European delivery questions

Hi all,

I'm new here, first post for me! So, I have decided to pull the trigger on an 06 93 Aero. EDP seems to be a great deal, as my dealer tells me that the car can be had (Cold package, Manual, and Metallic Paint) for 28,619. Sounds almost too good to be true . I am wanting to do this in July/August, so I am wondering: What will my deadline be for getting an 06, as I don't want to get an 07. Who knows about the price or crazy interior "adjustments" Saab may have in store....?

Also, any advice from those who have been there? I would love to do this... how cool would that be to go pick up your car from the factory! Cost is a factor, so any ideas are welcome!

Thanks for any help!

Scott

[Dave 37]

If you are a very skilled and lucky negotiator, you may be able to beat the EDP price. The EDP price is, however, a very good price that even poor negotiators can get. I bought my car through Carter Saab VW (Seattle) through the European delivery program and picked up the car in Trollhattan.

See http://members.virtualtourist.com/saab93

In July, the factory might be closed for factory tours. Airfare is also more expensive. I went in early May and airfare was still cheap. If you order a 2006, they will just keep the car for you, not build a 2007 for you. If you order too soon, the car will sit there idle. If you are a risk taker, consider ordering the car near the deadline (or the latest they will take a 2006 model year order) and the car will not sit as long.

If you return the car to Beko Bil in Askim/Gothenburg, don't go there after 4 p.m. or so because Matts Alpius goes home early. He comes in early. I looked up directions to Beko Bil on the internet and it came in handy because Saab doesn't tell you how to get there, other than an address (or try the above link and click on "Trollhattan" on the upper right). Afterwards, if you are a cheapskate, you can take a bus instead of having Matts call a taxi for you. I turned the car in at 8:30 a.m. and had plenty of extra time to catch a noon flight even though I took the bus route.

Any further questions, send a message to me or post them here.

Here's what I heard from Saab:

"Thank you for contacting Saab!

Thank you for your inquiry. The cut off date for orders for the 2006 Model Year through our European Delivery Program will be in Early May 2006. An exact date has not yet been announced.

Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance.

Sincerely,

Mike Barmore
SAAB Automobile USA"

I guess this just leaves the question of what kind of changes will be seen for the 07...

thanks for the help!

[michiganfan]

The European Delivery Program is awesome. I recommend it to everyone. You get a great deal on the car and a really great trip to Sweden. It was totally worth it, I want to do it again next time. And Sweden in the middle of summer is amazing - great weather and long sunny days.

[robert_in_ca]

Originally Posted by S.myrr

Hi all,

I'm new here, first post for me! So, I have decided to pull the trigger on an 06 93 Aero. EDP seems to be a great deal, as my dealer tells me that the car can be had (Cold package, Manual, and Metallic Paint) for 28,619. Sounds almost too good to be true . I am wanting to do this in July/August, so I am wondering: What will my deadline be for getting an 06, as I don't want to get an 07. Who knows about the price or crazy interior "adjustments" Saab may have in store....?

Also, any advice from those who have been there? I would love to do this... how cool would that be to go pick up your car from the factory! Cost is a factor, so any ideas are welcome!

Thanks for any help!

Scott

Scott, remember your price of $28,619 doesn't inlcude and additonal $2,000 from Saab to offset travel cost.

Woops the dealer quoted me the wrong price, it would actually be about 30,000 after the options, and then the 2000 back.


One question though... what about any extra taxes or duties coming back from it's long voyage? Surely our government wants a piece of the pie... Also does anyone have any experience financing this type of deal? I wonder if the APR would be more because of the car not being in the US.

Really the biggest deal seems to be not having a car to drive for a while (after the trade in) but, I have arranged to borrow my dad's truck... so, now it's just monetary details...

[Ryan 93]

Is your dealer letting you trade in your current vehicle. My dealer told me I was not able to trade in a vehicle when doing ED. I plan on taking european delivery the first week of june and will probably place my order around the first of April. I can't wait. It is going to be a college graduation present to myself. A vacation and a new car...Cant beat it!

Originally Posted by Ryan 93

Is your dealer letting you trade in your current vehicle. My dealer told me I was not able to trade in a vehicle when doing ED. I plan on taking european delivery the first week of june and will probably place my order around the first of April. I can't wait. It is going to be a college graduation present to myself. A vacation and a new car...Cant beat it!

