picky. Yeeha.
Hi Jorgen,
I was commenting before I read the article. I can't say if the SE government would stick to its word, of not putting money in SAAB ... but I can understand the government's point. The "big" manufacturers simply want money because they think they can get money. (I can also see why the US government would not want to pay to help industries operating outside the US).
Irrespective of the country, if a government helps one company there will be so many more that should be helped. Again SE might see the way the UK went by losing all its manufacturing and betting its future on "service" industries, banking and finance the most important of them. Great success it has been.
Has the GM chief executive sold his airplane? :-)
Best hope is that the SE government buys the company for 1 USD and then "pays" someone else to take it over.
Will OPEL stay part of GM for long? (I don't really mention its UK arm Vauxhall). If OPEL is let go too ... perhaps something might happen or the problem will simply become too big and SAAB disappears.
At very low values, and therefore easy to say (after a crash or accident) the car is not worth repairing. The premiums would not change.
Charles
This price (converting to United Kingdom prices) sounds like you buy original parts and pay main dealer labour prices. More below...
Really, the pump is not accessible from above? Anyway if that is how it is. The problem will not get better, it will get worse.
If it does not drip the oil, you will see it on the pavement/drive :-) , it comes out of the exhaust. Oh and the catalyst is gone ... perhaps too much oil comes out of the exhaust.
FORGET IT :-(
It is unfortunate that all these problems happen, but perhaps it is better that they all come together. They could happen every 12 months and you end up spending the money.
No. You fall into the category of "needing" a car as opposed to "wanting" a new car.
I would have said another Volvo but I guess that is out.
Subaru Legacy (not as big a car as a volvo or SAAB perhaps)
Just trying to help you with alternatives. You sound based in North America and I can't provide much input really. ================================
If you must have a SAAB then you must wait ... if the ten days ultimatum goes past and something happens you will know. Perhaps GM is pushed by the US government to do something, and will let SAAB go to be seen to be taking action (and receive US funds).
If I was not personally interested in SAAB's survival I know what I would be thinking or expecting ... you see what I mean :-)
Charles
I'd have to dig to find the articles, but the recent ones I read specifically said that the Swedish Gov't would either grant or lend money to Saab. They made it clear that they were not interested in owning Saab.
Hi You,
Loans guarantee.
Which means the government would want a viable plan for the company (so they can be repaid the loan).
Wanting to sell the company within 12 months time as GM has indicated is not a business plan on the basis of which they would be lent money. Further, SAAB has not had published accounts (as a subsidiary of GM) and in full multinational style GM could have been making its profits somewhere else in a tax paradise ... a factory producing valve cups (for the tyre valves) making multimillions.
:-) C.
In message , snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com writes
Which country are you in?
If you buy though a "retail outlet" in the UK then you have a claim against the retailer - not sure how the law stands in other countries. If that dealer is wholly owned by SAAB that could be a problem but most distributor networks are independent. Some dealers might fail if they have no SAABS to sell but many may keep going as service centres even if the showrooms close.
Why not look out for a one year old ex demonstrator 9-5 which should be about 50% of list price, and get an insured or dealer based warranty? Or
- you might be able to re-negotiate a huge discount on a new one.
You should be able to get a very good car for very little money: if I was in your position I would go for it.
Does anyone else get the feeling GM is "sacrificing" SAAB to make a point to the US gov't? It could be they're just trying to show they mean it when they say they're going out of business, to put more pressure on the US for more billions$. If SAAB has to disappear to make a point, it's a small loss to them. . .
Yes. Then Vauxhall (in the UK) and then Opel (in Germany) and some plants here and there.
Charles
They have to kill something, and they have no idea what to do with Saab. Never did have any idea.
Well it doesn't make it any a worse car and Rover buyers in the UK have found falling prices at the time of BMW's pull-out and independent service very much to their liking.
Graham
Including specialists.
Graham
I don't see Opel going somehow.
Graham
Quite so. Just screwed it up. The best car I've ever driven bar maybe a Rover P6.
Graham
Holy shit !
I had a complete new exhaust including cat put on my 9000 (it all crumbled when they started dismantling it - it only actually 'needed' a 'back box' for the 'MOT' ) for £600 2 yrs ago by an independent. I think they did discount it somewhat on account of the boo-boo though.
Graham
Agreed.
I had a bit of that but the delay was only a couple of secs.
And this is on a *99* Volvo ?
Phew !
Graham
Yes by deleting the executive hatchback ( 9000 CS with more room in it than you could believe ) and trying to make a bland car.
Graham
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