Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2007 08:05:57 +0000 (UTC) From: Craig's Saab C900 Site <c900nospam.apana.org.au> Subject: Re: The 'jabberwocky' returns from the smash repairer!
"Rod H" <rodhoggnospamnet> writes: >"hippo" <johnhnospamthis.shoal.net.au> wrote in message >news:7d01e6a3d81a1db4f9700172abe6d944nospamlhost.talkaboutautos.com... >> Rod H wrote: >> >>>"Craig's Saab C900 Site" <c900nospamIL PROTECTED] >>>> wrote in message >> news:Pine.GSO.4.64.0708100910490.23887nospamIL PROTECTED] >>>> >>>> I picked up my red 89 16V c900 back from the smash repairer on >> Wednesday >> >>>> after A$4300 worth of insurnance-covered (except for the excess) repair >> >>>> work! Major parts replaced were the A-pillar (not sure if that's new >> but >> I >>>> think it is), driver's side door (good used), driver's side front guard >> >>>> (brand new!), bonnet/hood (good used), and sundry small parts. >>>> >>>> The repairs appear to be very good quality, and the paint job on the >>>> replacement parts and associated areas is excellent. Now I need to give >> >>>> the rest of the car a full polish/wax to get it up to the same >> standard >> as >>>> the repaired areas! >>>> >>>> The only thing I need to solve is a slight fit problem for the >> replacement >>>> bonnet/hood and get a replacement door inner (none were available from >> >>>> wreckers or from Saab as a new part so we agreed to keep the old one >> which >>>> has a little chunk of the foam knocked out!), but otherwise it's as >> good >> >>>> as new. >>>> >>>> Pictures of the car in it's repaired for are located at: >>>> >>>> http://www.classicsaab.net/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=7710 >>>> >>>> I've got some replacement foglight brackets coming soon too and then >> I'll >>>> put the foglights back on the car and attempt to figure out why they >>>> didn't work the first time I had them fitted even though I used a relay >> >>>> and fuse in the 'prescribed' locations and put a switch on the socket I >> >>>> found floating in the dash wiring which had the correct wiring... That >> >>>> still puzzles me. >>>> >>>> Craig. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Craig's Saab C900 Page at | Craig's Classic Saab Workshop - Sydney >> >>>> .au >>>> http://nospam/~c900 >> | http://www.classicsaab.net >> and other >>>> URL's >>>> Email: c900nospamIL PROTECTED] >> | For Saab 99/C900/9000 Enthusiasts >>>> World-Wide! >>>> Alternate: saabonautnospamIL PROTECTED] >> | Web-forums, galleries, library, links, >>>> etc. >> >>>car looks good. I can't even see any weld marks where the doors were >>>welded >>>shut. >>>I also find it amazing that your insurance forked out that much for >> repairs. >>>but i also find it amazing some of the horror stories about what >> happened >> to >>>people after hurricane katrina in regards to insurance claims. >> >>>rod >> >> Good news story Craig. FWIW Rod and Gary, new and used car prices over >> here are totally diferent from in the US. Craig's 89 is probably worth >> $A4.5-6K depending on the insurer, with some prepared to inspect >> individual vehicles and cover for a higher amount (usually for a higher >> premium of course. Similar vehicle is probably worth half that in US >> dollars and a few hundred quid in the UK. It's mostly a supply and demand >> issue because we're miles from nearly anywhere else, but bear in mind also >> that not much of Australia has winter road salting, really corrosive >> coastal salt spray, or heavy industrial fallout, so car bodies tend to get >> an easier life than in many other countries. Cheers >> >> >> >yes that does make sense. I imagine new car prices down there are almost >like buying a house. Not really, but Sydney is certainly the most expensive city in Australia for cost-of-living, esp. with property prices. Car prices are wierd - new car prices are incredibly low because the market is totally flooded at the moment with makes/models and the average Australian's 'green' footprint is growing rather rapidly with all the new car buying. Australia is second only behind the USA in terms of choice of make/model, and apparently in a few months we'll be the world-leader in terms of having the most makes/models of vehicle available for retail sale when the Sydney motor show rolls around in October. Flipside is used car prices drop heaps as well. Even though my 89 16V c900 is worth from an insurance perspective $5500, the same car would only sell for half or less on Ebay if at all, and a dealer would probably want to sell it for about $4.5k. I could not believe the insurers insisted on insurance values around $5k when I first started shopping around for a full-comp policy. Loads of c900's come up for sale (Ebay especially) here at giveaway prices when rego runs out and the costs to do necessary repairs start to stack up fast after a period of time where TLC has been let slip. The #1 cause of this is transmission repair/replacement costs! Double-flipside is that this means there are super bargains around for people with a keen eye for good buys. My 81 turbo was an example of that - virtually no rust, engine/trans/turbo fully reconditioned in the last 2 years by previous owner, and the only significant problems were cracked exhaust manifold and inner CV's needed work. Purchase price under A$1000. I've spent double that on servicing but it was all stuff that needed doing. The 83 turbo I bought about 2 years ago was a real lemon and I got bitten with that one and I was determined to keep looking for a really good 8V turbo car. The 81 turbo appeared and I dumped work on the 83 turbo almost straight away. Even though the cooling system part of the engine was shot (and the cylinder head badly corroded) the car is a valuable source of parts. It'll never run again and the rust is really eating at the body now. Craig. -- Craig's Saab C900 Page at | Craig's Classic Saab Workshop - Sydney .au http://nospam/~c900 | http://www.classicsaab.net and other URL's Email: c900nospam.apana.org.au | For Saab 99/C900/9000 Enthusiasts World-Wide! Alternate: saabonautnospaml.com | Web-forums, galleries, library, links, etc.
