I have the same problem as you, I am doing all my work in my back alley and sometimes I have to move my car away. Not the ideal location but it does not stop me doing my repairs. All the pictures I took for my web site were done there. If you have a NG900, my site (and others) are good starting point for DIY.

As for the labour charge at the dealer, did you ever go to a VW or any european car dealer? The labour rate at my Saturn/Saab dealer in Canada is not that much. If it still too expensive for you, you can go to an indie garage. Sometime we have no choice but to go to a garage and this is true for ANY car brand. The advantage of doing the work yourself is that you learn about your car. So if a mechanic want to take advantage of you or are standed on the road you will understand a little more what's going on.

I agree that doing work yourself is not for everyone, you have to have the tools and the knowledge and not be scared to break things on your car or to get dirty! Like now, it is winter with snow and low (very) temp. But I will try at least to look what the problem is and try to solve it before going to the garage.

At last, I just want to say that a few years ago I didin't even know what a brake pad was, or an alternator, didin't know what a spark plug looked like (don't laugh). Since with all the vehicule I owned, I did replace alternator, starter, Macpherson shocks, brakes, clutch, gear box and many other things.

Michel 1998 900S :-)


posted by 24.201.5...

NG900 DIY web site

• Saabs and reliability and good maintenance? cont', JamesD, Wed, 29 Dec 2004 15:18:24
  • Some shops will let you bring in your own parts, Noel, Thu, 30 Dec 2004 10:19:20
    • Yep, Noel's right..., turrbo , Thu, 30 Dec 2004 21:12:47
  • You're going to the wrong garage, RedAeroGirl, Thu, 30 Dec 2004 09:14:27
  • Re: Saabs and reliability and good maintenance? cont', Peter , Thu, 30 Dec 2004 04:25:04
    • Re: Saabs and reliability and good maintenance? cont', Spiros Trianta, Thu, 30 Dec 2004 06:50:07
      • math seems off to me, unless you aren't counting a lot, mdj, Thu, 30 Dec 2004 20:09:40
      • Re: Saabs and reliability and good maintenance? cont', Peter , Thu, 30 Dec 2004 07:35:57
  • james, some of these things are even neophite diy..., baggsly , Wed, 29 Dec 2004 15:50:28
    • To DIY or not...that's the part of the problem, JamesD, Wed, 29 Dec 2004 16:21:41
      • Re: To DIY or not...or the DIY philosophy., Michel_Mtl, Wed, 29 Dec 2004 17:15:23 <-- Viewing This Message
      • are there any car clubs in town that do rent garage..., baggsly , Wed, 29 Dec 2004 16:56:12

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