With all of the excitement surrounding NEVS winning the bid for the Saab bankruptcy estate, and the clamoring for information on enticing rumors of Mahindra & Mahindra getting back in the game for a full-on restart of the Saab brand: there is a piece of news that slipped under our radar.
Most of us probably remember, and frankly would rather forget, the tear-jerking sight of hundreds upon hundreds of beautiful new Saabs sitting idle at USA seaports (with the Newark port in New Jersey gaining the most attention). As reported by SaabWorld, A total of 900 Saabs at USA seaports are being put up for auction by Ally Financial.
So why is it that this bank is getting involved? As you may recall, in January of this year, SCNA defaulted on outstanding loans to Ally Financial. As a result they have filed suit against SCNA and have seized the complete inventory of 151 cars at Port of Hueneme, California starting in January. Now a date has been set and starting June 28th, the first batch of 45 cars will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Initially, only US Saab dealers will be eligible to participate, but the next batch will be fair game for rental car companies and car exporters. Of course, company cars will be auctioned off as well.
What does this mean to those of us that live here in the United States? Chances are, higher-volume dealerships (which tend to be towards the eastern end of the country), are especially likely to have some of these cars up for sale. But what’s the chance that the next time one of us rents a car, that it will be a Spyker-era 9-3, 9-5 or 9-4X? That remains to be seen. Perhaps Hertz could use this opportunity to add some Saabs to their Prestige collection? If you ask me: renting a brand-new Saab would be dangerous, as I wonder if could bring myself to return it.
What we know for sure is these cars have suffered a fate that was never meant for them to endure. But, as Saab is about to start a new chapter in it’s life, we should take heart in the fact that many of these cars will find happy owners. And during their very first drive, it is my hope they will take a step back: and realize what they have been missing.
A few months ago I sold my ’09 9-3 Sport Combi to purchase an ’11 9-5 Turbo4 Premium with the upgraded HK sound system and the Technology package. I pondered this move for a few months because of what many of us were thinking at the time; were there going to be parts available if Saab did not survive? Well needless to say, I took the plunge! I have been driving Saabs exclusively since 1986. The 9-5 is my fourth Saab and it’s quickly becoming my favorite. The roominess and handling is incredible! Might I add the lines of this… Read more »
I envy you. The 9-5 Turbo4 with HK is *exactly* what I want … but, I’d have to buy one *and* keep my 2007 9-3, because I can’t give that one up either.
I understand what you’re saying. My ’09 9-3SC was not only fun to drive but it was practical! It’s unfair to try and compare the NG 9-5 and the 9-3. They are two totally different cars. I wish I could have kept the 9-3SC but I can only afford so many toys as it were. My daughter has an ’06 9-3SS. If I go into severe withdrawal, I can always borrow her ride for a quick fix!
I am like you. Last summer I bought a 2011 9-5 trubo4 premium with all the bells and whistles. Don’t think there are any options missing. Navatgation, the works. My wife’s car. I drive a 2006T Sport combi, which is a nice change from the 9-5. My son in law and daughter have two 2004 9-5 Arcs so I get to drive one of them on occasion for an even different feel. And finally my other daughter has a 2000 9-3 coupe — a different drive still. So I get to drive them all on occasion, pretty much whenever I… Read more »
Well I did get NG 9-5 Turbo 4 Premium with Nav. A very nice car. It is a real shame that these cars are not being made more available to loyal Saab owners who would treat them with the respect they deserve. As planned, only 45 of the cars will be made available to Saab dealers. The auction listings are very vague and do not provide details of options etc. The pricing is set at minimum of 50% of MSRP, which means in some cases there will be no bids . After all they are all have been sitting for… Read more »
As long as these cars get out on the open road, sooner than later, I am happy. These cars would be sought after among the Saab nuts out there. Especially now since we now know there will be no more of these coming…
On the 9-5 I can only agree after renting one in Sweden last summer – it is a brilliant car, handling and interior are fantastic. Also, a 9-3 vert is what I am looking for, post -08 model, as this is the most iconic model Saab has made, a good addition to my TurboX…
Get one if you can!