Yes they will, however, since the payment is due 30 days prior to pickup.... it could be difficult for some. You should go in July for the Tennis thing they are doing. Check the Saab site for events...

[Rob in Atlanta]

If your state charges a sales/use tax for new car purchases you will need to pay that. In Georgia, it is 5%. I had to pony up several thousand dollars to register my car in Georgia when it arrived.

[michiganfan]

Originally Posted by Rob in Atlanta

If your state charges a sales/use tax for new car purchases you will need to pay that. In Georgia, it is 5%. I had to pony up several thousand dollars to register my car in Georgia when it arrived.

Yep, when I registered the car in California I had to pay tax and license fee. The DMV wanted to see the dealer reciept to figure out how much tax to charge.

So there are no customs or port fees, or duties, etc?

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by S.myrr

So there are no customs or port fees, or duties, etc?

No - you are importing a used personal possesion or some great wheeze. This is why you have to take it for a drive in Europe, to make it a used car, not a new one. There is probably some small print about not being able to sell it for 12 months or duty is payable, I imagine you have to sign export / import papers when you hand it over and then saab or their agents do the customs administration for you.

[menikmati]

Originally Posted by Ryan 93

Is your dealer letting you trade in your current vehicle. My dealer told me I was not able to trade in a vehicle when doing ED.

Dealers should allow you to trade in your vehicle, but most don't prefer it due to the extra paperwork and hassle. 30 days before delivery, you need to have all trade-in, financing, down payments, etc completed. So, on the front end of the deal, you will be out of a car for one month unless you live near public transportation, do ride sharing, work from home, or buy a cheap used car to later sell when your car arrives in the US.

On the back end of the deal, several dealers were quoting 8-10 weeks from drop off in Europe until the car arrives at the US dealership of your choice. Unfortunately, without access to convenient public transportation to work, 3+ months without a car was not an option for me. Instead, I had to negotiate a fair deal for the instant gratification of buying the same car off the boat minus the $2000 and visit to the factory.

Everything is all coming together... the money, the travel plans, etc... it looks like it will all work out nicely. That just leaves me with the question of what color, options, etc... here's one for somebody who might know: In the back of the new 93 US pamphlet, it shows a good variety of Saab wheels for the 93. Does anyone know if I can pick from these, or will the standard Aero wheels be put on? (And I am ordering the Aero...)


Thoughts or comments?

[BRob2]

Originally Posted by SMHarman

No - you are importing a used personal possesion or some great wheeze. This is why you have to take it for a drive in Europe, to make it a used car, not a new one. There is probably some small print about not being able to sell it for 12 months or duty is payable, I imagine you have to sign export / import papers when you hand it over and then saab or their agents do the customs administration for you.

In Canada you must have the car for 6 months in Europe before its is considered used when imported, regardless of mileage, so your sales tax and duty are calculated on the original invoice price. Apparently you are more fortunate in the US.

[hmssaab]

What is it..an overnight trip if you want at minimum?

[BRob2]

Originally Posted by S.myrr

Everything is all coming together... the money, the travel plans, etc... it looks like it will all work out nicely. That just leaves me with the question of what color, options, etc... here's one for somebody who might know: In the back of the new 93 US pamphlet, it shows a good variety of Saab wheels for the 93. Does anyone know if I can pick from these, or will the standard Aero wheels be put on? (And I am ordering the Aero...)


Thoughts or comments?

You're able to order it optioned exactly as you would order it to pick up at your local dealer- any factory options you can get in the US you can get for EDP.

[menikmati]

Originally Posted by S.myrr

here's one for somebody who might know: In the back of the new 93 US pamphlet, it shows a good variety of Saab wheels for the 93. Does anyone know if I can pick from these, or will the standard Aero wheels be put on? (And I am ordering the Aero...)

If you order the Aero, you get the standard Aero 5-spokes. The only way you can get a different wheel is to negotiate a swap at the dealership once your car arrives back in the States. Unfortunately, there is no way to have the wheels changed at the factory.

ahhh. thanks. Well those wheels are not that bad anyways. Now choosing the color....(switches to appropriate thread) These are fun decisions! Talked to a Swede today actually, told me to check out the Norweigean coast while over in Europe.... This is shaping up to be quite a lot of planning!

[DavidMorgan]

And you do realise that you have a choice of cities in Europe where you can drop the car off and fly home. Be sure to let me know if you get to Paris.