Date: Mon, 04 Jun 2001 00:49:57 GMT From: "Ken Ferguson" <no_mailnopsamhlink.net> Subject: Re: IDS Option
I have bought three Saab's now through the military purchase program. It has some differences from the straight tourist program where you fly over and drive it around in Europe for a while and then they ship it back. The military prices are lower than the tourist prices, and are fixed by the factory. There is also a separate diplomatic program, and I think their prices are in the middle. Since I was stationed in Spain when I purchased the first two, I didn't do any of the Saab insurance. I registered the car in Spain through the base, and had long-term insurance, not the short policies they sell with the tourist cars. The first I shipped back through the military, the second I took to Frankfort, dropped it off at the shipping company next to the airport, paid them with a cashier's check, and the next time I saw the car was in Oakland, Ca. The third car was bought last December, when Saab USA offered the military prices at stateside dealers. The prices were published in various military newspapers/magazines and I think the program lasted only through December. You could pick from the ones on the lot and get a fixed price, under invoice. This wasn't a regular program, and I don't know if it is still on. With the discounts they are offering now, you probably can get as good of a deal as I got. From what it sounded like in the original post, you were asking if the military prices would be honored stateside. Usually no, and you have to be overseas on official orders to purchase one in Europe through military sales. So, I would ask at your dealership, but I don't think it will work out. The IDS tourist price is not the lowest you can get, so I wouldn't do that unless you want to drive the car around Europe (which is very fun- both the 9-3 and the 9-5 will do 140 mph easily) Hope this helps, Ken Ferguson ken_fergusonnopsamail.takethisout.com
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