50% Off List? Good luck with that! Saab dealers here in New York sold their remaining vehicles for between 45 and 60% off list. As a NG 9-5 owner approaching 25,000 miles, I have only seen one other 9-5 in my 17 months of ownership. That changed a month ago when I convinced a neighbor to purchase a new 9-5 from a local dealer at 51% off list. I have (leased) six Saabs over the past years, and have no idea what my next car will be. Here in the United States, people are starting to call Buick the “new… Read more »
Hmmm, the 2012 Verano only comes with a Camry boring 2.4L 180 bhp naturally aspirated 4-cyl. Can’t see how that even comes close to your Saab…???
The new 2013 Verano turbo will come with the 2.0 turbo, F40 manual and an upgraded suspension. The Regal is also offered with the F40 and turbo in regular and GS versions.
Ok, so they will get a decent engine, but it’s still GM… Couldn’t bring myself to get one after all that has happened… But that is my personal decision…
It looks like an ok car, in the turbo version, but how is it to drive?
New for 2013 Verano Turbo (Premium 1ST equipment group; late 2012 availability) includes: Ecotec 2.0L four-cylinder turbocharged engine with continuously variable valve timing delivering 250 hp (187 kW) and 260 lb.-ft. (353 Nm) of torque Six-speed automatic or manual transmission Dual exhaust, sport pedals, rear spoiler and all standard features from the Leather (1SL) and Convenience (1SG) models, including heated leather steering wheel and seats, premium nine-speaker Bose audio system, QuietTuning and other premium features Buick IntelliLink is now standard in all Verano models, including vehicles equipped with available GPS-enabled navigation system Rearview camera standard on all models Side Blind… Read more »
If Saab had remained with GM, the 9-3’s replacement would’ve been built on the same platform as the Vauxhall-Opel Astra/Chevrolet-Holdem Cruze/Buick Verano (Delta II) so it most likely would have had a lot in common to the Verano turbo. Probably a similar relationship that the LaCrosse and the NG9-5 has? Hopefully it would have looked more like the Astra hatch though.
Well don’t think that will be a problem for the one and only 9-3 Convertible on the list. Laser Red with 6 spd manual. I think MSRP about 43K. So minimum is $21,500. Think that one will get some higher bids.
But the base model no options 9-3 and 9-5 will probably not make the minimum bid. Ally has stated that this is all a trial, so they may be back with some more realistic terms in the future.
I recently bought my ’11 9-5 Turbo4 Premium for 40% off list.
The really sad thing is that the Buick LaCrosse in the most recent IIHS real world data (personal injury protection for the car’s occupants) scored 89 an average (80 -120) safety score. The lower the score the better. Anything below 70 is substantially better than average. The 1999-2009 9-5 never scored less than substantially better than average, usually in the middle to low 50’s. The 2006 – 2008 9-5 scored a 42, the lowest score of any four door car for those years. I don’t remember any four door car ever scoring lower. The 9-5 has not sold enough cars… Read more »
The Buick LaCrosse is built on the same platform as the 9-5 so there is your answer. I, for the life of me, dont belive the previous 9-5 was ‘unsafe’.
You misread my post. The lower score the better. That the old 9-5 was very safe, was the point, and the LaCrosse is turning out not to be anywhere near as safe as the old 9-5. The new 9-5 should be safer than the old one which would be a significant engineering feat, beating something that was extraordinarily good.
I purchased my ’11 9-5 Turbo4 Premium from an indie Saab dealer for 40% off list w/ 40 miles on it. That was $20K off list.
I don’t think you will find any of the major car rental companies having much interest – unless it was for around 10 % of retail, rent them for a few thousand miles, and send it back to the auction before the effects of sitting in a port environment became apparent.
I bet most of these cars have sat with the shipping plastic stuck on for over a year now. That can’t be good for the paint color : you are supposed to remove it within 30 days.
