Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 17:58:17 +0100 From: "Andy Evans" <arts.psychologynopsamm.net> Subject: Re: Advice Needed ... Buying First Saab
One way of doing this is to locate your Saab mechanic before the car. You need to find the nearest guy that is an independent (cheaper), but Saab trained (competent), mechanic who specialises in Saabs. Often these specialists have a yard alongside the garage full of old Saabs they use for parts - which enables them to do cheaper repairs. If you make friends with one of these mechanics, he or she might help you buy a car, or might even have one in saleable or easily repairable condition, and this is the nearest to getting a 'known quantity'. In London UK the independent Saab specialists charge between a quarter and a half of what the franchised dealers charge, depending on the part or job. You're going to need this kind of repairer anyway, so you might as well start locating him or her right now. I use two guys in London that are excellent and cheap, one of whom I found through this ng, and I needed help days after buying my first Saab. I got £3,000 of work (Saab dealer prices) done for £700, and this is as big a money matter as buying the vehicle in the first place. I'm sure a posting in this ng would turn up one or two local experts. Andy