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I went in for an oil change at Perrine Saab in NJ. They also inspected my car for any other repairs I may need. I've never been there before, as I've been taking my Saab to an independent mechanic, who is not really a Saab mechanic. Reason is, the Saab dealerships have been closing nearby.
They told me I needed a new sway bar which was about $700. Is that reasonable considering the cost of the parts or is the labor just really intensive? They wanted me to do it immediately and said that I was probably hearing a click or thunk (which I had heard for years backing out of a parking spot). The last Saab mechanic at Princeton Saab 2 years ago didn't really see a problem with it.
Other things that need repair, but they said were not immediate was a leaking valve cover, front pads and rotors, trans flush, idler, water pump and timing belt. I just had the timing belt replaced about 2 years ago.
I don't know what Perrine Saabs reputation is, as I've never been there before and I'm not saying that the work doesn't need to be done. It is tough to afford keeping a Saab up during these times, although I love the car.
My question is, how important is the sway bar. Especially considering that, after my mechanic replaced my engine mounts about a year ago to the tune of almost $2K, I had smelled a slight burning smell since and not only do I wonder if the leaking valve cover is more urgent, but I don't want to be put in a situation where I get a lesser, yet really expensive, sway bar replaced, all to find out that they may tell me just after to come up with another grand for a valve cover replacement. Perhaps I'm being paranoid, but everyone needs money nowadays, not the least of which is GM.
I would have to look through my paperwork for my timing belt repair paperwork from Paul Miller Saab which closed a couple of years ago, but I don't travel any more than 180-200 miles per week and, as far as I knew, a timing belt on my 6 cyl. wagon should be lasting longer than this.
Please let me know if you know anything about any of this stuff, or even Perrine's reputation. When I do go to a dealer, I am accustomed to going to a dealer who only has Saab as their interest or maybe Saab and just 1 or 2 other types of cars. Perrine appears to have added Saab sales and service simply because they took on the inventory and service of closing dealerships and so I don't feel as "at home" there.
posted by 69.248.9...
, Sun, 5 Apr 2009 12:35:38, Sun, 5 Apr 2009 07:15:53
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