If I were a rental company I would think pricing realistically in 25 to 30% would be a good deal. Put the cars in service and in 9 months they will have 10 to 20K miles, will have probably earned in revenue the twice entire purchase cost. A 9-5 could rent in many markets for $100 per day. Then send them out to the auctions. They will still definitely sell at wholesale for over 20% of MSRP. A 20k mile 9-3 2 model years old for $6,000 will be very attractive to used car dealer. And at that point the… Read more »
The dealer I spoke with yesterday thought that the 600 cars designated for “export and rental fleets” would go fast. He sold much of his new car inventory to Taiwan this past winter/spring, apparently for a good enough price. He also thought that to a rental company, it’s a car they could purchase for the price of a Nissan Sentra and rent for the price of a BMW. As he said, “there’s nothing wrong with these cars except they stopped making them.”
Here is the dealer auction list The 45 cars are: all at located in Newark, all with moonroof (except as noted). Minimum bids are 50% of MSRP 9-3 9-3 convertible, Manual, Laser Red MSRP of $43,455 10 9-3, 2.0T, Automatic, Glacier Silver, Diamond Silver, Nocturne Blue (3), Jet Black (3) 2 9-3, 2.0T, Manual, Jet Black (no moonroof), Nocturne Blue 12 9-3, XWD, Automatic, Arctic White, Black (2), Carbon Gray (2), Java, Diamond Silver (2), Nocturne Blue 1 9-3, XWD, Manual, Carbon Gray 1 9-3 Aero, Automatic, Jet Black 1 9-3 Aero XWD, Manual, Glacier Silver 1 9-3 SportCombi, Automatic,… Read more »
Since you seem to be wired in…
I was told the minimum bid is 6 cars. True? Or is this list bid as a single lot?
Dealers can bid on individual cars, the only minimum is 50% of the MSRP. They can bid on 1 or all 45 cars. Ally Financial is auctioning the first 45 cars through its established system called Smart Auction. Only Saab dealers may bid as they are already established in the system. Individual cars are being auctioned, not a combined lot of multiple cars. The first lot is being auctioned to gauge interest. There is a minimum bid of 50% of MSRP (retail price). Information of the cars in the first lot of 45 is being submitted to dealers so that… Read more »
apparently all these cars have a fault………all the steering wheels have been put on the wrong side !!!!!
Pictures of these cars show differently 🙂
it’s a joke !!!!
What would be the logic of limiting the lot of cars sold to dealers to 45?
How many cars are in New Jersey?
45 is number of cars in the first lot. There was an earlier post indicating that 300 were reserved for the dealers, with 600 going to rental/export. Go back a few days and there is a list of all the cars by VIN number.
hmmmm…50 percent off MSRP sounds just about right. That manual XWD 9-3 will get snapped up at that price…
I’m 6 weeks into ownership of a 2011 NG 9-5 Turbo4, and my experience was right about at 50% of MSRP. Mine was used, but traded in to a Caddy dealer with <2k miles. Unbelievable car really. I'm now a Saab guy sort of by accident. Had always been VW, but in recent years had taken on my wife's 2000 9-3 SE and liked it a good deal. Recently was waiting on finding a used CC w/ ~40k miles and a stick, but stumbled into the 9-5 online. Glad to see that parts should start flowing .. honestly the glass… Read more »
Welcome to our very rare club!
http://www.fuelly.com/car/saab/9-5/2011
By the end of this year you will see after market glass.
Right now Safelite and St.Gobain does not have any windsheilds…I talked to both this week…however Saab parts will want to sell glass, and will find a after market company to make it.
I bet it won’t be St Gobain, because I think Saab/Spyker may have left them unpaid…that is my guess. But what do I know? Just find me a new windsheild so I can quit staring at the crack running across mine..
I’d actually consider a 9-5 now, I’ve been critical of the interior finishes but its a great looking car and it’s so rare. Not to mention, it drives like a much smaller car.
Drive one!
So what happens when the rental car gets into a minor fender bender? Does it get written off by the carrier? To those who bought a new 9-5 – have any of you experienced a problem in this regard? Agree a shame these cars won’t be produced again. I’ve driven them and they are great. But afraid right now that parts are easier to come by for my ’80 900 T. Hopefully Swe Gov straightens that out.
