Although I bought a new 9-5 Aero earlier in the year - I've taken a good look at the new 9-3.

Is it just me or have SaabGB made a 'dogs breakfast' of the new 9-3 pricing?

If you take the Vector2.0t and add the desireable goodies like ESP/Xenons/Sports suspension etc you end up with a vehicle that costs more than the yet to released 9-3 Aero (which is loaded with goodies) and comes periously close to decent 9-5s.

Talking to my local dealer it seems that the pricing of the new 9-3 encourages an 'up-sell' to the 9-5.

Does anyone have a view of the 9-3 pricing or has even seen anything other than demo vehicles on the road?

Just a thought, pricing the new 9-3 lower may devalue the product, and may not then compete in the target market.

I bought my 9-3 Aero, pre-registered from a dealer for £19k. Only thing it doesn't have is a sunroof. The fact that I paid relatively little compared to an equivalently specced Bimmer or Ordy makes the car seem cheap to me. Sad isn't it. Love it though.

Looking at the price of the cars in the showroom, which were identical to the car I drove, I developed a lump in my throat.

Makes the aero seem good value.

Wonder what price Vauxhall will bring their 2.0 SRi Turbo out at (same engine as 9-3 2.0t)....

My plan is to wait for an Aero demonstrator to become available, then buy

Over here the pricing is REALLY high. If I take my current car and spec,

March 2001 9-3 S Coupe 2.2 TiD (125hp base) and add Met Paint (Silver), 16'' Aero Alloys, Audio System 2, Front Fog lights, Leather Steering Wheel Gear knob and Gaitor - That came to roughly 29000 Euros when I bought it new, including all the taxes..

If I look at a new 9-3 in roughly the same spec (i.e. a Arc spec'd 2.2 TiD, + Met paint + ES2-7 Audio)).. I'm looking at 36,100 (before accessories)

Then 900 euro to get ES2 - 7 Audio - its not standard here!) AND THEN A FURTHER 200 Euro for the actual in-dash CD-Player!
And then 1200 Euro for the integrated Telephone, or 160 Euro for the pre-wiring to support a Nokia Handsfree kit (which then is a further 400 euro plus fitting)
Plus Met Paint for 500 Euro.. so my bill just to get an almost exact replacement for my particular car is .. 38700 Euro..

So current car cost - 29000 Euro = UKP 18,125.
new car would cost - 38700 Euro = UKP 24,187.

A 9700 Euro price difference (or UKP 6062)! - How can they justifiy that kind of price hike ?

And they've priced the Aero at 41950 Euro (UKP 26218) which is the exact same price as an Audi A4 SE 3.0 V6 Quattro over here!

I think Saab are going to have problems selling this car at these prices.

Interesting reading Mark.

The UK price for the Aero is £22895, which undercuts the BMW330 by nearly £8000, and the Audi by £6000, a quite substantial chunk!

When you consider that the Vauxhall Vectra 3.2V6 GSi is nearly £23000, it makes the faster, sportier and better equipped Aero look amazingly good value.

An Arc 2.2 TiD is £20295 with Metallic at £450 and the ES7 at £150 or £340 with the upgraded dash unit (with screen and phone keypad etc).

drivethedeal.com keep emailing me - I think I must have logged on to their site in a drunken stupor one day - offering £500 off all new 9-3's. They also show quite a range of extras, even for the Aero. I'm sure there are better deals around, though, bearing in mind most of us would need a trade-in as well.

I was waiting for someone to raise the issue of importers Chris. The rumour circulating around the Show was that Saab are in serious trouble, and several importers are taking them to the EU courts - apparently importers are being denied access to he new 9-3.

Saab are claiming there aren't enough to go around, while the importers are crying about anti-competetive behaviour.... watch this space.