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Hi all,
I would appreciate any comment on my 2001 9-3 base, 4-door, 5-speed,
with 38,500 miles.
I bought it new in September'01. The warranty expired this September.
Around that time, I had been fidgeting over whether I should trade it
in, and get another car (may not even be a Saab). Since it doesn't
convey an overall sturdy feeling. The turbo failed at 25k, shifter
blocked on shifting to 3rd gear, sunroof click, a rod on the driver
seat right side suddenly broke loose one day, and many other small
items.
Since, I don't have much money to spend on a new car, and scared of
the potential repair nightmare of old cars, I shelved that idea. And
replaced 4 new tires ($680) a week ago, and had the 40k minor service
done ($230) at SAF yesterday morning. And 5 hours later, it stranded
us outside of IKEA.
It happened like this, I wasn't really concentrated (have been quite
ginger with this car, knowing it is a bit frail), inserted the key and
turned it all the way to the right (to the START position) without
stopping briefly at each position in between. All lights dimmed, I
thought I heard a brief (~.1 second) muffled attempt to start the car,
and then nothing happened. I was suddenly awaken.
This has happened once before, right after I filled it up at the gas
station. That time, I pulled off the key, and re-inserted it and made
sure to stop for 1 second at each position from LOCK to START. And the
car started afterwards. The only thing that didn't work after the car
started was the feul gauge. It was stuck at EMPTY while every other
gauge or button worked. Drove the car for a while, turned off the car,
restarted it, and the feul gauge came back alive.
But this time, we were not so lucky. The car just wouldn't start.
Each time I tried to start, I heard a click from the left front engine
compartment, all lights would dim, no cranking noise. And if I only
turned the key to ON position and back to START for another attempt, I
wouldn't get another click, and lights would dim even more (or it
seemed).
Saab road side assistance has been very nice to grant us an one-time
good-will complimentary towing.
Now the car sits at B&B. A technician will have a look at it ($125).
Could the starter have failed? Then I may be looking at a quite
expensive repair. Could this be the IDM failure, then I would be
spared this time?
Last night Silicon Valley had the first substantial rain this season,
(was out of the town when it first rained in early November) and it
took us 3 hours to make the bumpy trek from IKEA back home.
Fortunately, we didn't buy any furniture this time. We are about to
have our first baby next year, and I could only imagine how it would
feel if stranded somewhere with a baby.
Should I cut loss, and change to another car? I had an '86 Volvo 740
before, and it was as reliable as a mule. Still miss it. This '01
Saab is my first Saab, I like its look, but this may be a time I
need to get practical?
Thanks a lot,
clriufs
posted by 139.181....
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