The saddest part of all is that Reinertsen, which was only Saab here in Morris County New Jersey, and probably responsible for the fact that more Saabs are on the road here in this area than I have personally seen elsewhere, has now gone Italian. Losing dealerships is going to be the hardest part in rebuilding Saab.
I bought my first car, a 1976 99 from. Reinertsen in 1980 and many more since then. They are among the best of dealers. Yes, changes are coming there, but they say they will continue to service Saab.
Occasion for Saab enthusiasts!
Saab drivers are considered to be more educated than drivers of other brands. Therefore, we turn us just to YOU that love to drive cars and have selected a SAAB. You know that SAAB has fantastic driving properties but you also know that SAABs true value shows itself if you would crash with it. You have now the possibility to buy one of the last SAABs of this generation. You get an entire new car to the same price that applied 2010.
If any dealers in the Northeast monitor this thread and are planning to bid on these cars, please post some contact info. I and others may be interested in buying and clearly can’t go bid solo. Probably a good thing for you dealers to have buyers lined up prior to you going to bit also.
I don’t think posting cars for auction on this site was a good idea. My concern is more bidders increase prices. Might be best to let dealers quietly buy them them?
Are you saying that you believe an inefficient market would benefit the owner/enthusiast community? Rather, I think that absent an identified customer dealers would simply refrain from bidding. The result would be Ally rethinking the allocation, with most or all of the remaining inventory sent to fleets or offshore.
I believe most, if not all of the 45 cars will go and dealers have numbers they’re willing to pay. Ally will then offer the remaining to all other (not just Saab) dealers and I’m 99% they will in some way be offered to current and future owner/entusiasts, though I’d rather see current Saab dealers get them.
I agree that the initial auction will probably be successful, primarily because of the publicity among the owner community. I know several people who are scrambling about looking for a way to “bid” on these cars, and in particular, some of the “odd ducks” that most dealers would never take on spec (read manual transmission 9-5 sedans). I think that if the auction were held quietly and without the knowledge of the Saab enthusiast community, dealers would most likely pass. From a business perspective I don’t expect Ally to offer the cars to individuals. The issues include passing title and… Read more »
Frankly the “publicity’ of the this small auction will increase the possibility that some of the cars get moved from the port to dealers who can sell them to the public. I’m sure that some dealers will now place bidsfor specific cars for specific customers.
Since the public cannot bid directly and the minimum price is 50% of MSRP even with posting the list will not enable all of the cars to get sold. Also remember that Ally has scheduled a total of 300 cars to be sold in this manner IF this format is successful.
Hi, David (and others)! My name is Julie and I work at Kelly Cadillac SAAB. Although we will soon officially lose that last portion of our name, we will continue to service and provide parts for our SAAB clientele. I have access to the auction on June 28 and as of June 26 pictures and/or other information is to be posted online for us. The list above provided by LGAero is correct as far as I can tell by quick glance. I can be contacted by phone at 888-328-7279, ext.,1032 or [email protected] to discuss details if any of you are… Read more »
[email protected], just to let you know for when you comment, whenever you have a link in your response the message gets filtered to spam, this can include email addresses too. I saw you had a couple of responses and they all were sitting there. If you have issues with comments not showing up just email the crew mail at [email protected] so that we can be quicker to get the comment and word out for you. Thanks for letting people know that you are one of the dealers to see for these cars.
Thanks, Jason- I thought I was crazy when my post was not showing up. I appreciate your help.
Are you guys planning to consider any of these auction units?
Actually, we never did get any info on the auction at all….. Not sure why as I thought it was open to the US and Canada. We would consider some of these if they are actually going to sell at the 50% of MSRP because US pricing was already lower then Canadian and then when you factor in duties and transport it could still work for us. My hope in some of these would be that it could offset some of the losses we are taking on remaining new we all have.
