Considering Purchase

[Willie07]

Thinking about trading my new SAAB 93 SportCombi Aero purchased in January 07 for a 07 ES350 and few thousand more. To get all the options that are included in my Saab I figured it will cost about $8000 more. But I am willing to give up some of those options for car of better quality and consistency and most importantly better service. As purchasing and owning a car is about relationships, I have not been satisfied with Saab or my local dealer. I wanted to know what are the nuisances of the new ES350 in particular base models or ones without NAV. I cannot really justify (budget) stepping up to a loaded one. Just would like some overall thoughts/feedback from current owners. Handling, ride quality, squeaks, rattles, road noise, sound system, comfort, parking, features, ect. Also, based on other post it looks like $2,000 off MSP is about the best deal to expect?Thanks.

[rapid-richard]

excellent car. Had a 07 Acura TL that was totaled by a truck hitting us broadside. Studied safety and this car is rated even hight than the TL. You can do better than 2k off believe. I got 3400 off on mine and there are others who seem to have done better than that. I love the car. Quite, smooth. I cannot speak to service as I have not seen the shop yet. Hope this helps

[SW03ES]

Are you so dissatisfied with your Saab you're willing to take that enormous depreciation hit?

[ArchieES350]

Thinking about trading my new SAAB 93 SportCombi Aero purchased in January 07 for a 07 ES350 and few thousand more. To get all the options that are included in my Saab I figured it will cost about $8000 more. But I am willing to give up some of those options for car of better quality and consistency and most importantly better service. As purchasing and owning a car is about relationships, I have not been satisfied with Saab or my local dealer. I wanted to know what are the nuisances of the new ES350 in particular base models or ones without NAV. I cannot really justify (budget) stepping up to a loaded one. Just would like some overall thoughts/feedback from current owners. Handling, ride quality, squeaks, rattles, road noise, sound system, comfort, parking, features, ect. Also, based on other post it looks like $2,000 off MSP is about the best deal to expect?Thanks.

Willie,

You might want to go to Consumer Reports and get an Auto Pricing Report on the ES.

http://www.consumerreports.org/main/newaps...Y=nc5-crpricepg

they can tell you how much the dealer actually pays for a car (with specific options) including factoring in for dealer incentives which makes their actual cost lower than their "dealer invoice" price.

I got about about $4000 off MSRP but that was for an ES350 Ultra with DVD/Nav and Mark Levinson Sound system and the Preferred Assesory Package. In "theory" they could go lower than $2000 off MSRP for a base model BUT I'm not a dealer and don't know how they think. I'm not sure what they want in terms of a percentage above their actual cost for a base unit versus one that has nearly all options included. Obviously they would make for for a fully loaded one compared to a base unit at the same "Percentage" above cost. Get a report from CR. Its only $14 for the report for a specific model car. It will give you the info you need to "discuss pricing" with them.

Also check out the "dealer and pricing forum" to 1) get an idea of what price others may be paying for their car and 2) an idea about dealerships and possibly experiences of others in your area with particular dealers. Not sure where in Alaska you are but hopefully you have at least a couple of dealers within a reasonable driving distance. I've read on the forum about some good dealers and some "not so good" dealers.

Experience for me so far: I just bought my ES about a month ago. It definitely handles differently than my Honda Accord and I have to get use to it. Its a quiter more comfortable ride for sure but it seems like I have less of a sense of the road (which may simply be that I need to drive it more to get a better sense of what it can and how it handles). So at least for now I'm not as confident as to how fast I can take particular turns because I can't 'feel the road' as much with the ES. Not familiar with the SAABs and what kind of handling you are looking for but you definitely want to test drive the ES and possibly the IS which if I'm right is more sportier and handles differently.

Since this is my first Lexus and I've only had it for a month, I can't help you with more info but hope the above helps.