I just took a 6-year old S-car (98 SL2) with 130,000 miles on it into the Saturn dealership because of noise under the hood and vibration that I thought might be a problem outside the engine.
Instead, my ulcer was aggravated and I was told the problem was INSIDE the engine. The service rep told me his "shop foreman" looked at it and said it was "rod knock."
The service rep laid out my options from his perspective:
- 00 for a re-built with 3 yr/36 month part/labor warranty
- 00 for a used engine with 46,000 miles and a 6 month parts-only warranty
- 00 to fix the existing engine.
He himself preferred option #1. He had another option of selling me a new Saturn for the trade-in value of the car, but I told him there was a possibility of my emigrating from the United States once again in a year or so, and I wasn't in a position to take payments anyway.
I have added a few options of my own:
- Find another trusted mechanic to put a re-built in.
- Cut my losses on a car I have owned a year and 25,000 miles and have put 00 into. Get another used car that is not a Saturn and which must do a 40-mile one-way commute on the interstate reliably and dependably.
- Set up a cot where I work, and eliminate the commute and the enjoyment of living.
- Try to get on welfare and move around on by bus or bicycle.
I beg for the collective wisdom of the group. Thanks for any suggestions.