What’s your pricing philosophy, Jason/Julie? Julie, you mentioned having a $50k 9-5 for $32K. how are you going to sell that when folks now know auction cars are available at close to 50% MSRP?
fanofsaab, My pricing philosophy is that I have priced my remaining 2011 new Saabs at my absolute lowest I will take number and included a warranty that is longer then the factory warranty was. I have had these cars for over a year now and need to move them. The thing to remember with the auction cars is that the pricing starts at 50% of MSRP and chances are you will not find a 9-5 Aero equipped like the one Julie has but even if you did, the 50% start point is a start point and the dealers would not… Read more »
I’m interested in one of the auction cars. Is it reasonable to ask for one and allow a dealer a 500.00-$100 profit?
honestly I would say no, when the average dealer is losing upwards of $12-15000 on the 2011 Saabs they have in stock, I don’t see the point in buying more inventory to sell at or that close to cost. I would want personally a minimum of $2000 to facilitate that as you have to pay a salesman to deliver the car and everyone needs to be paid. Sales people as well as dealers have been starving through this process. $2000 may sound high but if a dealer pays the sales person $4-500 that leave $1500 to help pay management, reception… Read more »
Yes, I agree with Jason on the pricing- $2000 is likely to be needed to cover all costs associated though I am still working out those details here. IO have received a lot more response than I expected to my post here and am in working on the details for the process now. I can tell you that we have fees of $375 to GM Smart Auction as well as transportation costs which are about $3-400 per car from NJ to our store in PA. Then we would want to recondition the unit for the winning bidder/customer and no tknowing… Read more »
Hi Julie,
If you don’t mind my asking, who is backing the service plan you’re offering? Is it Fidelity?
Thanks!
The warranty is with Warrantech which is the one chosen by SCNA when bankruptcy was filed. I do have pdf files available with more information on the coverage. Email me or call 888-328-7279, ext.1032 to request this information.
I was told that there is a six car minimum. I don’t know how that works – are the cars bid one at a time and if you win five, they have you over a barrel for the rest of the bidding? If you bid five and stop, do the five go back into the pool to be rebid or do they automatically go to the 2nd highest bidder? Do you enter a bid for six (or more) on an “all or none” basis? Seems like an incredibly complicated way of doing an auction.
Ahahahahaha…. Get it… 900 Saab’s to be auctioned? Oh man seriously? They must be joking.
Old thread so not sure that anyone will see this but update on the sale yesterday… Wow! I was excited to see such action on the cars yesterday. From the 9-5 AeroXWD which my bidder lost out on to the 9-3x which we were successful in obtaining for Tom in WA state, the action was hot on many of these cars. As with most sales the last 30-60 minutes were intense and our sale for the 9-3x was on the line right up to the literal last second! Amazingly exhausting for both myself and Tom as we were on the… Read more »
I’m surprised to hear of a 9-3X, I couldn’t find any in the photos. Is it really a 9-3X or just a 9-3 Sportcombi with XWD?
A 9-3 combi with XWD IS a 9-3x, saabyurk.
Not on any Saab web site or official Saab literature that I’ve ever seen. I think that’s only a dealer nomenclature invention. The real 9-3X is raised 1.4″ and has underside armor added, plus wheel housing protection.
… as in these photos: www_dot_saabsunited_dot_com/saab-9-3x
I am in the US first of all and not sure where you are but car models are different between US and Europe… In the US you cannot get a combi with XWD that is not a 9-3x. The car that I bought for Tom is a 9-3x and has the lower body cladding, higher stance, etc.
Okay. I’m in Ohio, but what you describe sounds like a 9-3X which is what I wish I had grabbed when I had a chance. It’s just that I see so many dealers list 9-3X’s but picture what appears to be a standard Sportcombi. BTW, my response wasn’t meant to sound gruff, I feel bad for all Saab dealers.
No worries, saabyurk ; )
Hi Julie…… thanx for the update. If you are going to bid on future sales I’m in the market for a 9-3 sport combo with MANUAL 6-spd…. any color ‘cept black … with or without Aero or XWD. Keep posting here if you continue to bid for us……. anxious to hear a report on the condition of the car you did buy for Tom in WA.
