DIFFICULT DECISION! New CLK vs. Saab 9-3 Convertible

[atchaa]

Hi guys,

I used to own a C280 about 2 yrs back and came here all the time - you're a fine bunch :bannana: :bannana: :bannana:

Anyways, I've got a conundrum.

I'm getting a new car, and went to my Benz stealeship and fell in love with the CLK coupe. I love the shape, and especially the sand leather interiors. Anyways, I have a problem - well a difficult decision.

I've been offered a remarkable 12 month personal contract hire deal on a brand new 54-plate Saab 9-3 Convertible. It's a 2.0l with full leather, cruise, CD etc, all the toys I want, for just £330 per month. I think that is amazing value, bearing in mind the list price is £25000.
I went to see one at the dealers and it's an extremely nice, if not amazing car.

The CLK on the other hand makes you feel like a superstar every time you see, touch and drive it.

However, there are no great deals on it, and the cheapest 200K with the must-have options (auto, leather) comes out to around £460. That's a big difference. But I LOVE the CLK!

Looking at things completely objectively, which would you go for. Bear in mind I change cars almost every year, as I have a terrible attention span and get board of cars very quickly!

 

[frog1520]

So you're talking about 1500 quid difference over the year. Is it worth 1500 quid to you to drive the car you really like?

But I LOVE the CLK!

There you go!

And remember, only one is a BENZ!

 

[akmal17]

Also, the CLK has been given a summer facelift kinda thing.

The interior is now like the C class which is like 100 times better than the old CLK interior. I say go for the CLK.....worth the extra £ as well IMO.

Good luck anyway!

 

[scotth_uk]

The Saabs are this months 'flavour of the month' with PCH companies, last month it was Chrysler Crossfires.

;-)

 

[RichardM]

I have to say given the price difference I'd probably go for the SAAB, they are good looking cars.

 

[scotth_uk]

Mostr of my buddies have had Saabs and not one of them had a bad word to say about them. All whining about their current cars, and re-living the memories.

 

[Alfie]

And remember, only one is a BENZ!

I agree.

The SAAB is a 'nice' car. Nicely made, okay styling etc but its just not as 'nice' as the CLK. If they were the same price which would you choose? Probably the CLK? So if you can afford either, then go for the one you really prefer and sod the cost.

My bet would be; if you go for the SAAB, every time you pass a CLK (sorry, when a CLK passes you!) you'll wonder if you made the right choice. Would you feel the same the other way round?

When all is said and done, you have to feel happy with your choice so go for the one that makes your heart beat faster whatever that one might be.

Good luck

 

[sym]

Nice position to be in

I guess in this particular situation, it boils down to how bothered you are for a convertible. If you really want one, then the SAAB fits the bill perfectly on this occasion. I assume a CLK convertible is out of the question ? Otherwise, the W209 coupe is a lovely car in all respects, and if you would have any regrets at all about not going for it, then of course, you should !!

S.

 

[Flash]

Hi guys,

I used to own a C280 about 2 yrs back and came here all the time - you're a fine bunch :bannana: :bannana: :bannana:

Anyways, I've got a conundrum.

I'm getting a new car, and went to my Benz stealeship and fell in love with the CLK coupe. I love the shape, and especially the sand leather interiors. Anyways, I have a problem - well a difficult decision.

I've been offered a remarkable 12 month personal contract hire deal on a brand new 54-plate Saab 9-3 Convertible. It's a 2.0l with full leather, cruise, CD etc, all the toys I want, for just £330 per month. I think that is amazing value, bearing in mind the list price is £25000.
I went to see one at the dealers and it's an extremely nice, if not amazing car.

The CLK on the other hand makes you feel like a superstar every time you see, touch and drive it.

However, there are no great deals on it, and the cheapest 200K with the must-have options (auto, leather) comes out to around £460. That's a big difference. But I LOVE the CLK!

Looking at things completely objectively, which would you go for. Bear in mind I change cars almost every year, as I have a terrible attention span and get board of cars very quickly!

SAAB do a wonderful Turbo engine. Test drove a SAAB convertible before we were looking at the CLK Cab and the turbo did 70MPH without even cutting out in second gear!!! The salesman was in the car with us and told me to try it just to demonstrate the power available in the car. I also believe that SAAB were the first to develop turbo engine back in the days. They make good cars and will go that extra mile for excellent customer satisfaction unlike MB Stealers. Because SAAB treated us sooo well unlike MB we actually felt bad not buying their convertible - they even offered to let us test drive it for a whole week with their insurance at no cost to us.

