1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup
My '86 900S is in need of repairs (after failing inspection). I like to tinker with the car, but am NOT nearly inclined as most people on this board, and most repairs have been done by an honest family mechanic (we've been going to him for 15+ years). I live in a city and drive the car less than 5000 miles/year.
My mechanic only likes to use genunine parts and here's what he says is needed (prices include labor):
Catalytic Converter $1000
Shocks (front and rear) $300/pair
Axles (left and right) $300/each
So i'm looking at $2200, which i'm not too thrilled about putting into this car, and the mechanic recommends i DON"T do the work and retire the car. He says it's time to look for another car, and the car is getting to the point where i'll likely need some EXPENSIVE front end work (what does "front end" work usually entail?)
I priced the above repairs using 3rd party aftermarket parts (thru a different mechanic) and i'm looking at ~$1100 as follows:
Catalytic Converter $200
Shocks $550
Axles $325
I asked the first mechanic about using aftermarket parts, and he said they wouldn't last as long and he wouldn't guarantee the work, and even still his aftermarket prices were quite a bit higher than the second mechanic's prices.
I guess i'm asking, "If it were your car, would you invest the money"?
Also, how important/reliable are Genuine Saab parts relative to aftermarket?
One last question... i get a clicking noise on left turns, which is what lead to inquiring about the axle work. I read a post lower on this board with the same symptoms and it was diagnosed as a CV joint. Is a CV joint part of or the same as the axle system?
Sorry for all the questions, but i'm at a little bit of a loss, and also aprehensive about using a new mechanic (but fortunately the new mechanic is a licensed inspection staion, so i'm pretty confident about passing inspection (my MAIN concern, next to not getting into an accident due to a failed part) if i have him do the work.
I don't plan on keeping the car forever, but would like to get another few years out of it.
THANKS for reading this far!!!!!!
posted by 24.189.6...
, Sat, 20 Apr 2002 15:34:30
, Sat, 20 Apr 2002 08:10:25
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
