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, Thu, 6 Aug 2009 06:24:59
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We saw this and wanted to throw some info out there. I realize it's late in the game, so I apologize, but there are some things I want to clarify.
To be completely honest, it is often very chaotic in our shop. We only have 4 mechanics, plus Walter (who still makes an extraordinary effort to talk at length to each and every person about the specific needs of their car and the various levels at which you should take action) and myself (I do a little of everything, including any performance tuning or weird electrical diagnosis).
The shop is much too small for the amount of work that we do, and it isn't helped by the number of project cars we have in the works at any given time. Currently there are a pair of rough Sonetts that need a complete going through, the '67 95 wagon needs work, my '73 99 is mid- race car preperation, building up two 9000 engines to go into the stock room ready to go, plus all the work we do during the day.
It can often seem like you are sitting around waiting for things to happen which can be frustrating, but at the same time that is part of the trade off for getting such a personalized experience.
We have recently expanded our diagnostic and programming capability to include anything up to 2010 models, the shop is much more organized than it used to be, and we have all new waiting areas, free WiFi, and generally have a little more professional appearance.
That combined with our same as always no-charge full vehicle inspections (and no-charge pre-purchase inspection if you're contemplating a new addition to your garage, SAAB or otherwise) is making our customer experience more liveable, but we definitely do NOT offer a dealership like atmosphere.
I take a bit of offense at the comment about the nationality of our team - I heard a tidbit recently on the radio that Los Angeles was second in Hispanic total population in a single city only to Mexico City. Our guys have loads of experience, and every single one of our guys drive SAABs, and have for years. We get inspected periodically just like any other business in the area, but I can't fault steering away from somewhere that makes you uncomfortable. I am the only white guy who works in the shop, and I do a LOT of translating - some of the guys are pretty hard to understand sometimes, especially when it's really busy, we don't want that to cause any issues, and we'll gladly slow things down if it looks like someone is getting overwhelmed.
I can say that I have been blessed to be able to work somewhere that everyone LOVES to come to work, enjoys what they do, and take pride with the speed and quality that we do the work. I watched one of the guys diagnose and change the fuel pump and fuel filter in his 9-5 after work in 1 hr 15 mins so he could be done before it gets dark. The pair of mechanics who work the hot pits in the LeMons race with a C900 changed a head gasket on the car in 1 hr flat from rolling into the pits, to spinning the wheels right back out - hot off the track.
We know SAABs and we want everyone who comes through the gate to share in that love affair. If you're on this board reading this, that means I am talking directly to you.
We also love when people drop by who don't have anything wrong with the car just to look around, or ask questions. We get a fair number of calls from states away with repair questions or advice or to talk with the mechanic at the gas station that you got towed to so walk him through something....
.... because at the end of the day, what we are trying to accomplish (along with Anders, Two Guys, Swedish Auto Factory, Meyer SAAB, Genuine SAAB, GoldWing, you name it) is to keep more SAABs on the road, and more SAAB drivers happy to brag about their car.
Best,
Drew
, Wed, 5 Aug 2009 16:45:16, Thu, 6 Aug 2009 06:24:59
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