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Hi,
I need advice badly. Someone please read the below and answer these 4 questions for me:
1. Am I paying for regular maintenance on this car for its age and mileage or is this car becoming a money pit that should be dumped/traded in? Will this car probably last after all of this work without dumping much more money into it for another 50-80k miles?
2. Should I spend the money right now to fix this (completely unnoticable) slow coolant leak that is not head gasket related (see below for details on problems?
3. Isn't 82,500 miles kind of a short lifespan for a clutch? Since 54,000 miles, about half of my driving has been highway miles.
4. I've heard these GM-based 900's cars have alternator problems. How long could I expect this one to last?
I have a 900 Turbo 'Vert. My cluth went out at 82,500. It's at the mechanic's shop right now. My indi mechanic is quoting me $1,200 to $1,500, including replacing the clutch cable.
I've also got a slow coolant link that is slowly dripping into the heatercore. My mechanic says he can seal the link, but it will only last about 6-12 months. Then, he tells, the coolant will slowly leak into the seats and effect the heater. He says it'll eventually cost me close to $1k to properly fix the leak because he has to remove the dash to get to the heatercore, which he says adds several hours of labor. (He changes $65/hour labor and seems to know a lot about European Cars. I trust him.)
About one month and 1,000 miles ago, I replaced the alternator and water pump. I did a brake and transmission flush as well. I also did a preventive rust treatment on the engine and other parts.
At 65,000 miles, I got the regularly scheduled tune up. Since I bought the car (54k miles) I have only used Mobile 1 synthetic and change the oil and filter every 4,000 miles. Also, I also only used high octane gasoline.
I bought this car about 2 1/2 years ago with 54k miles on it for $8,500. 9 months ago, I replaced the muffler and flexpipe. About 18,000 miles ago, I replaced the rear rotors and all the brake pads.
I was thinking about buying a mid-90's BMW 325i before I pay for the clutch replacement and trading this car in. My mechanic says BMW clutched typically last 200,000 miles. I really like my SAAB, but a drove a 325 manual was was more impressed with the handing and accelleration. The engine seems more substantial Dealers and mechanics tell me the BMW 3 series is more reliable than SAAB (but that 900 SAABs are more reliable than Audi A4s).
Sorry for all the questions, but I really would appreciate some detailed, quick feedback. I need to make a decision on whether or not to do these repairs or trade in my car by Monday or Tuesday at the very latest.
posted by 24.16.4...
, Sun, 23 Apr 2006 15:51:57
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