I agree about the C900's. I love mine and find that as long as they are attended to and maintained they keep pretty well. However, the first one I bought ('87 900 T16) was a learning experience because I didn't know what to look for. After I owned it about 1.5-2 years, I bought another ('88 900 SPG) and got an excellent gem that I love. The '87 had not been well maintained, so I had a number of things to fix in the first year. After I got my '88 SPG I started using them in tandem -> '88 SPG for summer, '87 T16 for winter, and occasionally as backup or a loaner.
I would think that the price "Mom2aDog" is paying is a bit much for annual costs. An independent Saab garage should be able to do much better. I am fortunate to have an independent Saab wizard only about 10 miles away.
You remind me why I own only Classic Saab 900s . . .
> I currently own two Classic Saabs with manual transmissions and no cup
> holders. I would never buy a Saab with an automatic - too many
> reliability and maintenance issues, as you have found out. I have spent
> nothing other than scheduled maintenance in the last year. Just my
> opinion, but I believe the NG models have too many bells and whistles
> and the emphasis has changed from a fun, sporty car to a luxury car. >
> I use an independent shop that specializes in Saabs and Volvos.
>
>
> >
> >>I own a 1998 900 SE Turbo automatic with 65K miles.
> >>
> >>My car seems to cost me about $1,500 - $2,000 a year to MAINTAIN. > >>
> >>I just took my car into the one and only Saab service place in my town
> >>(Raleigh, NC). Here's the list of things that need repaired:
> >>
> >>
> >>- 3-4 holes in pipe leading to muffler (causing my car to fail
> >>emmissions inspection). Saab say I need to replace entire muffler since
> >>it's all one piece.
> >>
> >>- Leak somewhere in transmission tubes/pipes, Saab says I need to
> >>replace all 6 transmission tubes since they don't know exactly which one
> >>is leaking. They believe this is causing my inconsistent shifting,
> >>which is one of the reasons I took the car in for repair.
> >>
> >>- Need new front rotors, shoes, pads
> >>
> >>- Need new front tires (this I knew already) and I'm not buying them > >>from Saab
> >>
> >>- Need alignment very badly (I had my car aligned 3 months ago at place
> >>where I purchased my new rear tires). Saab says I should have alignment
> >>done through THEM since they will do it 'right.' Alignment is $99 +
> >>tax, which is 25% more than I can get it done elsewhere.
> >>
> >>- The idle is running fast or is not timed right (I complained about
> >>this but they forgot to check it).
> >>
> >>
> >>So far, without the tires/alignment, they quoted me about $1575.00 to
> >>repair the above.
> >>
> >>
> >>Last year I had to replace the gear box mechanism to the tune of $600,
> >>along with vacuum seals, windshield washer pumps, for another $300. > >>
> >>The year before it took 4 visits before they figured out I had a bad O2 > >>sensor.
> >>
> >>This is my first Saab (probably my last too).
> >>
> >>Those of you with Saabs no longer in warranty: WHO ARE YOU HAVING FIX
> >>YOUR CAR IF YOU CAN'T DO IT YOURSELF AND THERE'S NO ONE ELSE YOU CAN
> >>FIND WHO IS ABLE TO WORK ON YOUR SAAB? I bought my Saab in CA at the
> >>end of 1997. I live across country now.
> >>
> >>I'm wondering if I have a 'lemon' since every year it seems to be
> >>*something* and that something is never less than $500 to fix. > >>
> >>Should I get rid of the car now? I'm unemployed so the time is not good
> >>to try and buy something else....
> >>
> >>ADVICE?
> >>
> >>COMMENTS?
> >>
> >>
> >>Thanks.
> >>
> >>mom2a"dog" @ earthlink . net
> >>
> >>(take out the quotes around the dog to send me email)
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >