Revenge of the Saab, Part 4

Yesterday was another visit to the mechanics for Rag Taap. I am having, yet again, ACC problems. In fact, I'm having the exact ACC problem I had 2 years ago and fixed August 08—the AC compressor. Rather then tell my story regarding this fucking problem again, you can read about it here:

• Revenge of the Saab, Part 1
• Revenge of the Saab, Part 2
• Revenge of the Saab, Part 3

Driving to Tampa in October, the new AC compressor died. Which means I get to a) do it all over again and spend over $500 so my entire engine doesn't sieze up, and b) spend more money to replace the anti-frost switch, which my mechanic thinks is the culprit (it's not working, so too much frost built up and "broke" the compressor). Of course, it would have been nice if, last August, my mechanic would have told me this. Fuck.

Unlike last year, my mechanic says I can drive the car, but should do so with the AC off (D'uh). Even then there is no guarantee that the ruined compressor won't snap the serpentine belt before I can get it fixed. Ah, the joys of auto ownership.

Merry Christmas to me. I guess I will be asking Santa for a new ACC compressor and some labor $$.

Have I said Fuck yet?

Rag Taap Day!

I finally broke down and ordered my vanity plates. I love 'em!

Inspired by both my Saab convertible, and Jimmy Buffett. It's often a rag top day! :)

FIRE SALE! All subsidiaries must go!

So, Saab is filing for bankruptcy--or rather the GM subsidiary, Saab, files for bankruptcy. It appears the Swedes won't help GM by giving them more money. I'm shocked! note the exaggerated sarcasm

I'm the first to admit I don't understand the world of finance and big business. It doesn't, however, come as a surprise that GM is having to scramble to reorganize Saab so they can try and sell them. Of course, selling Saab won't save GM, especially if the gazillions of dollars the U.S. government has already given GM can't save them.

What does this mean for me and my Saab? Probably nothing. I'm not under any kind of warranty and I don't ever go to the dealer (unless I need my remote key programmed). It does mean I probably won't be replacing the Vig with a new Saab any time soon. Yeah, 'cause that was going to happen!! note even more exaggerated sarcasm

Read the full story here: CTV.ca: Saab files for bankruptcy protection from creditors

Now that's a rag taap day!

In my last post What if it rains? I pondered over those brave souls who challenge the weather gods and drive with their tops down when the sky looks threatening. Not I. I'm a wuss. My birthday, however, did provide a brilliant rag taap day:




Fluffy little clouds, playing with the sun. A little spirited driving, with some good tunes. On the way to my birthday massage.

That's livin'!

What if it rains?

I'm a Nervous Nellie. If I see even the threat of a cloud in the sky, I won't put my top down. I'm so paranoid that the sky will open up and the flood gates of heaven will be released. There go my seats. There goes my electrical. Etc., etc., etc.

I'm always amazed to see those brave souls who drive with their top down, no matter what. Threat of rain? Who cares! Monsoon? We'll be fine! I just couldn't do it. This was the sky yesterday afternoon:



I saw, not one, but TWO different Mustangs drive by me with their tops down. Maybe owning a Mustang makes you more of a daredevil. (I think it makes you just like everybody else, but what do I know?) I do know that with a sky threatening to open up and dump, there is no way my top's going down. I like to be topless on those nice days where the sun shines down and really elluminates my assets.

Revenge of the Saab: Part 2

I love my guys at SC. They are always so helpful. I was ready to take the engine apart and put in a shorter belt to bypass the AC compressor. Then reason took hold. While they may be equipped with a massive garage and every tool imaginable, I do not. So, I patiently waited until my indie guy opened at 7:30 this morning and called him.

While he may err on the side of caution-with-a-helmet-and-a-life-preserver, he said call your insurance and see if a tow is covered (I have roadside assistance). It's covered. Tow-boy Rob (I'm not sure he was old enough to drive, let alone drive a huge flatbed tow truck) showed up about 3:00 to take the car to the shop. My heart stopped and I almost pee'd myself when he got out of the car and it started to roll backwards (for those of you who follow the saga, we have no handbrake right now). He righted it and everything was peachy-keen.

Guy at Swede Central confirmed that the Vig made it safe and sound. He'll be confirming its diagnosis tomorrow morning.

Stay tuned...

Revenge of the Saab: Part 1

Well that was short-lived. The top may go down now, but that doesn't matter if I can't drive the damn thing. Yep, more problems. About a week ago I started hearing this kind of grumbling sound coming from the right side of the engine. It was intermittent so I made a mental note to have my mechanic look at it when I go in to have the oil sending unit replaced (which was going to be in the next week or two).

Hop in the car this morning—the sound is no longer intermittent, nor is it quiet. It's now a full out, constant rumbling. And LOUD. So, instead of taking mom home, I get to stop by Tire Kingdom to see if they'll check my belts and such (mom is sure it's a belt or a pulley problem). Of course, TK is packed and the counter guy says it'll be about 45 minutes until they can take a look. I decide to wait. Maybe it's because I'm cute (or he just wanted me out of his hair), but the next thing I know they pull my car into the bay. There were some moments of panic when they couldn't find the tire lock. Lucky for them, they still had it from when I was in there a few months ago getting new tires! Boneheads...

Anyway, after about 30 minutes, Johan diagnoses the problem: AC compressor, specifically the bearing:



After quoting me $900 for a new one (yeah, right. have you guys heard of eBay???), I said thank you very much for the diagnosis. I'll be driving home now, with the windows down and the air most definitely OFF. Johan recommended not driving really until it's fixed so now I'm nervous. I'm going to head on over the SC and see what they have to say.

To be continued...

I'm topless!!

