You’re buying a used Saab, and understandably, you’re as excited as you’re stressed! If doubts are plaguing you, we’re here to help. With a little bit of research and planning, you can remove those niggling doubts. The key is to become an informed buyer and go in prepared for the negotiation. In this article, we’ll discuss exactly how to do that.
Research, Research, Research!
Information is power! The right information will eventually save you money. If you have the right information, you can go in with confidence and conduct a smooth negotiation. You’ll be confident, and no one will be able to pull the wool over your eyes. Make sure you know exactly which model you want. Make a list of your needs and wants. It’s a used Saab, so you won’t get everything. Therefore, you’ll have to decide which features you’re willing to give up. Make sure you understand the price range.
Your Price Range
You need to have a good conversation with yourself and evaluate your own price range. Once you have decided on that interval, stick to it. The very job of a dealership is to upsell. Keep that in mind, and don’t let emotion get in the way. Just stay on mission and tell them what you need and what your budget is. Be willing to walk away and wait another day to purchase your Saab. Then, no one will be able to take advantage of you.
CPO – Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle
Look into CPO vehicles. Reputable dealerships these days will sell certified pre-owned vehicles. This stamp of approval means that the car has gone through a detailed and meticulous multipoint inspection. The dealership makes sure that the used vehicle meets standards close to a new one. Although used, these cars will usually have an extended warranty backed by the manufacturer. Some dealers will add perks to these CPO cars. You might find your certified pre-owned Saab comes with a maintenance or roadside assistance package. These add-ons make the car more expensive. You decide whether it’s worth it for you. You’re definitely getting peace of mind with a CPO Saab. Please ask us to learn more about this.
The Past Matters
If you’re buying a certified pre-owned Saab, then this doesn’t matter because the dealership has taken care of all maintenance issues and is giving you a clean certificate. However, if you’re buying from a private party, make sure you insist on getting documentation on the car’s maintenance history. Look for any long intervals of non-maintenance in the car’s history. That is a red flag because it could mean neglect. You also need to find out if the used Saab was in a collision of any kind. A detailed mechanic’s report on that is very important.
Test Drive and Inspection
Inspection and test driving the pre-owned Saab is critical, especially if you’re buying from an individual. Plan a route and take your time to drive on city streets as well as the freeway, to see how the car handles at different speeds. Pay attention to the dashboard to notice whether any MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamps) lights have come on. Take the car to a mechanic that you trust and let them do a thorough multipoint inspection on the car. We can certainly help you with this.
Financial Readiness
Even before you go to a dealer make sure you know what your credit score is and you are confident about your ability to purchase the Saab. If you get pre-approved for financing it puts you in a stronger buying position and makes negotiations much easier. The same applies when you are buying from an individual.
Negotiate to Close
When you think you’ve found your Saab, negotiate to close. By now, you have scoured the internet, looked at numerous websites, and probably memorized the Kelly Blue Book prices of all the Saab models! This is a good thing. Now you’re ready to execute a poised negotiation. Be calm. Be confident. Be willing to walk away if something doesn’t feel right. But please—don’t play games. If you’re offered a price that you had in mind, accept it and close the deal.
Ask Swedish Auto Service
If you have any questions or need any kind 
of help with your Saab, please don’t hesitate to call us. At Swedish Auto Service, we are trained and certified technicians who have many years of experience working on European cars. Our friendly and professional staff is here to answer questions or help you with your car. Schedule an appointment, or just stop by any of our locations in Texas. We have shops in Cedar Park, Round Rock, Leander, and Austin.