Flash

 

[Alfie]

SAAB do a wonderful Turbo engine. Test drove a SAAB convertible before we were looking at the CLK Cab and the turbo did 70MPH without even cutting out in second gear!!! The salesman was in the car with us and told me to try it just to demonstrate the power available in the car. I also believe that SAAB were the first to develop turbo engine back in the days. They make good cars and will go that extra mile for excellent customer satisfaction unlike MB Stealers. Because SAAB treated us sooo well unlike MB we actually felt bad not buying their convertible - they even offered to let us test drive it for a whole week with their insurance at no cost to us.

Flash

SAAB were indeed one of the first to develop commercial turbocharging for production cars. Although there were many examples of turbocharging before this (Porsche turbo, BMW 2002 turbo etc), SAAB were the first to bring it to the mass market with the 99 turbo back in 1978/1979. The car was then quite something with around 145BHP from a 2 litre engine. Clearly they have continued this development well and do indeed produce good engines.

 

[gary350]

Residuals for the CLK are better than the Saab, prices are alot lower for the Saab, it goes on, in the end its a individuals choice, me I am not that keen on Saabs but that maybe is a snobby thing. The Saab is in a lower league than the CLK like botton/middle range BMW 3s or A4s. Drive them all then take your pick. Status or cash in pocket.

gary

 

[guydewdney]

my brother lent me his 9-3 conv for a few days - i was rather disconcerted by the amount of 'scuttle shake' when driven - um - enthusiasticly... the glove box popped open on bumpy right handers when taken at speed...

apart from that (on a W plate) nice car.. Hated my mums CLK TBH, felt very 'plastic' compared to the saab - but the clk was lowish spec.

 

[Flash]

Ohhh if you do get the Saab you will have to get used to the ignition being on the centre console piece by the gearbox surround!!!

 

[C240Sport97]

Then new 9-3 convertible from last year has much less scuttle shake .. about on par with the CLK apparently

apart from that (on a W plate) nice car.. Hated my mums CLK TBH, felt very 'plastic' compared to the saab - but the clk was lowish spec.

 

[miro]

Hi guys,

Anyways, I've got a conundrum.

I'm getting a new car, and went to my Benz stealeship and fell in love with the CLK coupe. I love the shape, and especially the sand leather interiors. Anyways, I have a problem - well a difficult decision.

I've been offered a remarkable 12 month personal contract hire deal on a brand new 54-plate Saab 9-3 Convertible. It's a 2.0l with full leather, cruise, CD etc, all the toys I want, for just £330 per month. I think that is amazing value, bearing in mind the list price is £25000.
I went to see one at the dealers and it's an extremely nice, if not amazing car.

The CLK on the other hand makes you feel like a superstar every time you see, touch and drive it.

The CLK has resale value and the SAAB will be worth about 1/2 of the Benz value in the same amount of time. No point in throwing money away when you can own a luxury car and also at the same time retain value.

The CLK is one of the best cars Benz make.

 

[RichardM]

As he was talking about lease costs, future value isn't really an issue.

 

[gary350]

I dont know if the contract has a buy back clause if it has value is an issue.

 

[atchaa]

Cheers guys for all the input.

In the end, I was going to go for the CLK, as you only live once, and I could afford the payments. Also, I have the option to purchase at the end of the 3 years on the Merc, and it will definitely be worth much more than what the finance company reckon (c£16000) as I do low miles.

However, I got refused credit by the company with that CLK deal! So that's that for now. They say I need to be a bit older and pay off some of my credit card debts fair play though really, something to look forward to. I'll get the next CLK in 2007 - I'm only young.

So instead, I'm afraid I have crossed over tot he dark side.

I'm taking delivery of a BMW 330Ci Coupe on Wednesday, fully loaded with TV, Sat-Nav, leather etc. Oh, and 0-60 in 6.4 sec.

I'm getting it outright, it's an 02 car with 32000 on the clock.

It's a sweet motor, and will have to do until I pay off my credit cards.

Cheers again for the input.

 

[gary350]

atchaa, what colour is the beemer?, let you into a secret I quite like the 3 series coupe specially the 3.0, better choice than the Saab.

gary

 

[atchaa]

It's Topaz Blue,which is a darkish metallic colour, and IMHO it's gorgeous.

And yes, the engine is a crucial factor. Even the above-mentioned CLK was onlya a 200K, which really cannot be compared to the 330Ci in terms of performance, as the latter is only 1 sec slower to 60mph than the M3. With miles better fuel economy

I got a good deal too, the car cost £34000 brand new 2 years ago (more than the above mentioned CLK), and I got it for £21995.

Can't wait till tomorrow, Ill post some pics if you like, and let you know exactly how it drives compared to the CLK 200k (which I test drove for 24 hrs last week thanks to Mercedes-Benz Heathrow. Great folks there).