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?

Breaking the 4k mark (and NOT in a good way)

The list goes on. Here's where we are to date (the items in blue are the latest additions):

$ 16.00 8/29 new right low bulb
$240.00 8/29 install new hand brake (p & l)
$150.00 8/29 replace oil sending unit (p & l)
$302.00 8/29 labor for installing AC compressor
$212.47 8/26 refurbished AC compressor (eBay)
$253.00 8/11 new microswitch and shear pin (p & l)
$ 76.84 8/08 new left corner light (eBay)
$108.59 07/08 new battery
$ 81.25 7/08 used DIC (eBay)
$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
$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
$ 60.93 12/06 oil change
$125.00 8/06 new third brake light

And the grand total is: $4273.79

Do you think we're done yet? If you said "yes" you'd be wrong!

• I still need a new front bumper (quoted at $1390.89, p & l).
• The fuel filter appears to be the original. It looks like the PO didn't bother with the suggested 60K maintenance (I'm shocked!) so I will need to dish out $499.95 for this service.

Of course, this is as of 8/30/08—wanna bet I add more to this list before the year is out???!!!

Revenge of the Saab: Part 3

Just got the call. Yep, new AC compressor which is fine since that's what I was expecting. What I wasn't expecting was over three hours of labor!!! $301.40 for the labor alone. No, that doesn't include the parts. The actual compressor is going to run me $200 for a remanufactured one on eBay (includes s & h).

And the hits just keep on coming...

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...

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...