Date: Wed, 9 Dec 1998 17:26:30 -0500 From: "The Man" <TD-TTCdeadnopsam.net> Subject: Re: When to shoot an old SAAB?
x wrote in message <74jrsb$92mnopsams1.newsguy.com>... >I recently bought an '87 9000S. Overall it was well taken care of but some >of the catch-up maintenance is starting to cause me to reconsider. The car >has 140,000 miles the engine, body and interior are in very good condition. >The problems according to my mechanic (whom I trust) My guess here is that this mechanic is not a Saab guy. He may be an excellent mechanic and a trustworthy fellow but a Saab requires a mechanic that has Saab in his heart. Sounds corny but it's true. If this guy doesn't have Saabs in his garage regularly find a new mechanic. Just your average 'Foreighn Auto Repair' guy won't do it either. IT MUST BE A SAAB LOVER!! >is a clutch that should be replaced, No need to replace clutch based on milage alone unless you've got money to burn. A bad clutch will let you know when it is bad. Do you have a problem shifting? Slipping? noise? As far as the price goes - I just had the clutch replaced on my '84 while they were changing the slave cylinder which had failed. My garage also put in a used radiator while it was there. Changed the oil, filter and a few other minor things. The total bill INCLUDING PARTS was around $500 to $550. >an OEM timing chain idler that he recommends being replaced, I don't think this part exists. I'll be checking my manuel on this one. I think this is one of those stupid bullitens that went out to a bunch of garages re a few named vehicles. Now every mechanic in the world wants to do something with your timing belt/idler/tensioner or whatever every time they see a car with any milage on it. If you bought the car via private sale I'm sure the previous owner has records on this vehicle that they would be happy to share. I've found most Saab owners to be very in to that sort of thing. >shot motor mounts that should be replaced, leaking oil pump. The motor mounts are a new one on me. I've never seen that one so I can't comment. As far as the oil pump goes I would be more inclined to say it was a seal only. There is this seal that tends to go on these things and although it is not an expexsive part it is an hour or so labor getting at it and putting it all back together. My guess is it is that and not the oil pump. I don't even know if the oil pump is external, again I will check my manuel. I had this seal changed on my '88 900T, I think the bill was around $100. >I prefer >bringing the car up to snuff, none of the problems currently are keeping the >car off of the road and I recently replaced brake rotors and water pump. >Recouping the repairs on resale or insurance should it be involved in an >accident is not likely since the above list of repairs will take over >$2,000. My options are to sell it and try again, repair it and drive it, or >live with it and let it continue to deteriorate. Any thoughts? > I can only assume you are either: A) getting ripped off buy your garage (unless you're paying for the jumbo drum of Vasoline) B) Your honest, trustworthy mechanic is not a Saab guy. This does not mean he's bad but GET THEE TO A SAAB GUY!!!! If it was my car I would keep it in tip top shape. You've got at least another 150K to 250K left on that thing. My '84 900 has 300,000 and is still going. I have even started to neglect it and turned to babying my '88 Turbo with 210,000 miles on it. I can't stress the importance of having a mechanic that has a love for Saabs. If he doesn't then you need someone who does. Think of it as a lifestyle, and never, Never, NEVer, NEVER go to JiffyLube, Speedy Lube, Discount Auto or any of those places. THEY WILL RUIN YOUR SAAB BEFORE YOU CAN EVEN START TO ENJOY IT!!! Worse yet they'll charge you for it too, big time. Hope this helps, and happy Saabing!!!! >
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