Went to the mechanic on Friday and he fixed the mangled microswitch, tightened the lines, and found out that my shear pin had busted so he fixed that too. He even gave me the circle frame for the back seat light. This makes me much happier with my car. :)

Check it out:

I was so giddy about having a vert that works, I lowered it for a 10 minute trip to the grocery store! We also went to Daytona yesterday (Sunday). Lesson learned: when driving for 45 minutes, with the top down, on the way to the beach, when it's 94, wear sunscreen. :) That's why I look like a boiled lobster:

Here's what's on the horizon...

I've been catching some crap (in a good way) about my Viggen ranting. I suppose that's my own fault. :) With all of my complaining, I haven't mentioned how much I love to drive my car (when something isn't falling off). I even responded on the forum to someone inquiring about whether or not they should buy a 9-3:

If I was able to do it over again, I would not have bought this particular vehicle. I would have held out and waited until a better Saab 9-3 convertible presented itself. However, I do not regret my decision to purchase a Saab 9-3!"

I am committed to this car, and am doing everything within my financial power to fix what's broke. You've seen what's been done. Here's what is on the horizon:

$253: new 5^th bow microswitch—at least my top will be able to go down, it's been broken since last July. I go to have this fixed on Friday. Yay!
8/8 THIS IS COMPLETE! THE TOP NOW WORKS. :)

$200: new oil sending unit. This was diagnosed last year, however, it's been difficult for me to go ahead with this as the part is only $20. The rest is labor. You do the math.

$175: new hand brake. I haven't had a hand (parking) brake for over a year, either. It rusted through and snapped. Good thing you have to keep the car in reverse to get your key out of the ignition.

$800: new bumper. Since this is cosmetic, it is low on the list. I'm thinking of selling one of the kids—I found a used bumper for $500 but just can't eat that expense right now. Who should go, Zachary or Jonah?



$6: new backseat light cover. The little clip that holds it in placed snapped, and superglue only lasted a month. :) Finally! Something for my car that costs less than $50. Woo hoo!



$60 EACH, unpainted: 2 jack point covers. These are little covers for the sides of the car, where the jacks go when the car is being elevated.

1. What a nutty little thing to need.
   
2. Why are they not on my car?
   
3. Why don't the side skirts come with them??
   

So that's what is on the horizon. It will take months for the lower-end items. And the bumper? Well, that's going to take an act of god. :) Here's to the small successes:

• a new DIC from eBay—installed myself
  
• a new left corner light from eBay—installed myself
  
• a new 5th bow microswitch—indy to fix on Friday
  

Let's start there. Next month, a new oil sending unit. Stay tuned...

What Vig has cost me...

...since 8/22/06

While I'm afraid to add this up, I'm interested to see how much $$ I've put into Vig. My buddies at SaabCentral say it's well worth it—I'm skeptical.

**Normal maintenance updated, based on feedback from my buddies at SaabCentral (and yes, they say it's well worth it!) There are a few items that Saaboheme, whose opinion and feedback I value, listed as normal w & t, but with which I must disagree.

I have split the difference with the tires. Two new tires in 2 years, cool. Four new tires in 2 years when I drive about 8-10k miles a year, not cool.

I also did not include the center muffler nor the intermediate pipe as "normal" w & t. These were rusted through, which I don't consider "normal." :)

Whether normal w & t or not, the total is still the same—$3100 in 2 years. I still feel that's excessive.

$ 76.84 8/08 new left corner light (eBay)
$108.59 07/08 new battery
$108.59 07/08 new battery
$ 81.25 7/08 used DIC (eBay)
$361.54 7/08 2 new tires, oil change
$361.54 7/08 2 new tires, oil change
$ 67.79 3/08 oil change
$164.08 3/08 new front tire
$107.87 09/07 new ACC control panel (eBay)
$ 91.96 7/07 program keyless, new HLs
$455.76 7/07 new tie rods, check vert**
$ 37.84 7/07 keyless remote (eBay)
$ 26.95 7/07 keyless remote (eBay)
$113.57 5/07 oil change, new wipers
$ 51.80 5/07 new spark plugs
$164.08 4/07 new rear tire
$209.47 1/07 serpentine belt and idler pulley
$209.47 1/07 serpentine belt and idler pulley
$224.33 1/07 replace inter. pipe/ctr. muffler (labor)
$360.00 1/07 inter. pipe/ctr. muffler (parts)
$209.67 12/06 replace front brake pads
$209.67 12/06 replace front brake pads
$ 60.93 12/06 oil change
$125.00 8/06 new third brake light

And the grand total is: $3099.32

The items in blue are things that are normal maintenance and expected, and the ** includes an $85 labor charge to look at and diagnose my vert. How's this for wasted money—the diagnosis was a brand new hydraulic pump to the tune of three grand. Turns out it's really just a microswitch, for $253. Needless to say, I will not be going back to Euro Specialists any time soon.

How's that for an eye-opener. And we're not even done, folks. Come on back to see what's comin' up...

Saab Blaag, here we go!

I've started this blog, because I desperately need a place to vent and sometimes (rarely) rejoice, about my 2000 Saab 9-3 Viggen turbo convertible (aka, Vig). My good buddies at SaabCentral Forums always get an earful—but I need an outlet where I can just let loose and complain—they get sick of that after awhile. :)

So, let's talk Saab. First, this is what my car should look like:



Beautiful, eh? Below you will see what my car actually looks like:

Click on the image for the full-size view. Notice the need for a bath, the duct-tapped left corner light (this is a recent development), the scraped up, mangled bumper, and the top—in it's permanent, raised position. Not quite the beauty queen she should be, eh? Well, I'm trying to fix all of that. Read all about it in future posts! :)