How much should I offer for a used Saab?
I am looking at a used 2008 Saab 9-3 Aero. It’s a beautiful car with pretty much all of the options except navigation. The interior and exterior are both in near perfect shape. The only problem is that its classified by its home state of Oklahoma as a rebuilt vehicle, which eBay has flagged as salvaged as well as two minor flaws involving a cup holder and the headlights not "cornering." I don’t really have a problem with that, but I don’t know what a good asking price would be for this vehicle. Kelley Blue Book doesn’t provide price standards for salvaged/rebuilt vehicles and the "Buy it Now" price on eBay is ,999. Please help
4 Responses
saab_9_3
15 Jun 2010
Tony
15 Jun 2010
That’s not a bad price although make sure that you are familiar with the implications associated with a salvaged title vehicle (resale issues, repairs, hidden damage including frame, etc.)
You might be able to get if for less – just haggle a bit
nywholesale
15 Jun 2010
Manheim Market research shows that vehicle wholesale, (dealer to dealer(, at around $17,500.
Generally in my experience, salvage vehicles if correctly repaired sell for about 65% of the retail value.
Given an average retail value of $19,750, I would say their asking price is in the ballpark.
Check with your insurance company to make sure they will insure this car. Some companies will only partially insure, (liability only), or not insure a "reconstructed vehicle".
This is because it is impossible for them to verify the quality of repairs, air bag systems, electrical, etc.
If it were me I would offer $11,000 for the car just to be on the safe side. Most times "rebuilders" have enough profit built in to the vehicle to take quite a bit less than what they are asking for it.
Good luck.
Harley Drive
15 Jun 2010
don’t touch it , repaired panels are nowhere near as strong as original undamaged panels and in an accident that could be the difference between life and death for you and your passengers, a genuine repair shop will show pictures of the damage before the repairs so you or your expert can advise, you will have no idea if new parts have been used or undamaged parts off a different car with different damage have been used, it is unlikely if the damage was severe that the body is straight, don’t get taken in by appearance it’s whats underneath that matters, you will also find it very difficult to sell in a few years, as you have no direct knowledge of the repairs
It is not a bad price, but the reason that KBB does not provide a price for a "salvaged/rebuilt" vehicle is because you are taking on a mountain of trouble in buying it, and usually 95% of the public steers clear at that point. You have no idea what was rebuilt/done to the car, and major systems could be replaced or damaged that you have no idea about unless you are a mechanic and got to put it on a lift to see the damage.
Examples of what to look for if you get the car on a lift include: weld points on the frame, showing if two car bodies were welded together, extensive rustproofing on the under body to hide mechanical damage, different parts (new vs used) on the underside of the vehicle. These are just examples on what too look for. I would say save your money unless you are really good with cars and buy one car, any car, that is not stated as salvaged. As far as resell goes, you will not be able to resell it unless you find some unsuspecting sap who will take it off your hands if you decide you don’t like the problems that come with it.