Tom’s car arrived looking fine! : )) Huge Relief to say the least. I have noticed that there are a few minor discrepancies on the equipment posted as included (listing said it had telematics/OnStar and satellite radio (included with Bose upgrade) yet it did not. We are able to arbitrate with SmartAuction to recoup that $1845 and I will be doing so after my mechanical inspection is complete so as to be sure to get anything additional found covered if required (hopefully not!). I would be happy to include you, Tom Nelson, in future bidding attempts. You can be assured… Read more »
Tom: Ally lists a total of 60 9-3 SportCombi’s, eight of them are 9-3X’s. Out of the 60, there is only only that has a manual transmission. The VIN is YS3FA5MYXB1313518. I can’t tell you what the color or how it’s equipped but the VIN clearly shows it has a manual transmission. Perhaps Julie has access to that info.
I neglected to mention the 9-3 SC described above is FWD, not XWD.
923m – Thanks for checking the list for me….. I was unsure how to look for the trans code in the VIN.
When do you think the next installment of 45(?) cars will be announced? Please post when you get access to it. Thanks.
Thanks Julie! Please post updates concerning condition of the cars and future auctions. Cheers.
Have no idea about the next installment of vehicles yet but will be sure to let ya’ll know when I do : ) Also- 923m is correct above- VIN# B1313518 is a manual trans combi FWD, a 345FM, and is Diamond Silver with Black interior according to SAAB. I cannot tell what features are on the vehicle with the info available as of now but once this car is listed for sale I should be able to tell more. However if you’ve read what I’ve posted about Tom’s car they did have some of the information incorrectly listed for the… Read more »
Julie …. can you tell me in which port the is located?
NJ, GA or CA?
NJ : )
Update on Ton’s 9-3x: All mechanicals were perfect! My tech said the car did not look like one that had been sitting for a year- all was in fine order with no issues visible. I will be sending Tom a video of the undersides to confirm. Last thing that needs checked now is the fuel pump as the VIN# for the car was a part of the recall. We must drop the fuel tank to access the code on the pump to see if it is an affected unit and if so, complte replacement. Because the recall was on “Spyker-era”… Read more »
A possible issue with those (of us) who would like to snare one of the remaining 255 (out of the remaining 855) cars cheaply: deep pocket competition.
http://www.autonews.com/article/20120702/RETAIL07/307029992#ixzz1zlZPbyW9
Stephen, the cars have to be bought by dealers so it wouldn’t be a snare as you will have to deal with them or Julie or someone at a Saab dealer to possibly snare one. I think it’s great that there is as much interest from dealers to get stock to sell to their customers and to keep a although smaller, dealer network together. The dealer will not be your competition, but your solution if you want one.
+1 my thoughts exactly, Jason
Jason ……. I think the issue is that many of us that would like to buy one of these new Saabs have a fixation with the 50% of MSRP, and when we start hearing that the actual bid prices are reaching well over 75% of MSRP we tend to lose interest real fast. I wonder if any of the first batch of 45 cars actually sold for the minimum bid of 50%? Anyone know? …. Julie? Of couse if I get to bid on the one and only Sport Combi with 6-spd manual I might be among those to bid… Read more »
Tom, Thanks you for the nice comments. I am glad someone sees the value in this : ) Here is a little synopsis I put together and shared with the locals at our club meeting on Tuesday: 1 9-3 drop head coupe, manual in laser red sold at $27,400 – original list should have been about $41,600 1 9-3 combi sold, automatic with comfort pkg and moonroof at $22,400 – orig. list about $35,500 there were 27 total 9-3 sedans which had an average sale price of $20,277 – the highest and 2nd highest were both aeros with manual trans… Read more »
Yes…….. It really helps, and gives me a better feeling that some good deals can possibly be achieved in the future auctions. I am willing to give it a try for the Sport Combi whenever that one hits the listing …… VIN# B1313518 is a manual trans combo FWD. It does sound exactly like what my wife might like for a 50th Wedding Anniv present. Manual Trans like her current 9-5 Aero Wagon. Silver vs Steel Gray OK, FWD is fine as tires make the real difference; who needs XWD?? You can email me directly at [email protected] to provide details… Read more »
Yes she is an asset and I couldn’t tell you how many sold at the minimum if any. Not sure if Julie would know that either. I would hazard to say that not many would have sold for the 50% of MSRP as dealers still need cars to sell and anytime you have more than one dealer bidding, it won’t go for the start bid.
