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Thank you both so much for your observations. I will answer all your questions in one email.
First, the $6k in repairs were for:
--replacement of ignition casette at 53K miles;
--replacement of all 4 tires at 60K miles
--brake pad replacement at 60K miles
--60K check;
--replace serpentine belt and idlers;
--replace rear muffler;
--crankcase upgrade;
--replacement of alternator at 65K miles;
--battery replacement after 1.25 years (part was guaranteed for 5 years and prorated, but I had to pay for labor, which was the bulk of cost)--BTW, Sears guarantees these, replaces them for FREE, and doesn't stick you with the labor cost for replacing THEIR faulty part.
--Oil change and engine cleaning at 69K miles (this alone cost me over $100 and happened RIGHT before I reported the trouble with the smoke);
Re: getting a second opinion: I've already taken it to three shops and they all seem to agree that all this work has to be done, although some have said that it's not likely I will save much in labor costs from the simultaneous repair/replacement of the wp, turbo and rear main seal (as they apparently are all in different places on the engine. I guess I just got lucky, huh?) Some, however, have said that it IS possible to do the repairs simultaneously, BUT it requires that more than one guy work on the car (in order to take the entire engine out, I guess?) to do this.
I have asked SAAB to assist and, per their request, I sent them all my maintenance records, indicating that ALL my required maintenance was performed (including oil changes and 30K and 60K maintenance) as scheduled. All but one or two were performed at the dealership. I'm not sure what kind of oil was used, but I suspect they used synthetic oil as recommended. Even after providing this info, SAAB refused to assist, maintaining: "the car is out of warranty". Well, DUH! Tell me something I don't know.
I am not getting a good feeling in my gut about this--AT ALL. When I asked about the oil leak and its contribution to the demise of the turbo, I was told that there is no warning before the turbo goes bad--it just happens (I have a hard time believing this). I do know that I took the car in two years ago because it was accelerating with delay (you know, it just sort of jerks very gently after pushing on the pedal). I wonder if this was a warning then, or had contributed to it.
Bottom line is: A car that costs $40K should last longer than 5 years or 70K miles--warranty or not. I take good care of my car, maintained it as recommended but it decided to die on me, and waited a year after the warranty was up to do so.
I would be very interested in your insights about this. Thanks!
posted by 69.143.171...
, Thu, 3 Mar 2005 20:48:44
, Fri, 4 Mar 2005 13:10:39, Fri, 4 Mar 2005 18:46:53
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