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Need some advice for a friend Posted by Steve Schwedland [Email]  (#2368) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Steve Schwedland) on Thu, 21 Sep 2006 14:12:28
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I have a friend in Alameda, CA who is decidedly no-mechanical. He picked up a 93 900T with under 100K miles about a year and a half ago. From what he says, it was a one owner car with a whole bunch of service records and was well maintained. About a year ago he was driving home one day and it overheated rather quickly. He pulled right off the highway and let it cool down, refilled the coolant reservoir with water and then drove on home, watching the temp gauge carefully. It ran a bit hot but not too hot and didn't overheat.
He then took it to a general mechanic in his area who did some diagnostics on it and told him it had a cracked piston. So he took it back home and parked it, where it has been sitting ever since. I would really like to go and take a look at it for him, but I live in Denver and can't.
Now, I have been driving Saabs for over 10 years, I've owned 2 900T's, 2 900CT's and a 9000T. I have been reading this board for about 8 years. I have never heard or read about a Saab overheating and cracking a piston and I've only seen sparingly any 900 with under 100K miles having ANY major/catastrophic engine trouble. Does this sound right that the engine would overheat As a general rule, I don't trust many mechanics with Saabs and I certainly don't trust any non Saab specific mechanics with my Saabs. I guess I'm just a cynical type of guy. I have suggested that he find a Saab mechanic, but he says there aren't any close to him.
My friend has just recently taken a job in Sausalito and has a 2 hour commute (each way) via public transportation to get there. He needs to figure something out about his car. As I see it his options are to:
a) Cut his losses and sell the car to someone who can figure things out and fix it. This would mean that he loses about $3000 since I can't see where anyone would pay too much for a car with a blown engine. On top of that he would then have to get a new car, probably financed.
b) Have the engine replaced/rebuilt. This will cost somewhere around $2000 cash which he doesn't have. I suggested saving up and buying a rebuilt engine and then saving a little while more to have it put in.
c) Move to Sausalito and continue to take the bus to work.
My questions are:
1) Does anyone know of a good Saab mechanic in or close to Alameda CA who is trustworthy and can give him a better understanding of what is wrong with it?
2) Is there anyone on this board in that area who might be able to help him figure out what to do?
3) If he decides to cut his losses, what is the best way for him to sell the car without basically giving it away?
Any and all responses are greatly appreciated.
posted by 67.190.16...
, Thu, 21 Sep 2006 14:12:28 <-- Viewing This Message, Fri, 22 Sep 2006 18:40:19
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