I think Ally made a mistake in letting it out that the bids start at 50% of MSRP because people assume that’s what they sell for.
Well, that got things stirred up ;-). Let me add my thanks to Julie and Kelly Saab. I had spoken to a local dealer and they are mainly interested in moving on – taking excellent care of their existing customers in the hope and expectation that when the time comes, the folks will stay customers of the dealership group – but no interest in any more new Saabs. Completely different attitude here.
Well more news to report from several fronts: First of all, we heard from the bankruptcy attorneys today that the Ally/Smart Auction (SA) sale last week had an overall average of 57% of MSRP as the sale price for cars sold and they did confirm that all the vehicles were sold. Secondly, we finally got our arbitration with SA handled yesterday. After sending an inspector to take pictures of the missing equipment and having me moved from a lower level to the ‘senior arbitration team” I was told that because of the uniqueness of this situation no arbitration in terms… Read more »
I am also saddened by the possibility you will not be involved in further auctions. Hopefully SA will change their tune, but if not can you still post info on the future Saab sales, and possibly any hints on what dealers might still be bidding?
Thanks for the detailed account of the process on Tom’s WA car……..
I will be glad to let ya’ll know if another sale occurs and if we will be participating; however, I would have no way of knowing what other dealers are participating or if they are willing to buy on behalf of a client. Sorry, Tom.
In other words, “as is, where is”, which is kind of typical for auctions. Perhaps not so much for the usual “Smart Auction”, where GM dealers are bidding on what is intended to typically be a certified pre-owned and where the details of the vehicle: equipment, mileage, and condition reflect heavily on the vehicle’s value.
Not typical for any dealer auction though, I buy cars from all over the US and bring them to Canada and weather it’s Smart Auction, Adesa or Brashers, they all allow arbitration and if something is wrong you can send it back or the seller quite often will give money back as they are responsible for what is listed online and it costs them to unwind a deal.
Just spoke with folks at SA and was told the next sale is slated to be held in the same manner on July 20. There should be about the same number of cars for sale and only dealers will again be able to bid. He seemed to infer that this would be the last sale of this type but I cannot guarantee that is correct. He also told me that of all the cars sold, mine was the only one arbitrated and so they assume also the only one which had equipment information which was erroneous. I guess the recall… Read more »
Thanks Julie……… and would it be possible to also suggest a certain VIN to your contact at SA, saying you have a potential client for that specific car. Then if Mr Kelly says go for it ………..
If you are referring to the one you want, VIN# B1313518, I already have that one marked on my list for you. I don’t think the folks at SA have any control over which cars are included in the sale but I would be happy to see if I can do anything if Geoff wants to try this again : )
Have a good night all~
There was mention in an earlier post of a person who was instrumental in selecting the first 45 cars…… I can’t recall if he was from Ally Financial, or SA, or another organization…….. Do you know who I am referring to?
Maybe he could be contacted re that VIN?
I did get in contact with the person you referred to- Tom Backes- through Facebook but he was never involved in the process of selection so that must have been erroneously reported.
Really? I do not remember reading that at all but will try to find time to look back through my communicae to see if I can get the info.
Thanks for the heads up, Tom : )
So things are going well with Tom’s 9-3x. In fact it is cleaned and ready to drive into the enclosed trailer he has arranged for transport of his new SAAB. We are just waiting for scheduling with them. In the end the dealership made very little profit despite the $2200 fee we charged. Personally I made what’s called a “mini” which means I am paid a minimal amount of money- under $200. Given all the hours involved in research, follow through on several aspects, preparation of the vehicle, paperwork, etc, and so much more I was recently asked if it… Read more »